jkbrigman
10 kW
I own and have been a happy driver of a 2000 Honda Insight now for almost 12 years. In that 12 years, the car has had four catalytic converters: the factory original and two that Honda put on. One, the last one, I put on. Now, in 2013, the little old Honda Insight wants to exact it's Catalytic Converter toll on me: best price I have for replacing it with a reputable part is $770.
At this point, there's a fair amount of work needed on the car. The synchronizers in the transmission are going. I've got an IMA light on (could just need a balance charge - it's never had one), shocks are gone and need replacing, and somewhere, somehow, there are leaks in the body where water gets in and soaks the seatbelts.
I've always fantasized about converting the car. It's darn near perfect: 1800lbs all-up right now, you could convert it and with LiPo, probably stay under 2000lbs. The questions I'll put to the forum for your consideration are:
1) Pay the money for the converter, drive it another 2-3 years, then trade it on something?
2) Hunt down a used converter from a crashed car or some other low-cost option and install it myself? (I'm capable and have the tools.)
3) Convert the car now and drive it till the wheels fall off?
4) Do nothing, trade it in on a new car. That new car could be a Toyota Prius or a LEAF.
One important thing to consider: I have a ton of projects already and don't have the time to start a months-long conversion of this car right now. I can do the work in a year from now (and buying a catalytic converter would buy me that time) but I can't worry about a car conversion this year, unless it's a job that could be completed quicker than I think - two or three weekends, maybe?
A trade in of the car on a LEAF is an attractive option, since it accomplishes a "conversion" in the shortest possible time. (I have the charger installed and hanging on the wall of my garage right now.) Although that is, by far, the most expensive option.
I'm interested in the thoughts of anyone who owns an Insight, already converted a car (especially an Insight) or anyone who owns a new Prius (especially the plug-in) or LEAF.
JKB
At this point, there's a fair amount of work needed on the car. The synchronizers in the transmission are going. I've got an IMA light on (could just need a balance charge - it's never had one), shocks are gone and need replacing, and somewhere, somehow, there are leaks in the body where water gets in and soaks the seatbelts.
I've always fantasized about converting the car. It's darn near perfect: 1800lbs all-up right now, you could convert it and with LiPo, probably stay under 2000lbs. The questions I'll put to the forum for your consideration are:
1) Pay the money for the converter, drive it another 2-3 years, then trade it on something?
2) Hunt down a used converter from a crashed car or some other low-cost option and install it myself? (I'm capable and have the tools.)
3) Convert the car now and drive it till the wheels fall off?
4) Do nothing, trade it in on a new car. That new car could be a Toyota Prius or a LEAF.
One important thing to consider: I have a ton of projects already and don't have the time to start a months-long conversion of this car right now. I can do the work in a year from now (and buying a catalytic converter would buy me that time) but I can't worry about a car conversion this year, unless it's a job that could be completed quicker than I think - two or three weekends, maybe?
A trade in of the car on a LEAF is an attractive option, since it accomplishes a "conversion" in the shortest possible time. (I have the charger installed and hanging on the wall of my garage right now.) Although that is, by far, the most expensive option.
I'm interested in the thoughts of anyone who owns an Insight, already converted a car (especially an Insight) or anyone who owns a new Prius (especially the plug-in) or LEAF.
JKB