I also read somewhere that Honda loses money every time an Insight is sold. Apparently they're going for the "green" image and the Insight is a loss leader...
Someday I plan to gut the gas engine out of my hybrid CRX and drop in one of those ass-kickin' electric motors. That is, as soon as battery and/or fuel cell technology improves! -George -----Original Message----- From: Chad Sullivan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 5:10 PM To: George Freeman; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: RE: Hybrid Hondas - Off topic Interesting that they actually came right out and said that. When the Insight was first released, to attract more buyers it was offered with a 100k mile warranty, to calm consumers who thought the new technology might be unreliable I suppose. But at the time, Honda KNEW the battery pack wouldn't last NEAR that long, most research shows the first generation NiMH packs used were only expected to make it to between 60 and 80k. Honda sold the product knowing it would fail, and that it would be under warranty when it did. Toyota made a similar sacrifice to promote the technologies' acceptance in the U.S., it loses money every time it sells another Prius. Not a little either, IIRC its a little over 6k for every one they sell. -Chad Sullivan ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Freeman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 5:01 PM Subject: CRX: RE: Hybrid Hondas - Off topic > I spoke with the Honda dealership about the Civic hybrid and it indeed > is a nice vehicle. First off, 650 miles on a tank is pretty nice fuel > mileage and the overall size of the car is unusually roomy, much more > practical than the Insight. There is a gotcha however- the nickel > metal hydride batteries only last approx. 80k miles and it's roughly > $2500 to replace them (ouch!). > > CRX content: replaced the oil gasket on the distributor, then cleaned > up the mess. Finally. :) > > > George > "Little Beast" > '89 DX-Hybrid-D16Z6, 128k miles > Seats, Suspension, Engine, MSD > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 8:44 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: CRX: Hybrid Hondas - Off topic > > > What does everyone think of the hybrid Hondas (electric & gas)? The > wife wants one and I was curious if anyone owned one or knew of anyone > who owned one? Heard of any problems/extra maintenance..........? > >
