I have a chance to purchase a brand new 2011 Fit Sport for $800 less than a comparable 2011. I am new to the world of Fit, so be patient with my me.

First, were there any major changes/improvements between 2010 and 2011.
Second, is $800 worth the one year difference? I would have a new car, but when I wanted to trade/sell the 2010, it would be very low miles since it is a year old with no miles.


What is the Fit wisdom- 2010 or 2011

I am on a tight time frame, so rapid feedback would be appreciated.

 

The biggest difference between the 2010 and 2011 is that the 2011 comes with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) on all Fits. If the 2010 version you are looking at is a Fit Sport with Navigation, it also comes with VSA. I think there were a couple of other minor changes (besides colors) but I can't remember, so maybe someone else can chime in.

$800 isn't too big a difference and that does almost account for a year's worth of depreciation, but savings is savings. If you would be happy with either Fit, as long as it's the trim, color, and transmission you want, go with the more affordable one.

 

YouTube - 12 News Investigates Electronic Stability Control (video from fluffy local TV news)

YouTube - How Effective is Stability Control (video from 5th Gear, a.k.a. former program known as Top Gear from before Clarkson and Co. took over)

$800 is nothing for such an important safety feature.

The Fit, and most subcompacts and compacts for that matter, are a bit like motorcycles. Your safety is not so much a product of advantageous mass and fortification, but the ability for a small, nimble vehicle to avoid a hazard in the first place. When the excrement hits a rotor blade, this system will step in and keep the car under control. The second video is the better of the two.

Lets say you do a 48 or 60 month loan, this $800 should come up to $15-20 unless your interest rate is north of 5%. $15-20 as additional insurance on your life. Seems worthwhile to me.

 

I knew I had come to the right place. I appreciate the quick, insightful feedback.

 

Another way to look at it, since the two are slightly different cars. The 2011 has two features the 2010 doesn't, VSA and floor mats. The VSA and floor mats are probably worth 2-300 alone. So with a difference of 5-600, does that seem reasonable for 1 year depreciation? Edmunds says that the 4th year of depreciation should be $1300. I'm not sure which year it makes the most sense to count, the first year or the year at which you sell the car, but either way, the 5-600 seems rather low, and that assumes that you have no desire for VSA.