I have lurked long enough and finally decided to post this story in hopes that you all get some mesh for your grills.

I am a proud owner of an 08 Tidewater Blue. (Hi Jason!) I was heading down to San Diego for a wedding this wedding when my AC decided to go out. It blew out nothing but ambient air. I just paid $100 for my hair to be curled and now I had to put down the windows and mess it all up!!

I took it to Hardin for an estimate assuming the worse- my condenser. I wasn't too worried since I did purchase an extended warranty. However I was WRONG!

Went a day without my car and got a call back today stating that rocks came in and damaged the part. Since it wasn't mechanical my warranty was denied.

I called, complained, yelled, and almost tried giving them the "poor sad girl" tears. Nothing!!

Hardin wanted $697 to fix it! I called around to So Cal Motor Works and talked to Andy as referred by another FitFreak-James. Andy was very nice and understand and willing to charge me $550.

I even got desperate enough and called my insurance! But my deducible is $500 and really isn't worth all that paper work and wait time.

I finally called another mechanic in Westminster, Mr. D's off Harbor and Westminister and he was willing to do it for only $450.

All in all... out of pocket it will cost me $103 + $450 = $553

So, I hope this story inspires you all to go out and buy some mesh and zip ties. I know I will as soon as I get my baby back!

 

sorry to hear...

 

I added some heavy wire mesh (meant to be used as a gutter guard) to the inside of my lower grille last week. I did it for just this reason. I was replacing the factory grille with the Honda accessory grille and used it as an opportunity to reach down inside and tie in the mesh. Easily done.

Now that I have the nicer grille, I notice that it has larger openings for airflow. I think I'm going to take it off and add another mesh behind it. I really don't want to end up in this situation. We get LOTS of gravel on the roads in the winter, which lasts six months, minimum.

The mesh I found is available at Lowe's. It's a 5-pack of metal gutter guards and they fit perfectly in the Fit. It cost me $8.62, if I remember right, but prices are always cheaper in the Lesser 48. I used a black marker to darken them.

 

Update: I have since bought my zip ties and gutter guard mesh to protect my grill.

However, I must update you all about my experience with Hardin Honda in Anaheim.

I received a call from their corporate asking me to answer a survey. I did and I was as honest and objective as possible.

I got a call today from Hardin and the service guy asked me why I gave them such low marks.

I felt like he was totally making me feel guilty for my responses. I felt like I had to defend my answers!

Has anyone every experience this before? I don't feel bad, but I'm kinda upset that he called me* out on it. *Pun intended It just seemed unprofessional to talk to the person I just critiqued.

Thoughts anyone?

Please reassure me that I should feel bad!

 

If you experience bad service from a place there's nothing wrong with stating that on a survey. Look like the survey did it job and that's why they called you. I don't think they were calling you out but just wanted to know why they got low marks from you; and how they could improve their services.

 

HIii! im so sorry to hear about a tidewater sister down

I know... The things I sHOULD do like protect my fog lenses and A/C condenser I haven't done yet.. Ugh just reading this freaks me out... 500 dollars?!@#4

Yeah Power Honda in Costa Mesa called me up a while ago after some service, they were like "IF YOU GIVE US GOOD RATINGS ON THE SURVEY, WE'LL GIVE YOU A FREE OIL CHANGE!"...

Well guess what? Never got it! I don't really care that much but I still think that was a little weird

 

I was told by my Honda Salesman that I would be getting a survey either a call or in the mail and he hoped he would get high marks. I liked him & thought the transaction was fair, so when I got the call for the survey I did give him positive feedback.
However I was unhappy with the finance manager rushing me through the process and implying that something was covered if I bought some additional coverage package when it was not. So I was very honest about my dissatisfaction. I had already spoken to my salesman about how un happy I was with her rushing & misleading me.
After they received the Survey results, the dealership called me and wanted to make it right. So I spoke to the general manager and negotiated a free window tint. Now I feel that they were honest in making me feel satisfied with their service. the gen manager agreed with me about the finance person and told me that happens when she is in a hurry.

 

Sorry to hear about that

I was unaware of that problem, but I will definitely let a lot of my friends who own Fits know.

 

if i left low remarks on a dealer and they called me to ask why, i would just flat out say. Cause you suck! lol sucks that the dealer didnt cover it. you figure they would cover it seen as its out there for any rock to slap it.