Hi there.

I'm looking for some advice as I know very little about the workings of Honda dealerships...or any dealerships for that matter! Since (presumably) everyone here is a Fit Freak, I thought that this would be the best place to have my question answered.

I was planning to purchase a car within the year, and I have definitely decided on the Fit. Still deliberating over orange vs. blue (today leaning more toward orange, tomorrow, who knows?); however a Sport Fit it will be.

My question(s): Would there be an advantage to ordering one now for delivery in six months, or should I wait six months and then order? I am a bit concerned that I will be SOL if I wait...or will I be outta luck either way? A dealer today told me that there will only be 15,000 vehicles shipped to Canada for the entire model year. If that's the case, it might be September 2007 before I would be able to purchase one. Would a dealership even honour a request for delivery in several months if they are effectively 'sold out' before then? The one I spoke with today said that this was something that could be done, but the skeptic in me has some doubts.

Anyway, I'm hoping that some of you with a better understanding of how all of this works could express their opinion.

Thanks everyone.

BTW, I'm really enjoying reading all of the posts. It sure does help take the edge off the "Fit Frenzy!"

 

If it were me -

I would go to the dealership and work out the deal.

Get it in writing.

Give them a check for a deposit (I gave my dealer a check for $500, and they stapled it to their copy of the sales order, and did not deposit it.)

Then, I just had to sit back and wait.

You could be "general" about it, saying that you want the first one that comes in with this choice of colors after a certain given date. They can look at what they have coming, and assign that particular one to you as "sold". Then it is yours when it arrives.

Hope that helps.

 

I'm not sure if it works this way for every dealer, but my dealer would only take a deposit on a vehicle they had coming in already. I had checked back in January, and they said they wouldn't take a deposit until they had the inventory sheet listing the vehicles that the dealership would be receiving. When I went back in March, they had the list and took my check but they did not deposit it until my car came in and I had signed all the papers. Unlike other some other people have said, my dealer couldn't (or wouldn't) set the price until they got the car. Unfortunately, this is where I probably ended up paying a little more than I had to. I'm still happy with the deal I got though, and more importantly, I LOVE MY CAR!

 

Like Wyy183 said, since there is already a wait, I would go in, make a deal or at least put a deposit down w/MSRP written on the receipt (but maybe prices will have dropped by then? unlikely) and say you'd like it in the fall or whenever. Then if it comes in and you aren't ready say you'll wait for the next one. I'm sure it won't kill them to sell it to someone else. Good luck!!

 

hatchgeek, switchbrdopr, wyy183, thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. I had no idea that it might even be a possibility to request such a long lead time before today. Nothing to lose in trying; if I just wait and do nothing, I'm more likely to lose out I would think.

It really helps to hear how pleased the vast majority of people are with their Fits!

Thanks again! Hopefully I'll be joining the 'expectant' parents soon! :

 

I'm gonna go against the flow and suggest waiting. The Nissan Versa is coming soon, and that can only decrease overall Fit demand (or there's another car you should be considering). I would have waited, had I not needed a car by the end of May (seems to be passing pretty quickly). By the time you need the car in 6 months, I believe there will be far more wiggle room, if not the decision to buy a totally different car.

MSRP, for all intents and purposes, is the maximum you should expect to pay for the Fit. It's not going to go anywhere for the next few months. Even if demand does keep up, you'll still only be paying MSRP (or you should be, anyway). I can't see demand growing beyond that.

 

Hmmm...thanks for your spin on things, crimsona...it's always helpful to have a 'devil's advocate' perspective. I had originally thought I would wait for the Nissan Versa before deciding...thanks for reminding me...I've been blinded by Fit Frenzy! haha

I have already eliminated the Toyota Yaris because side curtain airbags/side front airbags aren't even an option in Canada...and when I saw the Honda's magic seat? Well...that was the clincher. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check out all the competition before committing. I've had several Nissans in the past...in fact every car before my current '98 Ford Escort has been a Nissan and I've always been happy with them. And you make good points about MSRP and the whole supply/demand thing...they can't ship over ALL 15000 Fits to Canada in the next couple of months!

This 'planned parenthood' is confusing! Good thing I don't have to decide tonight!