Hey all.

I'm buying a used fit - Manual. Sport.
The deal is 15k for a fit with about 15k miles (we'll see if a better deal can be had).

Since I'm buying a used machine. I have no idea how crazy it's been driven. If the person ground down the gears or anything else about it.

What should I look for.

For those of you who've owned your fit for years. What weak points or potential problems should I inspect.

What areas on the body are most likely to have some work done or could have repaired dings or dents.

Thanks all ahead o' time.

 

The reason I ask is that I h8 buying used cars
(I always feel like I'm getting ripped off by
the dealer).

but it seems like a great deal and I definitely
like the gen 1st cars vs. the 2cd gen.

I'm also fond of small cars with just spartan amount
of tech (my current ride is an 00' honda civic hatch).

Thanks again.

 

id be more afraid of buying an auto fit. because you gotta beat on them to drive normal haha.

 

The Fit's paint is rather thin, so you should check for stone chips on fenders and bodywork. If you leave the deeper gouges alone (no matter how small they appear on the fender), rust can form on them---it happened to one of my fenders.

Watch the transmission mounts, those can crack and disintegrate if the car's been driven roughly on bad tarmac. Happened to a friend of mine a few times, but he was running the CVT version (we got no torque-converter A/Ts here for the GD Fits). Since the Fit rides a little low in stock form, have the car on a lifter and check the underchassis for any damage.

The Fit's stock Yuasa batteries are notorious for letting go and replacements can be hard to find in the US. Try to have one in stock just in case. I'd recommend changing batteries every 2 years regardless of condition.

Otherwise you should be good to go Hope this helps.

 

You're joking right? Honda batteries come with a 3 year warranty.

 

I'm not. I'm serious.

Stories abound in the Philippines (which has weather similar to Florida or south CA) where batteries don't even last 2 years. Which reminds me, mine's at that time already.

As I said, replacement batteries in the S40B20L/NS40L size are pretty hard to find in the US---at least here we've got a few alternatives to Yuasa (the ones that make the stock ones).

 

Drive it for sure. Make sure every gear engages fine (no grinding or anything), including reverse.
If it doesn't have floormats, then the driver-side carpet may be a bit worn.
Ask for any records of oil changes and repairs, if the dealer has them. If not, there are websites that will search the VIN number and give you a vehicle history report.

 

Now why would you pay to replace a battery after 2 years when if it's really defective Honda will replace it for free for up to 3 years? And I don't know the distribution system in the Philippines but here in the USA batteries are a regularly stocked part, and even if a dealer doesn't have it on the shelf, he can usually order from the warehouse and have it in a day or two.

 

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/1st-...two-years.html
That ought to answer your question. That's for American Fit owners. Read through the thread and you'll learn Yuasa has had battery shortages in the US.

Why would I pay to replace the GD battery after 2 years? From experience, any battery that lives longer than that in Philippine conditions is living on borrowed time (especially the puny one for Fits/Jazzes), and the warranty here for stock batteries lasts just one year. That's why. I suppose you didn't know that either---you probably assumed American Honda and the Philippine Honda dealership network are one and the same, which they are not.

That's not really a big deal here because like I said replacements are plentiful.

 

If the car is sitting on new tires be suspicious. At 15K the OE tires should have plenty of life left, if they've been replaced that means they were thin enough to worry the seller which is a sure sign the car was driven hard (or not well maintained) neither of which is a good thing. Don't buy the dealers story that "they put new tires on as a selling point" either that is BS. Good luck!

 

Along with the above warning, IF the tires are new, a simple clutch test might be in order. To see if the clutch has been worn to the point that replacing it will by your first maintenance headache, test it like this. In a level, safe area with no barriers or other cars in front of the car for 50 feet or so, depress the clutch, start the car, put the trans. in 4th or 5th gear, and release the clutch quickly (dump it) without your foot on the accelerator. If the clutch is not worn dangerously, the engine will die instantly. If the clutch is bad, it will slip enough to let the engine continue to turn over for a second or two. If that happens, a bad clutch at such low mileage should warn you away from buying the car- there will be more hidden problems from rough use.

 

i'm in SoCal, and have had my fit for 2yrs and 6months. i haven't had any battery problems (fingers crossed).

 

here's what my trade-in estimators look for:
1. Any signs of lowering: inner fender hashes, mods
2. any engine changes. Check bolt heads for wrench marks
3. Check oil residue inside oil cap around inside of the valve cover
4. gas, brake, and clutch pedal wear. Ditto steering wheel.
5. Tire wear; check for misalignment or offset patterns
5. and the usual: clutch condition (pedal release too close to floor or vice versa; interior condition, body marks and scratches, mileage reasonable for the age, etc
And last how well does it drive.If you have a friend with a Fit get him to drive and compare to his. (you know what his is like)

 

I think you can find a better deal than that. I saw a 2008 Sport with 5,xxx miles and they gave me price of $14,900.

 

here in hawaii someone was selling his fit for $10,000 with 5x,xxx mileage and that's pretty cheap. but good luck. also check if there's any leak, clutch, etc.

 

like what he said.

 

pm you about my fit.

i take care of mine. people in san diego and around this forum can vouche for my fit.