TLDR: What should I look out for when inspecting a 2015 MT Fit with 166,000 miles before buying / making an offer?

Hi all,

I usually spend my time over in the GD forum, but back in September my '07 Fit Sport was totaled (while parked!) and I've been on the hunt for a replacement ever since.

The used car market, especially here in southern California is out of control at the moment. Finding anything 2nd or 3rd generation with a manual under $7k just doesn't happen. Lower mileage 2nd and 3rd gens are fetching prices upwards of $8k - $15k. Late model 3rd gens are selling at or above sticker price. Hell of a time to be shopping for a Fit.

I've always been a manual transmission driver when possible. With the Fit, it made the less-than-powerful car feel more "fun". I also have this holdover notion from decades past that manual transmissions last longer and need less maintenance. Finally, I hate a CVT. My fiance's 2016 CRV has one and I hate to drive it. That said, I've never driven an automatic Fit, but I've never really wanted to either. Should I reconsider? There are many, many more, cleaner, competitively priced vehicles with that combination, but that's not why I'm posting today.

Through the weeks of searching, I've been coming back to one 2015 Fit in particular. It's located at a dealer about 50 miles away, has been for sale at that dealer for half a year, and has an asking price of $8,995.
It's a red 2015 EX manual with 166,xxx on the odometer, yet it is clean as a whistle. The thing I've realized about the Fits is that mechanically, when maintained, they'll run for 300k easily. It's the interiors and comfort features that deteriorate over time. Hence my interest in this one. Very clean interior and a lot of highway miles.
The CarFax was provided and everything checks out: clean title, 2 owners (2015 & 2019), always a southern CA car, no accidents, etc.

It's as if the car was simply driven a lot. And considering where the car has been located it's entire life, all those highway miles are easily imagined.

So, what should I be looking out for when checking out this car since I only have knowledge of 1st gen Fits. That knowledge leads me to believe that the valve clearances should be checked and adjusted, the suspension could use a refresh, fresh fluids of course... engine mounts? I had one break on my '07...

Lay your third gen knowledge on me please!

Thank you!

 

I don't recommend the GK5 anymore, now that we have evidence that the injector / rail design is severely flawed. We're still seeing reports of injector failure, even in the latest models. Search this subforum for details.

If I needed a Fit, I'd go back to GD3 or GE8. At least we know what the problems are there, and they don't include injectors.

In the meantime, any current owners of GK5s like myself, I recommend Top Tier gas only. Seems that the GK5 engine is extraordinarily prone to carbon buildup, and that might be what's fouling the injectors. Top Tier at least gives you a fighting chance.

 

I was not aware of this injector failure issue. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

 

My 2017 Fit CVT is in perfect running condition at 90K miles. Consistent oil/filter changed at 20% indication (most important). Air/cabin filters, CVT trans oil, coolant fluid changed at 50K miles, BTW, I don't use so call "top tier" gas. I use the cheapest 87 octane gas available. Even 86 octane at high elevations like Colorado and New Mexico. No injector issues. It has been a very reliable car.