Advice on buying a Fit
#41
11-12-2013 | 02:21 AM
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 544
From: Los Angeles
looks like I've got some positive camber going on lol
#42
11-12-2013 | 10:17 AM
Definitely would help, that picture alone should highlight the need for them in any Macpherson strut car that's driven spiritedly. Body roll and yucky camber curve so it's the only solution unless you want a big FSB or stiff springs to eliminate the roll, but that's not very comfy and is not ideal for the driving you do IMO.
Ok sorry
Ok sorry
#43
11-17-2013 | 12:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
I don't have a pic of me in the car yet but I've been happy so far. Granted I drove off the lot without my lights on at night so that will take some getting used to considering I've been driving an automatic light car for the last nine years. It handles a lot like my old car so the adjustment hasn't been so bad at all but I'm a bit paranoid driving and parking right now since I would like to hold off it's initial ding for as long as possible.
I had forgotten that they would try to sell my extra "packages" when I was dealing with the financial paperwork before getting the car. I had meant to ask for a copy beforehand (on my first visit to the dealer) but it slipped my mind. The packages of interest were the GAP insurance, paint/fabric protection and the ding/dent repair. I called backup (aka my dad) and so I decided to only take the GAP insurance. I was tempted by the others but without time to research them (I think they were about $700 each) I decided not to get it.
Anyway, now to accessories.
- I will be hunting through the forum but I plan on getting a bluetooth adapter for the car (my coworker recommended the iSimple inSeam and I've called around and so far the cheapest I can get it with the installation is $230)
InSeam
- the cargo cover
- seat cushions (two dogs + lots of hair) so front and back. Anyone have the back seat one described to have a wet-suit like material?
- maybe the cargo tray liner for the trunk just to be safe
- mildly tempted to add in the foot well lights but since I'm spending a bunch of money now I probably won't since it's just a "fun" thing
- do wheel locks do anything?
I scotch guarded the heck out of it yesterday so I'm hoping that helps. How long does it last? The can said every three months.
Thanks for all the help!!!
Dawn
I had forgotten that they would try to sell my extra "packages" when I was dealing with the financial paperwork before getting the car. I had meant to ask for a copy beforehand (on my first visit to the dealer) but it slipped my mind. The packages of interest were the GAP insurance, paint/fabric protection and the ding/dent repair. I called backup (aka my dad) and so I decided to only take the GAP insurance. I was tempted by the others but without time to research them (I think they were about $700 each) I decided not to get it.
Anyway, now to accessories.
- I will be hunting through the forum but I plan on getting a bluetooth adapter for the car (my coworker recommended the iSimple inSeam and I've called around and so far the cheapest I can get it with the installation is $230)
InSeam
- the cargo cover
- seat cushions (two dogs + lots of hair) so front and back. Anyone have the back seat one described to have a wet-suit like material?
- maybe the cargo tray liner for the trunk just to be safe
- mildly tempted to add in the foot well lights but since I'm spending a bunch of money now I probably won't since it's just a "fun" thing
- do wheel locks do anything?
I scotch guarded the heck out of it yesterday so I'm hoping that helps. How long does it last? The can said every three months.
Thanks for all the help!!!
Dawn
#44
11-17-2013 | 12:57 PM
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 425
From: United States
I don't have a pic of me in the car yet but I've been happy so far. Granted I drove off the lot without my lights on at night so that will take some getting used to considering I've been driving an automatic light car for the last nine years.
...
Anyway, now to accessories.
- I will be hunting through the forum but I plan on getting a bluetooth adapter for the car (my coworker recommended the iSimple inSeam and I've called around and so far the cheapest I can get it with the installation is $230)
InSeam
...
Thanks for all the help!!!
Dawn
...
Anyway, now to accessories.
- I will be hunting through the forum but I plan on getting a bluetooth adapter for the car (my coworker recommended the iSimple inSeam and I've called around and so far the cheapest I can get it with the installation is $230)
InSeam
...
Thanks for all the help!!!
Dawn
If all you are after a Bluetooth speakerphone, I can recommend the Jabra Tour. I picked one up from Amazon Warehouse for about $40, it's awesome and works great. I think it can play music wirelessly too but I just use it for my iPhone.
Congrats on the new rig! I think you will enjoy it for many years to come.
