Honda Fit

bodble2

No, I think some segregation for more specific, and recurring topics, is appropriate (ie. seat adjustments which a lot of people seem to be interested in). But of course, you don't want 2 dozen threads to discuss every different aspect!

And, after I learned to use the tracking feature, I don't really mind all the different threads!

killerpiece

This may be the first time, but have to agree with backy on this one..... I CALL FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE OTHER THREADS! Because this new way is COMPLETELY INCONVENIENT!!!!

Killerpiece :shades:

ross14

On my favorites list, I have 6 separate cars at Edmunds forums. Accent, Yaris, Fit, Which Hatchback, versa, & Low end sedans. I entered a "spoof" on car seating, & still haven't seen it. If these 6 forums spawn mutations, we may get into too mucho forums.

moparbad

There are too many categories of Fit topics. :sick:

backy

FWIW, I sent a comment/complaint to Edmunds.com, category "Forums." If others don't like this segmentation of threads into discussions, you might want to do the same thing to have your voices heard, since the people responsible for designing Town Hall won't see the comments here.

anotherscott

Yes, I think they've taken the segregation too far. Even if it does make sense to not have one mammoth section, there must be a happy medium. This is way too cumbersome.

For instance there are FIVE forums for comparing the Fit to other cars... (vs. Mazda, vs. Hyundai, vs Scion, etc.). I think one for "Honda Fit vs. other choices" section to cover all of them would make a lot more sense, especially as comparisons have a way of encompassing more choices as time goes on anyway. (Though I can also see an advantage to keeping them seperate, if they may want to have, for example "Fit vs. Scion" come up as both a Fit forum and as a Scion forum.) The "seat adjustment" thread should be inside the "shortcomings" section. Test drives and reports from new owners should be combined. That kind of thing.

moparbad

Unfortunately, it is priced beyond what comes to mind, too: $14,400 to start, an additional $1,500 typically equipped -- as much as a larger, if less lavishly appointed, Civic.

Honda says "entry level" doesn't mean "cheap."

Pleasing but Pricey

I agree with the review that the Fit will be a Hit.
It is unfortunate that Honda has glaring equipment omissions that are not even optional.

Sylvia

While we hear you - we have also been hearing from people for years on how they HATE the fact that we have 1 discussion per vehicle and they leave (many more than I hear love the idea of 5,000 posts in a discussion they have to wade through). If you are new and here looking for something in the forums it's tough to navigate in one discussion 18,000 messages. If you use the Track and Read New Posts - you aren't losing anything. You get the same posts, but in a more defined manner.

We are going to a more "group" or "club" definition. Therefore, we'd like to have discussions for regional Fit meet-ups, etc. If they were buried in this discussion, they wouldn't be found.

I'm open to hearing suggestions for what discussions you want - Fit Maint & Repair, Fit Comparisons, Fit Gas Mileage, etc. But the fact is that all of those items won't live in this one single discussion.

fit_ness

I know I won't change you decision, but I hope that you stop before you get more than one page of topics.

reddroverr

Too late.

moparbad

How long are the topics going to be left open?
It is common to see many read only topics when fragmentation occurs.

FWIW IMO Edmunds has been working overtime to drive away loyal readers/contributors to the forum with the frequent problematic changes during the last year. The indexing and search functions of the forum are still not working correctly.

A suggestion, have the sublisting for different sub-topics indexed at the top of the topic below the heading.

Example-
-Honda Fit
-Maintenance - Accessories -MPG -etc...

moparbad

Colonial Honda has the Fit listed on Ebay for $18,995 buy it now. Let the gouging begin!
So happy I do not live in CA!!

thegraduate

Serra Honda here in Birmingham is selling them at sticker; other dealers around B'ham are asking an extra $700.

moparbad

Fit Review

nippononly

a tale of 2 dealerships:

my local dealer, has a policy, no mark-ups over sticker MSRP. Has not kept any Fits in stock since the day they started coming in. He has none on his lot tonight.

the next closest dealer, ten miles up the road, adds regional mark-up to everything - his mark-up on the Fit is $1995 - has received four and still has four on the lot. Interestingly, has no Sport manual, tsk tsk, such a shame. Has a couple base cars, and boy is everyone right, those wheel covers are easily the cheapest thing on this car. They really stand out.

The dealers, it seems, don't understand what a turn-off those added mark-up stickers are. People will leave without a second backward glance in most cases. Problem for us buyers is, there are enough suckers/people who have to be first on the block, that the dealers will manage to move those cars with ADMU. Maybe not as fast as dealers that aren't charging extra, but fast enough.

Me, I would never pay over MSRP for any model, I don't care WHAT it is. I wouldn't even bargain down from the mark-up, but rather from MSRP. Would I pay MSRP for a Fit? I think maybe I would go to my second choice instead.

Alas, it seems that with the constraints on production with the Fit, MSRP sales may stick around longer than they normally do for new models, even Hondas.

Sylvia

Sorry, but you are wrong - if you look at the board level - click Honda Fit message board up below the title of this - we allow for 100 discussions to display. You are looking at the Honda Fit index - which is not the Honda Fit board but the index of any discussion categorized to the Honda Fit across the Forums.

