I purchased my Fit a little over a year ago. It is the first car I've ever purchased myself, I was lucky enough to get decent old hand me downs up until age 30. Anyways, it was a big purchase, I knew I wanted a hatchback, and wanted to stay around 10k. I researched different models, and kept reading great things about the fit. I found one at a dealer for a great price with just under 50k miles on it. It seemed like a great car for the price, it had all service records, was in a minor accident while parked where someone hit the drivers side door. I called the police dept to get the details from the accident report to make sure it wasn't more extensive. A year later, I am really regretting my decision and I wish I had just spent a little more and bought a new Hyundai with a great warranty. Since the beginning, I felt like the car's transmission (automatic) was just kind of jerky, and seemed to stick at high RPMs for a lot longer than my previous car (99 nissan altima) I figured maybe its just cause it's a smaller engine? I don't really know, I don't know much about cars at all. Recently the car started making a high pitch squeal noise, I take it for my state inspection and they don't find anything, my dad who is pretty car savvy said its just the brakes, not a big deal. Anyways, the noise was getting worse, and also now I have no a/c. I noticed last summer it sometimes seemed that the a/c just wasn't cooling on a hot day. This summer we have already had some really hot days and it's become apparent it is definitely not working. I took it to the mechanic my dad has used for a while, who is trustworthy. It needs new brakes and rotors, which is not going to be too terribly expensive and I understand is a thing you just have to replace on cars from time to time. I do have an issue about that not being caught during my state inspection less than a month ago, but that is another story....Anyways, he mentioned to my dad that the brakes seemed to be wearing "funny." Not sure what that means....BUT the a/c is the big issue now because that is going to cost a ton of money. The mechanic said I need the compressor replaced, and that I should take it to the dealer or an auto a/c specialist. The specialist quoted 1500 to replace the compressor plus some other parts (forgive my lack of car lingo), which is what they recommend. He said they will replace just the compressor for 900, but they don't warranty it unless they do the whole thing. So after all this, I am worried the car I have is just a piece of crap and I will have to spend $$$ constantly to fix things on it. I still owe money on it, and won't be able to sell or trade it in for what I owe, especially with the a/c not working, but at this point I'm wondering if I should just take a loss and get rid of the thing? Any thoughts/opinions? This was my first Honda and I had heard such good things, but I'm pretty over Hondas now....

 

Hello Lauren,

Sorry to hear from your troubles. Maybe take your car to different HVAC shop to get a second opinion. I was told something similar but mine just ended up needing to be recharged, instead of having the compressor replaced.

Here is a link to how the compressor is replaced. While I know you wouldn't perform it, at least you'll have some info on how it is done and what is involved. Here in Cali the cost of the A/C compressor from a local Honda dealer is $420.00.

( TF09E00G10110100000KBAT00 )

I've had my 2009 fit since it was brand new and have put 109,000 miles on thus far and its running like a champion. Given I am very particular with maintenance.

Also check this out. -http://civic.hondafitjazz.com/a00/html/10/SNB6E10G10100000000FEAT00.HTML

 

Find a local place and look online for a replacement. should be way less. good luck.

 

Do not get too upset. Some of this stuff just happens.

The brakes - well mine is an 09 and I am expecting to replace the pads and rotors this Fall as part of normal wear.

As someone said try another A/C shop. May just be a recharge is needed. Failing that drive it without AC. Otherwise the car should be very reliable.

 

I've had my 09 since new without issues *knock on wood*. The auto tranny is known to be a little jerky at times, when was the last time the transmission fluid was changed?

I just changed my front pads and rotors, also did the transmission fluid change.....did both myself, this car is really simple and easy to work on.

Other than the A/C issue, what you have described is normal maintenance.

 

Jerky shifting AT... mated to a tiny engine. Check.

Brakes may need replacing after 6 years. Check.

Inspection shop doesn't mention things that don't fail inspection. Check.

6 year old undersized AC system may need a recharge. Check.

Sounds about right for any car (and any "we do state inspections, cheap" shop). Even if it turns out to be the compressor, hey- sometimes things happen. Even to Hondas.

 

The brakes are normal and depend on how you (and the prior owner) drive the car. I did a more city driving in the past, and had to replace my brakes around 60K miles. Now, I'm at 128K and the brakes are fine (I do almost all highway now).

The compressor is another thing though. My original AC was good for 6 years until it required a recharge. There was a problem with rocks hitting and denting the compressor for the 2nd gen Fit. Was yours hit by rocks or just broke? If it just broke, I'd assume the new one will last you a long time

Smaller Honda engines tend to run higher RPMs than other cars so maybe ask a friend or the mechanic if it rides normally? Worst case, trade it in ASAP. The resale is pretty high.