Honda Fit Prices Paid and Buying Experiences

boatfloyd

rwgreenberg,
I paid MSRP for my Sport Fit in Anaheim, California.
boatfloyd

jacksan1

Hi. I am in Minneapolis-St. Paul. I have a Fit Sport reserved. I have been quoted MSRP minus $45 (I can't explain this $45 discount, but I am taking it).

A $1,000 premium sounds like a terrific rip-off, no matter how good a car the Fit is. Be sure to call ALL Honda dealers in your area (e.g., within a 75-mile radius). I'm sure you will find one that will sell you a Fit for an MSRP or very close to it. Good luck!

fitluver

Hi all Honda Fit people. I just had my first test drive in this cool little car on Long Island, NY. The dealer is asking $1000 above MSRP for the Sport or the Base model. I can't see myself paying anything above MSRP but I'm wondering whether this is a common practice with this hot (I assume) little new-comer.
Thanks,Rich

I put money down on a new Fit, which I expect to be coming in in december :::Groan:::

The dealer was firm about the MSRP which I was ok with because its a great price for a new loaded honda! The president of the dealership mentioned other dealers jacking up the price but said that Honda Motors does not approve of this practice.

So....I dunno....but I would hold out for MSRP if I were you.

scratchmarc

Maybe with gas prices going down again the demand for people having Fits will be less and there won't be any need for a mark-up over MSRP... at least I hope so.

~marc

jacksan1

Seriously, if a dealer is asking for a premium like $1,000, it would be worth calling dealers in another state. Even if you had to fly somewhere to pick up your car, I'm sure the airfare plus the cost of gas to bring the car home would be less than $1,000. Very few, if any, dealers in the U.S. are selling the Fit under MSRP, but plenty are selling it at MSRP, so there is no reason to pay ABOVE MSRP, especially at a big premium. I have even heard of a $1,500 premium in some places. Ridiculous.

fitluver

Maybe with gas prices going down again the demand for people having Fits will be less and there won't be any need for a mark-up over MSRP... at least I hope so.

That might be one reason why there are alot more fits that folks have put down a down payment on but decided not to buy. Another reason might be the long waits. To be honest, if my current car dies and I cant get a fit I would HATE to have to buy a different car. I plan to have this car another decade or more and in my mind no other car is going to do it for me.

For now I have to settle on the whiplash I get looking at every danged hatchback I see trying to figure out if it is a fit. There is ONE that I have seen and confirm seeing in the month and a half since I decided to buy it. That is kinda good that I am not seeing a ton of them, but waiting really sucks.

I am just hoping there is a distinct look to the fit, so that when I get to see another one "live" I wont have to guess if it is a Fit or a vibe, matrix, focus, or 3. (Do people actually buy versas? OK, maybe I have seen them too.)

For now its hurry up and wait.

Good luck in your search and I think it is wise advice to put out many feelers so you can at least get a call from a dealer when someone backs out.

Me...I will wait for a MT but I dunno if I would wait just for a color (there are three I like and three I dont but only one I picked to be my car. hmmmm)

bluebell2

Bluebell is a Long Island Fit purchased at MSRP at a Long Island dealer in Suffolk County. Charges above MSRP were for the ringing alarm and the Honda Care warranty at typical dealer prices - read expensive even at the "great deal" we were told we were getting. A neighbor has also ordered a Fit from this dealer at MSRP, but he's waited a very long time to take delivery. So far all summer and no Fit, not even a VIN. Honda should step up to the plate about the dealer situation.

sniffles

On Saturday morning I went to my local Honda dealer and inquired about a Fit. At first the salesman says it will take about 5 months to get one. Than he comes back after talking to someone and says it will only take 2 or 3 months to get one. I tell him I want either a Red or Vivid Blue Sport Fit with a 5 speed manual and he writes all of this down on an order form. He disappears again and comes back and said they had a cancellation on a Vivid Blue Sport 5 speed manual. The owner had changed their mind and now wanted an automatic. He said this Fit will be in at the end of the month. I put a $500 deposit on it. This sounds almost too good to be true. I won't believe it until I drive it off the Dealer's lot. I'm paying MSRP. I'll make a post if I get it in 2 weeks.

