I am interested in a new (GE) Fit. I have been searching for a new vehicle for over a month. I think I have it down to a few makes and models.

Since I found the Fit I've done significant investigation and it looks like a great vehicle for my 2 adult and 2 kid family. I want good fuel economy, and a safe vehicle. I really want a hatchback style vehicle and a stick. A sport, manual trans Fit would be perfect.

Enough background, here is the questions and dilemma. We need a car soon, very soon (weeks, not months). I have visited three Honda dealers and I am very underwhelmed. As soon as I mention driving or buying a Fit they act as though they want me to vanish. If I mention the manual trans they turn green and start to act nervous. I have bought many new cars in my life and this behaviour is unsettling.

Out of three dealers only one has a fit that isn't sold and it isn't a stick. I am very surprised since the release was months ago. The friendliest salesman said I should either order one and hope it comes before the new year, or come back in 2009!

I have read that Honda wants to sell upwards of 80,000 of the new Fits in the US this model year. So what am I missing? should I give up an move to another model? Where are the Fits? Is there a way to check inventory for new fits online? I see Honda has such a feature at honda.com, but it only shows used vehicles????

 

My other option is to buy a similarly priced Saturn Astra off the lot. My test drive of the Astra went ok, but I noticed a list of issues that are a bit of a problem.

No usable cup holders, torque steer, low engine power, and no arm rest were uncovered in the test drive.

The salesman explained that it was a Europe model imported directly so my "problems" were not problems at all but just a US perspective issue.

After more research at home I discover that the bumpers, engine, and even the lame cup holders are specific to the US cars. Now I'm even more nervous because the Astra's low sales may mean I end up owning one of GM's orphaned children. Like the Aztec, Outlook, and Le-Mans I may end up with a discontinued vehicle that is worth less than other models. Resale and future parts availability may be a concern. The future of GM doesn't make me feel great either.

I've never even driven a Fit, but I suspect the issues I found with the GM will be non-existent.

 

the best thing i can say is spread your search a little more.
who cares if you have to drive 2 or more hours to get the car you want.
as long as you find it and get it. doesn't mean you have to take it there for service. you can just go to your local dealer.
but yeah look further away.
i wish you luck on this as the fit is a hot item right
now. selling before even hitting the lot.

also you said 80,000
i hope you know that is for the whole year of 09
and what additional they are selling now in 08.

 

Yea, but how do I do that? Is there a way to search inventory? I agree that a few hour drive is no big deal. Well, as long as I know I am not going to a dealer that has no Fits.

My understanding is that all of the 08s are gone ... I'd even consider an 08 as long as it was at a discount.

 

Not to be rude, but are you kidding? Do you have a phone? Call around. If you don't have internet use the yellow pages.

In the past I even called Utah and Nevada to find the rare car I'm looking for, and I'm in California.

 

sorry if i didn't make it clear.
i didn't mean for you to drive all over the place.
what i ment was exactly what CrystalFiveMT said.
call all the dealers you are willing to drive to. ask first before
you drive. you'll find it.

 

you could try autotrader.com
be sure to click on "view more search criteria" to specify MT
i saw quite a few results within 200 miles of lansing

 

Call an auto broker. He might be able to find what you want if you don't have the time to do it yourself.

 

yes, autotrader is great, but they'll only list it if the dealership has the car on the lot. I knew my fit was coming in to a local dealer, but never saw it on autotrader. The dealer had about 3+ fits, but they never showed up on autotrader I guess because they were all reserved.

My suggestion with autotrader would also be that if you were interested to find out Honda dealers within the margin you are willing to travel, and call up those numbers.

1) they will most likely be internet salesperson
2) ask for prices (OTD important! if needed provide your city to get exact TTL) - any dealer fees
3) sometimes, they'll tell you when their next shipment will be coming in.

 

Here's how:

1. Goto Honda Cars - New and Certified Used Cars from American Honda
2. Click Request a Quote
3. Enter your car
4. Fill out info... you can use fake info if you desire but use your correct zip code.
5. There's a list of dealers to call near you or simply email them from Honda's website directly. Expand your distance to find more dealers.

 

I don't mean to be rude either, but are you kidding? The "yellow" pages only lists a county or area code at a time assuming you are talking about a regular phone book. I've not only called, but visited every Honda dealer listed. I'm in the process of contacting every dealer in a 200 mile radius, it would be 15 phone books.

Whether or not I have internet access is obvious since we are having this conversation on the internet.

Jeep has a new car inventory system directly on their web site that allows you to search the inventory of every dealer. I assumed such a thing must exist for Honda. It sure beats spending a whole day wrestling with sales people on the phone, and looking up dealers one by one. With an inventory system at least I would know I was talking to a dealer that at least reported to have the car I wanted.

I found a manual fit at a dealer about 50 miles away. I arranged a test drive by phone but the car was sold before I arrived. I drove a automatic one and found it to be a nice car (no surprise). None of the problems of the Astra existed with the Fit.

The sales experience was less than fun, but I guess this is just how it is going to be. The salesman didn't call to tell me it was sold because he was busy selling another Fit. He rode with me on the test drive in the automatic and took that opportunity to tell me the car would be marked up significantly over MSRP which meant I wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway.

Anyone see a manual fit at a dealer in MI, OH, TN, IN, IL,or WI? I suppose I could even fly out further and drive one back. It will still be cheaper than a $2000 over MSRP surcharge anyway.