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Scratches and Chips - Errr! Don't care anymore!

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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:30 PM
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Scratches and Chips - Errr! Don't care anymore!

Err! My Fit is less than 8 months old, and there's more scrapes, scratches, and chips than I can probably count. I just had my worst yet (well, not me, my sister) on the side mirror while pulling out of the garage, right to the plastic. (It's not entirely her fault, there's construction in my house and some of it was blocking the way so she had less room to work with.) Now there's a big mark on the right side mirror, I tried the touch up pen, but after drying and smoothing the color is off. I guess between me, my sister, other cars, rocks and other happenings out of my control, I don't stand a chance keeping my car scratch free.

So I've decided, instead of being all bent out of shape on stuff like this (like I was a few months ago) I'm just not going to care anymore. I'll still try to fix it with the touch up pen, but sh*t happens, and life is too short to worry about scratches on a $18k car.

Well... at least I'll try. It's a "low end" car, but it's still a bucket load of money to me.

I never knew owning a new car was this much trouble, my last car I didn't even give it a second look if it got scratched.

Sorry for the runt.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:33 PM
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living in NY FTL! lol
i'm in NC and i don't really get that kinda stuff
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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This is why no one but me drives my car.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:41 PM
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Things like rock chips I dont get all bent out of shape because lets face it short of putting a bra on the car there is no real way to prevent it. Things like door-dings a scratches from sitting in a parking lot is what pisses me off. When I got my hail damage the shop was nice and took out this small door ding in my rear driver side door. That was nice but recently it got replaced by about a 1.5 inch cress in my door, that one pissed me off and if I could only find the person that did that....
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:49 PM
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I know what you mean dude, all my other cars were hand-me downs and used. If it got dented or scratched, I just said "MeH..." but now, I see so many little dings and scratches on the front bumper and I just get so angry. But in the end of the day, my Fit is only a car and my girl still loves me, that all that matters. Amen....
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:56 PM
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it just shows that the car us being used. the only way to keep a car in perfect condition is to keep it as a garage queen, but who wants a car that you can't drive?
more rock chips and such just show that it is well loved and driven everyday.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:57 PM
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Hey I know what you mean i got scratches on mine too a months into buying my Fit. i already had to get the windshield replaced on it as well. I also got swirl marks all over the car. I feel the same way. I just don't care anymore. I'm thinking about selling it and getting a Civic coupe.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:04 PM
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The Fit is an awesome car, it's really useful and economic. I love how I can just relax in my Fit when I just want to be alone. I loved it so much, a few friends and I went camping and I slept in there instead of in the tent. I even brought my laptop so I can watch movies plus, it's the best roadtrip car EVER! who needs a hotel and premium gas?
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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I guess it all depends on how much you love your car. As the car gets older, the scratches don't bother you as much. It seems like the first two years are the worst. If you use you car for everyday travel, it's going to get scratched. I still love my old F150, and it's got it's share, but it's a truck.

That said, when mine got totaled, I was physically sick for days. I'm still not over it.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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I care!

I care deeply about my BBP paint but if you drive then rock chips will happen. The Fit is not an AC cobra or a Ferrari 67 GT250. The Fit's magic is mostly utilitarian (getter done!) so it can't remain a museum piece or it's failed at it's utilitarian purpose. I'll probably own the Fit when the front end looks sandblasted but hopefully the interior will still be comfy and safe. Chips and Scratches happen!!!
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:16 PM
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I cared... but I have to keep telling myself it is just a Fit

So far I have
-a giant 6" paint/plastic scratch in my front bumper
-chipping paint near my hatch
-tons of paint chips on my front bumper
-ruined underside of my stock lip
-1 passenger side door ding
-paint chips on my mirrors
-a gigantic dent in my hood from a rouge stone which chipped the paint off totally and is very obvious
-hundreds of paint chips on my fog light housing

All pretty hard to notice from a few feet away but they drive me crazy. I finally threw up my arms a few weeks ago and shouted "I don't care anymore".... and now I feel better.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by tin
Err! My Fit is less than 8 months old, and there's more scrapes, scratches, and chips than I can probably count. I just had my worst yet (well, not me, my sister) on the side mirror while pulling out of the garage, right to the plastic. (It's not entirely her fault, there's construction in my house and some of it was blocking the way so she had less room to work with.) Now there's a big mark on the right side mirror, I tried the touch up pen, but after drying and smoothing the color is off. I guess between me, my sister, other cars, rocks and other happenings out of my control, I don't stand a chance keeping my car scratch free.

