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Comments
When I clicked to watch the Yaris video, it was preceded by a Fit ad. The ad says "The Fit is Go - April 2006". Seems to suggest an April arrival date, rather than March.
"We are unable to deliver the video content you requested at this time. Please refresh this page and try again.
Unable to load the XML configuration file."
Any thoughts on what I need to enable, to get this working?
Actually...when the base car doesn't come standard with a rear defroster or rear windshield wiper, I need to pay for TWO packages to get proper rear seats, and in 2006 I need to pay extra for side airbags and ABS...I expect wheels might be a "feature" as well
"tilt wheel" almost sounds like a luxury item
"How ticky tacky does a car have to be before they say it sucks?...slightly larger, more powerful Echo"
Uh oh...make sure you don't share that opinion on other boards. You might get a lecture on how the Yaris D-4D diesel is better than the Fit i-DSI gasoline. :confuse:
What board is that on? I would like to see that comparison.
It is certainly not on the Yaris topic. There is more discussion of the Yaris here at the Fit topic than there is on the Yaris topic.
Mine is @ 310,000kms and runs like a charm, but it's leaking like a sieve because of 13 years of winter salt!
Toyota, at least, gives the option of a low-option car. Honda doesn't even do that. I'd rather not pay for sporty spoilers and fog lamps just to get cruise control.
Personally, I think both methods suck, as it would be such a nice world if everyone could just pick and choose each and every option, instead of having to settle for "packages" or "trim levels". I would like each car to come in one "trim", with every option up for grabs. I hate having to get power windows with power locks...having a sunroof, ABS, and alloys lumped in when I only want cruise control, etc. I think MINI is rather nice, where you can buy packages, OR pick and choose, ala-carte style.
As far as the safety features, I'd like the side airbags, but not ABS. I haven't driven an ABS system yet that knows how to stop in icy conditions...and everything around me is icy.
One thing that concerns me about the Fit is the "throttle-by-wire." Anyone driven one that can comment? I've owned two vehicles that had the electronic throttle, and both had huge problems with throttle response...
It was always mash gas... wait for an eternity ... then the engine revs...really scary when trying to scoot out into traffic. In addition, the 2005 Ford F150 I had couldn't back up smoothly due to the throttle...you had to left-foot brake to prevent backing into things.
From my experience it does help. But in icy weather, it's the tires that help the most. But even when I have my winter tires on, I still need ABS. It helps when you need to turn- brakes don't lock
One thing that concerns me about the Fit is the "throttle-by-wire." Anyone driven one that can comment?
There is nothing wrong with Honda's Drive-by-Wire system from my experience. I haven't driven the Fit, but I have driven the rest of Honda's vehicle lineup and see no problem.
I was just looking at a few car magazines today and I saw that. Two of them (both well known and respected) had pretty significant errors that at this stage of the game should be correct about the Fit. Consumer Reports said it would have a CVT, when in fact it is the 5-speed automatic.
MotorTrend said it would have 48 mpg. Completely incorrect if you are referring to US gallons. The only Fit/Jazz that will get that kind of mileage in government testing (not real world) is the L12A sold only in Europe.
Hi, Will the Fit have side airbags that deploy in the rear passenger seats??
It won't have side airbags in the rear seat like the front seat has, but the side-curtain airbags will be in both rows. According to the high-resolution pictures I have seen, it appears the side-curtain airbags deploy from the A and C pillars.
why would this car get worse mpg than civic, that's lame
While I'm not looking to tow with it, I would like to be able to use a hitch-mounted bike rack, for going down to the beach. A roof mounted rack is not an option, as I have to be able to park in a deck, with very limited overhead clearance.
The Aussie option looks like a tow bar that's held in place with a hitch pin:
While in the UK, they appear to have some kind of obscene-looking tow ball mount:
Ideally, for the US, they'd go with a 1-1/4" square hitch, which will accept a wide variety of bike rack options.
Is anyone familiar enough with Honda's other US towing options, to be able to hazzard a guess, regarding which way they'll go with the Fit? Is it possible they won't even approve the US Fit for towing, so that any type of installed hitch would void the warranty?
So the fit back seats will have a side curtain bag, thanx.
