Honda Fit Prices Paid and Buying Experiences

scottc3

Thanks for the info. Plan to take my "clunker" in (1990 BMW 535i) and see how it works out on Friday. Will post the results.

sc

tunaman4u2

18,1K OTD... Not going to make it lower... in the Boston area that is

wjbaliko

I'd be very interested in what they offered you.
I have a 86 535i with plenty of updates and modifications.
Needs a paint job and some engine work

Good luck.

tunaman4u2

16,970 Car
299 Doc
111 Reg
625 Tax (On 12,500 after 4,500 Clunker trade in... MA 5% tax till Aug 1st

OTD Around 18,100...
Still dealing though... everyone seems willing to match this, no one seems willing to even call back to beat it though.

elcheapo

I AM LOOKING TO BUY A NEW HONDA FIT SPORT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NO EXTRA FRILLS THE BEST OFFER I HAVE GOT SO FAR IS $17, 171 + TT&L. AS I HAVE LOOKED ON HERE I AM SEEING MUCH LOWER PRICES IN OTHER STATES. DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW OF ANY BETTER PRICES IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS? IF SO HOW MUCH AND WHERE? I DON'T MIND DRIVING BUT I DO NOT WANT TO GET MY HEAD RIPPED OFF.

cityhunter9

I just purchased my honda fit in July in Queens. However, the sales person did not explain the cash rebate program to me and I realized that my 1996 mazda could have been traded in and get the credit. The sales person of course did not return any phone call or do anything now. What am I going to do to get the credit or I am SOL? Can anyone help me with this?

adeababe

I am getting an online offer OTD price of 18,975 from a dealership in the area. Still waiting on others to send me some offers. Is this a good offer or do we think I can still get more off? I should add it is an automatic.

Thanks! Adriana

ladypro

No. The program does not apply retroactively.

http://www.cars.gov/index.php/faq#question-15

tunaman4u2

Had a dealer pull a verbal offer of 16,400 over the phone. The dealer knows I'll be going somewhere else but it doesn't matter to them as the clunker deal is going to bring in a stupid consumer who will pay much more than that. Deals are going to be harder to come by for a little while people, especially as companies pull their rebates

cars_phoenix

has anyone here tried the kia soul? I have been shopping for the honda fit for about a month now, and very sick of their antics. I believe that they have raised the prices of their cars so that they are taking about $1000 of the cash for clunkers rebate off the top by increasing their car prices by about that much. they expect to make quite a bit of money off of this program. I was just quote $19400 out the door for a honda fit sport automtic. The car is simply not worth that. And combine that with the antics of the salespeople - well it is just time to look elsewhere. I am going to test drive the kia soul later today - and I have been quoted a lower price for that car. It is a 2010 and the warrantee is better. So, we will see. I am quite discusted with the dealers for the honda - we went into one when we thought we had a deal. There were many changes to the deal and when we were leaving, the general manager actually became verbally abusive. Curious to know if others have tried the Kia. Seems to have gotten some good ratings.

automaker

The response that the program does not apply retroactively is misleading, because, in fact, the program as proposed will apply retroactive to transactions starting 7/1/09.....the link tied to the misleading information refers to an FAQ inquiry about a purchase "last month" (which would have been June 2009).

hmowner

I did not bargain, but dealt with the first dealer who was willing to accept "Cash for Clunker" trade in before the 7/24 date. If you contact via dealer's web pages, at least two dealers around Indianapolis will respond with quotes near the above OTD price - which includes 7% tax, and whatever is dealer's own mark up. Some of them will accept Cash for Clunker deal now. I paid cash.

tunaman4u2

Same deal as you bro... Cash for Clunkers & No rebates will keep a floor on prices for a little bit.

Good luck people... I'm moving on to the owners experience forum after spending YEARS reading this forum

bbaroo

Keep your eye on the bottom line. I was given a great proce for a Honda Fit Sport Automaic and was very excited, until I was given the full quote and saw the $495 Doc Fee. My lesson: Focus on the out-the-door (OTD) price. Honda of Panama City wanted me to think they were making a great offer, they were not. :mad:

ppidori2

Hello, so since the new cash for clunker came by I in the market for a FIT. I live in Southern California, and was wondering if its possible to get the FIT sport A/T no other options for $17,500 OTD. Ive read some ppl getting a price around there but wondering if that is possible in Souther Cali. And if not im just going to get the Base model which i estimate to be around $16,000 OTD.

