After a lot of research and test drives I just bought my wife a used 2009 Honda Fit basic model automatic. I was really impressed with the storage ability and the build quality. The car has great handling along with good acceleration (0-60 9.9s 17.6/79mph) and fuel economy 27 city/35 hwy.

My comparison objectives in the $12-13K range and similar years with automatic were:

Toy Matrix base - nice, but seemed underpowered and handling wasn't that great. Also seemed cheap feeling inside and not that comfortable.

Scion Xd 2008 - more power but handling and tranny response not very good and it seemed noisy on the highway, and most seemed over priced. Also had a too boxy looking for my taste.

Mazda 2 2012 - Fantastic handling, comfort and build quality and quiet on the highway, but very limited storage space and the price was too high for my budget. This car is pretty amazing though, lots of fun to drive and has amazing pep for the small engine along with excellent mpg.

It was really hard finding a Fit, they are snapped up around here as soon as they come on the market. The local Honda dealer , Val Strough in Seaside, had just got this one in and it was sitting in the back and hadn't been detailed and checked out.. some guy in the military who got moved over seas. 40k miles and the price includes the original drive train warranty along with the Honda Certified one year warranty, all for $13k + tax, etc.

They are going to deliver it tomorrow and my wife is very excited about it!

I took some pix of it sitting in the back lot and made this card for her which she opened today:

 

awesome gift i must say. sure she will enjoy it.

 

They plan to deliver it tomorrow.. said they had to replace one of the fog lights (didn't even notice it had them) along with a missing tool kit, tune up check, etc., etc. Hope it looks good.

 

i like that they have a base fit with fog lights, good purchase!

 

Am thinking of plasticoat black for the front H... any thoughts? I know, I know, it's her car, but I doubt I will be able to stay away from it!

Also, I will hate to have to put real plates on the front.. I hate having front license plates, but it's required in Cali.

 

I plasticdipped my honda emblam and grill. I love the look.

 

I want fogs. Lucky yours came with them.. they are pretty expensive from honda. So if you dont want yhem lmk... haha

 

Nice choice. Ill trade any base owner headlights with my sport.

 

Smurf_GE That's a really nice shot and I like the blackout!

Pig-Pit: No..

 

We got the FIT yesterday, they delivered it to out house, and it looks great.. all polished and cleaned up and the engine steam cleaned with what looks like a new battery.. almost looks like a new car. Wife seems to like it, but she is still getting used to it.. she immediately took some friends out and then visited some others to show it off, so I think she is warming up to it.
Former owner had also added a remote door lock and alarm so got two keys, one with buttons and one with out.

One thing I was a bit PO'd about: When I first saw the car on their back lot there were floor mats in the car and they were really dirty and worn through on the drivers side. I asked the first salesman about it and he said they would replace them along with any thing else that looked worn out or mechanically bad as well as cleaning the whole car up under their "Honda Certified" guarantee. Well, no mats yesterday, just the protective paper on the floor. When I pointed it out to the salesman who sold it to me and delivered it he denied ever agreeing to it, got a bit testy about it, and then said "he would check".. sounds like BS. Seems like they should have put new mats in and there were also a couple of body spots that needed touch up.. I did pay the full suggested retail price.

 

Salesmen have short term memory once they get the sale.

 

Thanks man.