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You also get the added benefit of rear doors, which gives you much greater access to anything you have stored forward in the cargo area, with the seats folded flat.
Of course, you also get all of the new dandy safety features with the Fit.
If you go to the EPA fuel economy site you can only look at amazement by how few cars get 30 mpg in both city and highway...and regular gas. Hybrids have a big price premium and diesels are, well, diesels.
Exactly. The weakness in A/C was noted when in the city and has little link with my pace. At 80 mph, the engine is revying at 3200-3500 RPM, which is still below the peak torque 4000+ RPM
This very much appears when the sun is bright, so I guess this is the greenhouse effect.
I also noted that when engine is in temperature, the air blowed with A/C off is a few degrees warmer than the outside air, with no heat of course.
So it seems the engine transmits a bit of its heat to the air intake, further compromising the cooling efficiency. Additional insulation measures would help somehow.
a combination of both factors seems to be at the origin of my issue, although a mild one
as Bridgestone are known for rather quiet tires, I think an improvable sound proofing may be the cause. The sound proofing material was surprisingly scarce in the spare wheel well area, so my guess is that it may be a factor.
Engine is silent at low revs, and becomes more present when pushed in higher revs, but in a steady 80 mph, it is quiet or hidden by the rolling noise.
Engine feels quite balanced and refined though, so no disappointment here.
Pls note that I have little experience in small cars, as my previous drives were much larger ones with 6 or 8 cylinders. I guess I am pretty demanding so I suppose this problem is typical of subcompact cars.
The stiff suspension allows for a moderate body roll and I feel confident when taking curves. A good setup in this respect.
However, I think Honda may have done a very specific spring/shock setup for the US/Canadian market Fits. For two reasons: better ride quality and the ability of the suspension to better withstand driving over speed bumps (found increasingly on many residential streets here in California).
Per College Hills themselve's the item's are a little guessing game for final price etc...
My dealer says yes on a few item's (floor mat's etc) but probably have to wait on the big stuff - grills etc. :mad:
Regarding the accessories question, from another post, everything College Hills Honda has is from the Japanese website, but many of them probably will be available for the US. This is the only official information Honda has given on accessories:
"Other interior accessories include an ambient lighting, trim panel accents (silver, red and blue), steering wheel covers and shift knobs. Outside, the Fit can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, Sport package underbody kit, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille."
Reportedly, there will be 30+ customizable accesories.
CAL STATE FULLERTON SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN HONDA FIT MARKETING CHALLENGE
Program Gives 18 Schools From Throughout the Country the Chance to Help Launch a New Vehicle
FULLERTON, CALIF. – March 6, 2006 – Cal State Fullerton has been selected as one of 18 schools throughout the country to participate in the Honda Fit Marketing Challenge, taking place this spring. The program, sponsored by American Honda Motor Co. Inc., provides each school with $2,500 to develop, execute and analyze a campaign to introduce Honda’s all-new premium subcompact car the “Fit” to a key target market – fellow college peers.
In addition to Cal State Fullerton, there are 17 universities across the country participating in this exciting learning opportunity: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; Loyola Marymount University; San Diego State University; University of Houston, Downtown; Long Island University; Saint Peter's College; New York University; SUNY, Albany; University of Georgia; Michigan State University; University of Pittsburg; University of Pennsylvania (on-campus); University of Pennsylvania (off-campus); Boston College; University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; University of Akron; and University of Texas, Arlington.
Cal State Fullerton was recently listed as one of the “Top Public Universities” by U.S. World News and Report 2006, which ranked the school sixth in the nation’s Top Public Universities-Master’s institutions in the West. Established in 1957, the school boasts enrollment of more than 35,000 students, according to figures from the fall 2005 semester. Cal State Fullerton is also widely recognized as one of the top communications schools in the U.S.
Honda specifically identified key urban campuses within their major markets throughout the nation to partner with in this extraordinary venture. This unique partnership is part of an industry-education program sponsored by Honda and EdVenture Partners known as the Honda Fit Marketing Challenge.
