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I know a guy named Mark Smith. What is is SSN?
I think you need to do a little more research on that one.
We don't do ADM's or "Market Value" mark-ups. After things settle down then there will probably be some discounting, although there's not much spread with this car.
We do approx 185-225 Hondas per month and although that's not a huge number by West coast standards, we are set to have 7-9 Fit's per month...thats a miniscule amount of any car of this type.
Now, there are some people talking about SSN's being required by a dealership. I cannot tell you why they would ask for this. I know that it is illegal for anyone to run your credit without your authorization. Here in MD you cannot run anyones credit from a drivers license. Maybe in the states that use the SSN as your DL number, but I don't know if any of those are left.
To the fellow who said that their dealership will sell to anyone, anywhere...more power to you. We prefer to have our customers closer to us. Each dealership has a different philosophy I guess.
How does that work? Do you have a fixed price already? If so, what is it?
We called our salesperson at the dealership (where we put down a deposit quite a while back) and they had still not received any more information from Honda - neither the dates NOR the pricing.
For those of us registered in the "Society of Fit," Honda sent out a marketing e-mail that mentioned at the end:
"...download new wallpaper and stickers so you'll be ready when the Fit arrives on April 20, 2006"
So, I take this to be a "semi-official" arrival date.
The next question is when/how soon pricing information will be available.
cars? I see Scions everywhere and Honda is late to the party with the FIT.Ford offers nothing like it (low 20 mpg).GM had Daewoo build the AVEO but with cheap as the objective. The Caliber is stripped when priced like the FIT
(13k-14K).The last American car people went ga ga over was the PT cruiser and gets low 20 mpg.Now the lots are full of them.
I think you are right, although until we have our Ride and Drive things will be typically Honda mum.
Base manual $14,400
Base automatic $15,200
Sport manual $15,720
Sport automatic $16,520
The prices above include the $550 destination fee.
I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I really don't get it.
Consider that a Kia Rio5 is nearly $16k with automatic. So maybe a loaded Fit for $16k is not so outrageous.
However, it is more than I would pay for a car in this class. I don't need to have the sharpest-handling entry-level car or cleverest cargo area. But a base Fit with a little discount (ha!) wouldn't be out of the question.
Also, as another poster here said, larger, in and of itself, is not necessarily better. Smaller cars are often more fun to drive, and easier to find parking spaces for. They are also arguably safer because they are more maneuverable... it's better to avoid an accident in the first place than hope you're the bigger of the cars in the accident, and if the Fit is in an accident, it does have plenty of safety built into it.
I get a TMV price from Edmunds of $14,177 after rebates! $15,936 for the AWD version, which should be safer as well.(Honda makes an AWD Fit, btw, for Japan - but not here)
Since it's about the same size as a Fit, and the same price, let's compare. 25/31Mpg - not stellar. Appears to have better features, though, and a LOT more power(155HP!). 2 gallon larger tank, so same range. ABS, bigger cargo area, 4 wheel independant suspension(a plus over the Fit), alloys, cruise, and so on.
I'd give it a serious look. Same money as a Base Fit for what appears to be a Fit Sport clone. Definately better than a Jetta. Yes, the reviewers aren't so happy with it, but for $14,000? That's a whole other story. You can't get any of the competition except MAYBE a Vibe at the end of the year for less money.
If you need a hatchback and some fuel economy can be sacrificed, other options under $16k are the Elantra GLS and the Vibe/Matrix.
Vibe/Matrix looks like a good competitor. Reliable, lots of cargo carrying capacity, plus you can get AWD ($). It does start at a higher price than the Fit, though... in a brief look, it seemed like the only way you get them price comparable is to load the Fit and strip the V/M. Apart from that, though, I just never warmed to the look of the V/M. Of course, the Fit isn't exactly a thing of beauty either... I guess I won't really know how I feel about its looks until I see it in person. The other thing is, lots of reviews say that the Fit is fun to drive, something you don't really hear about the V/M, and that counts for something too. And, oh yeah, the fuel economy.
I don't know much at all about the Suzuki, but it does look like it gives you an awful lot for the money, and I do like AWD. I wonder how its cargo carrying capacity compares. Again, you do trade off on the fuel economy. Also, according to CR's surveys, reliability is only average, and for some reason, owner satisfaction is poor.
For that matter, Vibe/Matrix owner satisfaction is only average. I kind of like that the Fit (Jazz) ranked first in customer satisfaction in the U.K. for both 2004 and 2005 (J.D. Power survey).
On the flip side, you could save some money and get a slightly used V/M or Suzuki, not an option on the Fit.
