Just asking for research.

 

AFAIK a timing chain. Heard that Honda has moved off using belts. Also, the owner's manual (online anyway) doesn't reference anything about a belt.

 

What is the maintenance like on a timing chain vs. a belt? The timing belt on my SUV has been an expensive PITA over the years...

 

In theory it's a zero maintenance item. Should last as long as the engine. In theory anyway... You also should have adequate warning if it needed replacement.

 

Yay!! One less belt I have to keep replacing!

 

All 4 cyl Hondas use a timing chain. V6 models have a belt.
There is no maint intervals for the chain. While durable they can still stretch or guide/tensioner can wear out necessitating replacement. Generally that happens at over 200,000 miles if ever.
A timing belt is a 7 year or 105,000 mile replacement interval. Don't replace it and your are basically playing the lottery but if you "hit the lottery" in this case you lose. Engine damage may result.

 

Timing chains are awesome. The next best thing to a gear-driven cam for reliability. My truck's maintenance guide has the following to say about the timing chain: "Inspect every 100,000 miles." Nice! The worst (nameless) car I ever owned from this perspective required changing the timing belt and water pump every 30,000 miles. *cough* German *cough*

 

Wow, and I bet it wasn't cheap on your German laryngitis car, either. Four figures for both belt & pump, mayhaps?

 

I'm guessing you mean current model cars? I think all of my older 4 cyl Hondas (87 through 95) had timing belts.

 

Sorry sheep nuts I wasn't clear. Don't see to many of the timing belt 4 cyl cars come in anymore due to them being so old... Yes all new Hondas 4 cyl now use chains.. Honda used timing belts until about 2000. They phased them out as the new 4cyl models were introduced after that...

 

Pretty much, $800-$900 in 1995 dollars. All of these types of experiences are why I'm giving up and going back to economy cars. Just not worth the hassle or expense to me any more. I can't wait to start driving my Fit and feeling all smug about the money I'm not spending. I'm glad to see Honda is moving to timing chains. Maybe a bit noisier but so much less service.

 

My 04 civic still had a timing belt.

 

So is 10K too much to pay for a 2009 Honda Fit with 89K miles and a clean Carfax report?

2009 Honda Fit Sport, $11,992 - Cars.com

 

That makes sense. The 01-05 Civics still had a D-series engine. It was the 2006 model where Honda went to the 1.8 R-series engine. It wouldn't make sense for them to do a major change like this within the same engine series.

 

I spent a bunch of years as a honda/acura tech and most of the chains on the 2.4 engines were stretched and ready for replacement around 150k give or take. Maybe the L is different than the K, hopefully the smaller engine puts less stress on the chain and it lasts longer