The way I see it, without knowing the timing or any details of the upcoming FMC, you may as well buy one when you want to buy one and if they come out with something infinitely better the next year, just trade it in for the new one.

 

Rumours are this is a mid-cycle introduction which would mean a change in two or three years. The question remains, though, "Will the changes be significant ot the looks of the model, to the mechanics, ot to both?".

 

Honda performs a minor upgrade for most of their autos during the 4th and 5th year of a models cycle. The "freshening" for 2006 was pretty extensive for Honda on the Accord but it will also be used for the 2007 model. The redesign will be for the 2008 model year. Toyota's Camry is new for 2007 model year, Honda's Accord is always a year later.

 

Think about it...IF there's a total change for Fit in 2008, please also consider:

1. Our 2007 NA Fit will be the one with least bugs... (2001 -> 2006 worth of bugs fixing from Honda Fit all over the world)

2. Our 2007 NA Fit will be directly made from Japan (VIN starts with 'J')

honestly, this is one of my concern about buying the new Fit.....IF i waited for another year (or less), as what happened to the new Civic, the first batch happened to come from Japan. However, the later batch start being produced from NA (Ohio).

Im assuming that we all know how Hondas that were made in Japan are always better compared to their NA made counterpart....lol.

To even think more about it, is it possible that the our 2007 Fit will be directly shipped from Japan due to the fact that they're actually "finishing off" the last batch of 2001->2006 Fit? And then, start producing new Fit in NA Ohio plant?

 

hey halo i'm with you on the frustrations of buying one now and then having a new one come out a year later but i've come to this realization... chances are it'll be a least 2 years before we see the new fit here in the states so for the time being just get the fit this year and in 2 or 3 years time just sell it and get the new one... one thing is for sure i'm not worried about the resale value of a honda even when a newer model exists... '03 and '04 used civics are going for about $12,000 to $13,000 around here... the depreciation (or lack there of) makes these cars very affordable once you've made the initial investment. personally i'm not waiting around any longer for a fit. have fun everyone.
-rgr

 

Yes you and Karu bring up some very valid points!

 

Its doubtful that Honda would do a full model change for 2008, but then again they kept the NSX around for 15 plus years and the S2000 is in its 7th year of production so you never know. Supposely Japan will get a new Fit in 2007 or 2008. Will the NA market follow suit? From a cost standpoint, it would make sense since Honda would spend more producing a new Fit for Japan and the old Fit for the US and Canada.

 

Yes this would be true IF there is only one factory involved - otherwise the exsisting stamping and assembly lines are already set up for the current model and new model production could shift elsewhere.

 

Oh yes, they can. The reason is simple: note that all current Fits sold in Canada and the USA come directly from the Japanese factory, which means a decision has probably been made by American Honda Motors to NOT assemble the current model in North America. That makes it easier for Honda to start converting over its North American production lines to the second-generation model when that arrives (probably in calendar year 2007 as a 2008 model).

 

I like the way you think mtview!!

 

I completely agreee and that would make the '09 model Fit intro in 2008 the best guess for the major changes.
Most manufacturers, as I understand it, don't recover total development costs and a decent profit until year three or four depending on the vehicle. So, if this is a mid-cycle intro to the USA, then the '09 Fit is the possible model year for some shiny new skin.
But, I also agree, why wait to enjoy it and resale is excellent.

 

this is one of the stupidiest thing though...

if its true that there'll be a FMC for Fit in 2008....how about the PARTS and SERVICES for 2007 Fit?

I believe that Honda must be capable to sustain the "life" of 2007 Fit for years! That means, they need to keep in stocks all parts specifically for (supposedly) the "older" Fit (2007) in decades to come... Meanwhile, if FMC happened to be in 2008, they'll have to re-learn the whole thing again....

I believe FMC for 2008 will be way to soon for NA Fit...