Hi everyone,

I finally pulled the trigger for a new 2011 Fit Sport in Taffeta White A/T (couldn't find a M/T in white , but then I am pretty bad at driving manual anyway ). I am taking delivery pretty soon and am wondering if there is anything I should watch out for?


Thanks in advance

 

Potholes.

Seriously. I've nailed enough potholes in my Fit to create a bubble in one tire, which eventually got a hole and then, I ended up getting whole set of wheels and tires. The wheels are still usable, just wanted something lighter (for wheels) anyway. Two are clean, one has a touch of "curb rash" and the other has a small dent in the edge of the rim, both being pretty minor. I'm keeping them in case I do the summer/winter tire swap method (using all-seasons for now).

 

Watch out for the finance guy trying to sell you overpriced things (extended warranties, undercoating, security packages, pin stripping, etc.). If you want an extended warranty call these guys Honda Care VSC Information, Benefits and Coverage to save lots of money.

 

Missing body plugs.

Under the car, behind each tire, they're supposed to put these rubber oval plugs into holes in the frame, I think they use those holes to tie the cars down for shipping (which is why the plugs aren't put in at the factory).

For some reason even though it's part of the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) they seem to leave them out often.

Look under the car, you'll either see holes or the plugs, pretty easy to spot. If the holes are there make them put the plugs in. Takes about two minutes (if they haven't thrown the plugs away).

I went back six months later and made them do it (had to call in advance and have them order the plugs).

They're not necessary, it's trivial, but Honda says the plugs reduce road noise a bit (I'm not sure if I noticed the difference but you can't really do a side-by-side test). And they probably keeps a little road salt from getting inside the frame.

Somewhere on fitfreak there's a thread on this.

 

Stick their dealer advertising to the car, it is hell to remove.

Check the paint make sure they have all the preservative stuff off.

Make sure they lower your tire pressures to specifications.

I would also check the oil before driving it off the lot.

 

make sure you get your floor mats on the Sport! Free Tank of Gas! and make sure the car is nice and neat!!! i went to one dealer and the car looked like it had been driven by the manager home on the weekends... went to another dealer and the one i bought was spotless not even one fart smell lol

Good LUCK!!!!! i already put 535 miles on my Fit in 7 days!!! i love it

 

when i got my 2011 M/T sport, i didnt know what was wrong with
the tires! it turned out the dealer had 50psi on it when i check it the following day.

 

I second the idea of not letting them slap on their advertising. that includes the vinyl decal and license plate covers.

If you live in a state where you do not need a license plate on the front of your car or if you choose not to drive with a front license plate you may want to make sure they don't drill into your front bumper.

 

Watch out for high curbs and parking dividers. Fit Sport bumpers are pretty low from the factory.

 

Thanks everyone! I did check for the body plugs (and strakes) and sure enough, they weren't there! I told them about them and they put them in right away. Everything else was as expected except there were only two screw securing the license plates; not really a big deal but I've heard that the plates can rattle if but properly secured, so I ask them to put 2 more screws on them.

 

Does anybody here know why Honda techs seem to have a bias against installing the body plugs? Do they just not want to get under the car for two seconds? Or does the service manual tell them they have to jack up the car and that adds ten minutes which takes them away from other paying work if they get paid by output rather than time spent? It's upsetting to think that these are the same people who might not bother to change an oil filter if it's stuck on, or rush a valve adjustment...

Do other Hondas have body plugs or is it just the Fit?