New Fit Must-haves?

[interestingstuff]

Greetings,

So I assume the answer to this is spread through-out multiple posts.. but thats what leads me to this question... how about a list of must-haves?

I'm a potential new fit owner. Obviously 09 ... automatic base model if that makes any difference, but it probably shouldn't for such a generic question.

I was never really a 'car' person.. if this was a new computer.. I would know which programs to download and install first... but with a car I'm a bit clueless.. so that's basically what this question is...

What things should I get/do first before I really take the car out much?

Here's what I can come up with myself, including some questions on suggestions for good choices and where to get them... (such as security system, etc.)

1) Obviously I should get floormats... those digitalfits look wonderful.. but $185 or so for floormats?! eeek.. I'm a cheap @#*()! Everything I've read here suggests the honda ones arn't too good, and I really dislike the idea of paying the dealership for something that should be standard... so I'll have to look for an alternative..

2) Like floormats I should look for some sort of trunk/cargo space liner.

3) I've read a lot here about the gagues being easy to scratch (why or how they're being touched and hence scratched is beyond me.) Is there any protection available for them? Or is the solution just don't do _X_ or _Y_?

4) I will get the windows etched with the VIN number for security.

5) I will need to get a security system any suggestions for a security system? The OEM one for the base model is a $314 option.. however, it doesn't have glass breakage protection/sensors (important) and no remote starter (although thats not a big deal for me.. I can't imagine really needing it.) Any suggestions on what types to look at?

6) I will of course get a basic roadside emergency kit together.

7) Seatcovers... which or what type of seat covers are good? I'm personally fond of cargo type of seat covers with lots of pockets, but of course I want something that will fit and look good too. Not too expensive.

8) I will start researching extended warranties, but of course have some time to buy one. Any suggestions? I hope to keep my Fit a long time.

9) All this talk about thin/poor paint is.. eek... I always thought bras were stupid looking but maybe a black bra on a black car (if I can find one) won't look so bad.. then again, I've also been reading about various types of paint protection which seem to be specially applied plastic films.

10) are any sort of cargo space covers available for the fit?

Uhmmm.. those are all the things I can come up with at the moment... answers? Other suggestions? What am I missing? What are must-haves? Must-buys? Must-dos?

Thanks...

[Krizz]

Floormats - I ordered the digitalfits for the front, I'll get the rears later. The Rubber all season mats from Honda are $130, you can probably get them cheaper from Bernardi Honda (yup, $93 Honda All-Season Floor Mats Fit - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories )online, but I didn't think the DF's were to far out of line compared to Honda's. There's a sticky about them in the Fit Inside subforum.

Cargo liner - there is a thread somewhere, if I could link it, I would, about making your own. For $15 at Lowes, I got the black commercial floor runner. Tough carpet on one side, black rubber on the other. You'll have to trim it to fit, but you can unclip the spare tire cover, and use it for a template to mark the curve. Did that this weekend, and it worked great. You can put either side up, depending on what you have back there.

Gauges - not sure about those, but you might be able to put the clearbra material on them. If someone has done something like that, would love to hear about it.

VIN etch, I'm not doing it, or security system. Go to this page of the site - http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/ Scroll down to the Fit ICE subforum, there's probably threads in there about security systems.

Watch the seatcovers, the side airbags come out of the seats, you'll need covers that will tear away if the airbags are activated. See this thread - GI: Fit 07-08, 09+ Clazzio Seat Covers The Clazzio's look awesome, and are reasonably priced, and tear away for the airbags.

Warranties I'm not sure about, look around there are probably threads about them in the appropriate subforum.

Bra's - Check out the Clearbra's, that's the way I'll go when I can afford it. Personally, I don't like the fabric bra's, but that's just me.

Bernardi has the Honda cargo cover, $115 Honda Cargo Cover Fit - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories

The only other thing I'd suggest is

READ THIS THREAD Arrggh, A/C condenser needs replacing

There are some inexpensive, and some pricey solutions to protecting you AC condensor. About halfway thru the thread, justintime post a very clear DIY on how to install mesh for about $10. That's my next fix, my mesh should be here tomorrow.

Good luck with everything!

[Katita]

With seat covers you have to be careful. You need to either get special seat covers that are made to accommodate the side-seat-mounted airbags, or else cut holes in your seat covers to allow them to deploy.

I have no experience personally with them but the Honda floormats are $99 and IIRC the Honda All-Weather mats are like $130. They also offer a cargo tray.

[Firebat666]

The honda all weather mats are great my family has had them in several hondas and they last for ever... also the cargo liner is nice... dont pay the dealer for the mats or cargo liner... get them online they will be WAY cheaper...

