This can explain better than I can:

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...-take-priority

 

I think you might be taking that part of the article of out context. Any "engineering" cost (i.e. R&D) is not figured into the accounting of whether the car is sold at profit or loss, especially now that the Fit is in it's third generation and the seat is being used in other models. And while the seats might present an added cost to the vehicle production, that doesn't mean Honda is taking a loss on the vehicle. If we can assume anything at all, it is that the cost of the seat is being figured into the purchase price somehow.

 

Interesting. Thanks for your response!

~ S.

 

No worries. It's a big challenge Honda has put in front of them, trying outsell the Civic with the Fit.

I'm very curious to see how the Fit does in its first full year for sale, 2015.

2015 is going to a big year for Honda with the release of the HR-V, NSX, the Euro Civic Type R and it's return to F1.

Exciting times!!

 

A bit off topic- but still connected with sales.

I've really been looking at the 2015 Honda Fit EX-L NAVI in Aegean Blue "but" I noticed the Mystic Yellow Pearl in some pictures and in some YouTube stuff and unless my eyes are playing tricks on me- it appears- in some light- there's really predominant shades of green- is this correct? Or is just rarerly?

By the way I'm also very interested in the upcoming 2015 Mazda2 (4th Gen) which may appear in showrooms by the end of year 2014- if I can wait that long.

Thanks.

 

Geek, can you talk about the difference between the honda care and an aftermarket policy, the pros and cons of each. I cancelled an aftermarket for the fit with the intention of buying a Honda Care policy. Well yesterday I also bought a new Ridgeline and told them I wanted to buy a Honda care policy. She said they don't sell them and that the reason why is Honda care is basically only Good at a Honda Dealer or a qualified Honda Specialist.

 

Hey KenBT,

On pics, the Yellow does seem to have a hint of green in it. Though I have not seen it in person, I do have two in-transit.

I'm hoping one of them arrives before the end of the month. And as soon as it arrives I will snap some pics and post them for everyone to see.

Thanks for the reply.

 

That's exactly where the difference comes in. Aftermarket care, for the most part, will allow to choose the shop you want to have your Honda serviced. The Honda Care is exclusively through Honda dealers. Each can have there pros and cons. For example:

- Honda Care might be worth more, but you have the benefit that the technician working on your car works only on Hondas every single day. That also increases the odds that an issue will be corrected the first time, avoiding any additional trips.

- Aftermarket Care can be less expensive and you do have the luxury of choosing who does the work, within its parameters. But it usually will add more time for the work, since they won't have genuine Honda parts at the ready and the tech might have to study a diagram before doing the work.

Another thing to consider is if you have any deductibles to pay for any work done, which is usually around $100, but can vary based on which coverage company the dealer is providing.

My opinion, if you are a person that will keep your vehicle more than three years or drives a lot of miles, then extra coverage is worth it.

In the end, take the info the dealer gave you and see which coverage makes sense for you.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

Not to derail the Fit conversation - but just curious if you have any inside info/thoughts regarding the HR-V? Kinda waiting to see more info on that before I make the decision as to which is the right one for us - Fit vs. HR-V. I haven't seen stats on rear cargo space for the HR-V w/ seats down as compared to the Fit or any MPG #'s, but I was a little surprised to read that the Vezel (Japanese model the U.S. HR-V is based on) has less cargo space behind the seats than a Fit??? Stats I've found online below.

We're Element owners and have 2 50-60 lb. dogs - the Fit/HR-V isn't meant to replace the E, as it's a 2008 w/ 60K and still going strong - but seeing as how they don't make Elements anymore I'd like something that at least has *some* of the functionality of the E once it eventually gives up the ghost! The Fit/HR-V are both appealing for that reason, and we're loyal Honda owners to boot. It is frustrating, though, as Honda doesn't seem to realize there are a ton of E owners out there looking for a replacement - and they keep putting out "urban SUVs" and variations on the CR-V, which aren't the same thing as an E!

Honda Vezel (and by extension, the HR-V...)
-Cargo room behind back seats up - 14.3 cu. ft.
-Cargo room w/ seats down - ???)

Honda Fit
-Cargo room behind back seats up - 16.6 cu. ft.
-Cargo room w/ seats down - 52.7 cu. ft.

