I'm actually very hopeful that by 2011 (when my warranty runs out) that the batteries will be reasonable to replace. They'll have to be or they will erode the confidence they've built in the technology.

 

I quite agree, Tim. In fact, this very issue is what contemplated the most before getting my 2006. I have 8 yrs/120K miles before I'll have to pay for new IMA parts (HondaCare extended warranty), and the battery and installation better be under $1K by then. If not, the resale value WILL plummet, and I'll buy something different (clean diesel?) the next go-round.

 

I have driven every car I owned to 150k or more, and I have NEVER needed a $5k repair on any of them. Not even the one with a new engine, that was only $3k. I sympathize with the original poster and with all of us if this is an inevitability. A car with a known $5k repair on the horizon is a really tough sell. It would be like guaranteeing that a car you buy will need its engine replaced at or before 150k miles. Who would buy that?

I am disappointed by this news and I really hope that as it happens more the prices will come down, but judging by the way dealers like to add a premium to anything that says "hybrid" on it, I am not optimistic.

 

yes, i too hope that by then they will be cheaper. When i get my hybrid, im not going to want to drive it less! Im going to want to drive it more! But I don't want to be scared of having a 5000 dollar repair on my hands. The technology is not NEW anymore, although it is still NEWER. By 2011, it should be old hat, and they should be able to bring the cost down.

 

This will be a good thing IMO. It will force the manufacturers hands. Which means we win in the end. The few hard hit in the beginning will pay the price.

 

My battery pack was replaced at 94,000 miles - a little past the warranty. It was fixed for $450 in nine days.

I'm expecting longer life on the new pack. It's better - the software updates are better - and I know what to do for longer battery life. Most of you don't have a manual transmission - less of a risk. For me, it's don't pretend I'm driving a sports car with extended Assists, and keep the battery pack cool in the summer.

Another 150,000 miles with this battery pack and this Insight has reached 250,000 miles - a good life.

 

You should do ANYTHING other than go to work. Maybe go play poker at a strip club

 

Sorry to hear that your battery has failed.

As more of the HCH and other hybrids get over the warranty period, we should see people getting into the pack rebuilding business. 3K for 120 D cells is a preety severe markup. A lithium based replacement with the same AH and a smaller form factor should be possible for that price.
Just to put things in perspective though. I bought a salvage Insight CVT that had no keys. My local honda dealor is going to charge me $50 for the chip key, and $90 to program the car. $140 for a key that is probably worth $5 is just the way the dealors work.
The cost of ownership of the Hybrids will continue to be very high, as people are afraid to bring them to independants, and the independants are afraid to work on them. I am involved with a group that is holding hybrid training classes with the goal of training independants to service them, and to break the dealors monopoly.
Mike

 

I have solved one problem I replaced the Catalytic Converter for $ 280.00 I purchased from the Converter Geek online (re certified converter) great to do business with, the dealer wanted almost $1100 with labor. It took a friend and myself about two hours, after running for a few hours the check engine light went off, the next step is to find a good deal on the IMA battery to replace myself.

 

Is there a reason for the much reduced cost? Is the Insight's battery pack that much cheaper? Or just the closeness to the warranty?