I just bought an 09 fit, crazy deal, like $1300.

The reason? It needed most of the suspension redone. Both control arms, sway bar links, tie rod ends, rear shocks, etc. Also the AC was broken. But the engine is solid, might need the valve lash tightened up a bit soon. But the guy didn't or couldn't do it himself, and the labor to get it done was expensive.

All that work I can and did do myself, including the AC (the last guy just overfilled it so the head pressure was too high. Probably did some damage, but so far it's fine).

With parts from rock auto my total for the car was like $1600, not including my labor, two days or so.

Car has 190k miles on it, I can probably squeeze another 100 out of it.

This is the way, if you have the ability.

I could've gotten a new car for 3 or 4 hundred a month. But at those prices, this car owes me NOTHING after 6 months. I'd be annoyed if it exploded, but, that's unlikely. And every year past that is just gravy, money in my pocket.