Sylvia

I hate to tell you but you are way off base. Have we had bugs - yes. That is why we HAD to do various changes or updates. The consequence of NOT doing the updates would have been worse.

I've no clue about indexing and search not working as they seem to be working fine since the update a few weeks ago.

While you may not see it - loyal readership is actually up. In fact, the off-shoot discussions that have been made into their own discussions (Honda Fit v. Hyundai Accent) are doing quite well.

Think of the format this way - if there is a Honda Fit club site out there, it has more than 1 discussion. We want the Honda Fit board here to be competitive and an alternative to these types of sites. You can't do that with one discussion even if it does have 18,000 posts.

OK - since there seems to be such hot interest and it is unfair to the Fit to derail the conversation here - please ask any additional questions or lodge complaints over in the Software discussion found in the Automotive News discussion.

bprenderson

Hi, Kids!

I tried on a Fit for the first time this AM. Being that I'm around 320 lbs, I thought that I might have a problem getting in on out. To my surprise, I was able to get in and out without any work. Very easy for the large size folks! The sales guy, who is a big old boy, sat behind me and said he had enough room.

reddroverr

Here is what I do.

I click forums.
I click Honda
I click Fit,
A screen comes up that says I am on page one of two (at the bottom)
There are not a hundred topics listed.
There are topics on page two.

If that makes me wrong, so be it. I don't want to waste time figuring out why you are right.

mwqa

Could we have another thread discussing the user friendliness of the discussion threads?

Th Fit discussion is getting lost IMO :P

txptc

So how high will the price of gas have to go up in the US before Honda offers us a smaller engined/higher mileage Fit in the US? (or any other car maker for that matter?)

haulsmall

I'm expecting the next generation Fit to address the mileage issue either with a higher-mileage variant of the i-VTEC offered in the Civic, the i-DSI offered in the JDM Fit or a choice of the two. The rumored Fit Hybrid would be another response, although that remains vaporware for now.

extech2

Does the Fit has a temperature gauge? I can't tell by looking at the photos posted in Edmunds

w9cw

No, it does not have a temp gauge.

extech2

Seems like strange. Every Honda since the 1974 Civic had a dedicated temperature gauge and not to have one now in order to save 15-20 bucks is kind of dumb.

dudleyr

They took the gauge off because it does not do anything. It stays on cold until the thermostat opens then in a few seconds it goes to its normal position and stays there all the time. If something goes wrong with the engine then it quickly goes up. The Fit has a light that tells you it is cold, no light for when it is at the correct temp and a light for when it is hot. I actually prefer this to a water temp gauge as the light will be more noticeable than a moving gauge.

Now an oil temp gauge would be different. It would actually have different readings depending on the engine rpm, outside temp etc.

hungarian83

To expand on the LEDs.

Blue when it's cold. Goes off fairly quickly.

The red LED flashes when it gets close to what would be the "H" on the actual water gauge. It stops flashing and stays red if you pass what would be the "H". At that point it is technically overheating and time to pull over.

In other words it does give some warning in the event of the engine running too hot.

From my experience with Honda gauges, there is no real difference. They go up to operating temperature fairly quickly and within seconds shoot up to the "H" in the event of an overheat.

Having the needle there is just a psychological "feel better" tool. If the gauges went up slowly (and accurately) it might make a difference to have the gauge vs. the LED system, but it's really not a problem when you get used to it.

dewaltdakota

I almost like the idea of no light when all is okay, and a light starting to flash, when something is up (i.e., the temperature). I can equate it to my gas gauge on the truck, as I've been known to not really look down to see where it is, until the "hey, you'd better get gas soon" light comes on. It really attracts my attention better than a creeping gauge.

raychuang00

I'm expecting the next generation Fit to address the mileage issue either with a higher-mileage variant of the i-VTEC offered in the Civic, the i-DSI offered in the JDM Fit or a choice of the two.

I have my doubts that when the Fit has its full-model change (FMC) we'll see the i-DSI engine in the US market. he reason is simple: the i-DSI engine emphasizes low-end performance. A more likely choice is an all-new 1.5-liter I-4 engine with the same SOHC i-VTEC valvetrain and fuel induction system found on the R18 engine of the 2006 Civic, probably rated at 117-120 bhp (SAE 08/04 net). This new engine will not only offer more power than the L15A VTEC, but also will have maybe 5-8% better fuel economy and full ULEV Level-II emissions compliance. :shades:

Sylvia

Click on the folder icon for Honda Fit that is above the list of discussions... that takes you to the Honda Fit board and then click Track this Group.

Further software/navigation questions can be answered in the Software discussion at http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.eea0957

moonchild

I want a FIT however I'm VERY concerned about the future also in Honda servicing them. To my understanding their service center has to be completely trained for FIT. Also things like replacement parts, etc. How expensive, easy to get, etc.And if the sales don't go thru the roof and they discontinue the model--what then.I'm not savvy enough to know history of these problems. I do know supply and demand though.

chrisducati

I have yet to see one in this area. Looking forward to it. I assume the midwest will be one of the last areas it gets to.

thatsmycall

Good write up at TOV. Insightful remarks on MT vs AT. Has video and pictures- enjoy...

