Hey so while i've been lurking around for awhile i decided to make an account~
okay, so im wondering because i was planning to get the 2010 Base Fit AT because im a little pressed on money (plus its my 1st car)
and i was wondering if that was a good idea? i want this car to last for a long time (at least 5 years) and i wanted to know would it be necessary to upgrade to the Fit Sport AT. (i cant drive Manuel..)
Hopefully, I plan to do some mods on the Base but i wanted to get some input.
Also is VSA necessary? im pretty sure all the cars i (family's) own dont have it and we are not in many accidents ever. but it is supposed to be the "best thing since seat-belts"
thank you~

 

My wife wishes we had forked out for the Sport. If we had had more cash it might have been nice. But to our base we added a spoiler, the center armrest, tinting, a trailer hitch, and all told we've spent about 20K (without factoring in insurance) to buy, drive, mod, fuel up, and maintain the car over 14 months. If they're like other Hondas they'll not only last 5 years, but certainly 10 and probably 15. Save the $1500 if you are strapped for cash. That money will gas up your car for 15K or more you have a light foot.

 

OP.

If I can make a recommendation... if you are a bit strapped for cash, do not buy a new car, especially if you can't get an excellent APR. .9% consider a certified Used Civic or something lower in price. Almost any honda you pick will last you 5 years depending on how you drive. Find something with 50k miles. I bought my prelude as my 1st car with 130,000 miles on it. had the car for 4+ years before I traded it in for my 1st integra (which was again used... but newer/less miles (80k)). The car After that was my 1st NEW car (the GS-R).

Don' put yourself in the position for potentially losing the car or not being able to pay for other things that might come up.

If cash isn't THAT tight, hunt around for a 2007 - 2009 fit. Maybe you can find a sport for a decent price.

My $.02

~SB

 

Hi, my Fit is my first car. One of the first decisions I had to make was Base vs. Sport. I chose Sport because of the alloy wheels, cruise control, and the overall look of the aerokit, spoiler, and fog lights. I didn't know much about the Paddle Shifters, but I must say, after a year of owning this vehicle, the paddles make for a fun and engaging driving experience. If you're not a super noob trio like myself (first new car, first car, new driver), then you might find them perhaps trivial. But for someone like me who still finds driving not a chore, the overall package of the Sport A/T trim with Paddle Shifters is well worth its price.

I think the more important question for you is 2010 vs. 2011. 2011 will have VSA standard. 2010's have VSA only in the most expensive Nav trim--something to consider if you want VSA. I don't how crucial VSA, even after reading about it, and I don't have it in my car, so I'm afraid I can't comment on it.

Good Luck and Welcome to FitFreak!

 

I second the Certified Used suggestion.

If it's your first car and money is an issue, a used Honda will be fine. A Certified Used Honda has the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty extended by 1 year/12,000 miles, or if already past 3 yrs/36,000, they add a 1 year/12,000 mile B2B warranty on the spot. The powertrain warranty is extended to 7 years, 100,000 miles from the original date of first sale.

Meaning: you find a cert used Civic or Fit, say, 2 years old with 24,000 miles: wind up with the equivalent of a new car with a 2 year 24,000 mile B2B warranty, 5 year 76,000 mile powertrain warranty, and every part of the car is inspected to assure that it is in like-new condition. Consider it the equivalent of a factory refurbished unit.

AND: You don't have to spend your hard earned money on paying that first year depreciation, leaving you free to switch to something else if you decide (being that this is your first car) that a subcompact hatchback isn't quite what you wanted.

 

(My first car was a 5 year old accord with 60,000 miles. It still drove like it was new at 120,000 miles when I sold it... and still had the original clutch. The worst problem it had was a brake master cylinder that had to be replaced, and some minor interior issues (needed new interior door handles and A/C hot/cold knob around 100,000)

 

the fit is a great lil car, i would only buy it if you can obviously afford it. the best part is the fuel mileage and the reliability.
look for a 2009 with warranty, im sure they must have discounts on the 2010 models. rebates plus 0.9 financing.

 

I bought a CPO 2009. Great warranty, (bumper to bumper 1 year after purchase, plus 100K powertrain!) Zero regrets. Yeah, you are gonna want to get the sport version, then leave some $$$ for some modifications. I have the NAV with the VSC...VSC is a great feature, if you can afford it. Welcome to the board.