mannyljr

Last night, I did a search for manual tranny Fit Sports with Autotrader within 200 miles of San Diego. I came up with 6 dealers with a black one in stock and I e-mailed each from the link on the Autotraders website. All responded today, the best local price was at DCH Honda in Lemon Grove, CA. $16,164 plus tax and title. But Penske Honda in Ontario, CA quoted me $15,300! I talked to the internet rep 3 times for him to double check. He stuck with his quote and e-mailed it. The only extra charges would be $55 doc fee and $8.75 tire fee. I'm guessing that's not for each tire. I've never seen that fee. Anyway, it's $864 under my best local price. Ontario is about 120 miles away for me and a couple tanks worth of gas is less than $100. The only stumbling block is my Cash-For-Clunkers trade-in. I have a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, that is pretty much a beater. I'm the original and I've had it registered and insured continuously. It has 170,000 miles and still runs pretty good. But with the CFC giving me $4500 for it, I'd gladly part ways with it. Though the internet sales guy was adamant about not doing CFC yet, and not promising they would tomorrow either. I'm going to call them again tonight and see if they ran the credit, so we can talk final numbers. Wish me luck!

sms9758

I received 17171 for an orange sport automatic, is this about average or should I look for a better deal? Taxes, doc $250, on top. They said they cant sell them anymore, does anyone know why? We also looked at the Kia Soul, have owned two great Kia,s but the ride was anything but smooth, and very chunky feeling, not much fun. Thoughts, please.

hmowner

17171 seems to be the "default" quote you first get from a internet query. You should be able to get $300 lower than that from a dealer that has 20+ Fits in the inventory.

soundersfc

Hello. Looking for conformation that I'm getting a decent deal. First timer so not real familiar with the process of haggling with dealers. Offer is 15,800 for base model AT with mud guards and fog lamps which he says have to stay in car. This makes for an OTD price around 17,500, taxes in WA are high. I'm seeing a lot of lower prices on forum, but this is the lowest I seem to be getting in the area. What does everyone think? Thanks for the help

eragon314

I bought a Honda Fit in Hillsboro OR for $15300 (OTD price) today (manual, Tidewater blue, nothing extra). This included $80 to drive it here.

cruiserbruiser

How does one go about getting internet quotes? Is there a site that will send out to all dealers in my area?

orman5

I just paid $17,310 for a FIT Sport Manual w/Nav for the car alone. Dealer had already added "Pro-Pack" (which includes door guards, fender guards, pin stripes, wheel locks and nitrogen (in tires)). It looks to me that the car was under invoice by about $150. I think that's a pretty good deal. Also used the Cash for Clunkers and got $4500 towards the price. Any thoughts?

cars_phoenix

Hi - just bought the kia soul. It came in around $2,000 less out the door than the prices I got for the Honda. I will say that the Honda prices I was quoted out the door in phoenix were higher than many on this forum. I actually like the Soul a bit better. I got the plus model, and it comes with an upgraded audio package and bluetooth. It has good cargo space, and I found the ride to be quite smooth and quiet. It does have a bit clunkier look than the fit, especially in the front. I like both cars, but this was priced so much better that it seemed like the right move to get the soul. I just think Honda is counting on a big market share of the cash for clunkers, and if it does not pan out, they will reduce the price of their cars. In Phoenix they are overpriced for what you get, IMHO. Anyway - I am happy with my Soul purchase. Really enjoyed the ride home listening to satellite radio. Cheers.

scottc3

First, look into SALVAGE additional money for your Cash for Clunkers. This is IN ADDITION for the $4500 / $3500 you will get. Was told by one dealer $50 for dealer, $100 for you, another dealer = $50 for dealer, up to $450 for you.

Visiting all dealers in San Jose area / Fremont. Best deal was at Anderson Honda in Palo Alto, $16,588 +T/L. (7/24/09) - tax has gone up, as has the license fees! (good timing on my part - not!). Reading about $15,888 / $15,988.. but no way UNLESS I wanted a car that had been on the lot for 200+ days and was the Orange color - then the $15,988 was doable. Walked out of many dealers that were in the $17,100 range - cash purchase - no incentives on at this time. Once I got a printout from Anderson, other dealers would do the same deal. This also included wheel locks.

Cash for Clunkers was not in full effect yet at the Honda Dealers - but got a call last night telling me they finally had all paperwork needed, so have an appointment at 9am to get the FIT Sport.

Good luck on your purchase. If you can wait, do it - you may save another 300 - 500. For me, I need to register my Clunker by 8/1, so will make the deal today to avoid register / smog again.

sc

jojobar

Got my Black Sports Auto today with Cash for Clunkers deal.

