Fit - STL Style!

[Shellica STL]

I'm just starting to see the Fit show up in the STL. So far I've found exactly 4 that are actually sitting on dealer lots, and none on the road.

I'm not a Fit owner yet, but plan to be mid-late August.

I'd love to hear dealer comments from any STLers who buy before me.

[Cathi]

Originally Posted by Shellica STL

I'm just starting to see the Fit show up in the STL. So far I've found exactly 4 that are actually sitting on dealer lots, and none on the road.

I'm not a Fit owner yet, but plan to be mid-late August.

I'd love to hear dealer comments from any STLers who buy before me.

I ordered one 6/14/6. I'm getting an automatic Fit Sport in Orange Blaze Metallic. I'm getting mine from STL Honda & have been dealing with their internet sales staff, John and Ivo. They've been great. They've got my Fit on order and will let me know when they have a definate date - but I was told 8-12 weeks. That's a long time, but I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait.

[Shellica STL]

Thanks for the input Cathi!

Are you paying MSRP? Less? More? It seems like the Fit has avoided dealer markup in STL so far - although the one I test drove (White A/T Sport) had accessories and pinstriping added that the dealer had added to the price.

I'm personally looking to buy a M/T but as of now the dealers I've contacted have told me they can't do much for me. I'm in no hurry, in fact I can't really commit until late August or September, but I'll keep trying to get one on order especially if you're waiting that long for an automatic! I'm willing to put down a couple hundred dollars if that means I get the car I want when I want it!

[Cathi]

I put $500 down on it.
No mark up, so the salesmen aren't making much on it. Plus I asked whether they do all that paint sealant and fabric protection at the dealership and force/urge the customers to pay for it & they don't do that there at STL Honda...said the only things they add are the things their customers ask for. I drove a white A/T base model on Monday there. Handling was great. I was going to save a little extra $ and get a M/T too, but my Dad talked me into it...he also talked me into getting the Sport instead of the base model. I think my Dad misses selling cars! I'm hoping it actually takes less time to get my car than what they are telling me - and it would be a nice surprise if I do get it sooner.
Few are coming to the lots. Those that do are getting bought within 5 days or so. A honda dealership in Illinois said they wouldn't get another one in until the end of June & I wanted to drive one ASAP, so I found one & drove it.
I think if you order one & put money down on it that commits you to buying it when it arrives at the dealership. If you'll be ready to do that in around 8 weeks, I suggest you get to it.

[Shellica STL]

I start a new job on Monday, so I'll be ready to put some money down shortly thereafter. I plan to keep contacting dealerships in the area until one tells me they'll take my money for a sport manual transmission. I'm not being that picky about color (I'd take white, orange or black without complaint, I'd also consider silver if I had to) because the tranny is more important to me. I'm a die hard stick driver, what can I say? I must admit - I was suprised how much I enjoyed the automatic I test drove, so if the manuals become completely unavailable, I may reconsider.

I'll definitely take your recommendation into consideration and give them a call when I'm ready. I do have to say - Terry at Ed Napelton in St. Pete was a sweetheart to even let me test drive the one they had sitting there. He knew I wanted a manual, and the car already had 200 miles on it from test drives, but he let me take it for a short drive anyway. I have a feeling they added the pinstripe more because they had one sitting there and were curious than anything, and they had the floormats and cargo cover (both of which I want) in the car and the price tag was MSRP + accessories. However when I said I wanted a manual he said there wasn't much he could do. He didn't even seem to have a waiting list. Terry said the only reason the white one hadn't sold is because of the color - people were seeking the more "fun" colors.

It's encouraging that they aren't adding any cost to the Fits where you reseved yours. I may get floormats (a necessity) and wait on the cargo cover - I only worry about that because I spend quite a bit of time downtown and in the loop at various concerts, and without a trunk there's not many places to hide things in the car. At the same time, it's garaged when at my boyfriend's, and I live way out in Jefferson county on a dead end street, so it's not an immediate worry.

I'll keep you posted when I find a dealership that'll take my money on a manual, and St. Louis Honda will definitely be one of the dealerships I contact. It'll probably be mid-late July.

[Cathi]

Great! TTYL!

[WeberSM]

Should be picking up my NHBP Sport from Ed Napleton on Monday. Looks like the St. Louis area is pretty quiet as far as Fits and this forum goes!

[Jsmitty]

Traded in my Candy White MKV GTI, for a Blackberry Pearl Fit Saturday.