As a side note I upset the Salesman when I kept asking him questions as to why I have to give them my Social Security number just to buy a car. I'm paying cash. Does anyone know why we have to give a car dealer our social security number just to buy a car? Thanks in advance.

plekto

You don't. They want to run credit on you and try to hard-sell you on financing.

dewaltdakota

If the car will be in at the end of the month, then they should already have the VIN for it. I would go ahead and get the REAL buyer's order drawn up, that includes that VIN. That seriously reduces the chances that they'll sell it out from under you.

madog54

Honda Dealers just s--k. I arranged a loan through my local credit union, and double-checked fro its availablity two days before I was to pick up the car. Come that day and the "credit manager" claimed they never receievd any paperwork from the credit union. I was livid and ready to walk out, when he ruffled through some papers, made a "phone call" and discovered the credit union loan. They were ready to sock me for 12% compared to my credit union's 5% rate. I had to throw a fit to get my Fit.;-)

But I do love the car. Just hate the dealer.

fitman548

only your bank and your employer have the right to your ssn. right?

dewaltdakota

Depends. I know the Virginia DMV requires it for a title transfer, as I just did one this morning.

Don't worry ... I didn't sell the Fit, I bought a 1998 Honda Civic CX HB for my nephew (though I'm tempted to keep it).

anno

You seem to know a lot about this stuff. The last car I bought was in 1987. I am in Vancouver, BC. We ordered a Fit (LX) on June 3rd. We said we'd take any colour but black. The sales person told us they were taking orders for August but seeing as we weren't specifying colour we might get it sooner. We didn't get it for August and so far we haven't got it for September. We were told we have a "build date" of September 12. What would that mean? How long does it take to build and ship and at what point would we have a VIN? Also does anyone know who makes a reasonably priced roof rack that fits the "Fit"?

fitluver

I tell him I want either a Red or Vivid Blue Sport Fit with a 5 speed manual and he writes all of this down on an order form. He disappears again and comes back and said they had a cancellation on a Vivid Blue Sport 5 speed manual. The owner had changed their mind and now wanted an automatic.

Funny, I just posted yesterday that I saw only one confirmed fit to date.

Yesterday afternoon I saw one in my town and basically chased it down, in vivid blue pearl which I ordered. I swear it looks just like my 88 ford festiva with two extra doors. (but better lol...i loved that car btw)

I saw it was dirty and just wanted to clean it. :::soft sigh::

Then I went out shopping with mom today and after whiplashing over several hatchbacks in the lot...I FINALLY saw a white one to show mom! I chased it down despite her cautions and let her see it from back and side. lol

Oh I cant wait! And I dont even mind seeing other ones too much. At least mine will be clean. :P

madog54

I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but if the dealer has a VIN # for you, it means that the dealer already ponied up for the car, and that the car is either on the lot or on it's way to his lot. No VIN # == no car. I ordered mine in metallic orange or black, but I really wanted orange; it's easy to find in the parking lot, and no one else could love a color like that. AFAIK I'm the only orange Fit on Long Island.

fishgirl1

I managed to get my hands on one 3 weeks ago I am in Chicago and had to go to Seattle to test drive one (I was already headed out there, but pretty ridiculous), and of course fell in love. I've been very happy with it so far, having already put 1200 miles on it (mileage anywhere from 28 - 36 mpg). In order to find one I had to contact every dealer in town. I finally got a call on a Thursday saying that they were getting one in over the weekend. I went first thing Saturday morning, haggled a bit (they all seem to like to add misc. packages to the car) and got what I feel was a fair price. I have talked to several dealers that wanted a $1000+ mark up, but the good ones don't. It made me feel great knowing that I had an honest guy/got a decent deal even with someone else there trying to buy it as we were haggling/signing the paperwork.

My only disappointments: I had to get automatic transmission (I would've had to wait months), and I can't seem to find a roof rack for my bike/skis. If anyone is aware of a rack, please let me know. Good luck to all of you trying to get your hands on a Fit! It's well worth the wait

philip17

I spoke with Honda today about the mileage. They said two things of interest. First, ethanol content varies widely by state. If you live in California, they put a lot of ethanol in to fight air pollution -- but mileage goes down. Also, plan on about a 5,000 mile break-in before you judge the mileage. For one thing, they put an additive in the oil for the break-in period. After an oil change the mileage may improve. And don't change the oil before the maintenance minder tells you to.

tjw1308

Actually, it's not a matter of who has the "right" to your SSN, it's more a matter of why they need it in the first place.

