Honda Fit Prices Paid and Buying Experiences

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Comments

  • hungarian83hungarian83 Member Posts: 678
    "So if you are going to extend the idea that being the first to be seen in one is desirable.... I have my doubts."

    I don't think I did that. I may have mentioned in earlier posts how a lot of people have showed a lot of positive interest in the car though...and I am glad to share my experiences with other possible buyers/owners. If you don't like it, don't read my posts.

    So you have your doubts :confuse:
    Does it really matter? Is it really a desirable or undesirable thing?
    If someone was happy that they had one of the first Elements I don't think I would care enough to whine about it. Just not my style.
  • vchiuvchiu Member Posts: 564
    >So if you are going to extend the idea that being the first to be seen in one is desirable.... I have my doubts.

    OK, you are entitled to your opinions, but why wouldn't one who loves the Fit be happy/proud to be the first owner?

    Everyone has his/her own motives to buy a car. that the car is in the lower part of the price scale does not exclude pleasure.

    You will still have some people with lower budget for whom buying such a car is an achievement on its own.
  • redgtivr6redgtivr6 Member Posts: 6
    Look... you got it all wrong.

    Sure, buying a car is an achievement... any car for that matter.

    My contention relates to

    a) paying 2000 over sticker for what is an entry level car
    b) justification for the above by some sales guys who work at Honda and are promoting the idea.

    Sure, I'd be very happy to own a FIT.

    Just not at anything above sticker.

    And I love hatchbacks... I own one, and its practical as hell.

    But I am not sure that the US has professed any long term love for this shape. Lets hope it changes.

    But till then, lets be pragmatic...

    And I don't think its pragmatic to pay over sticker for the FIT.
  • shinjishinji Member Posts: 2
    Hi, Guys, may I ask you how much you pay for the documentation fee, here in NC, the dealers ask for $399, is it too high? the tax, documentation and other thing together add up $1000 above the sticker price
    no way to get a fit under $16,500 here, sign :sick:
  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    If I remember correctly from my transaction (Virginia):
    Fit Sport Auto: $15,970.00
    Destination: $550.00
    Taxes = $495.60 (3%)
    Title = $10.00
    Tags = $35.00
    Documentation Fee = $189.00 (varies by dealer)
    Total = $17,249.60

    Then, there's...
    County Sticker = $25.00
    6 month's Insurance = $381.00
    Since my county doesn't pro-rate property taxes, they won't be due until December of 2007.
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    In Maryland, things are slightly different. Here is a typical Fit Sport auto trans breakdown.

    $15,970 Selling price
    $550 Destination
    $76 Wheel Locks
    $99 Dealer Processing
    $834.75 MD Sales Tax
    $195 MD Tags

    $17,724.75 Total Price
  • plus_szeplus_sze Member Posts: 1
    Shinji - I have a deposit on a Fit Sport Manual, also in NC. I'm working with Vann York Honda of High Point, NC - doc fee is $249 according to my order, bringing total to a touch over 16,500. No other fees, no accessories on the car.
  • kagedudekagedude Member Posts: 407
    I'm the guy from NY. :) Yeah, that is the beauty of trading in NY state, you can bring it in for a lower price but make it up in tax savings. So with my Mazda 3i trade in of $10800, if I sold it to an individual, it is equal to $11,677.00 which is around what I was looking to sell my car anyway. No hassle in having to look for a buyer. Hey, at least you guys get nice weather all year round for your Fit! :shades:

    I checked my sales sheet and my doc fee is only $20 too. Why so high in other places? I think its just a dealer's way of making more profit. You definitely can haggle that down.

    The funny thing too is that if you look at my deal, I theoretically could have bought the Fit at a lower MSRP if I used Galves' value to appraise my trade-in.
    MSRP $14,620.00
    Destination $550.00
    Galves Trade In Value $10,250.00
    Taxable Amount $4,920.00
    Tax 8.125% $399.75
    NYS Inspection $10.00
    DMV Reg $45.00
    Dealer Proc $20.00
    Allowance $125.00

    Total Owed $5,519.75

    And the dealer cost for the car as someone posted earlier? I theoretically could have bought the Fit close to invoice.
    2007 Honda Fit 5dr HB Sport Manual
    Base MSRP $15,170.00
    Base Invoice $14,532.96
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Documentation fee is legislated in some states and the same amount must be charged to all customers.
    The positive side of this is that in a very few states the fee is limited to a smaller (less than $100) amount.
  • mauicedarmauicedar Member Posts: 34
    If your within range of a Carmax dealer, get a quote on what he will buy the car for. That'll keep the dealer honest or allow you to go back abd sell the car to Carmax. :P
  • sntgizmosntgizmo Member Posts: 4
    Montana
    $15720 Fit Sport Manual
    No Doc Fee
    No Sales Tax
    No Haggle on price either. Dealer only got one and I have had a deposit for 3 months.
    Traded in my 04 Acccord EX 5 Speed.

