Honda Fit

bostonjazz

Seems like Honda dealers are still in the dark; I'm told they're still awaiting the "dealer pricing" even though the MSRP has been announced.

There are multiple references to this car "going on sale" / being "in showrooms" on April 20th - but it seems to me that it might be even longer until the car is actually available to pick up. One dealer told me theirs are arriving in JUNE. If I have to wait any longer, I'll seriously consider other options.

Dewaltdakota or anyone else thinking about a rack (this is a must have for my kayaks)... Have you been able to absolutely confirm the load-bearing capacity of the Fit, or that racks will be available this Spring? I've become concerned about this (for no particular reason). I just submitted an inquiry at the Thule website. Interestingly, in their "knowledgebase," they say they aren't able to safely/securely provide a rack for the Scion XA (but they do for the XB). I think we've all assumed that the European Thule parts for the Jazz will work... but I'd like to confirm that before I'm stuck with a car that I can't put my kayaks on this spring/summer!

mwqa

The Civic is a SEDAN. Honda is unlikely to cannibalize sales of the Civic by offering a moonroof. All they are doing is leaving the door open for competition.

In Canada at least, I get the impression that the Fit is being slotted in as a (cheaper) Civic Hatchback, perhaps a reason we won’t see the European Civic Hatch anytime soon.

mwqa

... don't get me wrong. I'd be quite happy to spend money on a Sport, but the options are just too unappealing.

The larger rims will make the ride a bit less comfortable (the Fit's Achilles heel, I hear). That cute back spoiler is just begging to be ripped off, resulting in higher insurance premiums all around. The underbody spoilers create a lower ground clearance, which is a problem in a snowy climate like mine and on speed bumps. The keyless entry requires expensive replacement keys.

In Canada, the stripped DX is available, but I’m willing to consider the LX because the options are worthwhile (A/C and power door locks). Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same way about the Sport. Give me a sunroof with the cruise, without all the plastic, and the Sport becomes much more appealing. Better yet, give me the options of a sunroof and cruise on the LX (for, say, $1250CDN) and sell the other options to someone who wants them.

dewaltdakota

I know I read somewhere that the roof rack capacity was somewhere around 80lbs... but Thule UK changed their website, and now only offers generic installation guides. I now wish I had saved off a copy of it when I had it on my screen!

The 2005 UK Jazz accessory brochure lists the carrying capacity of the cargo box at just under 80lbs, so that figure is beginning to sound pretty solid.

I have not heard any official word, regarding whether or not the 2005 UK Jazz clips will work with the 2007 US Fit. The closest thing to an answer I've heard is "If they haven't changed the roofline for the US, then they most certainly should fit (no pun, intended)."

Someone (bostonjazz, I believe) had previously mentioned that the roof rack is carried by the frame of the car, suggesting you don't really have to worry about load capacity. While the weight is distributed to the frame, the landing pads still have to sit on the sheetmetal of the roof of the car, and clip (and tighten down) to the inside of the doorframe. If you put too much weight on the rack, you will dent your roof. Likewise, if you tighten down the clamps too hard, you will dent your roof, and possibly bend the frame around your door.

I've been around a lot of roof racks on a lot of different cars, including many Hondas. During one stint at Lowe's, I even had the pleasure of seeing someone pop the top of their windshield out of frame, because the weight flexed the top of their roof just enough to break the bond! :surprise:

The paint on Hondas is pretty soft as well, so be prepared to see "footprints" on your roof, when you remove the rack. If you let it sit in the sun with the rack off, it can even out a little, but may still leave permanent dents in the paint. Best advice? Remove it often, and keep it waxed, or install it once, and never take it off again!

bostonjazz

This was brought up a week or two ago without a definitive (sourced answer) - someone here was concerned about the MAX ROOF LOAD for the Honda Fit, and that got me thinking.

Well, you can find it on the homepage at FitFreak.net - 81.4 lbs, converted from 37 kg - and I was able to verify this at many other sources. This goes for the international versions of the Jazz/Fit at least. I am no engineer, and this is an assumption, but I doubt the roof load capacity of the Fit has been enhanced in the U.S. version. Unfortunately Honda has not released this in the set of specs - unless someone can find out.