#45
11-17-2013 | 01:10 PM
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
yeah, get the cargo tray. It'll hold a gallon of spilled milk, saltwater etc without letting it seep into the spare tire area.
Shave the dogs.
What model (Sport/Base) did you end up getting? Wheel locks make me think Sport. If you have street parking, Fit Sport wheels are frequently taken without permission.
Shave the dogs.
What model (Sport/Base) did you end up getting? Wheel locks make me think Sport. If you have street parking, Fit Sport wheels are frequently taken without permission.
#48
11-17-2013 | 04:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
The Jabra tour would be ok but I do want it to stream through the car's radio system and since I have those steering wheels control buttons (the cruise control cancel button seems useless right now) I figured why not. Otherwise I'd do the external bluetooth.
I'll definitely be getting the cargo tray and cover. I went out today and would have killed for a place to hide my purse instead of shoving it beneath my seat. And since I know it's gonna happen I'll get the cargo tray so stuff doesn't leak.
Lol I do get one dog shaved but the other is short haired and is literally scared shitless (super fun times) of the groomer.
Ok ok my new Fit def handles the road better and I noticed it hugs the road on turns (is that the phrase?) so it's sportier than my Vibe.
I got the Sport....
=)
I'll definitely be getting the cargo tray and cover. I went out today and would have killed for a place to hide my purse instead of shoving it beneath my seat. And since I know it's gonna happen I'll get the cargo tray so stuff doesn't leak.
Lol I do get one dog shaved but the other is short haired and is literally scared shitless (super fun times) of the groomer.
Ok ok my new Fit def handles the road better and I noticed it hugs the road on turns (is that the phrase?) so it's sportier than my Vibe.
I got the Sport....
=)
Last edited by graphixgurl; 11-18-2013 at 10:58 AM.
#49
11-17-2013 | 05:22 PM
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 552
From: Oceanside
owning a 2009 Vibe like I do, I can tell you that the Fit is like driving a roller skate because it is a lot less top heavy than the Vibe. The Vibe is better in that my radio has an XM receiver, it has a larger glove box with two levels, has a dual level center storage console, the lights come on automatically, I don't have to shoehorn in a new battery, and the seat fabric is sturdier. I also have a better seating position in my Vibe because of the telescoping steering. Given the marginal component contractors GM used for the assembly of the vehicle at the NUMMI plant, I'm now just hoping my car lasts given all the major Toyota components, because once my car dies, so does my lifetime (on road) XM service. That will be a very dark day indeed. 
Last edited by BurntZ; 11-17-2013 at 05:25 PM.
#50
11-18-2013 | 01:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
Have the sport =) Never had a car that people wanted to steal the wheels lol
#51
11-20-2013 | 10:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10
From: NorCal
I just bought a 2013 Fit Base manual. The good news is that the price is dropping as the dealers are trying to get the old model year sold. Honda is putting out a lot of dealer manufacturer incentives. There's a $500 on all 2013, $500 if you finance @ 9% for min 3mos, $500 military, $500 if you graduated from college in the past 2yrs & show employment. Different dealers may have some or all of the incentives depending on location etc. and it varies on whether they're willing to combine them. Some dealers might not even let you know about it and withhold it. I'd see what the lowest Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Price is for your area and work it down from there then figure in any incentives.
I've driven BMWs for years and still found the Fit manual Base fun to drive. I'd also get the Sport if I had the money just for the better seats. Have a new Prius Hybrid automatic too. Got it for the mpg. Had to get the Performance Plus pkg to achieve the handling I wanted. It drives really well but doesn't have the pick up of the manual Fit. You might want to look at the Mazada 3 too. You can get some good deals on fully loaded 2013 because they're coming out with redesigned larger ones. With the Skyactive engine you can get 40 mpg.
As to having your car repainted. You can get a high quality paint job almost equivalent to factory but you just have to find the right guy with the correct set up and be willing to pay for it. Go to a top Mercedes or BMW dealer and find out who they use.
I've driven BMWs for years and still found the Fit manual Base fun to drive. I'd also get the Sport if I had the money just for the better seats. Have a new Prius Hybrid automatic too. Got it for the mpg. Had to get the Performance Plus pkg to achieve the handling I wanted. It drives really well but doesn't have the pick up of the manual Fit. You might want to look at the Mazada 3 too. You can get some good deals on fully loaded 2013 because they're coming out with redesigned larger ones. With the Skyactive engine you can get 40 mpg.