    Trade $17000
    Fit $15720
    ------------
    $1280 check to me.

    Yes I traded in a perfectly good Accord for a small car, I don't miss the Accord yet. (waiting until I take a long trip)
  • carfanatic007carfanatic007 Member Posts: 267
    Red, no disrespect, but calling people who buy the fit "geeks" is disrespectful. I think the FIT is a great looking car, much more reliable than a GTI, that is a FACT. I owned a 2001 GTI that was a piece of junk. (Coil failures, electrical problems, etc). Please don't insult people who are trying to buy a good car with good fuel economy that is reliable. Thanks.
  • rxbrxb Member Posts: 6
    I thought I wanted a Yaris, then saw a Fit and thought "that looks better than it did in the photos". Then looked at one on the floor of the Manhattan dealer and decided I liked it a lot, but he wanted to charge $1000 over sticker. Then went to a Brooklyn dealer (Plaza), who at first balked at letting me test drive it in the rain, then relented when he saw how serious I was. I loved it. He has a base 5-speed manual coming in this week, and I've bought it at sticker. The extra fee idea never came up. I do have a feeling $380 is a little steep for the dealer-installed ipod accessory, though - the only extra I'm getting.

    I did do a trade-in, for which I think I got a fair price. And we agreed on sticker before the trade-in came into it.

    Anyway the moral is: Brooklyn beats Manhattan.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Fit Sport Auto $15,5K

    Anyone pay close to or less than $15,5 for a Fit Sport auto?
  • redgtivr6redgtivr6 Member Posts: 6
    I don't think the word 'Geek' is disrespectful. I went to IIT Delhi... and if you have ever heard of that engineering school, its one of the geekiest out there that is. I sure met a whole lot of smart and interesting bunch of people...

    As far as my take goes, I equate geek with smart.

    And I agree with you... the fit is an attractive car, but again in a geeky smart way. But its surely not going to win any beauty contests. All the women I know hate the way it looks, but hey... all the ones I know are Asian (which includes Indian and other asian nationalities... ), and the hatch is a body shape that again equates with cheap in Asia.

    So if you take the word 'geek' any other way, I am sorry... I guess... (not really sure if I should be :P )

    As far as my GTI goes, I am a very happy owner. The VR6 is a great engine... no problems so far. Yeah, there is the occasional glitch here and there... but then lots of joy too. Given a choice, I'd rather stick with something temperamental with a soul - then some boring utterly reliable car.

    So no disrespect taken... and don't be insulted. Come on over and join the geeks... they are the ones raking it in (think Google!!)
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    Any comments on wait times? I ordered a base Fit, April 6, deposit down. No car. This is really novel. When I bought a house, I had more idea of when I would take ownership.
    I bet Fit demand will increase, after seeing the new Fit commercial. Gosh is that cute, as the car is lowered upside down from a ceiling only to quickly flip and scoot away. Caption? Cat like reflexes!
  • newhampnewhamp Member Posts: 1
    Here’s a first for me.. having never posted or read anything in a forum ( I’m most likely much older than most of you) it has been fascinating to read various points of view. I will be trading in my gas guzzling fully loaded trailblazer on 4/29 for an “economobile” as the Fit was labeled and have no second thoughts or concerns about my choice. As financially comfortable as I am, I chose not to pay $5-6000/year for gas and there is nothing geeky about that. After too many years of expensive autos and a lot of serious depreciation, having a vehicle depreciate less rapidly than most other vehicles with Honda reliability, excellent mpg, good safety features, great versatility, great driver ergonomics and serious space for the driver and passengers considering the size of the Fit will be well worth it. I believe in Car and Drivers magazine ( ???title) there was a great comparison of similar existing and new vehicles in the same class as the Fit and of course the Fit was rated number one. Here in NH only one dealer I know of received any Fits this month and all were sold before delivery as well as the expected July allotment. Needless to say - pay the Fit sticker price or drive something else. I can’t wait to bring home my black automatic Fit Sport on Saturday. ( Yes, I did a test drive and was very impressed and enjoyed every minute of it!)
    ( PS A definition of a geek is a smart person with an obsessive interest, a lifestyle choice because they don’t have to blend in to be truly comfortable with themselves. I have never been considered a geek, but perhaps there is hope even for me as a Fit owner!)
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    Did you ask the dealer if they have a build date?