Quoted Price: $16195 + doc fee + tax + title + tag...

This is the best I could get. The dealer is Hennessy Honda of Woodstock. Here is my purchase experience.

1. Sent RFQ to multiple dealers via their website (for OTD price), then selected the best 3. *Warning: Some dealers said that the price is valid for manufacturer installed options only (meaning there is something more hidden

2. I called them and asked them what is not manufacturer installed, some of them mentioned about lining on the body and others said some kind of wheel lock. Both of them said that they will give those at cost (means $495 extra), I did not believe it should cost that much to the dealer.

3. I had lot of difficulty getting my calls returned. It seems that these sales people suddenly got too busy and they would not even negotiate (or return calls), one of them even sent me email saying "Good luck with Shopping"

4. The internet quote from the dealership I bought from was very simple and least expensive, they also mentioned that there are no dealer installed options. I requested 200 dollars less than the quote but he would not budge. Anyways this was the least I could get.

5. Went early this morning before the dealership opened and found my salesperson attending morning meeting. The pricing was exactly the same as in his internet quote and no price hassle. The whole processing took about 4 hours or so, with test drive, financing, signing etc.

6. This is my first new car purchase experience in the past 12 years and I was very satisfied with the dealership and specially the sales person I worked with (I went prepared for an argument if he mentioned any dealer installed options .

7. I am not supposed to mention the name of the salesperson in this forum, but it seems like he is the only one for internet sales at the dealership (also you can look at their website for his name (against internet sales))

** Note ** Another thing the sales person told me that they were asked to stop doing "Cash for Clunkers" from Monday till they get more funds. It seems that each dealership (not sure if this is only for Honda) is only doing 14-20 clunker deals and then stop till they get more funds. I heard this from another dealer too. I am not sure if this is true or the dealers are creating a sense of urgency. So if you want to do the clunker deal, maybe you want to hurry up!!!

I got lot of help from this forum doing research before purchase. Hopefully my experience will help somebody.

cruiserbruiser

A Honda Fit Sport w/ an automatic transmission for $16,195? Is that before or after the trade?

bikeguy64

You realize MSRP is $17,820 on an auto Fit Sport?

And you say you got it for over $1600 off, when invoice is $1000 more than you paid?

I guess I'll be driving my clunker to Hennessy.

jojobar

Before the trade...total was $17996 OTD price.

I am not including the price after the trade as that will not provide you with any good comparison point.

Actually the difference between this one and CRV LX was $3,300 (with the trade) so I was in a fix for a while whether to make a leap towards CRV, but I resisted my temptations....

In one of the papers in my package it says that my car was undocked in san diego in Mar 27, I am not sure if that makes it little old for the dealer to get rid of. However, the car had only 40 miles on it.

If they do not give you the same deal find the email address of the internet sales person from their website and mention my case.

The most important thing I like about this dealership is they do not play games on the email or phone. I got the price what they quoted me. I also did not find them very negotiation friendly but I did not think too much as the car was so low priced to start with....

bikeguy64

Under $18K OTD is a great deal.

I'm thinking there must be holdback money being offered from Honda to the dealerships now to get the 2009s gone, before the 2010s hit in a month or 2.

That's the only way your price makes sense.

And 120 days for a car to sit isn't very long. Ideal is an 80 day supply of cars, meaning the company has 80 days worth at any time. Hence, most cars would be 80 days old on average at the time of sale.

Then, the company would give extra money to a dealership to move cars that are significantly older (maybe 6 months or so).

And if the holdback theory is correct, it's just a matter of finding the dealer willing to give you the holdback. They aren't required to do that, and it gives them more profit if they don't.

I'm not sure whether holdbacks are regional or national though.

Anyone know a Honda salesperson and can ask?

Kirstie_H

Hey cruiser, you've found that site Just start on the home page, build your vehicle (you don't have to get super-specific) and you'll have the opportunity to request quotes along the way.

Kirstie_H

bikeguy64, since holdback is intended for the dealer (and therefore, most dealers like to keep that info private) you aren't likely to get one to tell you a lot about the holdback programs.

