I have an 09 Fit. I just got an "Exclusive Upgrade Notification" from Honda. In the letter they say they're looking for specific vehicles for their Certified Pre-Owned program from select clients in Winnipeg (where I live) and surrounding area. There is a $1000 trade-in voucher at 1to1 Honda. They say the goals of the program are 1. An offer that will allow selected clients to upgrade their current vehicle with little or no out-of-pocket expense, and 2. Allow clients to maintain a payment at or below their current payment.

Anyone ever seen something like this and/or take advantage of it?

 

Well the payments might be the same but all the money you've put into it ( payments , maintenance , tires, ) is now worth $1000.

They will turn around and sell your fit for 10 gs and give you 1 back. And then you get stuck with another 4-5-6-7 years worth of payments.

Now if they offer you a trade in allowance for what the vehicle is worth plus $1000 and they cover all the fees to get you into a new fit well...GO FOR IT!

 

It's a common car sales tactic. Instead of selling you a car, they are offering to buy your current car. The $1000 is made up, they'll just lower the value of your trade by $1000 first.

 

Yes, it's just a marketing tactic. They want to make it sound like you're really lucky to get the exclusive offer, and that there's a limited to act or you'll miss it. I may be judging the dealer unfairly, but it almost seems that if you show up at the dealer with this offer, it will be a tip off to them that they can try to manipulate you.

 

you can be certain that every other person that bought a car from that dealer has received the same mailing. its just to generate more traffic to the dealer.

same thing with the "you won a prize" stuff

i still get crap like that from the dealer where I got my 06 tC. it has 120k miles on it and they told me 2 years ago they dont want it

 

Change that from everyone who bought from that dealership to everyone who has a car registered in your town. I've gotten a few of those from dealerships and its clearly based on DMV title searches. Most of the time, its limited to make and years.

 

I still get it for a car I already sold 2 yrs ago.

 

I should note that I lease. My lease is up next October (2013). So I'll have to get a new car then anyways. Does this alter your stance?

 

Since you don't even own the car, it's not like you can trade it in.

 

if you don't particularly like your car and were thinking of getting a new different car and you don't necessarily want a new Fit.
Maybe you can go check it out and talk to the dealer to see the details and how the numbers pan out..

But don't think it is somehow because you bought Honda's arguably entry model car, you're somehow a VIP, and that they aren't trying to make a profit off of you. Why would they take your old fit and put you in a new fit and still charge you the same lease.
You should still bargain hard and work out the numbers; but potentially it can work out for you if you were looking to get out of the lease anyway