Buying a Honda Fit

[Randerolf]

Hey,

I've read through a couple car buying threads (negociation car buying), but I still have some questions.

After looking for a fuel-efficient car with side airbags, I decided to purchase a Honda Fit (the Sport model since I can't find any regular models). Now that I'm settling done to buy one, I'm getting many different prices. I'm paying cash and ~$15k seems fine for a trustworthy car.

I've always herd that it's best to buy used cars since they take a huge hit as soon as they leave the lot. I've found a Fit for sale at a dealership at a smaller town an hour and a half away for "$16,000." It has 3,060 miles on it.

Edmunds says I should pay:

007 Honda Fit Sport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5A) True Market Value Pricing
Dealer Retail
National Base Price $15,598
Optional Equipment $0
Color Adjustment- Silver$27
Regional Adjustment for Zip Code 32114 $-33
Mileage Adjustment-3,060 miles $224
Condition Adjustment-Outstanding $774
Total $16,590

I recently went to a dealership and test drove a new Fit and liked it, but felt that vision is terrible out the back; the columns are thick and there is no way to turn around and see any part of the blind spot.

I got the salesman to do a work up (the four square boxes) on how much is would cost me; he took too long, so I had him make a copy for me to take with me. It says the vehicle market value is $18,197. I told him that I was paying cash, but he filled in some of the other boxes like down payment and such and made a mess, but down bottom says "$19,788 OTD" which I assume is out the door.

Edmunds says that the true market value of a new Fit in my city should be $16,449- only $449 more than asking price of the used car.

Why is the used car almost as expensive as the new one? I asked the dealership for the used car and he said:

Randy, I thought it was priced high also, we gave the guy a lot for it. It sold very quickly. These fun little cars are selling as fast as we get them in. The first of last week I had 4 and today I have one. Here at Jon Hall our dealer fee is $399 and we DO NOT load the cars up with pin stripes, mud / door edge guards and there is not a "market adjustment" fee. We do encourage you to purchase the accessories of your choice at the time of purchase because they are covered by the bumper to bumper warranty and you can roll the cost into the financing. If you are interested in a new FIT give me the best written out the door price you can get and then see if I can beat it. karl

I want a fair price for a good car that I can drive until the wheels fall of like I am doing with the one I have now.

What is the price that I should be aiming at with this car and such disparity of
prices? Thanks for any help and advice that you can provide.