Expected IMA Battery Life?

[michaelbgone]

Hello all,

I have been doing my research and that included speaking to the service manager at the local dealership. I was asking about long term ownership costs. These are important to me due to the high number of miles I drive annually, as well as I tend to keep my cars for many years. I drive 25-28k miles each year (100/day for work), on two lane country roads 50-65 mph- one hour to work and of course one hour back with only a few stops. (Limited interstate and city driving.)

Something that really bothered me was his comment about the cost/frequency of IMA battery replacement. He stated that battery life span would depend on mileage driven and driving style.. which is vague. At $4500 (his stated cost) that really cuts into the economy portion of the vehicle. He went on to say that one of his customers in an Insight just had his second set installed at 200k miles. Well folks that is @$9000 dollars in eight years of ownership in addition to the expected costs.

My question is... Does this fit with the general knowledge and expectation of the owners here? If this is correct, it's a deal breaker for me.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Thank you,

Michael

[YLA]

I have 5 years warranty, dont know in the US

[kernk]

My friend and I both have/had 2003 Honda Civic Hybrids. His battery died at 215,000 miles. Mine just turned over 220,000 and is still going strong.



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[Ralphie Ralph]

I currently own a 2001 Insight and have replaced the battey twice. I just sold my "other" 2001 Insight and I replaced the battery in it twice too. Both had less than 100k mi.

In all fairness Honda had a problem with the charging board that burned up the batteries. Both were replaced under warranty. Honda increased the warranty to 10yr 150k mles.....

[UK007]

Comment .... and interestingly there seems to be a growing aftermarket offering for replacement batteries / conversions for hybrid vehicles.. we'll probably have an aftermarket LION battery available that is less than HONDA MRSP by the time we'll need it. If that option does materialize it would be lighter or have higher capacity and be able to handle cycling much better than the Nickle Metal Hydride in the Vehicle design today.

RJ

[DerekS]

Isn't the battery on the CRZ warranted for 8 years/100k miles?

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by DerekS

Isn't the battery on the CRZ warranted for 8 years/100k miles?

Yep. Warranty is extended to 10 years/ 150K miles in CARB states.

[doctorq]

just say no, to trolls

[DerekS]

Sadly, Texas is not a CARB state. However, I'd like to move to Cali at some point - does it go by the state the car was purchased in, or what?

[gomarlins3]

Originally Posted by kernk

My friend and I both have/had 2003 Honda Civic Hybrids. His battery died at 215,000 miles. Mine just turned over 220,000 and is still going strong.-

Nice. I had my Insight for 111,000 miles with ZERO issues. That car is still going strong as far as I know.