The Fit is a small car, and I suppose it doesn't surprise me to consider that it can't hold much weight on the roof.

My kayaks weigh 45 lbs each - and these are somewhat smaller 12'9" kayaks compared to bigger and heavier touring kayaks that many people use. That's 90 lbs - over the limit - plus another 10 lbs or so for the attachments takes us to 100 lbs.

I understand the roof capacity on a Scion XB is more like 150+ lbs.

bostonjazz

Thanks... If it helps, here's an archived version from 2004 of the Thule UK site:

http://web.archive.org/web/20041130091647/http://www.thule.co.uk/

jonniedee

Well before the April 1st embargo:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog/automotive/2511346.html
:surprise:

OK Edmunds - now your turn.... :P

tifighter

Excellent find.

backy

Not a surprise that the Fit has the best fit and finish. But it seems strange to me that they would tout the ergonomics of the only car in the bunch with a driver's seat that doesn't adjust for height.

And the Versa is the most commodious for people and the best handling of the bunch. Looks like it will be a fight between the Fit and the Versa as they name their winner.

fit_ness

Could someone in a market that offers Storm Silver Metallic describe the color? The pictures I've seen on the computer screen seem to vary widely.

Is it a light silver or a darker silver with charcoal undertones? Is the fine lister from France who posted his pictures still around? I'm wondering if that car is Storm Silver?

I went to a dealer and put a deposit on a silver Sport MT that was built 3/15 and should be here a in late April. I kind of wanted the Vivid Blue Pearl but it looks a little standoutish for me. Dealer had the brochure and the Storm Silver looked darker charcoal than I thought it was.

Anyway, thanks!

nippononly

that PM called the Yaris's back seat cramped, when it's wheelbase is as long as all the others', I think. I am curious to see how the Fit's back seat is to sit in.

Is anyone posting in here intending from the outset to wait for the revised model that will probably be here in two years or so?

backy

You will be amazed at how much back seat room there is in the Fit, even though it is the smallest car of the bunch. Three things help with the rear seat comfort: it's high, there's good room for feet (and a sloped floor under the front seats that makes a great footrest), and the seat adjusts to multiple seating positions (i.e. seat bottom and seat back moving in sync). There may not be enough room for big adults, but kids and small adults will be fine. I'm 5'10" and had enough room in back.

As for waiting, I am tempted to wait for the Fit Hybrid, which I am assuming will use the new design for the Fit. But if I really like the way it drives I might not wait.

reddroverr

I think the trouble with waiting for the hybrid is that honda will try to keep it mum until the last possible minute, because they won't want to hurt current sales. So you will really be in the dark as to how long or short you will have to wait.

backy

Well, "we pays our money and we takes our chances."

hungarian83

I'm also getting Storm Silver, and it's really a tough call to describe the color. I've seen Storm Silver in real life: indoors, outdoors, during a storm even. The darkness depends on the situation. IMHO, it's a pretty good balance of light and dark though.

Not to confuse you further, but here are two pictures of the same car (European market 1.2i S Cool). The first one shows a full view of the car, while the second is just the front part in a line-up view of the cars used in the test.
Even though it is the exact same car, it seems quite a bit lighter in the second image:

http://index.hu/cikkepek/totalcar/tesztek/otkicsi//.gdata/gp_jazz_008.jpg
http://index.hu/cikkepek/totalcar/tesztek/otkicsi//.gdata/gp_otkicsi_044.jpg

If I were you, I would just wait until delivery. I'm sure you will find the color to be fine.

reddroverr

or keeps our money in our pockets and takes our chances. I do think there will be more interesting high mileage cars coming out, so it won't hurt to wait in any case.

mebman

The Storm Silver is a darker silver with hints of charcoal in it. I saw it at the Houston auto show in January see my post #1785 for a photo. If your tastes tend to be a bit conservative, then it's one of them best looking colors for this car.

