I've been a lurking on this board for years and am an infrequent poster, but here goes. We are a 3 car family with my wifes 2011 Hyundai Sonata (never again), my 2005 Nissan Altima and my stepson's 2012 Honda Fit Base. So my Altima is getting on in years and mileage (219,000) but runs great, however has a growing rust hole in the floorpan which is quite common to this model Altima. I'm at the point of not putting more money into it so started to investigate car replacement options. I checked the ~20,000 tier - new Civic (too low for me), the new Fit - seems to have less legroom in the front and is a bit boomey with engine noise, and an HR-V (liked it a lot). I would like to get a car with Apple Car play and the Civic has it, but the new design is just too low for old me to get in and out of. The Hr-V doesn't offer car play yet and the new Fit design just didn't stand out as improved over our 2012. Since I replaced the radio in the 2012 and like the pioneer I added into my Altima, I thought, why not check into a used 2012/2013. Well, I've seen more than one with well under 20,000 miles. This morning I drove a 2012 Base with just over 11,000 for asking $12,985 - taxes and conyenance and reg extra. Was driven by a little old lady. Should I have any concerns? It drove nice and looked good. This could last me quite a while as I don't drive that much nowadays. WIth a nudge, I could make the move!

 

Well this is a purchasing a car, so I wouldn't leave that decision to strangers on the internet...

but if you are looking for any common problems with the 2.5 gen Fits to be aware of I haven't really heard any. I have a '13 sport cvt and haven't been informed of any real problems. No real engine issues or anything to be concerned about. I have a friend who has a '12 base manual with about 130k and he races it and he hasn't had any major problems.

If you can find a low mileage fit and its a car that you are comfortable then know that there aren't any common mechanical issues that you should foresee if you choose to purchase one.

 

I made an offer of 12,500. I've always liked our Fit. I think I like the idea that I already know how to change the fluids as I've done the Oil/Trans fluid/radiator on our first and swapped out the radio last summer for a Pioneer unit with bluetooth. With a brand, brand, new car I wouldn't want to take it apart until the newness wears off. Plus in Connecticut, we have a property tax and a 4 year old car is much less painful than a new model. let's see, I'll put in my Altima's Pioneer head unit, add the Honda window visors and base fog light kit, and of course add in the Honda center armrest. And at some point, I'll replace the door speakers and add a powered subwoofer and put on some NVX dynamat style sound deadener to the doors. It may not be this Fit, but I do like the idea of a simple 2012/2013 Base that I can play around with! It's used to being driven by a little old lady and won't be too surprised by this getting there old man, except when the subwoofer goes in and my son cranks up his music!

 

I pick her up tomorrow. We settled on $12,600 for a 2012 silver Base with 11,500 miles on it. The car looks brand new and drives fine. Has carpeted floor mats that also look new. I took my pioneer aftermarket head unit out of my old car and that will be the first mod to my new (old) Fit. Gotta have bluetooth streaming audio. Worst part is I'm in Connecticut and it's freezing out with some snow on the ground, so working on the car won't be happening for at least another month. I'll be changing the oil also as I don't trust the Subaru dealer I bought it from put 0W-20 oil in it. We'll now be a two Fit family. One dark grey and one silver. My wife has a 2011 Hyundai Sonata whose most recent recall is for incorrectly cleaned crankshafts that can lead to a spun bearing and complete engine failure. She likes the car (leather and sunroof), but to me it's not aging well. Our hope is it survives another 2 years and then she gets the cheapest new Ridgeline. She's actually a pickup person and a car based pickup is perfect for her. I just hope they don't start at $35,000!

 

if u want cheap, should check out the Nissan Versa Note. u can buy a new left over '15 with alloy wheels and basics cvt for 13.9K. 1.5k less for MT.

 

Congrats on the addition. Not really sure how you add OEM foglights to a base model without changing the entire front front/grill to the sport model though. Pics?

 

For the Base Fog lights, I was surprised to see an OEM kit to add them to the Base. They sell for about $240.

http://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda-F...1-TK6-100.aspx



http://smeister13.blogspot.com/2008/...lights-on.html


Looks like you pop off the front bumper cover, use a template to cut out the openings and then use the supplied harness to wire it up. I'm someone who likes tinkering on a very basic level and when I realized I can easily replace the radio/speakers/add a sub/add fog lights and add the OEM center console, I liked the idea of a used Fit. I never open up a new car until a few years have passed due to nerves of wreaking something. I really want a radio with Car Play, and this way, when the price comes down I can add it in. If I got a fancy new one with the backup camera and lane watch, the aftermarket units won't support all that - at least not yet and not easily. I'm shopping for the Metra dash kit and wiring harness so I can install my Pioneer deck with Siri eyes free and bludtooth streaming first. This weekend is way cold so I won't be doing anything for about a month - The joys of winter in New England!

 

That blog post is for a GD/1st gen fit, but I'm sure the install into your GE will be similar.

Enjoy the "new" car. =)