Hello all,

First off, I've been browsing these forums and have to say you guys have a great online community here.

I am in the market to buy a used Fit Sport to use as a daily driver. I test drove a 2013 Sport w/ Nav and I must say I was pretty impressed with the car. I am loving the utility the car provides.

With that said, I have three offers from three different dealerships at the moment and wanted to get some feedback from the seasoned Fit veterans as to what would be the best approach.

Option 1: 2013 Fit Sport w/ Nav in silver, approx 11,900 miles, minor scratch on hatch, has aftermarket Injen intake (don't really care for it and would rather have oem intake), being sold by a reputable Toyota dealership for about $15,800 plus taxes and fees.

Option 2: 2013 Fit Sport no Nav in gray, approx 12,000+ miles, clean body and stock engine, being sold by Honda dealership for approx $16,250 with CPO or $15,900 without CPO plus taxes and fees.

Option 3: 2011 Fit Sport no Nav in silver, approx 64,000 miles, clean body and stock engine, being sold by Honda dealership for approx $13,000 plus taxes and fees.

Should I really pay more for a 2013 model? Is the Nav model worth it? What about having the CPO warranty for a 2013?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

Option 2 if you can afford it. Better to have the low miles. Skip the CPO. Don't need the nav if you have a smartphone.

The previous model Fit Sport is a great car, I have a '12 and it's been great to me.

 

The 2012+ fits had a few small improvements which I think are worthwhile. The styling changed slightly and I personally prefer my 2013 Sport versus the 2009-11 sport. Also the cabin received additional sound deadening to address the complaints of road noise.

Option 2 if you ask me. The navigation unit is sluggish. If you want bluetooth, a couple hundred will get you an aftermarket unit with these capabilities. Spend a few hundred more and you get navigation too.

 

Guess I'll be the outlier, but I say option 3 and push harder to reduce the price if you can to say 12500. I've bought 3 previous Hondas used with anywhere between with the lowest having 54000 miles and the highest being 78000 miles and then drove them another 10 years putting on another 80,000 miles on average with nothing more than wear and tear repairs. I've found moderately high mileage Hondas are the best deals going. You're going to get at least another 60,000-120,000 miles with just wear and tear repairs to really worry about. A maintained high mileage Honda is reliable safe bet, at least from my experience.

 

Thanks for your input. Are the speakers in the Nav equipped Fit that much better than the non-Nav Fit?

 

Option 3 also doesn't get VSA which I love the security of having. My vote is 2012+. The noise reduction to me was drastic. You never said a budget u were shooting for. I love my '13. Either cars are good. If you just care about mpg, then option 3. If you want top features stock, get option 1.

 

Thanks. I'd like to keep my budget around $16,000 max before taxes and fees. Was there a VSA recall for the 2013's?

 

Yes there was, but it's quite painless—just upgrading some software in the computer. I wouldn't let it deter me one way or the other. Obviously, you probably ought to verify that it's been done if you purchase an '03, which I think any Honda dealer could look up (and could do the recall work if needed).

A(The speakers in the navi and non-navi sport models are identical. The base models do lack the two tweeters on the dashboard—along with a couple other little gadgets and a some of appearance fru-fru that serves no particular practical function.)

 

The 2011 will have VSA. My 2011 Base model does. They made it standard that year.

I would go with the 2013. They are supposed to have some small improvements and the difference in miles and age is not worth the <$3k you will save going with the older one (the whole reason I went new when I bought in 2011).

The speakers are the same in both nav and non nav. And to be honest, the Fit has one of the worst sounding stock stereos I have ever heard. There is an EQ built into the head unit that you cannot turn off that boosts the trebel and bass and leaves no mids. If you want a decent stereo, plan from the start to go after market. The fit is one of the easiest cars ever to run new wires in.

 

You guys are awesome. Thanks for your input and the information. What's weird is some of the replies didn't show up until today. Is that common on this board?

When I test drove the Nav equipped Fit, I did notice that the sound system sounded a bit dull. When you guys changed head units, did the stock speakers sound a lot better, or are the stock speakers part of the reason why it sounds the way it does?

 

did you adjust the treble/bass? if both were at 0/0 it would sound like that. when you test drive a car you test EVERYTHING you'd be using to help make your decision.

 

I did not adjust it. I didn't feel inclined to mess with the audio system at that time as I was more focused on how the car performed, the engine compartment, exterior/interior, and more importantly - getting the best price from the salesman. The audio is always something I can "fix" when the time is right. I'd rather have a great car inside and out.

 

I was also looking....found very little price difference on a new one....
The new one WON with financing and style.....new silver EX

 

i like option 2,
but i just picked up my used 2013 fit base model for 12k out the door with 11k miles. i freaking love this car

 

Option 1 or 2. Fits your budget and have lower miles. I like to see less miles on the car rather than more.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I decided to go with Option #2 and got them to lower the price down even further so win for me. I'm going to pick up the car tomorrow. I hope the mod bug doesn't bite me as bad as it did with my other car!