Did you check the Edmunds.com rebates & incentives page?

zdog

Not likely to get $17,500 OTD in California, ppidori. For a Fit Sport automatic I just paid $18,600 OTD in SF. I probably could have shaved a few hundred off the price if I played harder, but not $1,100.

zdog

I think jojobar will probably get that price or pretty close, and it ain't just one Honda dealer. I just paid $16,650 for a Fit Sport automatic. It does look like they are making room for next year's models, or maybe just desperate with the lousy economy and all. The OTD price was $18,610, but keep in mind that taxes and govt fees are high in CA. On the other hand, the dealer's doc fee was only $55.

ps - I read the official CFC rules (www.cars.gov) before I went to the dealer. The dealer can keep $50 of the scrap value of the car as an administrative cost. That's all the regulation says, so anything else is negotiable. I expect that most dealers will contract with recyclers to disable and scrap clunkers for a flat price of a few hundred bucks. My dealer said they were getting $200 per vehicle. Sounds a bit low, but if the recycler needs to come to the dealer, disable the engine, and haul off the clunker, it might be about right. Main thing is if they say there is no scrap value, they are not being straight with you. Advise them that the law says they need to disclose this info to you.

bikeguy64

I wasn't expecting a dealer to tell me.

I was hoping for a disgruntled employee or even ex employee to spill the beans. ; )

I believe my friend got the holdback info from consumer reports, but had to pay the $10 or $15 they charge. He said it really upset the dealer that he knew the info. Go him an extra $1500 off his Acura MDX. That and going in the last week of the quarter.

And the edmunds rebates and incentives page was blank for the Fit.

jojobar

I kind of suspected that the 2010 Honda is going to be released and searched all over the internet for some information but looks like it is a closely guarded secret! I wanted to get the 2010 Fit but the Clunker deal was too good to pass.

I asked the salesperson (after I made the purchase) about the 2010 Fit and what he knows about it. He told me that Honda is still shipping 2009 Fit from Japan, so he anticipated it will be close to the end of the year.

We will have to wait and see what happens.

bikeguy64

I'd say less of a closely guarded secret and more of nothing to say. It should be identical, except it will have 2010 in front, instead of 2009. The only car I know of that has had advertised changes after the first year was the Pontiac Aztek. There may be some subtle non advertised stuff fixed (things that caused higher warranty than Honda liked) but they certainly won't advertise those.

No car company updates models every year.

pilot4e

pilot4e

Hi! Can anyone help me with their experience buying a Fit or any other Honda model in the Chicago area. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

brickbradford

I just bout a Fit Auto Sport Hatchback. The deal took three hours to complete. By the end of all the paperwork having been already signed, the Business Office Rep asked me for a second check (I paid with a check for the difference between the OTD price minus the $4500 Trade In Allowance on the Cash for Clunker Govt. Program I used), so I wrote one check for the balance, and with some hesitation wrote a second check for $4500, which the Dealer promised not to cash. I asked why they were asking for this if the deal was considered complete. He said, "In case there are any delays from the Govt., with the vouchers that must be issued for the program to work." I shouldn't have written that second check. My Mazda MPV qualifies for the Cash for Clunkers, the deal was transacted, completed, and all the paperwork done. I got the keys to the Fit and drove away. Today, two days after the transaction, I kept having doubts about somebody holding my check for the $4500 that my MPV Trade In already brought into the deal. I called the dealership twice and I'm still waiting for a call back. I called American Honda in California and they told me that dealers are free to implement business procedures they want, since they are independent enterprises, but that "If you feel uncomfortable about somebody holding your check, then put a stop on it." I did. I hope I did it on time. I don't see why in heck's name they would demand a check to guarantee the deal they are doing with the Govt for the Trade In. What are they going to do if they have some problem with the Govt, give me the trade in back after two or three months (If they haven't destroyed it already)???? I just wondered if anybody has run into this kind of situation. I still feel uncomfortable that if something goes wrong in the Dealer-Govt part of the transaction, that they're going to tell me I must pay those $4500 myself, minus whatever they decide the MPV was worth (Trade In value on it was about $2600, per Edmunds). Help anyone, please???

garyoke

I am looking for Fit in chicago area too.. best i've gotten online quotes is 16,779 for 09 sport AT that includes destination charge...

brickbradford

$16670, sounds right if it includes destination charge. In FL they tag on another $299-$699 for Dealer Prep (Admin) charges...Which they are almost impossible to get off.

brickbradford

I just used a Cash For Clonker Deal in Florida. Add Dealer Admin Fees down here, which all the dealers seem to be in a conspiracy to not negotiate it out. At closing, after getting all the paper work signed, including my trade in allowance for $4500, the Business Office asked me for an additional check for $4500, "which they would not cash, but just in case something went wrong with the cash for clonkers deal." Foolishly, I gave them that check even after the trade in allowance of $4500 was already taken into account. That was Saturday. Today, I put a stop to that extra check he asked me for, supposedly "to hold." To hold for what? What would go wrong between the dealership and the government? And if it does, are they going to come back to me to undo the deal that was signed and delivered? What about my old trade in. It was a car in excellent condition. I already registered the new car with the insurance...everything was done. And yet they've left me with this nagging doubt that if something somewhere goes wrong they might try to pull something fishy.

