Used Cars = Someone else's lemon

[LeavingOhio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenfun I think you will love your Fit. I've had my 2009 Fit for 4 years (duh) and it's great. I haul all kinds of stuff in it when the back seat is folded down. You could sleep in that car if the stock market takes a dive and you need to cut back on living expenses. Seriously, I have been loyal to Honda/Acura for 30 years. Would have liked to have purchased 3-4 year old Hondas, but they've always been just as expensive as buying new.

BEGINNING with 2009 (so GOOD FOR YOU!), the Honda Fit is a GREAT car.

Prior to 2009, the Fit had a side crash rating of just 3 stars and a Rear crash protection/head restraint rating of POOR. I know this because I was looking at the Fit for my daughter. With only being aboe to go back to 2009, I couldn't find one in my price range without a ton of miles on it.

Very cool little car.

[tfudtuckerpucker]

Can I share my experiences? I have owned many japanese and several american cars. I bought used Toyotas, Hondas, and Acura, and they have been pretty solid. The cars I bought new were American- a Plymouth Voyager, which lasted 70k miles before major engine problems (valve guides dropped into cylinders). The new Ford Econoline's brakes lasted a grand total of 8000 miles, before they needed to be replaced. "Not covered under warranty". "Geee, you must be riding the brakes". That's why I'll never buy Ford again...

[Nemo2]

Speaking of Hondas...it would appear that ours needs a replacement O2 sensor......those sucker's ain't cheap......

[jon-nyc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenfun I think you will love your Fit. I've had my 2009 Fit for 4 years (duh) and it's great. I haul all kinds of stuff in it when the back seat is folded down. You could sleep in that car if the stock market takes a dive and you need to cut back on living expenses. Seriously, I have been loyal to Honda/Acura for 30 years. Would have liked to have purchased 3-4 year old Hondas, but they've always been just as expensive as buying new.

Thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to getting it.

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude I found reliable used cars the day I quit buying domestic cars.........

Maybe you just needed a service manual an some mechanical skills....

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Maybe you just needed a service manual an some mechanical skills....

Yeah, but that takes time and energy, so I just buy Hondas instead...........

[Calico]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenfun I think you will love your Fit. I've had my 2009 Fit for 4 years (duh) and it's great. I haul all kinds of stuff in it when the back seat is folded down. You could sleep in that car if the stock market takes a dive and you need to cut back on living expenses. Seriously, I have been loyal to Honda/Acura for 30 years. Would have liked to have purchased 3-4 year old Hondas, but they've always been just as expensive as buying new.

I agree completely with the above. I have been driving my 2009 Fit since December, 2008, and have had zero issues with it. Mine is a standard (only kind of car I will drive). The gas mileage is amazing, and it has very high safety ratings.

The cars I've owned in my life: Toyota Corolla; Honda Accord; Honda Civic DX hatchback, and the Fit. Toyota and Honda are the only makes I will ever buy. I drove the little Civic hatchback for 17 happy years.

Enjoy the Fit!

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude Yeah, but that takes time and energy, so I just buy Hondas instead...........

Don't lie...you just use the extra time to read the forum!

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Don't lie...you just use the extra time to read the forum!

YMMV.........

[Duanewebb]

I have always had very good luck with used vehicles...but I go about it this way. Find the car you want from a rent-a-car place that still has miles to go on the warranty. I have always bought Lincolns---Town Cars mostly, and all of them have taken me to 400,000 miles almost with no motor or tranny work. Excellent cars.

[HawkeyeNFO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulligan I bought a used 2002 trailblazer back in 2003 with 30k on it. It now has over 185k and the only thing I have ever changed is the S belt, battery, tires, wheel bearings, and brakes. Just maintenance stuff. I have never even changed the transmission fluid. I would like to get another Trailblazer when this one expires but they quit making them back with 2009 model so they may be long in tooth before I can replace it. It sure seems to me that "the spread" between buying new and late used has narrowed greatly since I last bought. I have never bought new ever, but may be forced to if I can't find another Trailblazer.

I bought a brand new '03 TB, still my daily driver with 116k. Great vehicle. Hoping to keep it another 100k miles. Just standard maintenance here as well.

[HawkeyeNFO]

The car I had before the TrailBlazer was a 96 S-10 pickup. Gave that to my brother because we started having kids and needed something that a kid's seat could go into. I bought that brand new, and my brother is still driving it. Another good vehicle.