Dealerships usually want it on cash deals for verification purposes. Fraud alerts can pop-up, indicating you may not be who you are claiming to be (identity). Sometimes it also helps us decide whether or not that check you just wrote is worth the paper it's written on... (I had a 464 credit score try to stroke a $42000 check once... coulda been coincidence, coulda been he was fleeing the country lol...)

If you actively monitor your credit reports (which EVERYONE should, for the $10 or so a month it costs), you could literally give almost anyone your SSN (within reason) and not have too much to worry about.

Dealerships are far safer with your SSN than most employers are anyway. They watch us. They want us to screw up

So don't worry about ponying it up for a cash deal. It's not that big of a worry... really.

T

dewaltdakota

Any cash transactions over $10k must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business. Big Brother wants to make sure you're not laundering money, or linked to a terrorist group.

jnwest

I paid MSRP (plus the $99 dealer fee) at the dealership in Ellicott City, MD. The purchase experience was great -- the dealership didn't try to sell me any unwanted options, nor did they play the "what kind of payments are you thinking of" game.

tjw1308

True, but only applicable when paying in cold hard $$$... not a check/certified funds.

It's definitely fun when a customer pays in the real greenbacks though (had $24000.00 on my desk once haha).

T

sniffles

Thanks to all who responded about the SSN thing. It's still a little unnerving to have all your personal info locked only in a $40 2 drawer metal cabinet.

I did find out on Saturday that my Fit delivery has been delayed from the end of Sept. to Oct. 10-14. Hope they are being honest with me.

hidingbackward

There is a dealership that has a USED (yes used - apparently the guy who bought it got screwed at another dealer for financing) FIT base model with A/T, splash guards, wheel locks, tinted windows (owner), and pinstripe (owner) with only 1,100 miles. dealer is asking $15,881 and not a penny less. It is honda "certified" so there is an extra 3 year warranty. Is this an okay deal considering a brand new FIT is only $15,393 MSRP?

I would appreciate any feedback...

bigmike91

A used car with 1,100 miles on it? Well, if I were buying it, I would check the VIN number through CarFax to make sure it is not a car that has been crashed and repaired. Just my opinion.

plekto

I smell rebuilt title as well. Or flood damage and repaired.

JUst buy the new one - no worries, no problems.

backy

It could be something like that, but it could be innocent. For example, there have been some posts from Fit buyers who had problems with the driving position after buying it. It could be a case like that.

livefree

I have had my name and deposit on a Fit at our local dealer since early August. Originally the dealer made an "error" and realized the car I had reserved was actually already reserved for another customer, so I had to wait until another arrived. When the new car showed up about a month later, unfortunately my husband was out of town and I wasn't going to purchase without his input, so we had to forfeit that one as well since they wouldn't hold it for us (understandable). Today I just got a call from the dealer saying too many Fits have been reserved by their internet department, and that the manager isn't allowing that. So without a signed purchase contract, they will no longer hold the car for us. It seems that dealers are pretty much doing whatever they want with this car due to the demand, but does this sound acceptable? I'm a little ticked because we've been waiting so long and have been putting off our purchase decision until this car came in so we could be sure it was (or wasnt) the one. I have a feeling Honda made the decision for us.

seattlewa

With a Honda dealership near Seattle, Washington, I signed an order request on May 7 for a base Fit (lunar mist metallic, beige interior, automatic transmission). On August 7, I was notified that the car's build date was August 31. The car arrived at the dealership on October 7, and I made payment on October 8. Accessories are now being installed and I pick up the car on October 14. The sales rep that I worked with said that of his customers, the Fit that I received took the longest to arrive at the dealership. (5 months)

guest

Upon hearing from the mechanic at the shop where my '93 Mercury Tracer wagon was, that I basically needed a whole new motor and that the car wasn't worth that expense, I called my local Honda dealer (Ed Voyles) to see if they had any Fits available by chance.

Long story short, I'm now the happy owner of a BOM Sport MT. Certain options were already included that made the price $16,060. I feel very lucky to have been able acquire it at such short notice and I would have settled for an AT if that was what they had, but I much prefer the MT. Blaze Orange Metallic is a bit of an acquired taste but it's not really all that horrendous for this kind of vehicle.

