Hey everyone—

First off, I've been perusing the site for a little while now in anticipation of getting a Fit and I have to say I really dig how friendly everyone here is.

The reason I'm finally posting though is I think I've found the car I'd like to purchase, but would love to get some of your expert input.

The specs on the car are 2012 Sport with manual transmission for $14k plus tax, etc which should bring it to $15.5k out the door. The thing is is that it's got 20k miles and the car report says it was purchased April '12 so the bad boy is averaging a lotta miles and it's not certified since it's coming from a non-Honda dealership.

So is that a good deal? It's under the KBB price by a couple grand, but is that mileage worrisome? Also, given the price alone it seems great, but without the certified status I would be missing out on some additional warranty coverage.

Thanks for the help. If I get some good answers, hopefully I'll be driving my very own Fit tomorrow.

 

Our 2012 has over 35,000 miles. Just starting to run free.

 

This looks like a better deal than the other Florida member here looking at a 2010. High miles in a short time is more desirable in a used car than the reverse. You will still have bumper to bumper coverage from Honda until 36k or three years from when it was originally sold. Get a Carfax to be sure there isnt something fishy. My guess is that M/T cars dont sell well in FL due to average demographic (elderly), but that is just my stereotype about your state. CA isnt all what outsiders think, either. There is snow on the ground here and not a movie star in sight.

 

Still has 16K left on the factory bumper to bumper warranty (drive-train warranty runs out at 60K 5 years). You can't go wrong if it hasn't been wrecked.

Take it to a Honda dealer for a pre-purchase inspection. Look carefully for signs of resprays (defects in paint like "fish-eye" and "orange peal" and replaced body panels (missing white factory tags) and replaced, non-honda glass).


Steve (not one of the friendly ones).

edit: and I think "certified pre-owned" is largely a marketing gimmick. Unless the dealer is offering some extra warranty, their certification is only as good as their word (and from a car dealer that's not saying much).

 

CPO IS an extended warranty program. Normally raises the price of the car by about $1000. I was looking at a used VW TDI on a VW dealer's lot and because it had less than 60K on it he offered to "make it certified" for $900 extra. I would not own a modern VW out of warranty.

 

In my opinion, it's a pretty safe gamble to buy a used fit without an extended warranty.
From what I've read here, some fit owners are having issues with the HVAC resistor, blower and coil packs. Burned out coil packs are very common in cars with coil over plug systems, so I would not sweat that too much. Very inexpensive at $80 a piece.

 

I proper coil is $10 for all 8 cyl.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. It was sold before I could even make it to the dealership so the search continues...

 

dang.. have you ever thought about leasing a new one? Payments are pretty cheap. Then you always have the option to buy out after 3 or 4 years.

 

The 20k miles is likely mostly long distance trips, best for a car. Take a good look at the maintenance that was gicen lioke checking the oil condition, brake wear, potential clutch wear (there should be little free play i the pedal beyond standard to edngage if trips were long. See if you can trace the car's owners and use thru carfax. Check tire wear and condition. look for evidence of repairs and modifications. At 14k the price is about right; my peice guides say. Right now Fits aren't selling as easy as they were so prices have dropped a tad.
good luck.

 

I've put 42,000 miles on my 2012, purchased 11/21/11. Drives like a brand new car.

 

Please check title and make sure it's not been re-titled from a state that doesn't care if the cars been involved in flood damage? Lot's of classic cars being shipped out of upper east coast with normal titles but there has been proof where some of the cars have sat under water for days/weeks.

try this site: https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck

-Dean

 

I got 15k on my Fit purchased 06.01.2012 would have almost 20k but drove my wife's car to Dallas over Christmas. I average about 26k a year 20k on the Fit and 6k on my Miata.
Look at a new one Honda is offering less then 1% interest and it seems the dealers have a lot in at this point in time.

0.9%
APR 24 - 60 month term

2013 Fit Special APR
0.9% APR for 24-60 months
For well-qualified buyers and buyers that qualify for the Honda Graduate Program criteria
See Details




$169
per month for 36 months

2013 Fit 5 Speed Automatic Featured Standard Lease
$169.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.
Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and dealer fees. For well-qualified lessees.
See Details

 

I paid 14k for my 2011 base with 6800 miles last week. I'd try to haggle them down based on mileage. I would stay away, however, if there are not maintenance records. 35k is a long time to go on an oil change.