I plan on buying a GE, probably from CL (craigslist).
Any advice on things to look for or avoid?
Also, is there a link to upgrades/hacks/mods?
Thanks in advance.

 

get familiar with the market for prices on used Fits. Check KBB.com and Edmunds.com. A modified Fit will be worth less than stock. Check autotrader.com in addition to craigslist.

Ask to see service records. If they don't have any that's an indication they weren't careful servicing it. If they do it themselves they should have a log and receipts to show for it. There is no timing belt to change. Major maintenance is @ 100K with valve adjustment and new plugs. This is probably around $400, but I haven't priced it.

There is no 2014 model year in the US. 2013s are the newest. 2011s saw improved sound insulation. 2011s got stability assist and the Base model got cruise control (2010s and 2009s Base don't have cruise).

Carfax is only so good showing accidents. Lots of repairs will not be listed. Best to have a trained eye look it over, either someone you know or pay for a pre-purchase inspection (honda dealers will do it).

The only gripe I have is the A/C and heat could be stronger. But they work ok. The only repairs I've paid for have been for the A/C. I think A/C problems are higher in 2009s and 2010s, but it's not a major issue. There are multiple reports of having to replace the fan motor (few hundred dollars).

Other than the A/C there aren't any chronic issues with these cars to look out for. They're pretty honest little cars.

 

Steve244 covers it pretty well. (I think the improved sound isolation may have come in the 2012 year rather than the 2011 year, but I may be mistaken about that.)

I would note that a lack of maintenance records can mean a couple of things. It can mean that maintenance was not performed with care. It can, however, also mean that the previous owner simply wasn't a fastidious record keeper. I know I do scheduled maintenance pretty well by the book (or the maintenance minder, in this case), but I never bother filing away receipts for oil and filters and keeping dated logs and so forth. There are not too many things I like doing less than paperwork, particularly unnecessary paperwork. I also tend to keep cars long enough that the lack of maintenance records no longer affects their value very much.

 

Great tips cause that's what I'd be doing too.
Carfax does not show lotsa repairs is correct. However, its a good starting point. Once it shows a dubious history like: salvage, flood or a $10k accident repair - no need to look further and move on to the next candidate.

As for heat, ain't qualified to comment. Have to be masochistic to use that mode in our locality!!!!

 

I keep a spreadsheet, it's a simple one line entry every time I do something. But I know what you mean. I go all anal and scan receipts linking them to the entry for any parts etc. Should increase the value on a private sale, even if it's 15 years old. If you trade at a dealer it won't make any difference.

I finally got my wife to keep records. She was "oh they'll tell me what I need at the dealer." The third time they offered to change the coolant in her car less than a year after they did the timing belt/water pump got her to question this. When she figured out she did the timing belt and water pump 50k miles before it needed doing that really cemented it (having to shell out for the next belt 50K too early). That and never doing transmission service.

It's nice to be able to go back and see exactly what I did (or had done) and what the costs were.

 

That's a valid point. Keep my cars pretty long and am a DIY'er for the regular fluid maintenance and consumables. Keep things simple with one of those spiral Log Books kept in each car to record all service/repairs done as well as MPG.

Of course, being one who is always willing to learn new things, because of the FF forum, decided to join Fuelly to streamline the MPG record keeping. Have started to hypermile to see if I can finally get 40mpg from my '08 GD.


Nevertheless, in buying a used car, showing a potential buyer fastidious record keeping is a step in the right direction.

 

Thanks much for all of your thoughtful advice.
Wikipedia lists 2011 changes: For the 2011 models, Vehicle Stability Assist, cruise control, remote entry and USB audio interface became standard across all trim levels.

 

I set up a spreadsheet to compare what was being offered. It really helped. Some dealers ask way to much for used cars!
Here it the basic layout. It assigns points based on age, miles, price.

Year Honda Trim Trans Color Dealer Location Year Age Miles Miles/yr MSRP Ask Bid Age Miles Price Points VIN Carfax Ad Link % yrs left %miles % ask