As to having your car repainted. You can get a high quality paint job almost equivalent to factory but you just have to find the right guy with the correct set up and be willing to pay for it. Go to a top Mercedes or BMW dealer and find out who they use.
#52
11-21-2013 | 10:16 AM
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Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
I just bought a 2013 Fit Base manual. The good news is that the price is dropping as the dealers are trying to get the old model year sold. Honda is putting out a lot of dealer manufacturer incentives. There's a $500 on all 2013, $500 if you finance @ 9% for min 3mos, $500 military, $500 if you graduated from college in the past 2yrs & show employment. Different dealers may have some or all of the incentives depending on location etc. and it varies on whether they're willing to combine them. Some dealers might not even let you know about it and withhold it. I'd see what the lowest Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Price is for your area and work it down from there then figure in any incentives.
I've driven BMWs for years and still found the Fit manual Base fun to drive. I'd also get the Sport if I had the money just for the better seats. Have a new Prius Hybrid automatic too. Got it for the mpg. Had to get the Performance Plus pkg to achieve the handling I wanted. It drives really well but doesn't have the pick up of the manual Fit. You might want to look at the Mazada 3 too. You can get some good deals on fully loaded 2013 because they're coming out with redesigned larger ones. With the Skyactive engine you can get 40 mpg.
As to having your car repainted. You can get a high quality paint job almost equivalent to factory but you just have to find the right guy with the correct set up and be willing to pay for it. Go to a top Mercedes or BMW dealer and find out who they use.
I've driven BMWs for years and still found the Fit manual Base fun to drive. I'd also get the Sport if I had the money just for the better seats. Have a new Prius Hybrid automatic too. Got it for the mpg. Had to get the Performance Plus pkg to achieve the handling I wanted. It drives really well but doesn't have the pick up of the manual Fit. You might want to look at the Mazada 3 too. You can get some good deals on fully loaded 2013 because they're coming out with redesigned larger ones. With the Skyactive engine you can get 40 mpg.
As to having your car repainted. You can get a high quality paint job almost equivalent to factory but you just have to find the right guy with the correct set up and be willing to pay for it. Go to a top Mercedes or BMW dealer and find out who they use.
I did my homework and did the "what people are paying in my area" through KBB and Edmonds and I'm happy with what I paid. Granted the dealer made a whole to-do about getting the car from afar (they were claiming there were VERY FEW in my state in that specific color) when in reality it was only about 25 min away from where I was looking (like they were doing a Herculean effort to get it). Also they "lost" my $500 deposit that I put down in good faith when I decided I definitely wanted it and that they should go ahead and get the car from the other dealer. I only discovered it when it occurred to me when I was looking over my financing paperwork that it was never applied to the car cost before financing. I was pissed and got it back but now that I think about it never even got "I'm sorry for losing $500 of your money" from them. Sorry ranting. I emailed the manager of the dealer and got a free oil change - yeah that doesn't make me feel better. I'm debating about raising a fuss over losing $45 in interest with financing that I thought I had avoided by adding the $500 down to the amount of money I put towards the car before financing.
Ugh sorry - I'm a talker and this whole car buying experience has been not as fun as I'd thought.
On the plus side I've been driving a loaner Accord Sport for the last day and change and really miss my Fit. It seems so much heavier and less responsive than the Fit and I'm not impressed with the multimedia screen in the vehicle at all.
Thanks for the help!!
#53
11-21-2013 | 04:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 312
From: San Francisco, CA
I went in with my own financing lined up beforehand. I explained this to the 1st salesman I dealt with and he still insisted on playing the "this is how much your monthly payments are going to be" game when I asked what price he was going to sell it to me for.
2nd dealership went much smoother but the hard sell one the extra protection packages took me by surprise as well.Plan on keeping my Fit for several years before I go through that again! But it was fun driving off the lot with a new car.