So I've decided, instead of being all bent out of shape on stuff like this (like I was a few months ago) I'm just not going to care anymore. I'll still try to fix it with the touch up pen, but sh*t happens, and life is too short to worry about scratches on a $18k car.

Well... at least I'll try. It's a "low end" car, but it's still a bucket load of money to me.

I never knew owning a new car was this much trouble, my last car I didn't even give it a second look if it got scratched.

Sorry for the runt.
Yeah chips and scratches WILL happen with the Fit.
The paint on Fits is unbelivalbly horrible. Thats the worst draw back to the Fit IMO.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:54 PM
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I'll still wash it.

I like my Fit, so while I wouldn't make a fuss about chips, scrapes, and scratches anymore, I'll still try to keep it nice. But you know, it still hurts.

Not going to do like my old car.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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Notice more!

Originally Posted by tin
I'll still wash it. it still hurts.
I exclusively hand wash and dry mine. You notice much more and feel the pain more deeply. I'll still try to keep repairing the chips and keep it clean and waxed. It's all you can do other than garage it.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:08 PM
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i got some chips and scratches on my FitS. it's okay, it's a dd. as long
as there are no dings or dents im fine.

i would tell your sis to drive at least 3 seconds behind the car in front.
that alone will minimize chips from rocks.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 03:09 PM
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I don't want mine to get scratched but it's going to happen. The ones that are caused by someone else bother me the most. If I did it, I just get mad at myself.

Case in point, my last truck I used to show. I parked it at a car show with all the people in my car club. One of the members friend parked their Harley between two of our vehicles. And walked between my truck (with the doors open) and his bike and he slammed into the door scratching the door with his keys that were clipped to his belt. So mad.

Then there is this other time when I was mad at my truck (about 3 years after that) when I kicked part of the tailgate in (it was dented badly from a wreck already). That I enjoyed.

People just don't care if it isn't theirs. I try to park away from crappy cars with dents, but I usual ended up having some other goober park next to me.

Only thing you can do is try to take the best care of your Fit... and just hope for the best.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:08 PM
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happens every time

Originally Posted by misfit83
I try to park away from crappy cars with dents, but I usual ended up having some other goober park next to me.
You would think people would understand but they act as if your trying to form some kind of elite parking section which, of course, they want to join.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:18 PM
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Chips and scratches happen. Just have to live with it and deal with it as best you can. I think my chips and scratches bug lasted about 6 months, then after that and a couple snow storms in Colorado, didn't care lol.
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:28 PM
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Arrow After 46,000 miles/2 years & 3 months . . .

It could be a lot worse!

All cars get chipped, scratched, dinged.

However, I've been really lucky. I had 2 door dings that got on my nerves. I just had them removed (for free I might add) and you can't tell they were even there.

I had X-pel installed on my Fit (hood, bumper, lip, headlights, foglights, mirrors, etc.) They all still look pristine. But if I had it to do over, I would have put X-pel over the entire hood. It is a rock magnet and the Honda paint chips too easily. I have cleaned and done touch-up on the chips, but they look crappy to me. Even X-pel can get gouged by the bigger, sharper rocks that hit at the right angle.

And then there's nothing you can do about the windshield. It gets pitted and chipped after thousands of miles and the only thing you can do is replace it.

Just enjoy your Fits while they're new. When they get old and beaten up, you'll baby your new Honda (CR-Z, S2000, Fit or whatever).
 
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 06:16 PM
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We bought our Fit used at 3500kms. It came with 3m Venture Shield. I find most of my chips are along the pillars and just at the top of the hood. I also agree that it should be the whole hood and not just the lower 2 feet. I also cringe at door dings. I have one and oh let me tell you. Happend at the dog park and who ever did it left because the car next to me was a Smart car, which in all reality isn't even a real car, anyway; they hit the only body line that the Fit has. Smack dab centre of the rear DS passanger door on the body line. That one can't be fixed. I also washed the car today and the clear coat came off on the lower DS passanger door. Back to Honda we go.
 



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