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Honda Fit Prices Paid and Buying Experiences

2418 messages,  Last post on Nov 15, 2009 at 5:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Hatchback, Wagon


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#1993 of 2418
Re: Honda Fit: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences [siarizona] by dgs4
Jan 29, 2009 (6:23 pm)
Reply

Replying to: siarizona (Jan 27, 2009 2:54 am)

You love the car, it's an absolute blast! Granted it doesn't have a lot of horsepower but between the extremely easy to use clutch/shifter, and the sweet sounding little 1.5 litter revving to redline the car feels real peppy.
 
Yes, I think America is turning around and it's going to be about saving money, and living within your means. Small, inexpensive, save, fuel efficient vehicles like the Honda Fit are right in with that way of living. I own a Hyundai Sonata and a Fit and they were both inexpensive (relative to my salary) cars and I love them both. My payments combined on the two vehicles are less than most people pay on the typical $40K + vehicle. I have absolutely no need to impress anyone with the car I drive, so I don't need to spend obscene amounts of money on a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus like most of my co-workers and friends drive.
 
All I know is when gas is back up to $5 a gallon this summer I will be quite relieved to own a car like the Fit. Honda has a homerun with this car and I know it's only going to get better. I'm sure eventually when Honda realizes people like you and I would be willing to pay for it, will offer features like a moonroof, autodimming rearview mirror, heated seats, etc. Honda has to understand not everyone buying a Civic or a Fit these days is a broke college kid.
 
Well as one forty something to another, best of luck on your new car, and post back after you get it.
#1994 of 2418
Re: Armrest With Storage [dhectorg] by dgs4
Jan 29, 2009 (6:33 pm)
Reply

Replying to: dhectorg (Jan 27, 2009 2:09 pm)

"dgs4,
since you mentioned that additional storage was a consideration, i should point out that the compartment in the optional armrest is quite small. it looks much larger online. i can fit my garmin gps, a bottle of asprin, and a pack of gum in it...and that's about it! i don't regret adding it, but i wish it had a larger compartment. "
 
Well that stinks!! You're absolutely right, it does look much larger on line. The Fit already has a driver side armrest that works just fine for me. I really wanted the accessory armrest for the storage. Which reminds me I still haven't heard back from the dealership to see if they'll even install it.
 
Well no biggie, if they're willing to install I'll still take it, but like you I do wish it was bigger.
#1995 of 2418
Internet haggling by frankied
Jan 29, 2009 (11:04 pm)
Reply
Hi everybody, a question for you about negotiations with Honda dealers over the net: I sent out some feelers on a Fit Sport Auto w/Nav & VSA and received a nice initial quote from one of 5 dealers I requested from (18,500, not OTD). I would like to shoot this offer to the other dealers to see what i can get from them, but I'm not certain what the protocol is. It seems to me that the other dealers will not take my word for it... I assume they will ask for documentation, so how should I handle this over email. In person, this is simple-just show them the documents. But in this situation should I forward the low quote email, or what?
 
Any advice from you veterans is much appreciated.
 
Thank you
#1996 of 2418
35 miles on my new 09 fit just got, is it normal? by buycar09
Jan 30, 2009 (5:19 pm)
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I just get my 09 new Fit sport with $18050 out of door. It has already 35 mile on it. Is it normal? The dealer told me it is normal and the car was there for about 2 months. I bought a new car 2 years ago with only 9 miles on it. So I am not sure if this is ok....
#1997 of 2418
You're Kidding...Right? by sandman46
Jan 30, 2009 (5:41 pm)
Reply
A car with 35 miles on the odo is nothing to get worried about. They probably did a dealer swap to get you this particular car or someone else might've test drove it. Don't get all shook up about this. As long as everything works properly...you should be fine. Just enjoy the new ride!
 
The Sandman
#1998 of 2418
Re: You're Kidding...Right? [sandman46] by buycar09
Jan 30, 2009 (5:47 pm)
Reply

Replying to: sandman46 (Jan 30, 2009 5:41 pm)

thanks sandman46. I know I should not worry about 35 miles but I had expected a new one with less 10 miles. Just my personal preference I guess...
#1999 of 2418
Re: Internet haggling [frankied] by absconfused
Jan 30, 2009 (6:51 pm)
Reply

Replying to: frankied (Jan 29, 2009 11:04 pm)

Dear Frankied,
 
After buying two Fits in the past few years my experience is that one way to negotiate a deal is to find out who to speak to like the internet manager or in some cases the sales manager or general manager and just talk with them politely. This internet haggling game with sending and re sending quotes is time consuming and not very personal...it is probably a big turn off and nobody really wants to play games. Of course some will play if they need to move a unit...
 
By talking to lots of different people on the phone at dealerships, you can find out if there is someone who is more eager to move a unit. I have read postings in the past of people that got their deal b/c that particular dealer needed to sell one last car to meet a particular quota and they got a good deal....You just never know what's going on behind the scenes ever and the price of the car is not the only issue at hand for the dealer on each transaction.
 
The other thing is it always depends how attractive you are as a buyer in terms of your financing...But, whatever the case, be pre-approved before you talk to anyone...do an online finance application with honda or the use your bank, credit union etc. They like cash these days and will cut breaks for cash deals.
 