#54
11-22-2013 | 11:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13
From: Shawnee, KS
I tried putting my adult sized bike in the GD Fit crosswise after folding up the magic seats, but it did not come anywhere close to fitting. I can slide it on its side through the hatch with the rear seats folded down which I only have to do when I am leaving the Fit at the Honda dealer for the day and want to ride my bike home. I personally would not attach a bike hitch underneath the rear bumper (assuming there are the required pre drilled holes to allow it) and haul my bikes on the outside rear of the car. I do so with my Vibe easily, but it gets a bit heavy when I put 3 adult bikes on the back. With the Fit having an even smaller engine displacement, I think that any bike hitch + the added weight of adult bikes would be too much for the Fit. I think that is why you see most Fit owners having Yakima or Thule bike racks on top of the car, to center the weight.
Regarding the Jabra Tour Bluetooth, it simply clips on to your visor. There are no wires in the way. It will need to be recharged every once in a great while, but you can do that inside your home if you wish or unclip it and do it from inside your car, hiding the device in your glove box or center console. I rarely have to recharge mine. The only "downside" is that it is a powerful machine and has a pretty long range, so when you get a call and you are in your home and you have not turned OFF the Bluetooth device, you will wonder why you cannot speak to the incoming caller. It is because your Bluetooth is still active and you are having a conversation with someone through the device in the car despite you being 20 yards away in your house. I too like the integrated system in my Elantra Touring, but as always, when it breaks, you are in big trouble. I like the portable idea better. I can then move it from car to car and even put it in a rental car when on vacation.
Regarding the Jabra Tour Bluetooth, it simply clips on to your visor. There are no wires in the way. It will need to be recharged every once in a great while, but you can do that inside your home if you wish or unclip it and do it from inside your car, hiding the device in your glove box or center console. I rarely have to recharge mine. The only "downside" is that it is a powerful machine and has a pretty long range, so when you get a call and you are in your home and you have not turned OFF the Bluetooth device, you will wonder why you cannot speak to the incoming caller. It is because your Bluetooth is still active and you are having a conversation with someone through the device in the car despite you being 20 yards away in your house. I too like the integrated system in my Elantra Touring, but as always, when it breaks, you are in big trouble. I like the portable idea better. I can then move it from car to car and even put it in a rental car when on vacation.
#55
11-23-2013 | 04:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
spotting on rubber by window
Hi all,
First off thanks for all the suggestions and info so far.
I have some spotting on the rubber gasket edge around all the windows. Since the car is less than 2 weeks old and came like that I don't think it's anything I've done. I emailed the salesman I dealt with and he said "Those spots usually come from hard water or reclaimed irrigation systems."
Is this true? I told him I don't have sprinklers anywhere near my car at home and work so I'm not sure where the funky water would come from. He said just come in and the detail department will look at it. This car came from another dealer so maybe the rubber was exposed to hard water there since it was probably outside. I don't know but it doesn't look good and the car is new so I guess I'll make a 4th trip to the dealer for them to look at it.
Have any of you guys seen this? Any suggestions for removing the spots? And products that would be good?
Here is a pic
Thanks!
First off thanks for all the suggestions and info so far.
I have some spotting on the rubber gasket edge around all the windows. Since the car is less than 2 weeks old and came like that I don't think it's anything I've done. I emailed the salesman I dealt with and he said "Those spots usually come from hard water or reclaimed irrigation systems."
Is this true? I told him I don't have sprinklers anywhere near my car at home and work so I'm not sure where the funky water would come from. He said just come in and the detail department will look at it. This car came from another dealer so maybe the rubber was exposed to hard water there since it was probably outside. I don't know but it doesn't look good and the car is new so I guess I'll make a 4th trip to the dealer for them to look at it.
Have any of you guys seen this? Any suggestions for removing the spots? And products that would be good?
Here is a pic
Thanks!
#56
11-23-2013 | 05:02 PM
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 312
From: San Francisco, CA
Yea, that's not normal and as much of a bummer a 4th trip is I would take the dealership up on the offer to have them go over it. I wouldn't try anything on it before they look at at. Good luck hope the detailing dept. has some detailing solution that will take care of it.
#58
11-24-2013 | 05:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
From: Seattle
Yea, that's not normal and as much of a bummer a 4th trip is I would take the dealership up on the offer to have them go over it. I wouldn't try anything on it before they look at at. Good luck hope the detailing dept. has some detailing solution that will take care of it.
I thought it was bullshit too....punks....
#60
11-25-2013 | 12:05 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Seattle
Dawn
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