    Once tyhey have a build date, then you have port time (Japan) shipping time (to weest coast) port time (west coast and finally transit time (to the dealership.

    Here on the East Coast we expect 6-8 weeks from build date.

    I don't know if Canada has the same Honda software system as we do, but we can electronically trade another dealership to get the exact Fit for our customers. Lets say that I have a Blue Fit Sport auto and need a Red. i locate dealers that have a Red in the system and ask if they would want to electronically trade. If we find someone that does, then we process the rtequest and the Red shows up here instead of the other dealership...they get the Blue.

    Your dealer does have options, you might want to speak with your salesman and ask for specifics.
  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    ...and I am a geek.

    Yes, I can no longer deny it. In fact, I'm quite proud of it. If driving a Fit says I'm smart, then I'm even MORE for it! ;)
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    Thanks, the info is useful. My husband has been working out of town, so has had nothing to do with Fit prospecting and ordering. However, he sure is interested in the driving! When he gets home, we will go to the dealership for a spin, armed with your questions. Maybe we will be more flexible about colour if we can get the car sooner....maybe. I'm trying to teach my kid about delayed gratification but am obviously not doing a very good job!
  • thatsmycallthatsmycall Member Posts: 54
    Sends me an email, tracking your vin, sorry for the delay, be here blah blah. Also, he says, at our dealership the price went up $1500, but I'm sticking by our deal (MSRP sport/auto.)

    It has been fairly slow getting one from them, so I wouldn't be surprised if they could work it a bit. I'm really excited though, and still glad I took the plunge a while back.

    good luck all
  • shneorshneor Member Posts: 66
  • shneorshneor Member Posts: 66
    Last Friday evening I went to test drive a Base Manual at Vacaville Honda (Vacaville, California), liked it a lot, so "ordered" a Storm Silver that they said was coming in in the next 10-14 days. I picked the car up last night, and although I had to wait for the paperwork, the salesperson was consistently informative, straightforward and no-nonsense. (This, by the way, was in stark contrast to an experience at Carmichael Honda in Sacramento, where the guy I spoke to literally asked "Haven't you ever been lied to by an auto dealer before" - I'll get to that in another post). In any case, the silver base manual I purchased was $14,400 including destination fee, plus tax, license and a $45 documentation fee (permitted by California law). The car came with a full tank of gas and the salesperson threw in used-in-good-condition front floor mats. He was ready to drive home with me and have me drive him back to the dealership (about 20 miles each way). I also got a discount on a locking gas tank cap (total including sales tax about $28).

    I am just delighted with this car, it has a lot of pep with a couple of people in the car. I'll see how it performs loaded with cargo and going up into the Sierras this weekend. But it handles very nicely, good brakes, everything is very handy to the driver. The salesperson told my to just drive it, but for the first few hundred miles to try to vary the speed.
  • shinjishinji Member Posts: 2
    :D we struggled and still decide the fit is what we ultimately want, i know the financial rate is largely depending on your credit, may i ask how low you could expect the rate could be in these days? the lowest rate i find is around 6%. and i heard that the interest rate is going to increase by 0.5 to 0.75 again in the next two month, thus the loan rate will be likely to increase as well, even more significant. Plus i do not see any hope that the price of fit is going down any time soon. does it mean that we'd better buy the fit as soon as possible? i am the first time new car buyer, so please help me decide and give me your experience and advice
  • coldstorage5coldstorage5 Member Posts: 76
    If you have AAA, go to the site AAA.com :) :P .
    I got a 5.54 loan on my Fit.
    Let me know what happens.
  • timbuk3timbuk3 Member Posts: 17
    Got my Red Fit Sport MT two days ago and LOVE it. It is worth it. My dealer sold me mine for MSRP, not a penny above. I got one from their first shipment and with that batch they weren't marking them up like they are now, so it was lucky to get my order in. They told me the same thing as hondafamily above said; they're marking them up with either accessories or straight-up markup anywhere from $1500-$3000! That's crazy! But, I love the car. The MT is very quiet on the highway, and has been getting great gas mileage so far. I also have FUN driving this car...can't say that about a lot of them out there. The stereo sounds great, and the cargo room is awesome. Anyway, that's my deal.
  • yz426fyz426f Member Posts: 6
    We got our Fit Sport in White last night. The dealrship was great. I would highly recommend them if you are in the area. It was Nalley Honda in Brunswick Georgia. The deal I got with no hassle was 300 dollars under MSRP. It didn't even haggle told them if they could get it to me for this price then I would by the car. They did it! All our local dealers in the Jacksonville Florida area were trying to charge a "limited avail fee" any where from 1000-2500 dollars over msrp. The deal was well worth the drive. This dealer is highly recommended. I also got the 16" wheels, cargo cover, and rear bumper applique all which is top notch.
  • floridafitfanfloridafitfan Member Posts: 5
    We bought a Fit Sport with manual tranny last week, from Wade Raulerson Honda in Gainesville, Florida. We'd been researching and test-driving cars for months before the Fits arrived. I'd read a lot of horror stories and seen a lot of advice about how to play hardball with salespeople, and I was not expecting to be treated fairly.

