So, I've been lurking these forums for months, reading everyones posts in anticipation of getting my Fit. I ordered and put a deposit down for my Black Sport Manual on April 23rd, which, for those keeping track, was nearly 8 weeks ago. After much haggling and three trips I got them to go down to MSRP, with no accessories (they wanted $1k more). Since the day I put my deposit down I hadn't heard a single word from my dealer, not even one phone call. I'd gone in a few times to check in and they always told me they basically had no idea when it would arrive, just that it was coming as fast as they could get it and that it could be up to 100 days from when I ordered (despite acting like it would be much sooner when we first put the deposit down, of course). I hunkered down, and prepared for the worst, waiting 100 days— I knew that then, at least after 100 days I'd have the car I wanted, I could live with it.

Then out of nowhere, my dealer called last night and said, "You car is here, come down and take a look, we'll have it prepped by tomorrow." OMFG! So my girlfriend and I motored on down there, so very excited, and went with our salesman to where the vehicle was, and it looked so awesome, a nice black Sport, with a manu . . . uh, AUTOMATIC F$!^@#ING TRANSMISSION.

"Um, this is an automatic."

"Yeah."

"We ordered a manual."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Uh oh."

"Yeah."

Somehow I managed to keep it together and not run out into traffic and kill myself. So we go back inside and find the paper work (of which I had copies at home, of course). And there it was, on both forms he filled out before, "5-spd Manual" along, of course, with the MSRP for such a configuration. Then he looks at the printed inventory sheet or whatever it was and it clearly had the VIN assigned to our names as an Automatic. ARGHHH!!!!!!!!! So, the head vehicle ordering a$$hole ordered the wrong fricking car. It wasn't that the wrong car was delivered, Honda delivered the exact car our idiotic dealership ordered.

Our salesman was very, very apologetic, but given that it was 8pm, there wasn't much anyone could do. and he didn't want to tell us anything that wasn't accurate, which makes sense. so, now we're waiting to hear back from him.

So, knowing how much demand there is for these cars, and the Manual Sports are especially rare, and that basically every one that comes off the boat is already sold, I am very much afraid that we are going to have to get at the back of the line all over again, and wait another 100 days or so, and I'm just not sure I can take that.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking that if my dealer calls me today and says that we'll have to wait again, and he can't tell me how long, that maybe somehow I'd try to go to Honda Corporate and complain about how this dealer totally screwed-up my order and was not able or willing to solve the problem. It seems like corporate might have the pull to put the right car in my hands.

As to why I just won't take the Auto they have, well it is my girlfriend and my first new car and we want the damn car we ordered. we're not so old yet that we are willing to sacrifice all the wonderful pleasure of a stick with the ease of an auto. It just wouldn't be the same.

Ok, thanks for reading my sob story. Consoling remarks, as well as advice, are welcome. I knew this would be the only place where people would really understand my pain.

 

The exact same thing happened to my brother when he ordered a 530i. He wound up taking the car anyway because the new design was out and he did not want that version. They did give him the automatic for the price of the manual - and I think your dealer should do the same (and maybe required to - depending on your contract).

In that case you could re-sell the car for a profit, or trade with another dealer. If you trade an automatic even up for a manual, you will be suprised how many manuals they can find.

 

Thank for the suggestion Drum, it is an interesting idea, unfortunately, our contract doesn't have a guaranteed delivery date outside of the 100 days, so as of now, they could just take the car back and say ours is still coming. Plus from what I have seen of invoice prices, the dealership would actually lose money giving us a Sport Auto for the Sport Manual MSRP, since the profit is so small on these cars, unlike a BMW. Sigh.

 

My condolences. I don't know what to tell you. I guess the MTs are hard to come by. I was fortunate to get mine right in April. I had deposits down at 3 dealerships in March just in case there were problems. After driving an AT CRV for a couple of years I realized the AT world was not for me. So I wouldn't settle either.

