Irenic
join:2000-05-02
Montreal, QC
edit:
May 9th, @03:20PM
|  Car Buying Advice
Hello everyone.
I've (unexpectedly) found myself in the market for a new car and wanted to hear what others have to say. My 1993 Toyota Tercel is not doing so well anymore, the break discs are either warped or cracked or something similar and it has become pretty unsafe to drive (not to mention the rust issues).
So I'm looking for something to replace it as soon as possible. I've talked to family members and our #1 choice seems to be a 5 speed manual 2008 Honda Fit Sport. Does anyone own one and could comment on issues with it?
I realize the 2009 model is redesigned and coming out soon but I need a car now so I can't wait until Fall.
To be honest I'm not huge fan of the styling but it seems quite a bit more practical than the Civic, and larger than the Toyota Yaris.
Any advice on the Fit or other models in the same class ( less than 20,000$, low gas usage)? One attractive thing about the Fit aside from the clever design and Honda reliability is the $1000 government fuel efficiency rebate.
Later tonight I'll have to do a bit of homework and start dropping by the dealerships this weekend. |
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happylurk
@look.ca
| I had the opportunity to drive a Yaris as a rental in Montreal last winter.
HORRIBLE handling in high crosswinds on the highway.
I've owned a couple of Civics and currently drive a 95 Accord.
Really I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda. I can't attest to the Fit's handling characteristics, but the Civics handle like a dream at highway speeds.
I'd definitely suggest taking a test drive on a windy day on the highway before committing to anything... |
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wkendhippie
Is it Friday yet ?
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Clarksdale
edit:
May 9th, @03:25PM
| reply to Irenic
This article is about pros and cons of 3 hatchbacks in the 15K range, the Yaris, Fit and Golf:
»www.globeauto.com/servlet/story/···uto/home |
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decx
Premium
join:2002-06-07
Toronto, ON
 ·Bell Sympatico
| reply to happylurk
I'd have to agree about the Yaris. I driven it as a rental last year and it was quite prone to cross winds when large cars and trucks pass by. I also found the interior design to be rather cheap and very toy like, even for it's price level. That said, I'm also not a fan of the current generation Civic's two tier dash. |
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BryceS
join:2007-09-17
Woodstock, ON | reply to Irenic
Try and find a good cheap used diesel VW: Jetta/Golf. |
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Irenic
join:2000-05-02
Montreal, QC
edit:
May 9th, @04:58PM
| reply to Irenic
Thanks for the advice and links.
I know new cars are not a very economic choice but I really don't want to buy another used one at this point. I would like a full warranty and clean record for it.
I was looking at the MSRPs and the manual 2008 Civic DX-G sedan is about the same price as the Fit Sport, so I'll try to drop by a dealership to see them both in person. Both are eligible for the $1000 government rebate. |
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CigaR
Premium
join:2004-08-24 | reply to Irenic
Might be an useful thread for you :
»Reliable, fuel efficient car under $20K? Used or new. |
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Kardinal
Canadair CT-114 Tutor
Premium
join:2001-02-04
N of 49th
clubs:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to Irenic
A couple other articles (from my favorite car magazine, who I seem to agree with a lot, although not all, of the time):
Fit vs Impreza, Corolla, Versa, SX4, Focus, Rabbit, and Mazda 3
Most fun under $20k
Long term road test - Honda Fit
Performance review - Honda Fit
--
All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter, dreamers turn to look at the cars -- Peart/Lee/Lifeson
Join Team Helix
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Scoop
join:2006-08-05
Ottawa, ON | reply to Irenic
Try the Nissan Versa with the 6 speed. I test drove one and it was a lot of fun. |
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Devanchya
Smile
Premium
join:2003-12-09
Pickering, ON
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to Irenic
Any of the Mazda 3's in the last few years are great.
Though if you can get it (don't know if it's offered in QC), Mazda is apparently still offering 0% APR on all financing up to 60 months.
»www.signaturemazda.com/en/info/p···/dma.spy |
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SK
The member formerly known as Cow
Premium
join:2001-05-18
Toronto
clubs: 
edit:
May 9th, @08:38PM
| reply to Irenic
In that price range, I'd recommend a VW or a certified used Volvo. |
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Irenic
join:2000-05-02
Montreal, QC
edit:
May 10th, @12:00AM
| reply to Irenic
The Fit vs. All comparison Kardinal posted was interesting but I felt a bit unfair. For example, I don't really consider the Fit comparable with an Impreza (AWD, 170hp, etc.), and a pricing difference of 21k vs 17.5 for the base Impreza and Fit LX. The long term road test seemed to be quite positive.
