Hello Fit Freak Forums peeps !

I've been a long time lurker, first time poster. I'm almost sold on the 2010 Honda Fit Base pending 2 things. 1) the Test drive and 2) the Following concerns people have posted:

1. Noise Dampening: How do you dampen the noise to keep the cabin quiter?
2. MPGs: How do some of you achieve such high MPGs? Gentler driving style? No air conditioning? etc. And are those numbers pretty much consistent?
3. Roof Rack: Can someone recommend a roof rack vendor? I know a lot of you have argued that the Fit's roof is too weak to carry any type of load. But I want to keep my options open.
4. Air Condenser Mod: I've read that its vulnerable to road debris, but not covered under warranty. The Mod seems easy enough, but does it void the warranty and is there a visual guide to performing this mod?
5. Are there any other necessary mods that been to be performed? Recommended Mods?
6. Arm Rest: Is it worth having it installed at the time of sale or is it easy to do yourself?
7. Flip Visors: I've read that they are practically worthless - anything you can do about this? I'd hate to drive in morning/evening traffic and be blinded by the rising / setting sun the whole way.
8. Tire pressure sensors: is there a fix to resolve the accuracy problems?
9. I plan on buying the car in the chicagoland area - can anyone recommend a dealership thats pretty flexible with the pricing? Or tips on negotiating the price of the car?
10. What options do you recommend I get at the dealership vs. the ones I install myself. and where can I get these near at cost? (attached image is the options I'm looking at: )

I know these are a lot of questions, but they are my concerns. None of them are really deal breakers, and maybe they aren't as problematic as people make them seem (after all everyone on this forum loves the Fit) but if there are solutions I'd like to know. This will be the very first car I buy and own and just want to make sure I've got everything covered - so yeah there is a bit of anxiety on my part.

Thank you for having such a wonderful and helpful community. Looking forward to your responses!

 

1: Many threads on here- it's not easy, and many don't recommend it after they have done it. Additionally, the extra weight is going to come out of your MPGs.
2:I would not suggest AT for greatest MPGs, as the MT owners are usually the ones getting the best. MPG reports are not consistent at all, it depends mostly on your route, then driving style. So you are not let down later, I would highly recommend you not assume you will match or beat the highway mpgs on the sticker.


Check out the prices of accessories at Bernardi Honda- Honda Parts and Honda Accessories from Bernardi Parts - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories. You are getting ripped off on the price sheet you attached.
For what you are willing to pay for all of those accessories, I would think you are looking at the cost of the sport model, which comes with the alloys and the USB, along with cruise, alarm, etc.
I'd also suggest you search the forums for floor mats, as there are many styles that can be same as or cheaper than OEM. Personally, I think my weather techs are the coolest mat I have ever owned.

You didn't mention it, but you may also want to spend some time researching online about manufacturers warranties. It's like gambling and the house has the odds favored on their side for a number of honest and even dishonest reasons, but the "experts" still agree that it is a personal choice. You may be the one out of 30k that bought a bad transmission off the line! Lots of fit specific warranty information can be found on here, including how much others paid for theirs.

good luck!

 

just noticed this was your first car purchase. I recommend you do a bit more research.

NADA and other related sites pull information regarding how much fits are going for in your area. You will see that your base with options comes to much more than the sport model sells for. Also, if you have a trade in, know what it is worth before you even go to the dealer.

The manufacturer's warranty is probably going to be the most pressure you endure all day. Either research and learn exactly what level of coverage and what price you want to pay, or know that you are going to have to tell them no about 10 times before they let you back out of the room.

Honda is offering .9% financing right now. If you don't qualify for this special rate, I would check with your bank to see what kind of rate they will give you. It's not so much that the bank will always do better than what the dealer offers, but that the dealer knows you have done your homework and that you are prepared to get the best deal.

And just to "play the game" of car buying, before going to the honda dealer, stop by a competitor and drive a model that competes against the fit... nissan versa, kia soul, ford fiesta, etc. I believe that you might get a better price if the dealer thinks your first choice isn't a Fit (and every salesman I have worked with has always been interested in what other cars I'm shopping for, but may not directly come out and ask either. So a well timed "this is more expensive/heavy/slower than x" might just be the key to making the salesman work for the sale). If the dealer knows the fit is the only car that you are considering, their job of negotiating is over and they can just wait for you to sign the paperwork. Even better is if you can find a Honda lot that has a competitor right next door- they know you can be back signing for that PoS versa in 10 minutes if you don't like their offer .

 

Yeah like what shegetstodriveit said, you're getting ripped. Those prices are high and for the total of $18,000+. That already a Honda Fit Sport price range and if you're willing to pay that much. I'd suggest that you get the Sport model.

 

go to truecar.com and you'll find a better deal. You have to give them your phone number but they show the prices that are being offered before you do that. Once you give them your number, they give the dealer and you each others contact infos. I got my fit for $1500 under invoice!

 

And no matter what never tell a dealer this is your first car purchase.