Cant wait to get one, I was lookin into the sport, but now, i might get the standard one. I do want rims, though. I could do with out the spoiler and other stuff :confuse: , but i proberly see what they have ( color, price etc). I do want the back cargo cover, maybe i can bargain for that. Prediction steeler 31, seahwaks 19.
However, I think the last comment you made was incorrect:
"Most people think that manufactures sell what customers want....WRONG....manufactures sell what makes them the most money. Honda has proven that with the Fit!"
Since 1970 when Honda first began selling automobiles in the US, they have always gotten bigger. Just after the 600, the much bigger Civic came in and then the much bigger Accord. Each year these cars have been getting bigger and bigger (my 3rd generation Accord was exactly as big as the 6th generation Civic). Of course, it didn't stop there. Odyssey MPV in 1995 which grew up into a huge monster for the second generation. Small SUVs, then larger SUVs, now pickup trucks!!! I along with many of the people on this forum want a small hatchback which Honda hasn't offered properly for years.
When was the last time Honda offered a bigger automobile? Spring 2005
When was the last time Honda offered a smaller automobile? Never
I think it's great that for the first time they actually are listening to some of the consumers on the other end of the spectrum from the SUVs, minivans, and trucks.
Also, Honda makes "the most money" off of the large cars. The profit on the Fit will be very slim. It's not designed to be a money-maker for Honda. It's aim is to introduce the brand to younger people, budget shoppers, and to finally give Honda fans a small 5-door!
Frankly, I am quite impressed with how they equipped the base model, other than the lack of cruise control and keyless entry. I was worried they were going to take the DX/EX approach like they did with the Element in 2003 and offer a pathetic version, and a too well-equipped version. Now I can buy a Fit with almost everything I want (A/C, CD, PW, PL, PM, lots of airbags), and not have to get alloys and a wing spoiler.
I think the reason they opted for no cruise control is because MOST people who want the base model will be looking for it in manual as well, which is pretty useless with cruise control, given how small the engine is(lack of torque at highway speeds).
My gripe is no foglights, but I checked and they are dealer installable for a modest price. As for alloys, 15 inchers are overkill. The dealer won't know until the cars come in, but suspects that the 14 inch rims from an Accord will bolt right on. That's my only real gripe - Honda should definately make 14 inch factory alloys as an option. Yes, those two options will take me close to the "Sport" price, but IMO the larger wheels aren't needed and the body kit is horrendously ugly compared to the small, clean lines of the base model.
But oh man I wish I could get Yellow.
As for trim lines, we are getting the LX as the base model. Canada has a DX model that has nothing on it. I think Honda wisely deemed that it would hurt the image more than help it to offer a stripped-down Fit without the amenities that customers deem to be necessarry, like A/C, power windows, and so on.
Now, it does mean also, that it should be possible to import a base Fit from Canada if you had the desire to, and probably save a bit of money in the process.
Actually, Honda did offer a "smaller" car twice in recent history: the Insight, and the S2000. And now the Fit. So there is hope.
Also, it's 33,000 sales just for the calendar year 2006, but they are expecting 50,000 sales per annum. Last year S2000 sold about 7800 units, and Insight less than 700.
I'm hoping it does better than they expect, which may translate into more engine and trim level options in the future.
Have you found the response time to be similar to a traditional cable-throttle setup? The main thing that would worry me is that if the car felt that my input was not "efficient" enough even in an emergency situation, it might not respond quickly.
Somebody asked
When was the last time Honda offered a smaller automobile? Never
Passenger Volume/Cargo Volume (Cu. Ft.)
2005 Civic: 91.4/12.9
2006 Civic: 90.9/12.0
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
Here's the link if you missed it or just need to read it again:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef0ae5b/1914
A 0.5 cubic foot difference in interior passenger room is negligible, and as stated in previous messages...NO, Honda has not offered a SMALLER mainstream automobile. I wasn't referring to a few square inches of interior room here and there.
In fact, the 2006 Civic is actually larger than the 2005 Civic, so even if I was referring to generational changes, which we all know I wasn't, the interior room point you made would still be irrelevant.
2006 Civic vs. 2005 Civic
0.2 inch lower, but 1.3 inches longer and 1.5 inches wider. Not to mention added weight.
So, the question of "When was the last time Honda offered a smaller [mainstream] automobile?" still remains: Never.
If I knew this concept was going to be so hard to understand, I should have never posted it.
Would so appreciate advice!
