Since both cars are exactly the same, does it matter if I get a 2015 vs. a 2016? Won't a 2015 depreciate a lot faster than a 2016 as soon as I drive it off the lot since it's already going to be outdated by the 2016 model year?

 

This is s similar situation as the 2009 & 2010 models. You might get an idea of the depreciation values by comparing these two models which were essentially unchanged between the two models. Personally I would go for the 2016 which would have had the benefit of on going tweaks in the manufacturing process.

 

If you can get the 2015 for $1000 (or more) less than the 2016 and plan to keep the car 5 years or so, the depreciation between the two will be negligible at that time.

 

This is a good point, but looking at the prices paid thread, it doesn't look like the 2015's have been getting any sort of significant discount.

 

Granted, I bought my car 5 months ago, but I used Edmunds.com to get "price promise" quotes from dealers. Once they had my info, I got a different (better) offer from one of the dealers which is ultimately how I got my car.

I also used to price promise to talk to the other dealers about their current prices since I didn't want to go too far to get a car if I didn't need to.

I test drove the FIT at a local dealership and everything else was done online until I picked up the car. Was in and out of the dealership in 2 hours. Would have been faster except it was a Saturday afternoon.

 

You might want to check with your insurance company and see if there is any difference between rates for a 2015 and rates for the 2016. Shouldn't be much if anything, but ....

 

if the rumors are true that there are some JHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX vins coming in for 2016, then you bet there will be a big difference in the two models. 2015 to 2016 Mexican built don't mean much, but if 2015 to 2016 Japan build, then you can count on better quality control, and a much more sound feeling that the build will be much more reliable. Just even knowing it came from a more solid and longer operating plant, should make a person feel good.

 

^^^ Just don't talk about that desirability in the presence of the salesman lest you raise your own price!

Of course, we have yet to see if the JEM cars will appear here at all, and if they do which trims they will be. So far it is all speculation based upon one statement from Honda.

 

My 2016 is HGXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX from Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.

 

Interesting. Some have posted that a Vin starting with a "J" meant it was made in Japan. Your Fit is sharp looking. Were there several in your area, or did you have to hunt one down?

 

I corrected the VIN number. You are probably right about the "J". It was an early morning typing error on my part. Sorry for the confusion.

I planned to buy a 2015, but there were none with CVT within 150 miles.

 

............

 

you would think that, but my 2016 already in for warranty repair 2 days after purchase. that said, just look for a 2015 which is $140 cheaper, or just wait till more 2016's roll in so that you can probably haggle some or get a better deal on your trade-in.

 

In my area each of the 3 dealers only has one LX CVT in white available now, and all were made in Mexico. Unfortunately white is not my favorite color. I was told that they would not get any more Fits until September.

 

Look again, there is a "3" in front of it.

 

I could care less if it's from Mexico, Japan or Mars.

It's an econo box.

Buy it and drive it like you stole it.

Hey, these things come with a warranty don't they?

 

Taking the car in for warranty work is not exactly my idea of a thrill. At best they fix it. At worst they don't fix it and break other things while trying. Dodge Darts come with warranties as well. Doesn't mean I'd want to buy one.

 

And Darts are made in Illinois by union labor. ....

I'll take the Mexico built Fit thanks.

In reality, the assemblers on the line have nothing to do with the engineering or designing of the parts. They just assemble the various supplier sourced parts. Unskilled labor has little to do with the overall quality of a vehicle in my opinion... It's the design and engineering that have the most influence. Mexicans want to work, the same as Japanese want to work, the same as Americans want to work. .....etc.

 

My reply wasn't to judge Fit quality results Mexico vs. Japan--though I have seen un-Honda-like issues on the Fits on the lot like uneven shut lines, front bumper fit, spoiler alignment, etc. My comment was in response to the notion that having a warranty means you needn't worry about product and build quality.

Are the quality issues on the early production Fits from the nationality/union status of the workers, or the new model/new factory/new auto workers learning curve, or the tooling/processes they are asked to use and the parts/design/engineering they are given to assemble? My bet is on the latter two, since I agree with you that the design and engineering of the car, and the process/tooling to build it, are the key ingredients.

That having been said, there have historically been cases, with a toxic combination of poor engineering and labor relations, where autoworkers didn't care about producing the best build quality examples of poorly engineered vehicles. Think 1971 Vega and Lordstown, OH, as the premier example. Chevy Citation also comes to mind.