Maybe your dealer is trying to find another dealership to trade for you, but again those MTs are hard to come by and it's doubtful they'll find any takers (but you can hope!). Maybe you should start shopping around. I hope it works out soon, what a buzz kill.

 

Has the dealer offered an solution yet?

 

i truly hear you. it does really suck but having and auto isn't so bad. I have a sport auto. My friend wanted a manual but the wait was too long he decided to get a sport auto.

 

yea that.......... I was gonna get the manual at first but it takes them so long to get it

 

Yes, but that's what is killing me, i was willing to wait for the manual, and I've already waited 50 days (even though I ordered one 3 days after they were made available), and they still gave me the Auto! I'm still willing to wait about another month for the stick, but I think that's my limit.

 

Man while reading that I was just thinking

 

Yeah, and shopping around isn't really an option anymore. the only way i go them down to MSRP in the first place is because they hadn't realized the demand for the car yet. All of the dealers around here are asking a minimum of $1k over MSRP and won't budge, because the demand is so high. My own dealer told me that we were the only ones at our dealer to get it for MSRP and that there bottom line price now is $1k over.

 

That is BS about all the dealers only offering way above MSRP in the Salem area. They probably get together and decide how to take advantage of everyone.

Would you be willing to go to a Portland dealership? I know at least one for sure that is selling them at MSRP only (Ron Tonkin Honda). Bradley O'neil is the internet manager, you could talk with her. That's where we're getting our SS Sport AT from.

Definitely try calling the Portland dealerships, explain your situation, and see if they have any manuals coming in the near future.

Good luck!!

 

I haven't had the dealer order mine yet, but I want a silver Sport Manual... she was saying 2 months wait or so for it.

If I were in the above situation, and they received an auto when I requested a manual, I'd tell them I'll take it, but at the price for the manual I requested.

We'll see what happens, I'll probably be able to put a deposit down and have them order it by the end of the month.

 

Thats the thing though, I don't want an automatic, it isn't at all about the price. I want a stick for my zippy little car!

 

I'm really sorry. The more I read these forums, the more I realize I'm pretty fortunate to have snagged a manual sport 4 days after Fits officially began going on sale, at MSRP. Then again, I live in Dallas, so it might be a regional (demand) thing.

Today after getting my hair cut, some guy saw my car in the lot and asked if he could give it a spin around the block since he's thinking of getting one but every dealer he's gone to can't keep one on the lot long enough to even test drive. As he stepped in, he asked, "Where are the paddle shifters?" "Oh, this is a manual, those are just for the automatic." "That's weird," he said, "the dealership said that there was no such thing as a manual sport." Crazy.

Hang in there. Wait to get what you want, if you can, and good luck.

 

Not sure how many dealers are in your area but if there are multiple ones you might call around. The first dealer I went to gave me the 'several month wait' bit so I went home and started calling other dealers. Well after going through a few I found one that had a Manual Sport in Vivid Blue (what I wanted) and it would be there in 3 wks. That wasn't the only manual I found either, there were a couple other colors coming into different dealers. Worth a shot.

 

I'm hoping supply is catching up to demand. Maybe if I have the sales manager I'm dealing with order me one at the end of this month, it will be in quick? We'll see. Y'all will probably be the first to know.

 

I walked into a dealership in Arlington last Friday and they had a Silver Sport M/T available. Took it for a test drive and left 3 hours later with my new Fit. No waiting. Been a happy driver ever since

 

No need to "freak" out. lol Think of it this way, by the time your Fit comes in, there'll be ample amount of accessories for you to choose from and you have the luxury of having other people try out these items and get their opinions before you buy.

Unfortunately, your story is all too common. :S

 

If this happens to me when mine comes in, someone better be dangling a set of keys to a loaner S2K while I wait. Stuff like this is hard to imagine in the age of the computer.

 

wow, really sorry to hear that. geeze does that suck. I guess I am fortunate that I walked into my dealer and grabbed the one off the lot. Sorry again