Owner Review: An insight of past - My 2011 Honda Insight 1.3A

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Basic information about my car:

2011 Honda Insight 1.3A

Reasons why I bought this car(purpose):

Looking for any 2nd hand unit family car to replace my 2010 Saga FL1.3. The car gave me monthly troubles, most probably due to a major crash in 2013(surprisingly did not get total loss from insurance comp.) as well as high FC (8km/l).

Based on my budget (below RM30K), I have shortlisted Perodua Myvi, Perodua Alza and Honda Insight (excluding Protons because it's time to try others). After surveys, including sneaking into car Groups, finally decided for Honda Insight, model 2011.

Car Selection Process

• I had a budget of RM 30,000
• Models that I have considered include: Perodua Alza, Perodua Myvi

1. Price (the only Japanese CBU car below 10 years that is priced below RM30,000)
2. Overall design (considering ~10 years old, it doesn't age!)
3. Fuel Consumption (14-22 km/l)
4. Reliable hybrid system compare to other hybrids (based on car users group and few of my friend's feedback - not to say trouble free, but troubles that I heard is acceptable)
5. Japan CBU (wanted to feel how does CBU built feels like)

User Experience

• I have already done 15,000 km.
• My average fuel consumption is 16km/L.

Disclaimer: My thoughts will be only based on the car that I have owned and mostly driven (Proton Saga FL 1.3, Honda Accord, Honda HRV and Suzuki Swift 1.4). After 15,000km of usage.

• Ride quality. I did not expect that the ride quality would be that good. The cornering, cabin insulation and highway driving feels great. It felt much more stable than the cars that I have driven. I also feel that this car's aerodynamics are quite ok. NVH wise, just similar as per Hondas. 

• Performance. It's a 1.3 hybrid, so I did not expect much. It does well in stop and go city driving and normal highway cruise (80-140kph). However, one thing I noticed is that this car is not for steep climbs. Several driving uphill such as Cameron Highlands, or even in some shopping mall parking steep areas, the car sometimes not very responsive. I am not sure if it is due to 1.3hybrid, or CVT.

• Fuel consumption. At first I used FC for around 13-16km/l. However, after changing the fuel strainer, cleaning of throttle body and MAF sensor, it becomes 15-21km/l. That is to me, it's good compared to all cars I have driven.

• Reliability. I was lucky to get a well-maintained 2nd hand unit. It's not perfect, but no breakdown after 15,000km is considered OK for me. Unique common problem for Insight, based on mechanic and FB group info; 1. IMA Fan (RM1.5k), 2. Brake Master Pump (RM800-1.8k), 3. A/C related part (RM1-2k). My car has no.

1 and 2 issues, where no.1 was already solved by the previous owner based on service record and no.2 solved by me. Based on my talk with the mechanic, all issues above are avoidable, with No.1 (cleaning of IMA fan once a year), No.2 (regular brake bleeding - 2 years once) and No.3 (regular AC service - 2 years once). Hybrid system wise, so far no issue.

It is commonly heard that if it's banjir, this car is OK. That's true (even any cars), but as long as the water did not enter the cabin, the hybrid system will not damage. Because hybrid electronic components are all inside the car cabin. On hybrid batteries, I have not heard people change it even after ~10years, even for those who have>300k km mileage.

But when the time comes, to prepare RM3k - 6k (depending whether aftermarket or ori Honda). How to know when time comes? There's one meter they use in some workshops / Honda service centers to check battery health.

• Maintenance. Just like other cars. However, some additional tips for Insight, based on mechanic and group FB info: 1. Engine oil needs to be 0w20 or 5w30. Best is 0w20, more suitable. Around RM128-250. 2. Clean IMA fan every year. Can be done in some workshops for around RM60 to RM100. This is to avoid IMA fan failure 3. Fuel strainer replacement.

Almost every 2010s onwards Honda has to do this. Every 3 years, RM250-350. Don't really like this from Honda, as the process looks tedious for preventive maintenance. 4. CVT filter. Every 2 CVT fluid replacement, 1 CVT filter replacement. RM400-500. 6. Brake fluid bleeding. Every 2 years best to avoid brake pump damage (if damage, brake feels like sponge, less responsive). 5. Hybrid battery. To check yearly on current performance by special tool. Rarely heard people change this, even after ~10 years and >300k km. However, just standby RM3-6k.

• Design. This is very subjective. I mean there are people who like cars. To me this car is ahead of its time. Still looks fresh in 2021, both interior and exterior.

• Space. This car is OK for a small young family with 1-2 small kids. The front area is spacious. I am a 110kg, 178cm guy and the driver seat of this car fits me well. It is ergonomic for short and long distance driving. However, I do sometimes hit my head when exiting the car, but it's ok for me.

The rear is to me a little bit cramped, due to the low roof. For 170cm and above people might feel rear seats are not very spacious. Boot size is good. Not sure how many liters, but almost like HRV. You can fit your luggage for 4 persons, and even bring in a 29er bicycle (fold rear seat).

Additional things:

Spare part. Based on my checking, the spare part of this car is not as easy to get as other Hondas, and price might be a bit higher than other Hondas. However, you don't buy spare part every single day, so it's not really a problem for me. There is fun in it. 

Panas. I heard this before I purchased it. This car is equipped with auto engine turn off during stop (just like current Bezza and Myvi). However, it turns off the AC cool as well. So, in Malaysia, people might don't like this. To reduce this panas thing, I installed a top of range tinted by Alva. So far it does well. No more panas in traffic. So, it is important to install a good tint for this car.

Rubber components. After purchase I found out the rubber seals components of this car were worn off. Might be due to aging (~10years) or CBU Japan unit  (where the rubber seals are not suitable for our climate). 

Pros and Cons

Pros of my car

1. Ride quality. The cornering, cabin insulation and highway driving feels good.
2. Performance for stop and go city driving and normal highway cruise (80-140kph).
3. Fuel consumption. 15-21km/l.
4. Design. Still looks fresh in 2021, both interior and exterior.
5. Price. CBU Japan year 2011 below RM30k.

Cons

1. Steep or hill condition - not very responsive. I am not sure if it is due to 1.3hybrid, or CVT.
2. Fuel strainer replacement. For Honda 2010s onwards. To replace this, it looks like brain surgery. If it is a preventive maintenance item, Honda should make it easily replaced and accessible.
3. Auto engine turns off during stop. This car is equipped with auto engine turn off during stop (just like current Bezza and Myvi). However, it turns off the AC cool as well.
4. Rear seat low roof. Not for 170cm and above.

Total Score: 5

Performance: 3

Quality & Features: 5

Space: 4

Ride comfort: 5

Fuel Economy: 5

Price & cost: 5

Summary:

A quality and practical car for a small young family. Great design, ride quality and excellent fuel consumption. Comfortable driving for short and long distances.

Lastly：

This car having special number which is now considered rare to find. (But quite common in early 2000s). So there are several time random people in petrol station, tyre shop and asked me about it.

There are also several times in roadblocks, the police guy stopped and stared for a few seconds at my plate, and later looked carefully at my road tax.

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