1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Honda just up its ante.... see the new Fit EV lease term!!!!

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by dipper, May 30, 2013.

  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    It must have been a simple oversight not to include New Mexico in the roll-out states.
    It is difficult to cross the street in Santa Fe and not be run over by a Prius.
     
  2. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It is an amazing deal. I do not plan on a new car anytime soon, but if I were this is something that I'd definitely consider. My daughters are not all that far away from driving and this is the sort of thing that would be a terrific 3rd car for the family.

    I think it is interesting though that Honda is making this offer right out of the gate. I know that in general EVs are not selling well at all. It would be interesting to hear the behind the scenes discussions that went into the decision and how things like CA's EV mandate figured in. My guess is that this would be a money looser for Honda at any reasonable lease rate and they made the decision to loose a bit more but not have the cars sit on dealer's lots.
     
  3. Agape

    Agape Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    378
    41
    0
    Location:
    Ireland/Eire
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    marketing and what we are doing now (as part of it) may not be such a money looser in the longer term...

    They put seeds these days and harvest it later!
     
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,855
    6,658
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    A lease-only electric vehicle?

    Why not call it an EV-2? :eek:
     
  5. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2012
    720
    135
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes they are trying to get the Honda EV brand out there and familiar with people, especially since Nissan, Chevy, Toyota, and Ford have gotten a slice of the pie already. It seems this is more an investment. I mean, it's only released in a handful of states, so Honda isn't losing that much money as if they were producing at full force and selling to 50 states.
     
  6. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2005
    1,242
    252
    0

    Uh. Okay.

    I guess you cannot buy anything but Honda in 3 year?

    Most do not even want to BUY EVs but lease because this time, you WILL get something better in 3 years at its current rate.
     
  7. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    545
    133
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I know many of you say it's tiny, and while it is small, it is a lot bigger than it looks (trying to avoid Tardis references here, considering it's blue). It was pretty comfortable, just a shame they got rid of the flexible seating, one of the best features of the regular Honda Fit.

    As for Honda not being serious, This is more of an EV than the Prius Plug-in is (and it doesn't help Toyota is taking their sweet time releasing the Plug-in to the rest of the states).
     
  8. mrtremere

    mrtremere Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2012
    14
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Preface: I own a Volt!
    I test drove a Fit EV today. It was pretty nice.
    Immediately after I test drove a Leaf.
    The Fit EV fit and feel was good.

    EV torque and acceleration was slowest.
    Leaf>Volt>Fit Ev.
    Quality:
    Volt>Leaf>Fit Ev.
    Tech Factor:
    Volt>Leaf>>>>>Fit Ev - The EV felt like a normal economy car.
    Room:
    Leaf>Fit Ev>Volt - Volt only seats 4.
    Big dog factor:
    Leaf>Volt>Fit Ev - My lab can run around the volt hatchback area with the most room.

    However, For the deal I'm considering dumping the Volt.
    However, the San Diego Honda Dealer only had 1.
    They heard about the deal yesterday.
    Five people already in line to buy it.
    I would have been #6.
     
    JMD likes this.
  9. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Why ? Are you saying it will save you money ?
     
  10. mrtremere

    mrtremere Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2012
    14
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Volt Lease was $330 with 1500 down 15k a year, but I'm blowing through the miles pretty quick. + the free charger and collision insurance.
     
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I see, thanks for clarifying.

    How do you get out of the lease early, and what does it cost ?
     
  12. mrtremere

    mrtremere Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2012
    14
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The volt lease transfer is $500. It's through Ally Bank. I could dump it in a week I figured due to the good rate.
     
  13. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    You are talking about offering the lease to a private person, right ? I wonder if the market has spoken (other leases have been bought.)
     
  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    :)

    I just peeked at swap-a-lease. I have no idea what the final terms are between parties, but the listings seem to start at $300/month and go up for cars that have ~ 1200 miles/month for the remainder of the term.
     
  15. JimPHL

    JimPHL Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
    74
    33
    0
    Location:
    Cinnaminson, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Nice write up and pictures. Great point about the dealer being certified to work on the EV version of the Fit. Thanks for sharing this!
     
  16. mjt419

    mjt419 New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2013
    9
    0
    0
    Location:
    australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    N/A
    let me get this straight, do you guys have limited miles
    you can drive per month on a lease?
     
  17. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Most leases are 12,000 or 15,000 miles per year. However anything can be negotiated and put into the contract at a cost.

    An unlimited mileage lease is for the Honda Fit EV, this is a Good deal.
     
  18. Agape

    Agape Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    378
    41
    0
    Location:
    Ireland/Eire
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hmm, wrap one if these (purchase by cash payment through one of the friendly priuschat members) and ship to Ireland... this is what I need.
     
    JMD likes this.
  19. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,602
    4,136
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A

    Its a compliance car, and honda doesn't get credit in other states. The lease deal is because they were not leasing well, and you need numbers or honda will end up buying credits from tesla. I think honda is finally getting the message from the clarity debacle that hydrogen is going to be much more expensive than plug-in in the near term. If they get there leases and satisfied customers they will invest more in the next generation.