Honestly the best thing to do in my experience and opinion is to develop your own target out the door price and let them know that this is what you are looking at and you would like to know if they want to seal the deal with you. This game of seeing how low they will go is far more time consuming than developing a price you feel is fair and reaching out for that deal. This is what I did my second time around and it worked very well. The main reason it worked is because my circumstances were such that it had to work, I had no wiggle room and when it's your true bottom, it is a lot easier to keep trying to get what you need...it came from a more sincere place and not a game like place.
 
Anyway, people in sales are people and it's always about the relationship so go out and cultivate some preliminary relationships by collecting contact names and emails...if you like the way email goes, you can talk by phone. You can take some pressure away by NOT being guaranteed anything in writing b/c that turns it into a GAME where they now feel like it is going to be used against them. Instead simply let them know on the phone that if the deal should somehow change (write the numbers down and bring them with you) that you will be excusing yourself from the transaction. Just be polite and stay firm.
 
Well, this is my two cents. I get long winded and I am sorry about that!
Best of luck and try to enjoy yourself and enjoy the great Honda people you meet along the way!
#2000 of 2418
Re: Internet haggling [frankied] by dhectorg
Jan 31, 2009 (7:01 am)
Reply

Replying to: frankied (Jan 29, 2009 11:04 pm)

frankied,
 
When you request a quote online you must specifically ask for the OTD price, or else they'll just give you MSRP. After you get all the quotes back, tell each dealer what the lowest quote was (show them the email, if they ask) and give them a chance to beat it. After round two, go with the lowest price. It's really that simple for me.
 
I rather disagree with absconfused on this. I've been negotiating for cars online for years and it's the best method, I think. I generally never set foot inside a dealership nor talk to anyone directly until I have an OTD deal sealed. Face to face negotiations is where most shoppers fail because they're just no match for the savvy skills of car sales people. So, if you're a confident negotiator, go ahead and talk directly. But if you're like most people and aren't good at negotiating, stick to the internet until you get an OTD deal sealed.
 
Good luck!
 
Don
#2001 of 2418
New Owner of 2009 Fit Sport 5M by simoncar
Jan 31, 2009 (7:41 am)
Reply
Drove off the lot last night.
 
2009 Honda Fit Sport 5M - Tafetta White
 
accessories included cargo tray, door edge guards, bumper applique, window tint, side body molding , wheel locks, striping and of course the dealer "protection package".
 
OTD price was 18,103.
 
I negotiated over the internet with several dealers - in north texas area most dealers have tint and a few items already added - so I compared those prices and told dealer that had extras like the striping that I would not pay extra for it and they said OK - we will match the price anyway. It was tough car to find - they seem to have lots dark colors which I did not want - I had pretty much locked in on white or silver
 
Took about a week from first mass email to dealers to close the deal.
 
Hope I enjoy it as much as some of you Fit veterans - love the new car and utility of vehicle, but also have the new car jitters - want to protect my baby as long as possible.
 
Side note - call insurance agency to get it insured when driving off the lot - USAA classifies it as a small SUV - go figure.
#2002 of 2418
Re: Internet haggling [dhectorg] by absconfused
Jan 31, 2009 (10:07 am)
Reply

Replying to: dhectorg (Jan 31, 2009 7:01 am)

Hi Don,
 
Great reply!
Just to clarify a bit how I do things, I use the emails to communicate to try and sort through who is ready to make deals and who is blowing smoke. I steer clear from useless form letter responses. After I have a few people that have good people skills, I let them know a little more about my situation and what my needs are. It is pretty easy for me to tell who is going to make a deal b/c after they send the first couple of polite responses that I should come in, I tell them that I know what I want, I am serious, and this is the price I can pay. At that point, it becomes easier for me to figure out who can make a deal.
 
Sometimes I might speak to someone on the phone if they really want to talk but my position is clear and to the point.
 
I think your way is the tried and true method but I guess it just does not fit my rather social personality.
 
I agree that I WOULD NEVER WALK INTO A DEALERSHIP without my deal sealed first! That would be just NUTS!!!!!!
 
But I suppose it would not hurt to go into a dealership if it was very close to your house and leave your name, number and your Out the Door price offer with them. JUST AS LONG AS YOU LEAVE RIGHT AWAY of course.
 
The main thing is always staying in control of the transaction and the only way to do that is follow internet shopping advice.
 
The other thing I do is give a TIME LIMIT to the finance guy. I tell them that I do not expect this to take more than ten or fifteen minutes...Letting them know you are serious about not being jerked around in the finance dept puts you back in the drivers seat. Say it like you mean it and let them that you have time constraints and that everything about your deal is straightforward.
 
If you want extended warranty just go home, you can get cheaper from several places. Let them know before you go into finance I will not be purchasing a warranty today and this should not take very long. I do or do not need gap insurance and am not purchasing any other options....Any pressure in finance just get up and LEAVE!
 
You must stay in control of the transaction at all times. You are the king, you are making the purchase. It is YOUR DEAL NOT THEIR DEAL and you will do it YOUR WAY....
 
Always be very polite and never get aggressive...you can get aggressive but it creates bad energy....
 
sue

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