~marc

sniffles

I picked up my Fit on Thursday (Oct.12) afternoon. I only had to wait a little over 3 weeks for it thanks to someone who cancelled their order for this Vivid Blue Sport with manual transmission. (Thanks whoever you are). I guess I really lucked out. The saleman said he could have sold this Fit to 6 different people. I asked him how many the dealer could sell a month if he had an unlimited supply and he said they could sell 30 Fits a month! The only dealer installed option I got was the locking wheel lug nuts. Oh yes, I only paid MSRP. The dealer is in beautiful downtown Glen Burnie, Maryland.

I've already ordered floor mats, cargo cover and a locking gas cap. How come all of these aren't standard? Enjoying the car a lot but I'm not going to push it until I get about 600 miles on it like the manual says.

Zoom-Zoom or whatever a Honda car is suppose to do!

scratchmarc

Zoom-Zoom is Mazda's buy line but it certainly applies to Honda vehicles as well... the smaller ones, anyway!

~marc

jmurman42

I don't think that we have the body materials to do major "surgery and repair" on Fits at this stage of the game.

I would tend to believe them about the guy paying a high rate, and maybe dumping it on trade in.

mrrk47

Does anyone know of anyone in the CA BAy area who either walked in/internet shopped for a fit and bought without a long order or wait list. The car is cool, but not that cool. AND?....are dealers selling these things at msrp or above msrp....I'm trying to feel even better about my Yaris purchase than I already do. Thanks GUys

mybuddy

Any upstate New Yorkers or New Englanders who have purchased a Fit. How Much??? Have no idea what I should be paying for one...

fitluver

Any upstate New Yorkers or New Englanders who have purchased a Fit. How Much??? Have no idea what I should be paying for one...

You should be paying MSRP plus around 600 for shipping. Edmunds site has pricing for each style and tranny.

fitluver

Does anyone know of anyone in the CA BAy area who either walked in/internet shopped for a fit and bought without a long order or wait list. The car is cool, but not that cool. AND?....are dealers selling these things at msrp or above msrp....I'm trying to feel even better about my Yaris purchase than I already do. Thanks GUys

I cannot say for your area but I am not paying anything over MSRP other then what i ordered.

crimsona

Any Canadian dealer can get any transmission within 6 weeks, but then, we pay $21k USD after taxes for ours.

Is there any surprise that a disproportionate amount are going up north?

hounddog69

I asked Anderson honda to let me know that when a Honda Fit came to his dealer, and someone canceled, to let me know. This was in the beginning of the summer and was contacted in August. I went to test drive, but I decided on a Honda Coupe EX instead. Same price.

fitluver

With a Honda dealership near Seattle, Washington, I signed an order request on May 7 for a base Fit (lunar mist metallic, beige interior, automatic transmission). On August 7, I was notified that the car's build date was August 31. The car arrived at the dealership on October 7, and I made payment on October 8.

That seems like a fast build and transport, if you ask me. 7 days from build in Japan to delivery at the dealer?



Accessories are now being installed and I pick up the car on October 14. The sales rep that I worked with said that of his customers, the Fit that I received took the longest to arrive at the dealership. (5 months

I ordered mine end of July/1st week of Aug and was told I had to wait till late dec/early jan. I ordered a manual, and I was told THAT takes as long as anything else cuz there are few around, and are unlikely to pop up without a buyer somewhere.

I wonder too if 5 months is running average here or what. And why the hell couldnt honda just make more right off the GO! (So much for the fit is go, eh?)

I keep hoping dealer will call with build date, vin, delivery date narrowed down etc. I am hoping we dont hit any snags. He called tho to say he will be in closer touch as it gets closer to date. So far I like the service.

Ah well...this is truly a test of my patience.

The Fit should have a new demographic, and it aint the young and eager to sign today on the dotted line....obviously.

fitluver

A used car with 1,100 miles on it? Well, if I were buying it, I would check the VIN number through CarFax to make sure it is not a car that has been crashed and repaired. Just my opinion.

Better yet, I would make the dealer do it for you. (Get carfax).

Why should you pay a penny more?

fitluver

Any Canadian dealer can get any transmission within 6 weeks, but then, we pay $21k USD after taxes for ours.

WOW, thats alot more then we pay here in the US!

I guess something has to pay for that socialized healthcare. (Jk)

Is there any surprise that a disproportionate amount are going up north?