brickbradford

In Florida the dealer told me to leave a check for $4500 (the Cash for Clonker value of the car I traded in) in addition to having left them that trade in car. Foolishly I wrote that second check which they told me they would not cash, but only hold "in case something went wrong with the Cash for Clonker." The whole deal was made, I got the keys to the Fit Sport Auto, and have had it for two days. Today I put a stop on that check. If I had already traded in my car, why the heck do they have to ask me for a check for the Cash for Clonker value of the car they already have. As far as I'm concerned, it's between them and the govt. what they do with that car. Anybody heard or seen anything like that dealer did at closing (all the papers were done, the title of my old car transferred to them, and the new papers on my new Fit all in my posession). I paid $13880 plus the $4500 Cash for Clonker Trade In Car (A Mazda MPV, 2000).

jojobar

If it was me I would not have written the check for $4500. I would go to somebody else and pay a little more.

I think the deal is this, there are about 16,000 dealers registered on CFC. The money is expected to cover about 250,000 cars. So each dealer will have about 16 cars to sell via this deal. That makes me think how big a jolt to the economy this will bring in :confuse:

Although the money is coming from the same pool (I am not sure if there is a rationing), the government is taking time to reimburse it. Dealers may be concerned that they may not get the money at the end.

This is just my speculation. When I did the deal, the dealership would not do the CFC deal from next day because of this concern. However, if this is true, the system is designed in a stupid manner. The dealership should be able to get the validation right then and there...

I am not sure if my dealer is going to ask this check from me later. Maybe they made me sign something to that effect (I did not have time to read everything I signed :-(). If they do that, I will ask them to return my clunker and take back their Honda Fit :-)

jojobar

Putting a stop payment on the check is not going to solve this problem.

I think you can call the dealer and let them know that if the cash for clunker deal does not go through you are not obligated to do it and you are ready to return the car and get your car back in the same condition.

They will probably get the message then.

brickbradford

Yes, thank you. I already put a stop to the check, and I called them and told them that I would take the Fit back if necessary, and to have the Business Office call me right away. They have not called me back. That was yesterday afternoon and I'm still waiting for their call back. The way they did it, I'm sure, shows very little good faith in their modus operandi. I was foolish to leave that check there. So far they haven't cashed it, and they haven't cashed the one with the net payment either (the price of the car minus the $4500). I don't know what they're up to. I have a completed deal, the tag, title, etc., have been paid for. The dealer is supposed to put it through. I don't know that they can cash that extra check without risking a lawsuit, but who knows...I thought dealers had gotten better, but obviously they're still crafty and tricky as hell. I hadn't bought a car since December 2000. I'll try another call to the dealer a little later. Thanks for replying to me query. Raul

jojobar

I think 99.9% it will go through. So you need not worry. The dealers are always covering themselves in the best way they could.

If you do not get a call back I would say that just send them a certified letter saying what you want to do and what you did.

That way they cannot tell you that you did not inform them.

I am always very suspicious of the car dealers, maybe it is just me!

However, my recent pleasant experience at Hennessey Honda made me change my mind somewhat. They even wanted to stop doing the CFC deal instead of skimming customers into paying $4500...

brickbradford

Thanks again. Yes, probably you're right; it's just that leaving a check out there, floating like that, on the dealer's word, is stupid, and I was stupid. I should have said no, and if they insisted then walked out of the deal. That's how they get us: when we're worn out from hours hanging around the dealership waiting to process the whole thing. In our case, we had been there for three hours. Still, it's unethical for them not to say this up front. It's misinformation of the worst kind; or at least a very bad kind. And I certainly wouldn't go back there to do business again. I did get the best price, after looking around for a couple of weeks, but these last two days have been worrying me and I can't afford to worry (high blood pressure) or things that would make me uneasy...Anyway, thank you so much/ Raul

daveskis

Excuse my ignorance. What is included in the the OTD price?
Consumers Report gave me a starting price for a 09 Fit Sport Auto of $16869, If I include tax I can't get out the door for less then $18K

Thanks

jojobar

OTD = Out of the door price. Includes tax, dealer fees (here it is $587) ,title, tag and whatever the dealer can pile onto it.