Honda Element
-Cargo room behind back seats up - 25.1 cu. ft.
-Cargo room w/ seats folded up against walls/out - 74.6 cu. ft.

Thanks - now back to your regularly-scheduled thread

 

Hi LoRezSkyline,

This is a Fit forum, but any Honda questions are cool, so no worries.

There's definitely not something in the current pipeline meant to truly replace the Element. While truly unique, the trend for all companies is to go with, you said it, urban SUVs. BMW has so many in the line up and coming soon, and they wouldn't spend the millions in R&D if the market was pushing it that way. That's what it really comes done to.

Honda does a better job then most with packaging. While the US Specs for the HR-V have not been finalized, I don't expect it to be close to that of the Element. With that being said, it is getting Magic Seats, so we will just have to wait and see what to final package looks like.

From the dealership level, are biggest concern is that the HR-V arrives with AWD, which we are being told is the case.

So while it might not be a complete replacement for the Element, it is a larger vehicle then the Fit, with the added benefit of AWD.

I will be putting updates on my just launched website, hondageek.com, as more HR-V news is trickled out.

Stay tuned!!

 

In the current marketplace I wonder if it's not the HR-V that will outsell the Civic instead of the Fit.

 

And, I wonder if the HRV will have a manual transmission option, too.

 

My situation was identical to yours, except I was on day 14 when mine was returned. 2 days to take it, and 14 to return it. That should tell you something about a car dealership's priorities. When I was on day 9, I initiated a dispute with the Credit Union as a back-up plan, and received an immediate credit. 5 days later when the dealership returned the money, we called the Credit Union and asked them to remove their credit.

 

"HondaGeek", you stated:

"From the dealership level, our biggest concern is that the HR-V arrives with AWD, which we are being told is the case".

Why is this your biggest concern?

You went on to say:

"So while it might not be a complete replacement for the Element, it is a larger vehicle then the Fit, with the added benefit of AWD".

These two statements seem to contradict each other, or am I confused (and getting older)?

 

In 2008, I chose the base Honda Fit, over the Civic, because I liked the feel of the 5-speed the Fit had. While I just purchased a new 2015 Honda Fit EX for my daughter, I am holding out for the upcoming HR-V for myself. I read it will be 4" higher than the current Fit, so I won't be "falling" into the seat getting in and "climbing", to get out (I am getting older it seems).

 

1. We have had a number of customers, current and past, who want something the size of the Fit but with AWD. We are in the North East, where snow is the norm in the winter. We only get AWD CRVs. If the new HRV came in only in FWD, I doubt we would sell a single unit.

2. I'm not sure what was confusing about the second statement. I was basically elaborating on the forum member's want for a replacement of the Element. While there is no direct replacement for it, if someone does not want the CRV and the Fit is too small, that leaves the HRV as possible option, once we know the final specs.

Hope that makes sense.

 

Sorry, I misread the "concern" statement, thinking you were saying you did not want the new HRV's arriving with AWD. My mistake. The balance of your post now makes perfect sense. More proof I am getting old....

 

Gotta love the overhyped benefits of AWD for NJ roads. I'm sure it does help your bottom line, though.

Any idea when you'll have a manny available for testdrives? I work right up the street from you. As far as the yellow, I would think that even pics wouldn't really help with understanding the exact hue; I've seen a good number of pics of the yellow from both continents and it's looked like about 6-8 types of yellow (so far). Though I'd be more than happy to drive down and look at them when they're in.

AFAIK, all HRVs will be slushboxes, I think I read that somewhere.

Food for thought - if negotiable pricing didn't benefit dealers, why would they continue with it?

Free plug: your Service Dept is very good, use it every so often on the CRX. Parts Dept. is ok, though it has a tough time notifying clients when parts are in.

 

I'd like to know what they found lacking in the CRV as an Element replacement. When I was comparing the two a few years back the CRV was a better vehicle in everything but the funkiness criterion.

Unless they need AWD or ground clearance the second generation Scion xB is a pretty close match to the Element in size, space, and power. Of course, it's not a Honda, but it is top-rated for reliability.

 

Overhyped, indeed. FWD with winter tires can pretty much handle anything short of climbing a VERY long, steep hill, and would most likely out-brake & out-corner the heavier AWD vehicle, making for an overall safer car for winter driving.

Better stop there, or I'll get started on a rant about ads for SUVs and AWD vehicles...