This spring, 43 advertising students from Cal State Fullerton are being given a rare opportunity to put their education to work in the real world with a prestigious client. At the start of the spring semester, representatives from American Honda Motor Co. visited the students in their classroom, along with a representative from EdVenture Partners to discuss the details and objectives of the Honda Fit Marketing Challenge. The students have already formed a fully functioning advertising and marketing agency within their classroom called Impact Advertising. Over the next ten weeks, the students will be responsible for researching, implementing and evaluating an integrated marketing campaign for their client, Honda. The student-developed marketing and communication strategies will be focused directly on their peers.
Impact Advertising has the opportunity to design an Integrated Marketing Communications campaign aimed at increasing awareness for the Honda Fit, utilizing research, budgeting, event planning, print and broadcast advertising campaigns, and public relations. After presenting their concept to executives from Honda, the students will execute their campaign as well as track and analyze its results. The program features an on-campus event and then culminates in a formal, agency-style presentation to Honda executives that serves as a unique opportunity for students to develop public speaking and presentation skills, in addition to building self-confidence.
“The program is a win/win for all parties involved,” said Professor Ian Crockett. “The students get a real life experience and learn to work within the framework of an agency. Honda receives insight and creativity from the students, who also happen to be their target audience for this vehicle.”
Crockett, who is teaching the class, is also the president of a successful advertising agency in Newport Beach, Calif., Hunter Barth Advertising, Inc. As their students’ advisor, he will encourage them to develop their campaign using their own ideas and skills.
Today's college students are in a "catch-22" when entering the job market. They lack experience and find themselves in a situation where they may have a difficult time finding a job due to their inexperience. The Honda Fit Marketing Challenge effectively bridges the gap between industry and education, providing students with hands-on, real world experience with one of the country’s leading companies.
Watch for more information about the Honda Fit Marketing Challenge at Cal State Fullerton throughout the spring 2006 semester. For further inquires regarding the Cal State Fullerton project, please contact Rachel Kaizoji at: (626) 688-9714 or Rachel.kaizoji@verizon.net.
About Honda: Honda (NYSE: HMC) is a leading manufacturer of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide through innovative products of the highest quality and high value. The result of these efforts is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of fun, clean and efficient products including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with about 20 million customers annually.
Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda’s first overseas subsidiary. Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979, with U.S. automobile manufacturing starting in 1982, employing more than 26,000 people in the design, manufacturing and marketing of its products in America. Honda currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S.
About EdVenture Partners: EdVenture Partners is a Berkeley-based marketing company providing unique industry-education partnerships to more than 300 campuses across the United States. EdVenture Partners, in conjunction with industry partners, provides each student agency with on-going resources, guidance and a project budget to implement their marketing campaign.
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Honda just released the MSRP for the Fit as follows:
Base manual - $13850
Base Auto - $14650
Sport Manual- $15170
Sport Auto - $15970
For all levels add $550 destination charge
MUCHO thanks to "pahondadealer" over on FitFreak.net for the info!
Confirmed on hondapreview.com with April 20 "on sale" date:
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/artman/publish/article_441.shtml
I noticed that the sport "body kit" is one of the accessories. If it is an accessory, then why on earth would they make it standard on the sport model, and alienate those who don't like the look, but want cruise control.
It seems to me that everybody could have the car just like they wanted it, if it just remained an accessory. Sometimes marketing people make me wonder. Still hoping the plastic add ons can be removed without leaving any holes.
Interestingly a Civic LX manual can be had for just about exactly the price of the Fit sport. That will change once the Fit is discounted though.
Too bad there is no Civic hatch. The person who ran the marketing for the fit said they didn't want the two to be the same - hence the hatch for the Fit and none for the Civic. I notice they (and most every other car maker) has no problem with repitition when it comes to SUV's.
Good thing gas is finally expensive - that should all start to change.
Off soapbox.
It will be fun looking at the Fit, Versa, and Yaris (and compare to Civic, Corolla, and Matrix). They each have some issues, but some choice is better than no choice.
Not only is that true, but even the speculation before NAIAS was saying the base would run in the $13k range and Sport in the $15k. I personally was expecting about $13 500 for the base MT, so I'm not really surprised or dissapointed...especially consider the high level of standard equipment. The $1k deposit I have at the dealer, which I practically forgot about will help ease the final payment though.
