Hi all,

First post here. I'm a prospective Fit owner and I'm looking at three used models in my region (all sourced via Craigslist, private sellers.) Carfax reports for each look good, including maintenance intervals, and none have reportedly been involved in any accidents. I'm wondering which of these you'd be most inclined to buy.

- 2011 Honda Fit Sport w/ 66k miles. Single owner. Stored in outdoor driveway in Boston. Damage reported (scratches on right rear bumper.) Battery replaced recently. $5,900

- 2013 Honda Fit Base w/ 120k miles. Single owner. Stored in the owner's garage. All-season tires just replaced and full set of snow tires included. $7,400

- 2007 Honda Fit Sport w/ 121k miles. Single owner, but used by multiple family members. Stored in outdoor driveway in Boston. A/C recently replaced. $4,500

I'm slightly leaning toward the 2013 Fit, but all of these seem like potentially good deals. Next step is choosing one and doing a PPI with my mechanic.

 

Just beware that a garaged car in winter will in the end rust more rapidly...

 

I don't like the 2007 - too old and too many miles. Between the other two I would want a close look to see what the rust is like. I'd also then want a test drive and a mechanics inspection on the final choice before handing over any money.

 

I've kept my cars outside in NY and it really hasn't been a problem. I owned a 1995 Infiniti G20 for 15 years, a 2010 Fit for 6 and now a 2016 for 4.

 

My choice would be the 2011 Sport. It has almost half of the miles as the 2013 AND is a Sport which gives you a better stereo, steering wheel mounted controls, fog lights, body kit, alloy wheels, security system, and leather wrapped steering wheel.

To each their own, but I don't care for the looks of a base Fit. Sorry to any base owners out there. Just a preference.

 

2011 sport gets my vote.

 

Agree.

It is also cheaper.

The 2007 is the second one I’d consider.

 

1st gens are pretty outdated at this point.

 

The GE doesn't really have anything that the GD doesn't. If you're talking infotainment, even a brand new Fit sucks compared to other car makers.

A decent aftermarket system fixes that in any of them though.

 

Agreed. A GD may be twelve years old, but for $300 a new headunit gives you Apple CarPlay and Android auto, the car gets 40 mpg when driven responsibly, its fun to drive, extremely capacious, etc.

I can’t recall much that my 2012 Sport has that a 2008 Sport wouldn’t.

 

Thinking more about it...one of the best things on that 2011 is that it hasn't missed any important maintenance. At over 100k miles, the '07 and '13 likely missed their scheduled valve adjustment, spark plug change, etc.

The '11 should be good to go other than maybe some basic stuff. I'd want maintenance records on the other two.

 

If I were buying any of them I’d replace all the spark plugs, coil packs and fluids, at minimum.

 

Of those three I suggest going to see each and look for rust spots and overall appearance, and to have a test drive. The attitude of an owner matters more than just miles and service history, and it can be seen only in live.

In general I'd try to find a 2009-2010 model Fit Base as I personally like GE better looking, and those first two model years came without stability assist, so they don't disturb winter driving.

 

I’ve driven thousands of miles in one of the snowier states in the USA. VSC does not impair it’s snow function in any way.

 

It just removes the fun of winter driving.

 

But also can protect yourself and others.

also you can turn it off.

 

But you have to turn it off every time you start the car.

I consider safety very much overrated regarding these annoying systems. I prefere cars without electronic systems interfering driving. Unfortunately such cars are getting rather old and therefore hard to maintain. I still plan to put a hard wired switch to disable VSA, CMBS and ABS on my GK5.

 

Not everyone holds safety as a trivial thing.

You should be ashamed of your selfish viewpoint.

 

Luckily there is still freedom of opinion.