Most folks think of the Toyota Prius as the first mass-produced hybrid sold in the U.S., but the Honda Insight was introduced seven months earlier. The first iteration ran from 1999 to 2006 and had a smaller sales record than the Toyota, with less than 15,000 units found in the U.S. The seller has a fairly nice 2002 edition with 115,000 miles, but its hybrid setup has been disconnected so it runs strictly on gasoline. Located in Portland, Oregon, this rarely seen car is available here on craigslist for $2,950 (firm). An attaboy goes to Curvette for the tip!
This first generation of the Insight was a subcompact liftback model with just two doors and two seats, so it was not a family car. Other variants of the Insight ran from 2009-14, 2018-22, and it is still in production as of 2026. It deployed Honda’s new Integrated Motor Assist System and was the most fuel-friendly gas-powered car sold in the States at the time. The gas motor displaced 1.0-liters and had three cylinders (67 hp), while the electric version used 12X12-volt batteries good for 13 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission was the only choice at first; then a CVT soon followed.
These first Insights were a little odd in appearance with the rear wheels hidden behind the body panels. That may have helped keep sales down to rather low levels. But the fuel consumption was outstanding, north of 50 mpg in many instances. The seller purchased this 2002 edition of the Insight for his granddaughter as her first car, but she wants something newer, so it’s back on the market at a cheap wheels price.
The body and interior look good at 115k miles, though the blue paint has a few issues. And the hybrid part is no more, as it appears the batteries have been removed. We’re told that everything else works as it should with good tires and brakes. It even has cold air conditioning. If you’re looking for an economical means of transportation that may attract stares in the process, would this Insight work in your household?
If this ad is real, that’s a good deal.
Interesting little car. Honda deserves some kudos for putting the first hybrid in the U.S. market.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very good automobile, unless your driving was city-only. Honda loaned me one, and I made the mistake of taking it up California’s Interstate 15. The steepish upgrade drained the battery and the little gas engine labored up the incline at a steady 25-30 mph. 18-wheelers were stacking up behind me, and I ended up with the Honda screaming its lungs out in third gear. No fun.
Give this one of Honda’s pepper engines and remove the hybrid stuff and it could be a swoopy looking fun car. In stock form, not so much.
If it was closer, I’d almost be tempted to take a shot at giving it the horsepower beef-up it needs. In stock form, I could look for the Think City that lives in my town and set up a drag race.
That engine bay looks pretty cramped all ready. Could you get any thing bigger in there ?
Don’t know. But I’d like to try it!
I’m sure some perkier Honda engine would fit. Hot-rodders have gotten bigger engines into smaller spaces….
I’d like to learn how to dismantle the hybrid system and remove the big battery and still have the car work using just the engine ! Does the car have sufficient power from just the engine to keep with modern traffic?
Good car, I so appreciate Honda for producing this little wonder. Have you still the big battery?
It’s funny, I was thinking the same thing, but the other way – replace the old battery pack with a some modern chemistry. Batteries are getting energy-dense enough, that it won’t be long before the ICE would just be there for emergency backup motorvation.
These Insights were pretty cool, I’ve seen a few in the flesh. I think I would aim for a CR-Z, if I wanted a Honda hybrid and had a choice.
Funny you mention the CRZ. When it came out it got criticized for being neither sporty or all that fuel efficient, but as a thought experiment I looked up the car on the Internet and it turns out Honda made a some go fast parts for them.
I had one. In an effort to reduce weight the seats are the thinnest and most uncomfortable possible, the suspension is so stiff every pebble is felt, and the CVT (which this one has) is known for problems with their internal bands. On the plus side, the overall design is reminiscent of GM’s EV-1 (at 3/4 scale) and offered the lowest coefficient of drag.
Fantastic little cars. If considering first thing you want a manual transmission. Get the paperwork for the hybrid batteries if car is claimed to have them. The OEM Panasonic batteries are premium and no longer available. Aftermarket used to be in the $1500-$2500 range. It’s been a minute since I looked.
Only hybrid car to run and drive with a dead pac. Amazing. Not a powerhouse since the battery assist is for torque. Still gets 40 mpg.
All aluminum construction. Look up Honda K series swap. With a stock engine creates a rocket ship. Regardless very thought out package that still gets tremendous respect.
Hey, it comes with built in fender skirts.
These were engineering masterpieces. Design then add lightness!
I also liked the XL1 that VW built 2013-2016. *WAY* different price though LOL.
I buight a used one, a 2002 in about 2006. The couple was moving from the Sacramento area to Brooklyn and his dad was overseeing the sale. They had a lifetime total of 46 mpg including trip from Sac to LA, so over the grapevine, etc.
The car weighed about 1900# with the battery and a similar number for Cd, about .19.
It had a battery fault when we bought it but Honda replaced bad cells so it was fully operational. Later issues with our 5 speed included a bad bearing on the crankshaft output that trashed the trans input bearing but it was actually fun to toss around. I wouldn’t do any long trips with it but it sometimes surprised other drivers. we used to skip some gears, redline in third, then go to 5th. I still have a car cover for it if anyone needs it…
My father was a retired aerospace design engineer who bought his insight in 2000. He traded his Acura Legend in as a downsizing alternative. As an Engineer who spent his entire career finding ways to make aircraft systems lighter and more efficient, was fascinated by the packaging and efficiency of the Insight. He loved it and kept it until he passed in 2011. He and my Mom drove that little thing everywhere, oftentimes trying to set a new personal best MPG just for fun. During the few times I drove it. I found it to be a fun ride. Peppy enough to toss around, good handling, and great (regenerative) brakes. Notwithstanding the terrifying drift in any kind of sidewind, or jet wash from passing semis, very stable and easy to drive. Twenty plus years later I think it’s aged well for what it is, Honda’s first generation hybrid.
Fully Electric Cars will probably become more common as technology improves but right now I think Hybrids are the way to go. 40 mpg is great gas mileage, even though, I can get 40 mpg or better, on the freeway, with my 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. I’m convinced, with the hybrid system you’d get even better gas mileage. The bus company that I work for uses Hybrid-Diesel Buses and if driven properly, the needle never comes off full, all day long.