I also read more about the Suzuki, and it seems that the people who like it really like it. And one of the reviews that knocked it seemed to do so only based on looks, which is so subjective...
I'm still swayed toward the Honda for the best mileage and known Honda quality, but I should probably at least go take a look at the others...
I got a better look at Matrix/Vibe, too. It's really the Vibe that I don't like the look of, the Matrix is okay. That looks like a nice choice, flexible storage, Toyota quality. But you're still paying more money for a car with less fuel economy and weaker performance. But maybe a used one would be a good choice, especially for those in snow country who could benefit from AWD.
* Exceptionally comfortable driving position with an 8-way adjustable driver's seat (including dual height adjustments and lumbar adjustment).
* Smooth, quiet ride but still has good handling (although not as sharp as the Fit's).
* Less hard plastic, more softly padded surfaces on the dash and door panels and plusher carpeting (lends a more upscale feel).
* Features you will not find on the Fit such as traction control, one-touch power moonroof, heated mirrors, 4-wheel disc brakes, nice beefy side moldings and wraparound bumper moldings (keeps those dings off), perforated leather interior, and large center console with comfy armrest for driver and passenger. Cruise control and remote locking with alarm are standard even on the base model.
* There's a lot more interior room, especially rear seat legroom. The Elantra is classed as a mid-sized car by the EPA based on interior volume.
* The 6-speaker audio system is fitted into 1/2 of a double-DIN slot so upgrading it to just about any aftermarket unit is a snap.
* They are less expensive than the Fit. A fully-loaded stick Elantra GLS 5-door with ABS/traction and moonroof can be had for under $14k. A base Fit is $14,400 and don't look for any discounts anytime soon.
* And there's that 5-year/60k mile bumper-to-bumper warranty (2 years longer than Honda's) and 10-year/100k mile powertrain warranty (7 years longer than Honda's).
The Elantra is rated above-average in reliability by CR--it's no dog there. Both of mine have been solid, dependable cars. I am still interested in the Fit for my next car, but if I could pick up a '06 Elantra GLS 5-door on a big closeout sale later this year (all-new Elantra coming this fall) I would have to think seriously about it.
While on the subject of other cars in this price range that carry a lot... The Ford Focus wagon has great cargo capability too. It has $2500 cash back now, which puts it well into the price range we're talking about, starts at $14k (edmunds TMV).
Though I still think the combination of fuel economy, fun to drive, and overall quality will favor the Honda.
You know, if the Honda gets 20% better fuel economy (as it looks like it does compared to some of the other cars we're talking about)... say 33 mpg vs. 27 mpg... that's about $200 a year savings (based on 12k miles a year and $2.80 a gallon). Though if you intend to keep the car a long time, you should also factor in the cost of an extended warranty if you're comparing something to the Hyundai (or risk an expensive later year repair wiping out those savings).
If I buy the Fit, I think I'll buy their extended warranty, which covers most stuff to 120k miles for about $1400.
BTW... I figured that ditching my V8 Jeep for a Honda Fit is going to save me over $1200 a year in gas! Not to mention the likelihood that the Jeep will need $$ repairs over the next x years while the Honda will be covered by warranty. (My Jeep is a 98 w/80k miles... it's been reliable, but I would be gambling to expect 3+ years of no repairs at this point!)
For all other discussions about the Honda Fit, please take it here: Honda Fit
thanks,
kyfdx
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One correction: All Hondas now have a 5 year/ 60k mile powertrain warranty.
If not I hope that it gets here soon.
Also I will be posting a fully comprehensive review of all the Fit Sport features and such HERE.
The link above will not exist until after I have a Fit Sport.
Dan
The MSRP ??
Thanx
was that the msrp or less??
Were you able to negotiate a little????
Plus in nanuet NY. they emailed me that they have multiple Fits today ( Tuesday), to"check OUt"
Dream on. It's a seller's market. The Fit and Civic are in high demand. Might as well wait six or 12 months and let the dust settle.
1) they had the Fit allready for sale. ( 3 at both dealer ships)
2) I got the first guy to offer me $200 OFF THE MSRP. So a Fit sport for $16325. Im sure if I commited, I could of got $300 off.
The second for the MSRP. Both sold me on the popular and newness, But hey the car wasn't supposed to be on sale until Thursday.
Be patient, Bargain, walk out. Dont walk in like sucker and you will be dealt with fairly
They wont be as popular as everyone thinks.
I understand that they should make a profit, but to pay MSRP, and get 1000$ less than blue book trade-in , and to have to spend hours in this mind numbing back and forth game that they play is just wrong. Dealers are such scumbags!
Enough is enough I got up and left.