The last time I contemplated a ford, I test-drove a Contour and a Taurus. Both had the same problem - if you slammed the pedal down hard in an emergency...
ONE ONE THOUSAND
*thunk* as the car downshifted hard.
That was a brand new car. It nearly got me in an accident. I've not driven a worse transmission than in those Fords since a VW bug.
Honda is light years ahead by comparison.
As far as cruise control on the Base model, maybe Honda will offer it as a dealer installed option for the Base model. I could'nt really be definative on this.
There are some dealerships who will sell this car above MSRP. They'll have their "Adjusted market Value" sticker added on, or they'll have accessories marketed up extermely high. We occaisionally will do a dealer trade with a particular dealership near DC. They leave the ADM sticker on the car...wow, what they charge for accessories is sickening. The ploy works like this: they tell you that they'll sell the car for X, and you think "Hey this is a great deal" then when the final figures are listed you'll pay higher because of the "accessories"
I don't think there will be discounting on the Fit for a while. Even though the Edmunds crowd talks about discounting/invoice etc...Honda hasn't started to advertise to the mainstream crowd yet. When Mom and Pop see that they can get their kids a well built car with side curtain air bags and Honda reliability for about 13-15K, these cars will quickly disappear from the inventories.
I'll try to post the color palette for Hondas now, I tried the last time and messed up my post. Here goes:
colors
The link should work now.
Hope this helps.
What I meant was that since Honda started selling cars in the US, they have never brought out a smaller entry-level car.
The 06 Civic is Honda’s entry level car at this very moment and the 06 is smaller by .5 cu. ft. for the occupants and .9 cu. ft. for the cargo then the very car it replaced. Interior room is the room you and I sit in every day Unless it’s a hatch in which the passenger/cargo room is sometimes larger then useable?
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
Here is a picture of Lunar Mist from the car show. In certain lights it has a bluish tinge to it.
http://world.honda.com/NAIAS2006/HondaBooth/24.html
Here are the colors of the JDM models. Out of these, the US market will get Nighthawk Black, Taffeta White, Storm Silver, Milano Red, Vivid Blue, Braze Orange (Fit Sport only). Lunar Mist (base model only) isn't on this page.
http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/fit/color/index.html
Actually, it is the Civic's "growing up" that has allowed Honda to bring the Fit to the United States. Honda has never placed a car below the Civic before. Seeing that the Fit is Honda's new entry-level vehicle, it is being placed below the grown-up Civic.
Hence, they have never brought out a smaller entry-level vehicle.
If the CR-V grows an inch or two, I don't consider that "introducing a larger vehicle" as the car already exists and it is simply a redesign of an existing model. However, when the Pilot came out it was in fact the introduction of a larger vehicle.
I wonder if anyone else is having a hard time understanding this concept. :confuse:
Hungarian- Yes I understand what you mean about Hondas getting bigger.
(Some folks just like to debate the smallest points--I know I married one!)
Every 5 years or so the civic turns into what the accord used to be. This is the main reason for introducing the Fit. I applaud Honda for getting back to their roots and offering reliable, affordable quality transportation.
Per the Fit website, it's rated LEV-2.
The only rating I could find for the Yaris is on Toyota Canada's site and it is ULEV2.
I think I saw a Vivid Blue Jazz this summer, and while it was definitely "vivid", it looked good. However, it was the 1.4i LS, which looks like the US base version.
mebman, did you order base or sport?
"I applaud Honda for getting back to their roots and offering reliable, affordable quality transportation."
Couldn't agree with you more. After seeing the Ridgeline introduced, I thought the US would never see anything smaller than the Civic. I am very happy to see the Fit as well, and I am glad they didn't wait until the 2nd generation.
working @ an insurance office I have quick access to a lot of vin#'s. Looked up a customber with a 99 Toyt and 96 Toyt, vin#'s beginning with 4T...... where were these assembled?
Just thought I'd ask
The Honda 600 sedan that I bought in the early '70s was certainly a smaller entry-level car, especially when viewed what was on the road from other manufacturers. But, on the other hand, it was also Honda's only offering at the time, other than the 600 coupe.
For a pretty descent explanation of all of the pieces-parts of a VIN, you might want to check out this Wikipedia entry. More specifically, you can look here for a dissection of the Toyota VIN code.