I have to say though that I am a bit dissapointed with the 16k price for the sport at. I was hoping for about a thousand dollars less. I wonder how long you would have to wait in order to pay anything less than sticker for the Fit?

mwqa

http://www.globeauto.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060323.wxwhhonda23/GAStory/specia- lGlobeAuto/

(Thanks to sirAQUAMAN64)

nippononly

cruise on the Fit Sport certainly does set it apart in the B-class segment, as they mention repeatedly in the article.

bostonjazz

I keep replying to my own messages , but I wanted to share some more thoughts on ROOF LOAD as I researched this extensively last night. This is something that's relevant to a number of us Fit fans who have posted from time to time concerning carrying kayaks... (and perhaps bicycles, etc.) and unfortunately this will have a substantial impact on my decision/ability to buy a Fit.

I have no doubt that the U.S. market Fit - or the international Fit/Jazz for that matter - is capable of carrying a single kayak - the only question then is when an appropriate kit for Thule and Yakima racks will be available, and if the kits for the European Jazz will work (my guess is they would).

HOWEVER, I am very concerned that the worldwide Jazz/Fit is rated at only 37 kg (~81 lbs) "maximum roof load." *Assuming the U.S. version is similarly rated* (Honda has released no U.S.-specific roofload information), two kayaks and a rack system easily exceeds this by 25-50%, and therefore is untenable. TO THIS POINT, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY PHOTO EVIDENCE OR REFERENCES ON THE WEB OF ANYONE IN THE LARGE INTERNATIONAL MARKET FOR THE FIT/JAZZ CARRYING TWO KAYAKS OR AN OTHERWISE SUBSTANTIAL LOAD ON THEIR ROOF. Checking the specs and experiences for similar cars (e.g., Civic/Accord, Scion XA) suggests that indeed a small car like the Fit is not rated for such a weight even if Honda has made dramatic structural engineering improvements to the roof capacity for the U.S. version, which I highly doubt.

Interestingly, most references to "roof load" in car specs are European.

jonniedee

Use long mode and just stack the Kayaks inside
Seriously though I've gone way over weight with Thule racks before - they distribute the weight off central roof and out to the top of the door jams...

dewaltdakota

What would be great for kayaks would be if you could add a hitch on the back, and use a Yakima Dry Dock (or similar product) to extend your rear crossbar beyond the rear bumper of the vehicle. It would also distribute the weight between your hitch, and the roof.

I had something like it for my truck, before I put a cap on it.

thegraduate

I'm sorry to come here with such a stupid request, but could someone guide me to that episode of Top Gear (it was on Google video) in which the mothers of the testers actually did the testing? I found it hysterical, wanted my father to see it (he wants a Fit), and now I can't find it anywhere :confuse: !

Direction or a link would be oh so appreciated!

Thanks a lot,

thegrad

kagedude

Its from post #2219...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7462198430398844118

nukepooch1

It's from season 6, episode 4...

The entire episode is available here, if you're into torrents...

http://www.finalgear.com/downloads/topgear/6/4/

tifighter

Careful, no one can watch just one...

vchiu

>Sport Manual- $15170
>Sport Auto - $15970

it is interesting to see that for only 2000 USD more, it is possible to get a Hyundai Sonata that plays in a different league (more room , more power, but less mpg). I suppose buying a fit can not be based upon pratical issues only.

When I bought my fit in China, I faced a different choice as the 4cyl Sonata was about 15000 USD (yes, nearly 8 times the difference) more.

Should I had only to pay 2K or even 5K more, I would have ordered the Hyundai immediately, as we only have one car.

So US customers are quite lucky to have a broad choice of cars with very competitive prices that can sometimes be haggled down.

That the FIT is reasonably priced is a reason for its success in China. It is more expensive than the Yaris/echo, the latter being much less sold.

If I were in Europe, I wouldn't have chosen the Fit, as it is only available with 1.2 and 1.3Liter Engine that makes it sluggish. and prices can go over 20K USD...

