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2009/2010 Honda Fit
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Comments
at 16k that's about a 3.5% increase...for market adjustment.
Fun to Drive.
I'm considering a Base manual transmission, very close to 15K instead of the 20K threshold some postings talk about.
Fun to drive with good gas mileage, and a pretty good first cost, maintenance cost, and anticipated low depreciation and insurance cost. Youtube shows Fits racing, one passing an NSX in the tight portion, to be repassed on the straight.
The new Fit looks good, and side by side, not so different in overal perception as the outgoing model. They're asking $999 over MSRP, but I didn't start negotiating. Having previously driven an '08 Sport paddle automatic, I didn't drive the new one yesterday. The dealership was very busy at the start of the Labor Day weekend, and I didn't want to keep the salesman from a sale. (A year ago, he sold me an '07 SE Auto Accord.)
If I get one, it will be an MT, which is why I'm pleased to learn of the minimal weight difference, so now I'll think of a Sport MT.
To go to the next step, I would have to sell a car (not the Accord), which I hate to do, a possible deal-breaker.
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Enjoy!
Rich
How much fuel did I use hauling it around. How much space did I give up for that very seldom used jack, lug wrench, extra rim and tire, etc?
Funny, cause it seems like I was always jacking up my air-cooled Beetle... back in the day
How much fuel did I use hauling it around. How much space did I give up for that very seldom used jack, lug wrench, extra rim and tire, etc?"
When did you last use you Life Insurance? Would you cancel your life insurance plans since you haven't used it yet?
Anyway, looks like Honda does offer a spare in the 09 Fit - so all can rest assured. Otherwise it would have been idiotic for Honda not to have a spare in a econo/compact that most of its owners will use as a primary car.
I drive a 330i with run flats and no spare - and let me tell you - I have never been comfortable not having a spare. In my last cross long distance trip, I threw a full size spare and jack in the trunk, as I did not want to be marooned in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere, that too with my family along.
PS: Have been following this forum for a long time - excellent info and discussions.
This morning (4 Oct) we turned & burned out of Colorado Springs onto southbound I-25, where I generally had the Fit’s snooze-control pointed to 78 mph for most of the 6+ hour drive back to Albuquerque. The total trip burned 1050.1 miles of new rubber, while I kept a strict gas log for our few fill-ups. The bottom line was a trip- average of 37.33 mpg. Bear in mind, much of the driving was done on (Colorado’s stingy!) 85 octane regular gas, and at altitudes ranging between 9 and 11,000 feet, as we crossed many well known mountain ski towns. To be sure, the Fit’s auto tranny frequently kicked itself down a notch or two, which set up a noticeable engine buzz, but not an unpleasant one. (We also drive a Forester that, when dropping to a lower gear, wakes the dead as it puts a major dent in your ear drums. )
At 5’11” (and too much belly weight), I didn’t find the driving position quite as comfortable as our 2004 Subie – but for over 1100 miles, it was certainly acequate and never unpleasant. The Sport’s stiff suspension could be described as either akin to a lumber truck – you can roll over a dime and call it for heads or tails - or, confidence inspiring when canyon carving the twisties at higher velocities. Lastly, the Nav was a joy to use, as it guided us through some of Denver’s more convoluted by-ways to avoid the worst of Friday afternoon’s rush traffic. My criticisms of Honda’s wonderful 2009 Fit are really minor, with the worst one being that you have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting any dealer discount on this pint-size winner. Good Hunting!
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1.) 499$ tint (i looked at the web, said it was STANDARD FEATURE....wtf?)
2.)189$ wheel locks (really? think i'm that dumb?)
3.)240$ cargo tray (wow, again, 103$ on web.)
4.)0.00 Free oil changes for life ( goes by milage... date... ???)
I told them there was no way i was paying that for this car. I talked, and talked, and the guy ran back and forth. Finally a manager came over and offered me 17,857$. I said, not no, but hell no. I want to pay, what they told me was there BARE MINIMUM price of 17,401$. (no way thats what they own it for..... they have to make more money...) I said, I'm walkin out, so i did. They called me about 3 hrs later, saying they need to make a sale, and said they will over it to me, as it sits, with the oil changes, 17,500$ even, but i had to do it by 8:00 pm. I said i can't make it. Then they said, well, come in tomarrow..... thats where I'm at now.
