Howdy y'all, first time posting but long time Fit follower.

Here's my conundrum:
Honda Fit Sport 2007; 152k miles; manual transmission; My family has owned the car since the beginning. I'm trying to decide if the car is worth fixing or if I should take over my family's Honda CRV 2014 (owned since new). I learned how to drive on the Fit (I'm 24 y/o) and if I decide to fix the issues my father will sign the title over to me. If I chose not to, in the future they will give me the CRV and sign the title over when I have a stable income (hopefully that comes soon) and donate the Fit. I'm an unemployed college student so I can't afford to put a lot of money towards the Fit (1,000$ or less, basically my whole savings at the moment). I know this forum is for "unofficial" fit freaks but I would appreciate some advice on financing as this is the first time I've made a financial decision about cars. I'm also trying to inform myself on how to do basic maintenance like oil changes, using socket wrenches, etc (pls be nice im a noob).

This is the rundown of symptoms:

• Oil Change (65$): the Fit has been sitting outside since January 2024, last oil change was September 2023.
• Battery (209$): Changed in November 2023, car had issues starting and would stall easier if I was messy changing gears or if it was cold. With new battery, no issues starting.
• Spark plugs (100$ 4 for 25$ from Honda Dealership): Back in December 2023 the car was jutting while accelerating, throwing the CEL for misfiring. Diagnosed for free at AutoZone, misfires in multiple cylinders. Plugs replaced in April 2024. The car had been sitting outside when the acceleration got so bad that I could not get up to highway speeds. Lots of things happening in other areas of my life at that time and I had a backup car I borrowed from my parents, so fixing the Fit wasn't my first priority. If only I had known back then how easy it was to replace spark plugs and how relatively cheap the parts were smh...
  • ALSO the last time the plugs and coils were replaced the shop threaded one of the bolts holding the coils in wrong, stripping the bolt, and now we can't get it out. The 4th cylinder plug needs to be replaced still but access to that in the first gen Fit is difficult for someone who is not a mechanic (engine components get in the way). The bolt could be drilled to remove, but that requires me spending money on the tool (trying to not overspend here). The coils are still looking good
  • IN ADDITION with the socket we have on hand that fits over the spark plugs, we can't tighten the plugs enough by hand. The socket gets stuck on top of the plug due to suction and pops off of the only ratchet wrench that fits the head. No idea how to get the plugs tight enough without being able to get the socket out of the cylinder.
    • Misfire code in cylinder 1 and 4; most likely loose spark plug for cylinder 1, burnt plug that's stuck in cylinder 4.
• Alternator and Serpentine belt (estimated 150$ w/o labor): The battery light on the dash is on at all times, not flashing. Confirmed through Autozone visit today that the alternator is not recharging the battery when running. The battery does hold charge and was charged to full outside of the car when replacing the spark plugs in April 2024. Battery is now at 32% capacity as car is not replenishing charge when running. No visual issues with the serpentine belt, no noises either. Alternator is original to the car and via online lasts 130k - 150k miles (it's due to be replaced).
  • Used a Voltmeter to check voltage (its less than it should be, goal 13-14V while idle):
    • No load: 11.5V
    • Idle running: 11.5V
  • Cleaned terminals in battery with battery cleaner, had issues with connection due to corrosion in the past. No change to battery light with clean connections.
  • Car idles inconsistently. It does not get low enough rpms to stall, but it does chug a bit while in idle. Most likely due to not getting enough power. Car does jolt when driving as well, can feel the misfires as they happen.
• New muffler in the past 3 years: The muffler fell off the car back in 2022. Straight up fell off, it was rusted through. New pipes were welded on along with muffler. Had shop guys comment on the quality of welding work under the car, no new issues since then.
  • The exhaust from the muffler burns clear but does have a heavy smell of gas. Was not a symptom before 2024, seems to be related to spark plugs not getting enough power to burn the full capacity of gas when the engine is running (i hope).
  • The same gas has been sitting in the car since January 2024, with a full tank. Got a gas additive that will hopefully clear out any gunk that collected when it was sitting. Now just the issue of how to get an empty tank to add it when I can't drive the car as is to use up the full tank. Should I add it anyways?
• BREAKS ($??): Definitely need them replaced. Not sure if just the break pads or the rotors as well (rotors are PRICY and these were changed in the past 5 years). I didn't know that the last time I parked the Fit it would be sitting for so long so I parked as normal, in neutral with the emergency break engaged (manual). NOW I regret that since the breaks were basically rusted onto the rotors. They still grind after most of the rust popped off, no sparks were seen when initially testing the car after it had been sitting.
  • Hell I even have newish tires on the car. Dented the rim when I hit a chunk of ice back in 2022 and had one of the wheels completely replaced, it slashed my tire. Also during that escapade where the car sat on the side of a highway because insurance couldn't find a tow available at midnight in the Youngstown area, my catalytic converter was stolen. So that's relatively new too and had no further issues.
• Coolant (12.99$): Apparently I was low/out of coolant when running to Autozone. Picked some up while there today and will refill once the engine is cold. No stains left in the driveway from under the car. So far never had issues with leaks of any kind. Pretty sure it just needed a top up, especially since it hadn't run since winter.
  • Hot temp light came on after running for a while. Praying it was just low coolant levels and not an issue with the radiator.

Pretty sure that's everything, sorry for the long list.

This is my major decision:
I'm asking because I'm having trouble differentiating from the sentimental values of the car and the actual realistic values of the Fit. I love this car and would want another manual Fit in the future when in better financial standings. If it was all up to my decision I would leave the Fit in the driveway while working on it over time, while borrowing the CRV. I don't really want the CRV but I am grateful that my parents aren't leaving me stranded without a car (after some conditions are met). My original vision was to have the Fit as a project car and use something else as my daily drive. I doubt I'd ever race professionally but it would become a hobby of mine to customize the Fit in the future (apparently they're a good build for rally racing). Once the car is gone its gone. I could find another old Fit later in life, but the one I have now I know the full history of AND it's fully paid off. My father wants the "eyesore" out of his driveway if it's not running and insurance renewal is coming up soon so I need to make a decision. Will be calling local shops to get estimates on replacing the alternator and labor and will update with the costs for opinions. Curious to know if I can provide the part to the shop to put in or if I have to go through them. Again, this is all new territory.
I just want to keep my fit ;-;

If I pay for a new alternator and fix the spark plug issue I can afford it. If breaks need servicing further than break pads I probably can't afford it. Will update with estimates and pictures if needed.


Thank you for coming to my TedTalk and sorry for the lengthy post. Any insight would be appreciated! #fitfreak

 

IMO take the crv. It’s a good car and it’s “free”
Knowing the entire maintenance history of a car is beneficial. For in this instance, after everything you said doesn’t sound worth it to me. But also, this is strictly my opinion.

I get the sentimental aspect, and have experienced that many times. But truly it’s just a car. Make yourself a t-chart, this crv vs this fit.

 

Your spark plug issues are the biggest negative I see. You are at the point of needing a good number of tools or knowledge to deal with it. You either get the plug out and use a thread insert. Or you leave the plug in and have to take the entire head off. At that point might as well send the head to a machine shop to fix the thread. I agree with taking the CRV.