After totaling my previous car (2002 Mustang) I'm in the market for a new vehicle. I'm looking for something more roomy, and the 4-door hatchback Fit looks like a good choice. I've done a bit of research and I'm not seeing anything that easily compares that old a version to the current model.

So, here are my questions:

1. Is the 6-year-old model worth 8500 with that mileage? KBB says yes, but I'm looking for personal opinions here.
2. Should I expect around ~33mpg with a light foot and mostly flat highway driving? (Based on truedelta research.)
3. Are there any maintenance issues I should be concerned about with this model, age, and mileage?
4. Are there any notable differences between the 2008 and 2012 models (My understanding is that 2013 was identical to 2012's Fit.)
5. Is there another reasonably roomy hatchback in the same price range you would recommend over the (at this point) aged Fit build? (Fiesta, for example, though obviously less roomy.)

 

For comparison sake, I got my 2007 Sport model (same GD model you are looking at) for $6500. That was a great steal, even at 94,000 miles. Given that the miles are way low on the car you are looking at, I would be a bit cautious and find out why so few miles. Was it in an accident? New engine?
The GE (2009-2013) model is different than the GD, but not necessarily better. Personal preference mostly. The later years, 2012+ had additional insulation added so the road noise was reduced significantly.
At the price you quoted at $8500, I'm kind of in between on whether it is a good value. GD Fits have been bottoming out in price lately. Some GEs as well. While I think it is an OK price and you might be able to haggle even lower, I have seen some local GE Fits (2009) go for $10,500 with high miles on them. My personal preference having sat and driven both would be to try to get the GD owners to lower the price a bit and grab it. With so few miles, that car has a long, long way to go before it dies (assuming it has not been in an accident or had an engine transplant).
I would not recommend ANY other car in that category. Both the GD and GE Fits are practically bullet proof. You are practically guaranteed over 100,000 miles of trouble free driving. Not many other cars you can say that about. As far as maintenance, with so few miles on the 2008, you should be a long way away from worrying about replacing the coil packs atop the spark plugs, or having the engine valves adjusted. You'll just have to look out for the nuisance water leak into the rear hatch spare tire area, which is easily fixed thanks to the experts on this board.

 

Here's what I think, and I'm going to use my '07 as reference because they were essentially the same car.

1. My personal opinion is, yes it is worth that price. I traded in my '07 with 94k on it and got a brand new '11. The dealership sold my '07 at $9500.

2. My '07 averaged about 40 mpg, my current '11 averages about 33.

3. The biggest problem I had was peeling paint around the fenders on the bumpers. I would think if it hasn't been found or fixed by now you should be fine, but it's something I would double check.

4. n/a

5. The '07/'08 did not have much competition when they were initially released, so comparing something like the Fiesta to the older Fit isn't really comparable.

Hope this somewhat helps

 

i would pay no more than 7000

 

here is what KBB puts it at ( http://www.kbb.com/honda/fit/2008-ho...=private-party ). I got my 08 over the summer for 9K with 60000 on it and absolutely love it. It took me 2 months to find a manual and it happened to be my favorite color.

 

I bought my 07 sport with 45k for 9000$. It was in pristine condition though and had some nice mods (HFP muffler, center console). I agree that I'd be skeptical on the low mileage. Why would a car so old be driven so little?

If not, I'd say 8500$ is a fair price.

 

Insurance valued my 58k mile 2008 5MT Sport @ $10,500 last month when they were figuring out if the tree that fell on her had totaled it.

 

That kind of mileage is not something to freak about and start assuming the worst. My Fit is an '09 (bought new) and I just turned 30,000. Why so low you ask? I have a company van that I bring home every day so my car basically doesn't get driven Mon-Fri.

 

I sure do hope that you are not insinuating that the OP should assume the best when buying a used car from a stranger. Asking them why the miles are so low is common sense. I'd ask you the same question if I were buying your car. If whomever I asked that question of didn't look me in the eye and give me a rational answer, I'd walk away. If their answer passes the common sense test, and the car passes a mechanic's inspection, then one can walk away with a smile. I bought my Fit sight unseen over the phone. The person on the other end answered all my hard questions to my satisfaction, making it worth the 3 hour drive to finally see the car. Once a seller knows they are dealing with someone who knows cars inside and out (or in my case, gives the appearance of knowing), honest sellers with a good product are usually quick to volunteer even more information than the questions I pose. He did, and I bought.

 

I understand your point and you are right. But lets suppose you were buying my car and I told you the mileage was so low due to having a company vehicle but when in reality, it was totaled and had the engine replaced. Would you believe me if I looked you in the eye?

The bottom line is it is a slightly used vehicle with low mileage.....but it's a HONDA! Honda don't make crap. That's why they make cars, motorcycles, generators, mowers, planes and who knows what else!

Shit....my 1988 Lincoln Towncar I had before moving to the Fit only had 87,000 miles on it when I traded it in. And my 1991 Toyota 4x4 that I bought new only had 62,000 when I sold it after having it for 12 years. BOTH of which I still see running around town.

I'd buy the Fit the OP is referring to without batting an eye so long as it wasn't salvaged.

 

Get the VIN number and search it on Google. Se if it pops up as a salvage, or repaired, or auction vehicle. If nothing comes up that way, pay one the title search companies like Carfax for a report. Carfax is a little more expensive than most but what difference does $15 make for a one time report. Most of those reports will show, accidents, and other incidents, plus annual mileage reports at license renewal time depending on the state.

If all of that comes back clean, I would go for it.