    As it turned out, the salesman was very up-front and honest -- we paid MSRP plus the $550 delivery fee, for a total of $15,720 before taxes, tag and title. There were no hidden fees or "limited availability" fees, and they gave us a good price for our trade-in. Total out-the-door price (excluding the trade-in) was about $16,700.

    I'd definitely recommend Wade Raulerson to anybody else in North Florida looking for a Fit, especially those in the Jacksonville area -- see post #230, about Jax dealers marking up the Fits due to "limited availability."
  • hondafamilyhondafamily Member Posts: 9
    We bought a blue sport 5at. I ordered it back in early April, and we got it yesterday. Paid MSRP, no more, no less. It did not even come with floormats. The salesperson told me I was lucky because all future fits were being accessorized prior to sale with $1500 to $2000 of accessories. All in all it was a good experience.
  • thatsmycallthatsmycall Member Posts: 54
    $18,222 with carpet mats at $158. Those must be some nice mats, ha ha. Can I get them at cost? Oh no, you already got the good deal.

    Manager says, Honda could make a 32 seat bus and people would come in here and buy it- I don't think so.

    They don't know anything about this car, I bet they all thought it was just ugly. Manager sits in the back seat, I'm starting to like this thing, he says, you know four adults could Fit in here, duh.

    They have all their Fits for the next three months sold. Just depends if they are hungry or greedy. They will ask a mark up if people who go to that dealership are willing to pay the price.
  • chuck12chuck12 Member Posts: 13
    Hi, Congrats on your Fit. Can you post some pictures? I am curious to see what shade the red is; more orange red or deep red. Good luck!
  • reddroverrreddroverr Member Posts: 509
    Kagedude,

    I have never traded in a car so what you said is new to me.

    "Taxable amount is $4,920.00 "

    When you trade in a car does it reduce the amount of sales tax that you owe by the amount allowed for your trade in?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    With some states they set it up this way. Maryland taxes you on the entire amount...you'll need to check your state regs for that.
  • haulsmallhaulsmall Member Posts: 30
    I asked Hopkins Honda to find me a Blue Sport AT last week, and the earliest they thought they might have one come in was in late June. I was able to get a commitment from Honda House in St. Cloud, MN for a Blue Sport AT at MSRP in late May. I have a deposit down with them. Now it's just a matter of waiting. Waiting after my order is harder than waiting for the Fit to come out! :P
  • haulsmallhaulsmall Member Posts: 30
    When I test drove the Fit, another salesman was talking to me while I was waiting for the keys. He commented how much he liked the Fit even though it had a "Geeky" aspect. I agreed with him. I took that to be a reference to the cars practical, swiss-army-knife features. For me that's one of the primary reasons I'm waiting for one. I want a practical, fun-to-drive car that's easy on gas.
  • kagedudekagedude Member Posts: 407
    When you trade in a car does it reduce the amount of sales tax that you owe by the amount allowed for your trade in?

    For NY state, that is correct. Its new to me too that other states treat it different since I think the whole reason behind this tax excemption is that the trade in was already taxed when it was first purchased and taxing its residual value would be double taxation.
  • reddroverrreddroverr Member Posts: 509
    Thanks for the info Kage,

    What happens in WA and CA is that second hand cars are taxed when you go to register the car.. for private transacions at least. I never bought or traded in a used car from a lot. I assume it is collected when you buy.