I don't regret my FIT purchase because I think it is the most sensible choice here, but in other countries, the choice is not that obvious.

thegraduate

Thank you guys SO MUCH, but it has already been removed from the site. Oh well, I guess I waited too long!

nippononly

Yeah, the Fit Sport is bumping against the price ceiling it could reasonably sell at, I think. There are a lot of cars you can get at $15-16K sticker, all of which would be very competitive with the Fit. Not all are hatches though. If you are stuck on getting a hatch, then the only two that really stand out are the xA and the Elantra GLS 5-door, although I hear the '06 Accent is supposed to be a bargain too - don't know if there is a 5-door version there. And of course, there is also the Focus ZX5 - not the world's newest design, but bargain-priced these days - dealers are dealing on those! And just coming out also is the Caliber, which looks pretty cool and starts at around $15K for the SXT (mid-level trim). Fit Sport will have its work cut out for it. The base model looks like a real bargain except for the mini-tires - the xA has those minuscule 14"ers beat for the same money.

bodble2

I initially thought the Fit LX automatic, the version I would get, is expensive. But then I went and built-out a Pontiac Wave 5-door, by adding a few common options such as alloys, automatic (4-speed), side airbags (no curtain), ABS, air-cond, and price was $17.5K to $18K. And I would venture to say the Wave is a significantly lesser car than the Fit. Suddenly the Fit doesn't look that expensive anymore!

BTW, I for one, am glad a moonroof is excluded to keep cost down. It's such an over-rated feature anyway. Cruise control? Could take it or leave it too. But an underpowered air-cond may be cause for concern. Had a '97 CR-V than also had an underpowered air-cond. And that was a pain in the [non-permissible content removed].

dmundy1

Here is a review from what I assume was a Honda Canada organized first drive session.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_T- ype1&c=Article&cid=1143128415954&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196

baccus49

checkout the nicely written article from the brampton guardian here

http://www.northpeel.com/br/wheels/story/3400735p-3933546c.html

hungarian83

"There are multiple references to this car "going on sale" / being "in showrooms" on April 20th - but it seems to me that it might be even longer until the car is actually available to pick up. One dealer told me theirs are arriving in JUNE. If I have to wait any longer, I'll seriously consider other options."

Was this the dealership you ordered from, or another one?
My dealer called me yesterday (all by himself...no need to pester him ) that he just completed the Fit dealership test drive. He gave me a few more pieces of information. He said that my order should arrive just a few days after the April 20 on sale date. Also, for this dealership at least, prices will start at MSRP with no ADMUs or "extra options" being stuck on to raise the price. My take on that is there won't be any additions in the beginning. However, if there is really a strong demand, then there might be some "premiums" to talk your way out of later on.

nukepooch1

"Careful, no one can watch just one..."

I'll second that...my DSL's been on fire lately downloading them lately.

I love the bits where they jump some weird car into something for no reason whatsoever...sounds exactly like what I'd do if I could.

bostonjazz

FYI - I submitted a question to Thule customer support regarding whether the European kit would work with the U.S. Fit for sure, and when they would have a U.S. version. Here is their response:

"Unfortunately, it is not clear as to if there will be any difference between the European and US bodystyles. Prime example is the new GTI bodystyle. Europe has a fitment, but do (sic) to a bodystyle change to the US model we do not have a fit for it yet. The Thule fit engineer will have to test this vehicle for a fitment when it becomes available."

shneor

My dealer told me that my Fit is coming in April. He's going to test drive April 4. I ordered a BM Lunar Mist with dark interior.

I'll be happy if the Fit has as much cargo space as my Mazda 323.

hungarian83

"I ordered a BM Lunar Mist with dark interior."

How did you manage that?
The Lunar Mist is only available with a beige interior.

fit_ness

"The Lunar Mist is only available with a beige interior."

Not according to the Honda Fit color sheet at the dealers now.

(Posted online somewhere.)

dewaltdakota

Check out this image from KenClunk over on FitFreak.net. It's the official Honda color chart for the Fit...

This shows the Lunar mist has only having the beige interior as an option (as beige/black is the beige interior).

mwqa

We’re all looking for a worthy successor to the Mazda 323. Happily, the Fit is up to the challenge, with a ton of cargo space and a nice '323'ish interior.

