I agree with Steve. Everytime I talked to a dealer, my answer was that I would consider financing with them. Even though I knew I wasn't going to most likely since my CU offers 2.49%.

 

ok so there you go. I have never really bargained before, the Fit was my first new car and first car from a dealer. I guess you just try tell them you will take the car for X amount. They might go for it they might not it really comes down to the demand of the car.

 

The dealer for the 38k car is willing to $17,900 on it...and I think I'm sold on that unless something comes up in the next few days.

Fiancee went from saying she didn't care about the color of the car at all, to thinking it's worth up to $1,000 difference to have it red

So, saving about $750 on it might be close enough to the $1,000ish book value to make me take the jump, especially since I'm a cheapass and plan on driving this fit will it falls apart (My fiancee is an attorney and actually has a job unlike me, so I'm hoping within the next couple years she buys her own fun car and I can steal this from her as my own...)

 

The Fit with manual shift is an amazingly fun car to drive that has enough after market support to increase the fun factor a few pieces at a time... You have to be careful, it can become a costly time consuming obsession that keeps you awake at night figuring out how to juggle your funds so you can spend money on some silly stuff that looks good or things not easily noticed that'll rock your world.

 

buy a plane ticket and fly here to VT. buy your fit sport '11 here for $17K and drive it to the TX dealer to show him how much you saved. I paid $16.5K for our 09 sport new.

~SB

 

Here is a brand new 2011 Sport A/T with 10 miles for only $560 more than that. Not far from you either, only a couple miles past the airport on Hwy 59. Black not Red though.

http://www.sterlingmccallhonda.com/search/New+Fit+tM

_

 

An issue with used car to new is unknown damage. The salesman smiles and points to the clean carfax. Well Carfax is not 100%! Google Carfax complaints for an eye opener. A clean report only means nothing has been reported to Carfax.

While not an expert I have bought and sold many cars over the years, yet I will still pay the neighborhood mechanic to go over the car. He is impartial, not emotionally involved and does this every day. He is better qualified than me. Plus he has a lift.

I don't need to get it inspected the dealer offers a 90 day 100% warrenty! and I've got a bridge in NYC for sale.

I agree to a price with the seller contingent to an inspection. The inspection can be used to renegotiate the price with the seller!

HTH JIm 0311

 

Won't the 09's warranty have started with registration by the firtst owner, leaving the with far less coverage than a new fit? That's worth something as well.

I'd wait a bit for the 2012's and get a new '11 then if you can, or expand your search range. Good luck!

 

The price for the 2009 with 4000 miles is naturally close to retail and $18k is pretty normal price in this market.; you should save about $2500 on the 38k mile one. Right now used cars, especially used economy cars, are selling top book. And I presumed the Fits are clean trade-ins as far as interior and exterior and tires go.
Personally I'd go with the 4k 2009 if i could afford it. But there is one caviat: you need verification via CarFax or in writing from seller that the car has not been in an accident - of any kind - and needed bodywork repairs. Its not usual to see a car 2 years old with such low mileage so be forewarned its likely been out of service for a while.
You need to check the 38k likewise, too, but its more normal to get 38k miles in 2 years, especially if its a commuter. In either case if you can have an independent mechanic with good qualifications check the car. You should also have te car inspected for its OBD II codes missing. Other than that its pretty much as you should evaluate for any used car, especially any warranties from the dealer or Honda.
Drive and check its worthiness.

 

sorry, but these polls always suck

 

I really want to scream don't buy it. But people think I'm crazy and don't pay attention.

So I will try this. My last vehicle 98 Ford Windstar cost me about $1400 a year to own.

Thats purchase price, repairs, that's repairs not normal things, tire, brakes etc minus value at selling.

What does a Fit cost over its lifetime per year? If it is $500 per year than a car with 38K should be $1000 less. I would consider 38K 2 years use. If it's $1000 a year than it should be $2000 dollars less.

This only applies if you buy and keep your cars long term.

After several attempts to buy an overpriced used Fit I said screw it and bought a new one. I paid less for a new Fit than I could get a used one for! I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

If you can wait till the Tsunami induced shortage is over you will be in a much better position to deal!
JIm 0311
JIm

 

I would bet that a 38K 2 year old car is either a lease or rental!

Most Rental company's are self insured so accident repairs are not reported to any agency's. Carfax and the like.

You can request the cars service record from the leasing or rental company.
JIm 0311

 

In case anyone was wondering, my indecisiveness paid off! By waiting an extra day, I just barely avoided missing the 0.9% financing deal. I was able to get the car for $19.4k drive-off @ 0.9%. So...pretty happy.

Thanks for everyone convincing me to hold off a bit and think things over!

 

Congratulations!

Which one did you buy? JIm

 

Congrats! Did you purchase the warranty?

 

Silver Fit Sport Automatic. No extra warranties or anything, just the basics.

Planning on doing some fun stuff to it once I pass the bar and don't have to spend all my time studying!

 

Good job, you made the right decision.