Junk yard visit: accessing starter
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...ed02ee2a44.jpg
This is how it looks from the car. Not much room here:)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...173ab1ea0f.jpg
Starter position on the engine, radiator removed. To undo ignition terminal connector press on the tab where red arrow is , than GENTLY pry the other end with flat screwdriver. Chances are this connector will be broken in most cases. For best result do it on the warm engine, not when engine is cold! green arrow points to PCV hose , blue arrow to throttle body heating line, block draining bolt is in the green box. The designer of this layout deserves Shnobel's prize!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...ea1fa8bd87.jpg
When removing dipstick tube use modified trim removal tool to pry it up (at orange arrows); remove the lower hose bracket (red arrow) from the starter first; Yellow arrow points to "quick" connector. Once starter is disconnected from the engine it needs to be pulled down together with battery wire (green arrows), so it must be removed from its brackets and from the battery positive post.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...4eb0d4ee57.jpg
Close up view of the prime suspect (output shaft with dried grease)
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...276dda24c2.jpg
Radiator looks good despite front end collision
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...1d74927244.jpg
07 starter (top) and 09 starer side by side. The nose parts and solenoids are different part numbers, looks like 07 will work on 09, not sure if opposite is true as well!
For those who want to deal with the engine starter yourself please think twice!

yuck!
praying for mine to last many more years

It's probably not as hard to do when the car is up in the air and technician is standing (not with a back on the ground or on the creeper). I saw 07 CRV starter removal done by female technician with vehicle on the hoist and she was using right angle impact tools. I've done this with the car on the ground, with intake plenum disconnected and re-positioned.
On the Fit, a battery to starter cable has to be pulled down with the starter and unbolted after that. The pictures below show how to free the cable from the bracket clip, located under intake between #3 and #4 runners:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...839216b21d.jpg
My flashlight is pointing on the clip
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...e40a8cdeed.jpg
Pull the tab with a stiff wire hook and pry the cable up with long screwdriver