After dinner I decided to visit the local dealerships. I was quite annoyed to see the two closest ones wrap up on Fridays at 6PM and 1PM respectively. (I thought Honda was a working man's brand, sigh.)
So I drove a good 35km off island to a friendlier dealership and played around with the Civic and the Fit. The "big" surprise was that the Civic is unusable for me. It's just too small inside (I'm 6'2). I could fit in the driver seat but it was quite tight in the back, and my 6'3 father's head was touching the ceiling in the rear seats.
The Fit was much roomier with good head clearance in both front and back. I got to do a brief test drive and I have to say I enjoyed it. Even with four people in it it felt quite peppy, no problems at 120kph on the highway, tight turning radius, and the clutch & shifter were silky smooth (granted, my standard is a 15 year old rusted-out Toyota). The Sport model spoiler and skirt kit seem like poor afterthoughts so I've decided to focus on the LX model instead, it's quite a bit cheaper too.
Unfortunately the LX is stuck with 14" wheels, but I guess the upside is cheaper winter tires.
Overall I liked the Fit quite a bit (the inside I found perfect, the outside styling is still not that great to me, but I could get used to it).
I have to say the Magic Seat idea is very very clever, and on a completely unrelated note, the new Accord coupe is gorgeous  .
Anyway, I suppose I should also drop by Nissan to see the Versa. The Mazda3 is probably worth looking into as well. As far as VW goes, the City Golf & Jetta are re-badged older models as far as I understand (and not made in Europe), plus their fuel economy is not that great, so I might just skip on those.
Thanks again for the advice. |
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accusync
join:2004-07-16
Rigaud, QC
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| said by Irenic  :After dinner I decided to visit the local dealerships. I was quite annoyed to see the two closest ones wrap up on Fridays at 6PM and 1PM respectively. (I thought Honda was a working man's brand, sigh.) We were in the same boat 2 weeks ago. Our 2000 Caravan lost its tranny and having 320K on it , I saw no point in tossing good money after bad. Fortunately I am on the Ontario border and do my gas in Hawkesbury. So I checked with the dealers there on a Friday night and then went home and did some searching on the internet. I have no interest in a new car and the depreciation. A late model used is fine with me. I ended up driving to Ottawa on a Saturday morning and after 2 dealers got a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. The price was 1500 less than the dealers in Montreal wanted.
FWIW one thing I noticed that the Hawkesbury ON dealers were open Saturdays as well as the shops and that 40% of the cars had Quebec tags. |
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lawrence171
Evilly Yours - Evilness
join:2001-12-24
Canada | reply to Irenic
I'm not sure the $1000 government rebate is available anymore. I believe it was discontinued.
--
What I used to be I no longer am... God, why can't you freeze time for my sake? |
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harwoodr
Pornographic Memory
Premium
join:2002-09-05
Hamilton, ON
 ·Mountain Cable
| reply to Irenic
btw - check out the price through these guys: »www.cars4u.com/
My wife's best friend got her Mazda through them and saved a few grand... and the dealerships honour the warranty...
--
"Yahoo Doré" is Who-speak for "Where the hell is my stuff?" - Howard Tayler - »www.schlockmercenary.com/ |
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Reign
seXorcist
Premium
join:2003-05-05
Toronto, ON
clubs: | reply to Irenic
Get the Versa! My sister has one, its decent on the freeway's! |
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pat_lc2000
join:2006-02-04
Ottawa, ON | reply to Irenic
You should go see the Versa. I'm only 6'1 but the Versa is by far the biggest car I have ever been in the back in at the price range. |
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Kardinal
Canadair CT-114 Tutor
Premium
join:2001-02-04
N of 49th
clubs:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to Irenic
At the auto show earlier this year, I was sitting in the driver's seat of a Lancer with a friend sitting in the back seat behind me. I'm 6'3", he's 6'1" and there was still a bit of knee room. Not something you'd want to drive to Florida in, but it was impressively roomy with a cavernous trunk for the size of car. |
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BryceS
join:2007-09-17
Woodstock, ON
| reply to Irenic
said by Irenic :Anyway, I suppose I should also drop by Nissan to see the Versa. The Mazda3 is probably worth looking into as well. As far as VW goes, the City Golf & Jetta are re-badged older models as far as I understand (and not made in Europe), plus their fuel economy is not that great, so I might just skip on those. That is why you don't buy the City models. |
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decx
Premium
join:2002-06-07
Toronto, ON | I don't think the current generation Jetta and Rabbit are made in Europe either. |
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