Fit Means Go!
Joelle said in the early morning on January 29, 2008
I’ve not felt much like writing lately. Well, it’s been one of those deals where it’s like “Oh! I need to blog that!” then I open up my publish screen and stare at it 10 minutes until I just give up and pretend I’ll do it tomorrow. It’s tomorrow and lo, I still have nothing to blog about, so bear with me. It’s one of those weeks.
In other news, I borrowed my friend mikey’s car today (a-banking I must go!), so I hitched a ride with him on his way to work this morning. On my way back to my house, I spotted this delivery truck on the freeway. Who knew the Puritans were so proud their buns?
Speaking of cars, I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get one. While I appreciate the kindness of my friends, I don’t like being a burden or reliant on anyone else. I’ve found that when I borrow someone’s car, I feel this sense of anxiety, like I better hurry up and think of every single thing I could possibly need at the store / have to pick up / need to go do in the few hours while I have it. Then, inevitably, I get home and have forgotten something. Or I think of one more thing I should have done. I’m so grateful that I work at home and have good friends who let me us their cars, but I miss Judy. I really, really miss my car.
So, I’m doing some shopping. While most of me says I’ll find a used car, I’ve also been shopping the Honda Fit. Many of the used cars I would consider purchasing are the same price as a brand new Fit. I was considering a Beetle (and still am, but in that case… I’d go used) and found some online, but most were in the same price range as the Fit. The Fit is loaded with good stuff, is fuel-friendly and I can lease one for around $200/mo. I could go higher on my monthly with a smaller down payment, but… well, I don’t want to. (Plus, there’s all those other costs of having a car that I have to consider — insurance, registration, gas, cleaning, etc.) The clincher is Consumer Reports and Car and Driver (2007 and 2008!) voted it in their Top 10 Cars. And MotorTrend gave it top safety ratings, too.
I think I’ll go this weekend and give one a test drive. I could buy one, but I don’t want to saddle myself with a five-year agreement — I don’t know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing in the next few years, so a 2 to 3 year lease works best. At any time I can just give it back or trade it in or whatever. My parents always warned me about leases… saying you end up in a vicious cycle and pay for something you don’t have in the end, but I’m in a situation right now where I need a car and I think a lease is the best fit for me. It doesn’t mean I can’t buy it later if I want.
Anyone driven a Fit? Do you like it?
Moxie Design Studios™
Cocktail: cosmo
That looks like an awesome little car!
from Monroe, OH • Cocktail: Espresso Martini
I’ve never heard of it, but judging from Honda’s site, it sounds like a great car for the money. Also, that is the most delicious shade of orange I’ve ever seen on a car. Yum!
from san diego • Cocktail: margarita
I am totally pro-lease. I have been leasing since forever (my 3rd Beetle) and I love it. And I never have to pay when something goes wrong! Per my agreement, all I pay for is regular maintenance… Then in a few years I pick out a new one!
(omg. Joelle in a red convertible beetle? Hawt! But the Fit is cute too
)
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@daniel: oh, see… I really do want a beetle, but I’m concerned about maintenance. But now that you say that… where did you get yours?
from san diego • Cocktail: margarita
I got this last one @ City Volkswagen. It was a fun experience both times (Richard got his car there too).
Car shopping is tough! And you don’t want to settle or decide too quick.... When you turn on your car it should return the favor. Hehehe (I LOVE that ad!)
from Santa Barbara, CA
I dont’ know anyone with the Fit, but I am a proud owner of a Jetta. I LOOOOVE mine. I own mine though--no lease. Good side--it’s mine. Bad side? It’s old enough now where it’s out of warranty so I hope that the regular maintenance I do will ward off any super expensive repairs. Otherwise, I might have to consider leasing I guess, hehe.
My mom’s best friend has a fit, and I was in it this weekend. It was a pretty good ride. (Man. That sounds so dirty!) Plus, great gas mileage. So yeah. I say I’m pro fit.
Cocktail: Amaretto Stone Sour
Don’t know much about Fits, but I lurves my Suzuki SX4. That might be one you check out too. I am constantly getting stopped by people telling me they were considering buying one and wanted to know my opinion. Now if only I could get Suzuki to pony up for the free advertising.
from Lousiville, OH
One of my co-workers/friends just bought a Fit last month and he likes it. I just bought a 2002 Beetle last week and am in love with my car. It’s fully loaded, and I pay mid-$200’s a month for 2 years, plus it qualified for a 2 year/24,000 dealer warranty, with zero deductible! Seriously, from looking at my friend’s Fit, while it’s a cute little car, the Beetle is the way to go. But then, I am biased. If you want photos or any other info on the Beetle, feel free to email me. Also, I can ask my friend if there’s anything he doesn’t like about the Fit. Good luck!!
from Phoenix
My friend who lives in Carlsbad loves his Fit. When I lived in SD I used to drive around in a Honda CRX...loved it! I drove 210K miles on it, most of it driving back and forth from SD and Phoenix every other week, and it never broke down on me. I loved my Honda so much that I bought an Odyssey two years ago. Never had a single problem (knock, knock). The only problems I’ve heard about VWs was isolated to the power window motors, I guess in 120 degree heat they tend to quit on you. But then again don’t most things quit when it gets that hot? Good luck with your quest. I think what matters most is that you are comfortable with the deal you’ve made and when you see the car it makes you smile
The Fit is a great car, and perfect for you I’d warrant.
from Throwing a Fit
Like the car (for a small car, I’m a sedan kind of gal myself) but the name is just so....dumb.
Fit?
They named the car Fit? As in rhymes with ...
I keep thinking “Throw a Fit” and seeing the tv commercial potential.
from Charlotte, NC
Thought you might get a kick out of this bakery near San Fran. There’s also a picture of me and Jon Scott Stevens in that directory
We met for dinner while I was up there a few years back!
Leasing has become an attractive option these days - especially if you aren’t driving it long distances (I think they have mileage limits on them.). And if you really like the vehicle, I think they give you the option to buy it if you want. My uncle and brother-in-law lease vehicles and have been happy with their experiences.
We just bought a new Saturn Outlook, but we were looking for a family vehicle - not, I suspect, what you’re looking for.
From what I’ve read/heard, Saturn has a good name for reliability, I think. We’ll be finding out soon. Supposedly they’re like the Energizer bunny… they just keep going and going and going. They might have a smaller car that would be an attractive option for you.
We had two VW Passats prior to this vehicle… they were gorgeous, beautiful, wonderful vehicles, but really ate a hole in our pocketbook when it came to repairs. We will NOT be buying or leasing a VW EVER again. Just my two cents for a direction not to go in.
Living in San Diego… some sort of a convertible would be an attractive option… unless of course you don’t like the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair.
I do, but I know some people don’t.