If it is all taxes then honda is not making more money off of it. I dont know enough about your trade agreements with other countries to fully comment.

fitluver

I asked Anderson honda to let me know that when a Honda Fit came to his dealer, and someone canceled, to let me know. This was in the beginning of the summer and was contacted in August. I went to test drive, but I decided on a Honda Coupe EX instead. Same price.

I dont need to be spoiled...but..does it have AC and a cd player?

Those are my bare minimum requirements,tho I prefer power door and windows as well.

No doubt you are paying more with those "bare bones minimum requirements" in the other Honda then you would in a Fit.

Hope you enjoy the car, all the same.
Its still a honda.

hungarian83

"On August 7, I was notified that the car's build date was August 31. The car arrived at the dealership on October 7, and I made payment on October 8.

That seems like a fast build and transport, if you ask me. 7 days from build in Japan to delivery at the dealer?"

If I am not mistaken, there is this little thing between August 31 and October 7. It's called September.
More like a month and 7 days.

fitluver

On August 7, I was notified that the car's build date was August 31. The car arrived at the dealership on October 7, and I made payment on October 8.

That seems like a fast build and transport, if you ask me. 7 days from build in Japan to delivery at the dealer?"

If I am not mistaken, there is this little thing between August 31 and October 7. It's called September.
More like a month and 7 days.



It was a bad month for me. lol

Seriously tho, when I initially thought it over, i still meant to say it was short time between build date to being on the dealers floor.

I realize seattle is much closer to Japan then I am but it still sounded fast.

Any clue how long and how they would ship to NJ?

I saw news of some trains derailingtoppling over and hoped my car wasnt in one of them.

fitluver

I posted the message regarding a build date of August 31 and the Fit arriving at a dealership near Seattle on October 7. I noticed on the car's paperwork that its port of entry was Portland, Oregon, which is quite close to Seattle. People who purchased their Fits on the east coast may be able to give you an idea of ports of entry for their cars.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I figure the west coast will get them faster, but I have no clue how much faster.

Recently i spent too much time in front of discovery channel as they showed how the giant cargo ships were carrying so much, what went into loading and unloading them, where the cargo went by train and truck etc. It made me think.

Next news report was about widening the panama canal to speed up movement of these "super cargo ships" and of course the head spins around the notion about waiting till dec/jan to get my car. Ah well...such is life.

ardub

I had a build date of Oct 3. Got a call from my sales guy Oct 20 that they now had a Port Date of Oct 18 (I had been calling him every week). He didn't know if that meant it had shipped from Japan on the 18th or arrived in the states on the 18th. (I was hoping for the latter). That call came on a Friday, got a call the following monday, the 23rd, notifying me my Fit was in, could pick it up the next day. Since they originally told me it takes 4 to 6 weeks from the build date, I was quite pleased to have the car exactly 3 weeks later.

bobw3

Dealers around here are getting a couple of Fits each month. Since I already test drove both a manual base Fit as well as the Sport auto, I decided to go with the auto Sport. I called around and one dealer has one coming in on Nov 11, so I put down a $500 deposit over the phone with my credit card and when it comes in I'll pick it up at the MSPR price. Pretty easy.

fitluver

Dealers around here are getting a couple of Fits each month. Since I already test drove both a manual base Fit as well as the Sport auto, I decided to go with the auto Sport. I called around and one dealer has one coming in on Nov 11, so I put down a $500 deposit over the phone with my credit card and when it comes in I'll pick it up at the MSPR price. Pretty easy.

Hmmm, I suppose I could have called around more but I figured one was already on the way. The problems with the local dealers as I see it are that there are two or three people lined up on every car, and I guess I dont feel like being third when I can get exactly what I want with what I want it with.

I have a dealer other then what I put payment down with, and she called me a while back but by the time I checked messages and called her back the car in the color I didnt want withthe wrong tranny came in and went out at her dealership.

So thats where I am at.

I dunno if calling the dealer every day will help.
I check autotrader periodically and NOONE here on the east coast has one within an hour or two. (which is about all the time I would spare for the exact car I want colorwise, and i wont budge on the manual)

jacksan1

My wife's Fit Sport (AT, Milano Red) is arriving on either Monday the 6th or Tuesday the 7th, our dealership in Minnesota has just informed us. We placed our deposit on August 23. It's been about an 11-week wait for the delivery. Not too bad for a Fit. Our salesperson said that it would have been a six month wait had we waited until now to order the same thing. She also said that an MT is virtually an impossibility right now.