Hey, hungarian83! You’re getting the base Fit, right? What are you doing about cruise control??

hungarian83

"Not according to the Honda Fit color sheet at the dealers now."

Sorry, I didn't think it had changed. I have been going by the list the dealer gave me around January 20th (pre-order time). On that list for the base model it shows Lunar Mist, Milano Red, and Taffeta White as beige only and Storm Silver, Nighthawk Black, and Vivid Blue as black only. As for the Sport, all exterior colors have black interiors, except Taffeta White which has a choice of either black or beige.

thatsmycall

too bad the Fit doesn't have the cvt. Nissan versa, with 120hp, with cvt, has combined mileage of 38! Australian fit with cvt, 1.5, gets better than 40 hwy. What is up with this honda five speed auto? The Versa is also longer and wider than the Fit, cheaper too.
http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_start_mileage_race_2/

hungarian83

"Hey, hungarian83! You’re getting the base Fit, right? What are you doing about cruise control??"

Personally, I'm used to not having cruise control, so for me it's not as big of a deal. In Europe, cruise control is usually non-existant in the B-segment, so even if I have the chance to use it, I rarely do...just out of habit.
Having said that, it would be nice to see it on both trim lines of the US-market Fit, but I'm not going to bother with an aftermarket system.

The car I will be replacing with the Fit is a Corolla. Although it doesn't have cruise either, it's the 3-speed AT (and soft Toyota handling) that make driving it so awful. The Fit will be leaps and bounds above this car, so cruise control is just a minor issue.

justjules

Why, oh why, don't some people understand that longer and wider is not for everyone? I do not want a big car. I want reliable transportation with a back seat I can put into the current, small, parking area I have allotted. My choices, length-wise, included:
Miata (current car, no back seat)
Mini Cooper (cute, but out of my price range)
Yaris (haven't seen one yet)
Aveo (is it made of Legos?)
xA (my backup choice if I don't like the Fit on test drive)
xB (I'm afriad my ego won't let me drive something like that)
Fit (on the assembly line now)

The Versa is over a foot longer than the Fit. Why is that necessarily a good thing?

The sales guy at my dealership sent me an email with an estimaated "mid April" delivery and MSRP yesterday. He can't confirm any dealer-installed parts until probably the beginning of April. All I really need is a cargo cover, but I'm curious about what their pricing will look like.

shneor

That's what I asked the dealer to order. He told me the order went through exactly as I requested. We'll see in a few weeks, I can live with beige, if that's what it ends up as. But on the ocmputer, it's Lunar Mist with a dark interior.

thatsmycall

>>Versa is over a foot longer than the Fit. Why is that necessarily a good thing?
Could be good or not. The longer wheel base will make it drive different. I am going to test drive them both. Seems like versa will be $2k less. Also curious about crash results. Here is page from Japan on Fit test. Slightly better than Oddy front passenger, worse for side without US side air bags.

http://www.nasva.go.jp/mamoru/english/2002/as114.html

bodble2

Actually I'm glad the Fit comes with a conventional 5-sp auto. My wife's Mini has the CVT. It's a bit of a herky jerky experience at low speeds. Not to mentioned the fact it is quite sluggish off-the-line until the speed of the car catches up with the engine revs. Me thinks a CVT and a low-powered 4-banger do not a good marriage make!

bamacar

When I build a comparable Versa on Nissan's website to the Fit Sport manual I will be looking at, it appears the Versa is about $500-700 more than the Fit. How do you compute a $2k savings?

thatsmycall

15" aluminum-alloy wheels
AM/FM audio system with in-dash 6-disk CD changer & auxiliary input jack
Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
Power windows, door locks & remote keyless entry
Vehicle Security System
Xtronic™ CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission
15,550 base price vs 17k Fit sport Auto> Let's say 1400 as nissan is $55 more for delivery

thatsmycall

the user reviews I read of the honda cvt seemed good, they didn't mention it was jerky. Maybe Honda thought it too slow for the US market. It certainly gets better mileage than the 5 speed auto we are getting, though.