[TaffetaWhite]

I neither knew nor cared about comparing costs on the floor mats or cargo tray, I just knew that it was imperative to have them immediately. Simply because I'm in a high-moisture area, I was buying in DECEMBER. After ruining the carpet from rain was not the right time to buy the mats...it was better to buy them before the carpet even had a chance to be wrecked. So I did.

Since it's summer, there may be less rain (in some areas), so it's not as critical to have them immediately. The cargo tray just drops in, and has an edge, a raised area, so if you do put something wet in there, it will NOT run off the edge of the mat onto the carpet.

There's a slight raised area with the All Weather mats, and the helps too.

Anything I have done will probably be through the dealership and not something I can do at home. I don't have a garage with good lighting and access to power.

My base Fit came installed with that crappy KARR system. However, the remote lock/unlock is fabulous. No brochure or manual came with the system, so I don't really know what it does, other than unlock the doors and make a big fuss if I try to open the car when it's armed.

Why would windows be etched with the VIN? Do people steal windows? I really don't know.

[Katita]

Originally Posted by TaffetaWhite

My base Fit came installed with that crappy KARR system.

So I haven't bought yet... how do you know if you have KARR or not?

[MetalFit630]

KARR systems are some of the most common systems that dealers pay crappy small shops to put in the cars. They usually cost around $40 or so, and the dealer will sometimes charge up to $400 for them installed. A good security system shouldn't cost you more than $200, including installation by a professional. That's of course without the bells and whistles.

[TaffetaWhite]

Originally Posted by Katita

So I haven't bought yet... how do you know if you have KARR or not?

Sticker on the window.

[TaffetaWhite]

Originally Posted by MetalFit630

KARR systems are some of the most common systems that dealers pay crappy small shops to put in the cars. They usually cost around $40 or so, and the dealer will sometimes charge up to $400 for them installed. A good security system shouldn't cost you more than $200, including installation by a professional. That's of course without the bells and whistles.

I think they said it was $400.00, discounted from like a $1,000.00 or something.

Yeah, I paid whatever they said. I'd had my car broken into before, and then bought an alarm after that. It was a terrible Code Alarm that never did work right. And, when they were trying to adjust it to keep it from going off all the time, they wrecked the lower dash panel (tore it) and had to replace it...ONLY after I discovered it. And it wasn't even identical to the one I'd had in the car in the first place.

On the other hand, in favor of the KARR thing, it was already installed, it gave me a very valuable feature (the door lock/unlock/auto-lock) that wasn't on a Base. Those things should already be on a Sport, so no need to pay extra for Karr if you're buying a Sport model.

Unless there is something that goes way above and beyond the Sport's built-in system.

It works good, for the door lock/unlock/auto lock on my Base. So for that feature alone, I might actually recommend it for folks buying a Base. Or have the Honda alarm installed that has remote capabilities.

While the Base does have a passenger side and hatch key hole, there are no keyholes for the back doors (the Sport only has one keyhole for the driver). To unlock the back doors, you need the remote or you need to open the driver's door and unlock all doors.

That might not be a problem for most people. But when I go to the store, I often buy some items in bulk. I cannot carry them all up at once. So I'll carry up the perishables and use a collapsing cart to get the rest up. Sometimes the cart in upstairs, other times it's in the car.

If the cart is in the car, no problem. If it's upstairs, I have to go get the cart. When I bring the cart back to the garage, I don't need to get in the driver's seat or open that door at all. I need to get into the hatch and the back seats.

When I have to take the cat to the vet, I use the cart to get the carrier to the car, and both the cart (folded) and carrier go in the back seat area with the seats on high mode. That's done before *I* get in the car or even touch the front driver's door.

I think that remote lock/unlock deal is the best thing since sliced bread!

Oh, and with the KARR system (another plus, I'd say) it's a fob. No key programming. The key is just a key.

[HONDAMATIC]

if youre hardcore on your seats wet okoles are hard to beat.. im a mechanic so a bath towel on mine is okay for me

[Btrthnezr3]

I've been making a similar list for my new fit coming in September...

1) Carpeted Floormats ( live in TX and haven't had a need for all weather in my last 3 cars...factory mats still look great)

2) Cargo liner (this has come in handy for me in my Civic, so it'll be a for sure in the Fit)

3) Cargo cover (I loved having this security in my EP and I'm sure it'll save my butt a few times in the Fit)

4) Grill Guard (I'm not sure yet if I'm going to do a DIY or buy the pre-made piece from Mr. Grill, but either way--it'll be black)

5) Headlight Armor for the Fogs (again...I'm not sure if I'm going to buy the brand Headlight Armor, or buy some film from a seller on fit freak, but it's a necessity for me--had a fog shatter on my ep...no fun)

6) I'm still debating body molding...hmmm...Honda? Zeta? Zeta wide? I hate door dings but I'm not sure about the looks/install yet. Gr.