When i go back, i want to see WTF was with the 499$ tint, the lug locks, IF they charge for a spare tire or W/E, how much mats are, The cargo tray price, more info about the oil change for life thing, and something about mud flaps on the fit... I never saw an option for flaps or guards on the fit. I did on the civic, but not the fit. This is where i am now. I will get back to you, about 10:00pm cst tomarrow maybe with the car, and all the details. see ya then!
2. Yes, wheel locks are a Honda optional accessory. Not worth that kind of money, imho.
3. The cargo tray is overpriced at $240, or even at $103, in my opinion. I would have paid maybe $50 for it--it's a glorified floormat. But I didn't like it anyway.
4. The Fit has a "maintenance minder" system--based on driving style and conditions, it tells you when it needs an oil change. Depending on conditions, anywhere between about 5k-12k miles.
The Fit Sport has a body kit that is not compatible with mud flaps, so Honda doesn't offer any. Factory carpet-type floor mats should go for about $90. If the dealer wants to jack these up, try collegehillshonda.com for better deals.
Were you looking at a manual or an automatic?
Both the Fit and Focus are/have been good vehicles in two different classes. Take a look at the Ford Fiesta which is coming out shortly and will be a direct competitor to the Fit if you are a Ford fan. Only problem is you will have less cargo space and versatility with the Fiesta.
I went back last week and bought an 09 Fit Sport with a manual Trans (could not sleep well without a fuel-sipping swiss-knife-like Fit in the garage ). The car seems to drive with a bit more of a quality feel than my prior 08 Fit. Seems more "substantial", if I were to put it differently. I am still on the first tank of dealer-filled fuel, and hence I will probably wait till it is re-filled (with my customary Shell or BP gas) before starting to check the mileage.
PS: In case of the Honda Fit, the EPA mileage is just plain BS, based on personal experience. I never got less than 35MPG in combined city/hwy driving, in my 08 Base Fit with a manual transmission and routinely got in the 37mpg range and much higher during other times, depending on the way I drove and the route I drove. I also never use any of the "hypermiling" techniques that I read about either and routinely drive at 70-80mph (and well above those speeds too ) on the hwy. The engine obviously felt a bit buzzy at such higher speeds but I have always felt Honda engines to be fully upto the task of high rpm cruising. At those times I always wished for a 6th gear in the Fit, to be quite honest.
PS2: However, since it is a manual transmission, I always coast downhill or on level ground, with clutch pressed in (like with all of my manual transmission cars) which probably dramatically allows the raising of the mileage (something that the EPA probably does not factor into its MPG rating in their manual transmissioned cars).
Sunday after Christmas was the last time I used spare. During a snowstorm, in a very rural area, nearly 200 miles still to drive to get home. Without a spare I would have been stranded on the side of the highway with my wife and dog. Not a good situation. We have AAA and due to the snowstorm the estimated time for a service provider to arrive was Monday morning!
A spare is mandatory in my judgement.
Best thing that could happen would be for all manufacturers to include a full size spare just as VW does.
Prior to the latest incident, a spare was needed in three of previous 5 years. Pot holes and nails and screws and other road hazards!
I am definitely attracted by Honda's .9% 60 months on the 2010's but anyone know if the 2011 will have any changes (mid model refresh) that would be worth waiting for?
Thanks in advance!
Did you have yours done?
How did it turn out?
Did they need to drain and replace the engine oil again?
I am concerned about this type of work being done on a newer engine.
Thanks.
Talked to the Service Advisor at the dealer and he said its a pretty extensive repair on the engine--taking up to 4 hours min. although Honda tells dealers its a 2 hour "book" repair.
Here is Honda's Official Statement:
"Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Lost Motion Spring Recall: 2009-2010 Fit
TORRANCE, Calif. – February 16, 2011 – Honda will recall 97,201 model year 2009-2010 Fit vehicles in the U.S. to replace the lost motion springs, components within the engine valvetrain. The lost motion springs, which are compressed by rocker arms in normal engine use, may bend or break over time resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine damage or stalling. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this defect.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda by mail. Notification to customers will begin in early March 2011."
Is it better to do nothing and wait until there is a problem first, than to subject the engine to this type of repair?
Thanks for your input.