I won't own another auto trans unless forced. What concerns me is the lag time between pushing the throttle at a stop, and the car actually moving. It simply doesn't happen with a standard throttle cable, yet seems to be a feature with electronic throttles (so I've read). I also hate when cars "hold revs" inbetween shifts...
For example...
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=108601/pageNumber=3
"Plus, the response time from the Civic's electronic throttle in combination with its five-speed automatic transmission could be better. Planning ahead on the freeway became a necessity to survive the mash-and-wait game created by the combined delays of throttle lag and transmission kickdown."
and
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=108019/pageNumber=1?s- ynpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/new/2006/honda/civic/100677616/roadtes- tarticle.html&articleId=108019
"Although we hate the way the engine holds onto revs artificially when you lift off the throttle, Honda has geared the six-speed perfectly to keep the tach above 6,000 rpm during acceleration runs."
J = Japan, S = UK, 1 = US
Digit 2 gives you the company name usually. All Hondas will have an "H".
Digit 11 gives you the factory the car was assembled at (these codes are for Honda):
A = Marysville, Ohio
C = Sayama, Japan
L = East Liberty, Ohio
S = Suzuka, Japan
T = Tochigi, Japan
etc, etc.
Other digits for a Honda VIN will give you things like model code (4-6), transmission/body style (7), trim line (8), model year (10).
Basically, you can predict that the VIN for a US Fit start with:
JHMGD37... for the 5-speed MT
JHMGD38... for the automatic
GD3767EW Sport manual
GD3867EW Sprort automatic
I don't have the model number for the Base yet, I just got our approved allocation for our initial order...no build dates as of yet.
Honda is instroducing the "Fit" principally to compete with the Scion xA and upcoming Toyota Yaris, so they aren't viewed as the company without an entry-level vehicle. So that Toyota doesn't become the go-to car company for small classy fun (Scion xA) or for cheap practical transportation (Yaris).
Toyota has the manufacturing capability to easily replace Honda if Honda were to suddenly get teleported to another galaxy, but Toyota just can't quite shake the "blandness" quotient.
Despite losing the hard-core "fast and furious" crowd,the Honda Civic is still the car of choice for young urban males.
But in terms of actual sales, the projections for the Fit can't look good to Honda. It's main competitor is the very well equipped Scion xA, and xA sales have been anemic. Let's face it, Scion is mostly about the xB. But, at least the xA is there, and it draws customers into the show room. Honda needs something like that, too.
If the gas crisis hadn't led to a flurry of spilled ink (newspaper, magazine, and internet articles) on small, gas efficient vehicles, would Honda still be bringing the Fit over now, or would they have stalled until the next iteration? I didn't sense a lot of eagerness to begin with from Honda, a few years back. Getting the Fit over here has been like pulling teeth.
Without the Fit, which is getting long in the tooth in terms of years since its introduciton (I was really expecting to get the next-generation Fit over here, given how long it has taken), Honda would be looking like it is losing touch with its consumer base if it didn't have something to compete with the xA, Yaris, and Versa. Even the Accent and Rio just got serious upgrades and are getting good reviews.
The problem is, Honda knows they can't sell the Fit for much less than a Civic; that a nicely equipped Fit will cost MORE than a stripped Civic; and that the gas mileage on the Civic will be as good or better than on the Fit (as endlessly discussed here).
BUT, Honda still needs to play in this arena, which means the "message" sent by offering the Fit is probably more important than the actual vehicle.
I predict we will see a lot of Honda dealers acting like American dealers in the '60's - Yes, we have this [Pinto][Vega]Fit over there, but this [Falcon][Nova]Civic over here is just a few dollars more, actually I can sell one for a better price 'cause I have a lot more in stock, and overall you get a lot more car....
It's going to be very interesting to actually see a Fit over here (I've seen them in Asia, and they are not impressive - plainer than the Scion xA), see how Honda prices them, and see how Honda deals with the overlap between the Civic and the Accord.
Will the Civic become much more focused? Not bump into Accord territor on the top end, or into Fit territory on the bottom end? Will the Fit be stripped, or bite into Civic sales?
I am impressed by the 5 speed automatic, and also by the side air bags and ABS - Honda is living up to its "safety for all" campaign. I am disappointed by the use of 14" wheels, which is worse than the Scion xA, and by the lack of cruise control.