I totaled my blue 2010 Base Fit and I'm going to begin settlement discussion soon. In the meantime, I need to start thinking about my next vehicle. I'd like to get as close to the same car as possible. Should I get a new 2012 Base, or a used 2010/2011?

- Not interested in upgrading to Sport.

- What are the differences between the 2012/2011 models and the 2010 model? From the little research I conducted it looks like the body/look of the car has stayed the same. It also appears that VSA, cruise control, remote keyless entry, and some kind of USB connection have been added. Let me know if I'm missing anything, even small details.

- Is the blue on the 2012/2011 models drastically different than the 2010 blue? It doesn't look like it but I'd like to find a comparison if possible. It's probably fine.

I'm probably going to get a new 2012 Base but I'd still like to hear people's opinions and comments. Thanks.

 

the added benefit of the 2012 is extra sound deadening.

I was going to say the bumper changed for 2012, but that's only for the Sport, so... never you mind there.

as for the color... if you had a Blue Sensation Pearl... then the Vortex Blue Pearl should be a fairly close match. But the other Blues aren't anywhere near similar. The Tidewater Blue in 2010 is very light sky blue... but the Blue Raspberry Metallic is basically teal/aqua (noticeable amount of green).

 

Just as a heads up, if you are one of the people that ditched the TPMS sensors, the 2011 ans 2012 modles with the VSA and Traction control wont let you turn either system off if you do not have sensors or one of your tires is low.

Other than that, you seem to have hit all the differences. The USB connection let's you plug a thumb drive or iPod into the stereo system.

 

I never understood all the hate on the TPMS, I've had this car a year and a half, my previous GTI was an 05 model that didn't have it. I've not had a single issue with the Fit, it's actually prevented rim damage when I got a nail in my tire and it warmed me, got it patched and warmed me again 5 miles down the road later to find out the nail also made a tiny pin hole in the side wall. I might have noticed the initial deflation and pulled off in time, but after popping by the tire shop to get it repaired I would have assumed everything is fine, maybe not noticed it and ruined my Sport rim.

 

While I like the idea, the exicution is the issue for me. I run summers and snows and having to have the car reprogrammed every time is a PITA. Not to mention that my seat of the pants feel goes off at 29psi and I have never kicked the light on. Then the added expence of putting them in tires I already had (the snows) and getting new ones for my new rims (I skipped getting sensors for both actually). If it just put a light on the dash I would be 100% ok with it, but locking me out of being able to turn things off is where I have the biggest issue, though if I need to turn the systems off I can just dissconect the ABS pump.

That said, for most people it is a great thing, for someone who checks their tires every other day and has caught every puncture before the tire got below 25psi, trying to force us to have it is... off putting. Like I said, the implementation needs work, not the idea of it.

 

Ahh I see, I just run Yokohama Avid all seasons, I don't live in either extreme so I don't bother swapping sets.

 

I check my tires every day before driving and still had 3 occasions where nails bled down where the TPMS system alerted me before the day was through. It was good because I could get my car home and fix the leak by myself. So, in my case, it was a good warning. I change to winter tires every year but don't have TPMS in them... I live with the alert light for a few months. I wouldn't want them if they prevented me from operating another system in the car.

 

Given that the OP is in soca, I doubt that snow tires are much of a factor.

 

Doesn't the 2012 have the extra sound deadening?
For me that would be a feature I'd pay for.
where's the what's new for 2012 thread?

 

The used market is still overpriced. Unless you get a screamin' good deal on a 2010-11, I'd say do I what did and just spring for the 2012 Base. It's a good car. As quiet as my Subaru was.

I only saw ONE used Fit ... an '09 with 50k miles for $14,100. Versus $15,700 for a brand new one with zero miles (but I had to order it). To me, it was a no brainer.

 

Out of curiousity...why not a Sport? I upgraded, and it was the best money I ever spent on a car. Not much more than a Base, but a lot more for the bucks.

 

From the honda page:
A fair amount of that is just plastic stuff glued on or not very applicable to the the MT. Now that a lot of features like the VSA, cruise control, wireless security system, etc have moved down to the base trim, I can see the reasons why someone would buy the base over the sport.

 

This response makes teh no sense.

much better rims and wider/larger tires, an addition of a rear sway bar, fog/driving lights are not important? those things alone are worth the price difference.

 

So many people get aftermarket wheels, so that one is kind of a waste unless you plan to never get new wheels. The RSB from progress is $150, and fog lights? Um... I didn't care to get broken fog lights. So I got the Base... I'll get some lighter 16" wheels with better tires than stock and probably add the RSB and still be under the markup honda wanted.

 

I'm 100% THRILLED with my Base MT Fit + Progress RSB. I take corners at 50 MPH*.

*Don't try this at home.

 

so many people get aftermarket wheels, add sway bars? are we talking about the same car here? the modding community for the fit is so tiny dude. I bet you less than 5% are doing what you claim.

99% of all fits I've seen on a daily driving basis are bone stock driven by older women or men. whether that be the GD3 or GE8.

 

Its about a $2000 difference between the trims. As mentioned, going aftermarket for a lot of that can make sense if you even care about it. The RSB + fogs is a $500 cost. I dunno if the stock sport wheels + tires are $1300 or so better than the base ones.

My point isn't that getting the sport is a bad idea, just that the choice is a lot less obvious than it was when the sport got you all the stuff you mention plus cruise, USB/ipod integration, etc.

 

Don't forget it wasn't till the recent changes to the 2012 Chinese model that the Base even got half of what it did, when I got my '10 going with the Sport was a steal imo, as the person stated above what it included over the base.

 

Oh, I agree that prior to the 2012 year the sport was the obvious choice. And now I wouldn't say that the base is the better choice, just that both are good choices relative to the other.

 

Buy a new Fit --your choice. My preference is the Fit Sport