Hi, Fit drivers!

I've had a 2011 Honda Fit (+Sport +Navi) since it came out and have been very pleased with it - I never posted at the time, but thanks retroactively for all the information and advice I got through this board that led to my decision

The dealership I bought it from, who I consider quite trustworthy, have given me a couple of calls recently - they're eager to buy it back for what I think is a pretty good price (in the $12,000 range), and I'm tempted enough by some of the things on the 2015 EXL Fit that I'm considering an upgrade/swap from them.

Does anyone have any insight on why a dealer would be so enthusiastic to buy back a 2011 model - are they in particular demand just now, or are there any particular questions you'd recommend I ask them?

Thanks for any advice!

 

I think the main reason is that they would like you to buy a new car. I don't know any reason why 2011 Fit's would be in particular demand. If your current car is financed with them and the loan is nearly paid off, they probably figure that you're more likely to jump for a new car and a new loan now than after you get used to having the extra money to spend on other things each month.

While about 30% or so depreciation in four years isn't bad for a car, you'd still be paying for the steepest part of it (the first part of the car's life). There's certainly nothing inherently wrong with replacing/upgrading your car, but assuming it's working well and serving you well (and if they're offering you $12k or so it must not be in bad shape) then there's no great need to do so, either.

tl;dr—even trustworthy dealers are interested in making money.

 

I kept getting offers a year or so ago from my dealer for my 2010. I know they just wanted me to buy a new car. My Fit is paid off with only 40 K miles on it and I still love it. Nice features on the 2015, but not enough to make me have a car payment.

 

Agree with this opinion. They don't really want your old Fit so much as they want you in a new one.


If you are open to it, tell them you'll swap them even and see what they say. lol

 

4 years is the sweet spot for dealers to re-sell a used car, so they figure they can offer you some kind of incentive for a trade.

 

I get those offers on my 2011 frequently, I also received them on the last two other vehicles. They usually say up too $xxx. Read the fine print, there are many reasons your car may not qualify for their generous offer.

As mentioned, it's a game to get you into the dealers showroom. They will probably will offer low wholesale for your car.

Clifton

 

Aha, thanks - that makes a lot of sense I'm not sure why I didn't see through the obvious advantage to them immediately!

I had been interested in the 2015 for a while even before they called me, so this is a nice opportunity for me as well - though a lot of the threads in the Generation 3 forum give me pause as to its quality. I'm giving the 2015 a test drive tomorrow while they inspect the 2011 to give me a definite figure (which I know is likely to be rather less than the estimate!) - I'll only go for it if my wife and I are both happy with the 2015 and the new loan turns out small enough to justify it

 

I got the letter this week for my 09. Part of the deal was a $1000 bonus if deal done on two specific days but had to show them the letter before making deal. Ya right so they would knock it off my trade-in.

I am not done mods to the 09 so why would I want to trade it? Only 60,000 kms and no problems. I just ordered a replacement for my heated seat pad on drivers side. License plate re=locator. Also need to replace my throttle controller whcih has given up after 5 yrs.. Damn I do miss that.

 

I have a throttle control too! It's my right foot.

 

yah my twpanson ETC is dying too. sometimes i have to unplug/replug the odb plug to get it to start

 

It's just a dealership sales thing. They all do it with all makes and models.

 

I remember my dealer making the same call about my '09 Fit two years ago.

 

My dealer has 2 employees that make calls vs mailing out letters. One called me. Im like. I just bought my 2013 FIT 3mo ago lol. No thx.

 

The dealer I bought my Camaro from back in 2001 still periodically sends me these types of letters. I'm sure they're dying for me to buy another SS.

 

Following up on this, we went to the dealership and test drove the 2015. We got a moderately good offer for the exchange, but not enough for us to make the switch - I'm keeping my 2011 Thanks, everyone!

 

If you like your 2011, keep it. My 09 has 131,000 on the clock and is going strong. My 92 Civic hit 280,000 before we got rid of it.


Three more things:
1- Once you walk out of the dealer. your negotiating power has dramatically improved. They may call back with a better offer. Happens all the time.
2- Always negotiate the price spread and ask for the "out the door" financed price. Otherwise, you'll show up and they'll add title, "doc fees", "processing" and lord knows what to the phone quote. Even better get the quote by email. If they claim they made a mistake - WALK.
3- Save even more by getting your financing approved ahead of time, preferably through a Credit Union or bank. Dealers can't (or won't) compete with CU financing.

 

I used to have a 10 mt sport fit & the dealer called me claiming to be able to get me a better monthly payment. This was after a branch landed on my car & for me it was either repair or trade. After walking out twice i inly ended up saving about $5 per month that was eaten by a $10 insurance increase. They also talked me into a roadhazzard warrentee for tires that was completely useless because its based on pics the dealer sends to the company That rejected due to too much wear on 3000mile old tires.
I was only given 1 car to choose from claiming that getting a different color would cost more & it was hard to get mt. I thought the car handled funny but bought into claim that I was used to my old 10 fit (Sucker). A week into the new car I Took it back in due to handling and they tried to get me to pay over $100 for an alignment claiming the rear was toe in and the front had a positive camber (? top of tire leaned out). After going to another shop and finding out i had 1 wheel out of line and they couldnt adjust the back plus a few body pannels not lining up i think something happened to the car and thats why they made the deal.
I learned to second guess a good deal .

 

they just want you to buy a new car...

 

I get letters all the time saying that there's huge demand for my 2007 Santa Fe or 2011 4Runner. Neither were particularly memorable cars so I found their come-ons amusing. Especially since we no longer owned either one.