    Seems to me that NY favors dealerships by subsidizing trade-ins to the tune of the ~8% or whatever the sales tax is. It is one thing to not double tax a used sale..(which I agree with), but another to play favorites with dealers by allowing tradins to reduce sales tax on the new car. SOunds like a few palms may have been greased on that one.

    I am curious now, is there tax charged on leased vehicles?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    Is there taxes on leased vehicles?

    Sure is. and if your purchase at the end...you'll pay it again. At least in MD that's how they work.
  • hondafamilyhondafamily Member Posts: 9
    Sounds about right, though they are highest volume Honda dealer in Minnesota. They are going to pre-accessorize anyway from what I was told, so you may have gotten a better deal. They told me mid-may and I got it yesterday.
  • carfanatic007carfanatic007 Member Posts: 267
    Got a call (voice mail) from my dealer. No fits available for a "few weeks" in my color preference (black) with MT. How about a Civic? Otherwise your trade in price will go down because of extra mileage. This must be some kind of scam. I am really angry.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Just wondering, did you inquire at Richfield Bloomington Honda or Burnsville Honda? Those are the two closest dealerships to me.
  • kagedudekagedude Member Posts: 407
    Otherwise your trade in price will go down because of extra mileage. This must be some kind of scam. I am really angry.

    Yeah, they are just pushing you to buy at that moment. Remember, its end of month. They need to fill their quota. ;) Before I got my Fit in, my dealer gave me an allowance of 3 weeks or 30 days as stated by the contract. It stated the price of my trade in and they made the mileage higher as allowance since I told them I drive at least 300 miles a week. Luckily, they got the Fit in 4 days. I tacked on 400 miles when I turned it in and they didn't even bother to check.
  • carfanatic007carfanatic007 Member Posts: 267
    Spot. Paying $500.00 over invoice is not wise. I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego. They are NOTORIOUS for adding on to MSRP in San Diego. Why? I don't know. I'm getting mine (hopefully soon) at MSRP. But if you like the car, that is great. After all, it's your money.
  • carfanatic007carfanatic007 Member Posts: 267
    I meant $500.00 over MSRP, sorry, just got home from work and tire, lol.
  • haulsmallhaulsmall Member Posts: 30
    I tried both of them, and Brookdale, Buerkle, and Mankato Honda. None of them would commit to a Blue Sport AT. They all told me early-mid June was their next batch of uncommitted Fits coming in, and they wouldn't know what they were getting until a few weeks before delivery. My next stops would have been Rochester and Albert Lea! I'm willing to go the distance to avoid a long wait. :D
  • hondafamilyhondafamily Member Posts: 9
    I didn't try anywhere else. Hopkins Honda is the place, but since they are marking up with mandatory accessories, you may want to go elsewhere, unless you like alot of accessories. B.T.W. Their techs and mechanics are on strike, so that makes everything take longer too.
  • citizenkeithcitizenkeith Member Posts: 2
    I just got home with my new Fit. I got the base model, automatic, in Milano Red. Traded in my 95 Accord EX that needs a new transmission (rough condition is probably too nice a description).

    MSRP $14,650
    Destination $550
    GAP $495
    Honda Care $1295
    Doc Fees $100
    Tax $1119.83
    Titling, Reg Fees $15.50
    Trade-in -500.00
    Total $17735.33

    I felt the Honda Care and GAP was worth going to a base model instead of the Sport.
  • mikeyp6mikeyp6 Member Posts: 2
    What is GAP?
  • carfanatic007carfanatic007 Member Posts: 267
    Went to the Dealer a week ago. Want a Black Fit Sport MT. Dealer said: "We are the biggest Dealer in 4 States, other dealers deal with us because they know they will need us". Okay. So far I have emailed there internet manager twice, and his only reply is "we have been real busy", "Still haven't found your Black Fit". That is it. Initially he told me it would be a "couple of days". My patience is wearing thin. The only thing I like is they offered me a great trade-in value on my car.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I feel for you - I ended up going to Autoland in my credit union and let them search all the dealerships in the "area." The only one they found was a AT and it was at a dealership over 80 miles away, where I would never have looked. But then, I didn't have to trade-in my old car, I'm selling it myself (well, I will get around to giving it a bath and running the ad next week). Good luck with your situation.
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