Yeah so I dropped off my Honda car at my Honda dealership yesterday at 8h30 AM to have them install my Honda car starter. Just got a call that they still can't get the car to start! Apparently their "3 top mechanics" have been working on it since yesterday and they even called Honda design engineers to trouble-shoot through the issue. Only thing they're left with is that the unit itself is defective. So they are ordering in a new one which should arrive on Monday. They figure my car should be good to go by late Monday afternoon (maybe)!

Now on to the ironic part. What was I given as a loaner car, you may ask? Well none other than the very car I had ordered back on July 18, namely a 2009 Honda Fit LX in Tidewater Blue! At least they gave me the same model of car and a full tank of gas, but this is certainly giving me added appreciation for my Sport in Orange Revolution. Really miss the tinted windows for one - yes, it IS like being in a fishbowl without tint! I also hate the wheels (from Civic Hybrid - too ugly for words) and miss my USB connection to hook up my ipod.

Well, as compensation for the "inconvenience", they are installing the other interior carbon fiber trim pieces (meter trim and side outlet panels) free. I already had the door switch trim installed last week so it will be the complete set. Woopie but WHERE'S MY FIT??? HAVING A FIT (back to the drawing board...sigh)....

 

I'm just curious- you are describing a problem the dealer is having with the installation of a "REMOTE STARTER"? I am assuming that is the case because it would be very strange for a new car to have a failed starter. BTW, removing and replacing the starter motor on a Jazz/Fit is a giant PITA. I haven't done it, but I know people who have.

 

Yup, my Honda dealership has been trying to install the genuine Honda remote starter in my '09 Fit since yesterday morning. They've been through every diagnostic so only thing they think it could possibly be is that the starter itself is defective. They ordered a new one today which will hopefully arrive on Monday.

When I ordered the unit, my dealer told me it is a 4-5 hour job so yeah, seems like it is quite the procedure! I was told that the genuine Honda remote starter only became available late last year. So they're trying to install a unit which is pretty new to them in a car they've never worked on before (mine is first in Sudbury). To boot, the starter itself is likely defective! Can imagine the language in that garage....just hope my little Pumpkin is being well cared for! One week of ownership and already going 4 days+ without...

 

How generous of them! Aren't those trim pieces just peel and stick?

 

Can't believe your without your car already. You must be pitchin a Fit!

Hope they get it right.

BTW, look at my rep power. Hehe.

 

Yup but they look great! I had my door switch trim done last week and it really adds a nice touch to the interior. Also, they are lending me a comparable car (2009 Honda Fit LX) for the duration so it isn't like this is a HUGE inconvenience. I'd just much prefer to be driving my own car for the added perks of the Sport.

 

WHATEVER! Some people....

As per my state of mind during the 2.5 wait for my Fit...."HAVING A FIT - WHERE'S MY FIT" is back. Well, to be fair I AM driving a 2009 Honda Fit LX until my car is ready, so it isn't really a huge deal. Yeah, who am I kidding. 1 week of ownership and already going 4 days (maybe more) without my Pumpkin! Life just isn't fair sometimes....

 

Hey, just perpetuation the silly competition, lol.

Posts some pics of your new carbon fiber when you get it back.

 

Will do. I know those trim pieces are just stick-on but the door switch ones really look like actual separate pieces. I'm quite impressed with how it looks and the installation. The '09 I'm driving now has no extras in it, so I'm getting to see what the "stock" car looks like. Not so good. Definitely I think that the interior needs some punch which these pieces do nicely. Of course I think the whole set is something like $350+, so not exactly cheap! That's why I was happy that the dealership will cover the cost for the extra trim to make amends for the inconvenience.

 

When I asked about the trim pieces being peel and stick, I wasn't trying to say they didn't look good. I was being critical of the dealer for letting you know in advance that they would not be charging you to install them-as if it's a big deal. IMO, that's the kind of thing they should have just done without mentioning it, and then even give you a discount on the starter kit installation to boot. It is nice that you got a loaner, so I guess I should have cut them a little slack.

EDIT;
I just re-read your last post. Are you saying that they are giving you the trim pieces at no cost, or just installing them and you are paying for the parts? I originally assumed the latter, so if they comped you the trim pieces as well as the installation, I owe your dealer an apology.

 

Well the interior trim pieces I had installed in my Mazda3 were actual pieces, not "just" stick on so I realize some people might be critical of this. No issue here, as long as they look good (and boy, do they ever!).

I'm a pretty laid back person who wouldn't even think to ask for extras for the inconvenience of being without my brand new car for 4 days. The way I look at it, I got a comparable loaner and the interior trim I had asked to be installed (at my cost for part and installation) is now being done completely free. I probably could have gotten a % off the installation of the starter or something else thrown in (dying for the carbon fiber B trim) but I'm not that forward with people.

Oh well, overall I'll be happy if they can manage to get my remote starter working. Also, I know that those extra interior trim pieces will add alot to the interior. Bonus that I'm getting them at zero cost to me!

 

This is why I drive a VW. Look at this, brand new car and it's still in the shop. Kidding, of course.

Sorry to hear they're having issues, hopefully you get it back soon.

 

Yeah my family was freaking out since they thought there was an issue with the car itself! I didn't have any concerns though I have 0 experience with this dealership. It is a huge organization (they got 7 2009 Fits in their first shipment!!!) so I have no doubt that the mechanics are very capable. They even (apparently) contacted Honda "head engineers" and tried every diagnostic they could come up with. End result...car is aOK but the remote starter itself is defective. Hopefully by Monday this will all be resolved. Only up side is that I'm now driving "my" Tidewater LX so really appreciate my GR8 Pumpkin Sport all the more!

 

Also consider yourself lucky that this didn't happen in the dead of winter when you really need the remote starter.

 

I'm surprised they didn't just take it out of another car for you. I had the same problem with my Element and they just took the starter unit off one of the cars on the lot and replace mine with it and off I went...

 

I agree! I figure it will be 1.5-2 months before I actually will be using the remote starter.

 

Well this is an OEM Honda car starter, which I'm told only came on the market late last year. They don't have any extras around, hence the added wait to order another one in...

 

Didn't you say they gave you a 09 for a loner? they should have just took it off the loner and installed it in yours. That is what I meant about my Element, they just took it off another Element.

 

Remote starters are an add on extra. So any customer buying it will have to wait for the parts to be ordered.

As the '09 FIT is different than the '08, if there were a remote starter for the '08, I would bet it would not fit properly. They are likely the most expensive accessory for a FIT so most dealers won't stock them.

I am currently pricing a remote starter as a gift for my mom's Civic. Luckily my brother works at the Canadian Honda plant, so I can get a discounted price.

 

Well it's now been 5 days since I dropped off the GR8 Pumpkin at my Honda dealership for installation of an OEM remote car starter. STILL no car! Ok, it isn't so bad having the Tidewater LX (2009 to boot) as a loaner but this is getting ridiculous. Has anyone installed the Honda remote starter before? I hear it's a major job but wanted some input as I wait (not so) patiently by the phone...