Here is the official news release from Honda:
http://hondanews.com/CatID2150?mid=2006032051996&mime=asc
This is in the range I was expecting, but two surprises:
- Price points are ~$500 higher than I expected. Still a good value, but simply in terms of price, closer to the Civic and further from Scion and Koreans.
- The additional cost ("premium") for the Sport Package is a little less than I expected - about $1,320. See my post about "Breaking Down the Sport Package" in this forum a few weeks back: I think this makes the Sport a decent value, even counting out the spoiler nonsense, if you add up the cost to install cruise (if it were an option), fog lights, the better stereo, and the security system/keyless entry, it easily reaches $1,300 [and the idea behind package pricing for anything is that the sum value is less than the individual components].
However, I have not yet seen an official announcement from Honda on the date in press release form.
It's in the press release that you linked...first sentence:
"Torrance, Calif. 03/20/2006 -- The all-new 2006 Honda Fit will debut at dealerships nationwide on April 20 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13,850, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today."
Of course the base price is $14,400. Can't pretend destination charges do not exist.
and Hondas are, well Hondas.
http://asia.vtec.net/Series/FitJazz/lseriesphoto/index.html
Timing chain + Honda + better room, more features = Fit is the Winner, you should of been patient. :P
isnt it the scion with the timing chain?
Just the fact that you bought in the B segment makes you a winner in my book!
Don't worry about it
B-segment is a term more often used in Europe because of the huge number of B-segment cars there, but now it is gaining popularity in the US as well, thanks to the new group of small cars. Cars like the Fit, xA, Yaris, etc. are considered B-segment...it's just a system of classification like compact or midsize. Cars like the Smart Fortwo, and the Japanese kei cars would be A-segment.
Honda marketed the Jazz (Fit) in Europe as the B-segment car with a C-segment interior. That basically means a subcompact with a compact-car sized interior.
1) No factory installed sunroof
2) No cruise control (on dash, if not on the steering wheel)
Would have thought offering both as options on the LX were no brainers.
I too wish they had put a moonroof in the top of the line Fit and tacked $500 on the price, or made it a stand-alone option like leather in the Accords. There could be base, Sport, and Sport-M (M for moonroof) just like there is LX, EX and EX-L.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm personally glad the moonroof isn't standard, but I suppose it would be good for those who wanted one to have it as a factory option. That is how it goes for the Jazz in certain European countries like the UK. They have "Sunroof" versions of the 1.4 SE and 1.4 Sport.
Have a simple version on the LX and charge me appropriately.
It's hard to believe that car manufacturers can't make a profit by offering options individually. :mad:
Yes, Honda did say when they announced they were bringing the Fit to the USA that the cars would initially come from Japan. But given the popularity of the car now, I expect that when Honda does the full-model change (FMC) for the Fit (probably as early as calendar year 2007 for the 2008 model year) the Fit will be built at one of Honda's North American assembly lines.
I got one even though I did not want any.
There is no reason this option would not be available on the N. American market.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/survey/2004/category.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/survey/category.shtml
Buying the jazz is unlikely to be a mistake
60-65mpg, same useability, plus the free parking at meters, free carpool lane useage, and tax incentive. For $2-3K or so more, yet 4-5K less than the Prius, it's going to whomp on it.
"Want a moonroof? Buy a Civic."
I'm sure that's what they are thinking. The Fit, for now, is an economy car to fill an immediate need for a cheap, small car in Honda's NA lineup. I'd prefer the Fit to be more upscale with a higher price - or have Honda build a cargo-minded Civic hatch/wagon along the lines of a Mazda 3 - but that's not the reality.
Also, it is cheaper to produce two trim levels than three, since you have to double this to account for automatic and manual transmission variations.
It's unlikely that Honda will have any problems selling this car so they are acting in a rational business manner.
For instance, the Civic Hybrid has a pathetically small trunk. It should have been a hatchback like the Prius. The Fit is already a small package so fitting in a hybrid system with batteries may require losing some room in the rear cargo area. That may kill off a lot of the appeal: maybe no more Magic Seat. I don't know, just speculation.