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=532449

mtngal

I'm hopefully going to be getting Fit soon. We looked at one last night (base model) but will be buying a Sport since cruise control isn't negotiable for my other half.

I guess I'm unusual - my current daily driver is less than 2 years old (19 months to be exact) and has 81,000 miles on it. I hope that this Fit is as fit as the model name - I'll need it to go at least 200,000 miles and preferably 300,000 miles, if I like it.

If I understand the information on the Sport model radio - it is has an aux plug-in but is not a satellite ready head. So I would need to get a Roady or MyFi (add-on thing), rather than an XM tuner that plays through the head, right? Or else replace the head if I don't want an add-on. Is that correct?

micweb

Wow, that was not only the best written (most comprehensive, both on technical and driveability aspects) Fit review I've read yet, it's the best written review I've ever read of ANY car.

I found it especially interesting that the VTEC system in this car controls the extra intake valve (on a 4 valve per cylinder system) to improve driveability at LOW rpm, not power at high rpm. Basically the extra intake valve is closed at "normal" low rpm to improve turbulence in the combustion chamber (sounds like one of the goals of the new Civic motor). At higher rpm (3,400 or higher depending on driving circumstances) the second intake valve opens up to improve the engine breathing. Result? Good torque at lower rpm, coupled with an ability at higher rpm to run up to the redline without running out of steam. However, there is apparently no classic "rush of power" at higher rpm like on the original VTEC's - which would be fine with me - one of my biggest gripes with the old performance Civics was the need to hit high rpm to get any grunt. Unlike other flavors of VTEC, there is only one cam profile, and the VTEC does it tricks, apparently, solely by controlling the intake valve.

The reviewer gave the Fit much higher marks than the Scion xA in both handling and engine responsivness; he noted that the xA engine feels trashy and like it is running out of steam as it approaches its redline, which mirrors my own experience on the MT xA I owned for a year, while the Fit pulls strongly and smoothlyl up to its redline. So apparently the Fit motor is more sophisticated, albeit with simpler technology, than we first gave it credit for (amazingly, the reviewer actually rates the Aveo motor as better than the Scion's!).

The reviewer also liked the ratios, shift points, and performance of the auto transmission version better than the MT, which is good to hear since the MT has much higher freeway rpm. It's starting to sound like the Fit might not be a bad medium haul (200 mile) sprinter, when equipped with cruise control and the automatic.

The final point I noted in the review, which bears out my own visual inspection when I sat in the Fit, is that the trunk area of the Fit is MUCH larger than the Scion xA, despite the two cars having almost identical exterior dimensions.

The reviewer wondered why Honda brought the Fit over so late (after 6 - is that correct? - years of production overseas) and why we aren't getting the "new" one instead of the current one. (Let's hope Honda intends to roll out the new one overseas for a year to get the bugs out before introducing it here as a 2009 model - and doesn't intend to follow VW's habit of giving North America "the old stuff" for several years after a new model has debuted in Europe.)

Now I am wondering - would a Fit be a "keeper" compared to the xA, which almost hit the mark, but just missed it? Based on the early review and driving impressions of the Yaris, on which the next generation xA will be based, the xA is NOT going to hit a home run out of the park when it gets (if it gets) a major model change in the fall as expected.

Does anyone else think that Honda is getting closer to its small car roots with the Fit, than it did with the '06 Civic?

anotherscott

The good news is that, if all you really miss on the base is cruise control, you don't have to get the Sport, there are aftermarket cruise controls, so you should be able to put one on the base for a lot less than going up to the Sport.

The bad news is, replacing the radio head unit (on either the base or Sport) does not look viable at the moment.

algorenet

I know even more recent Honda's have timing belts rather than chains, and know all Toyota's now have chains, and I am wondering if Honda has finally moved to timing chains.

moparbad

????????????

moonchild

dewaltdakota

That all depends on what your definition of "chain" is. Technically, the Fit uses a timing chain, but not in the same sense as one would think of a chain, with individual, intertwined links.

trgbassguy

So what kind of gas mileage are people actually getting?

civicfan

There are Fits available in Mass,& NH. I could have picked one up today, but wanted an automatic. It was a black Sport. While at the dealer a customer was waiting for his
Fit(blue, stick)to be prepped.He wouldn't say what he paid,
but hinted list. I have an 01Civic stick that gets 38mpg,so would
be losing mpg,but bad knee will probably mean auto.

moparbad

$15,500 Fit Sport Automatic

I'm skeptical.

nippononly

Yeesh, they have 19 in stock too. I'm jealous - around here no-one is keeping any in stock. :-(

Still hoping to test drive a Sport manual....

plekto

He got soured on the manual for one big reason - he hated the pedal placement. It's that close because proper heel-toe shifting requires closely spaced pedals. Complaining that the car maxxes out in second gear at "only" 50mph - um... he's way crazier a driver than most of us.

I'm sure someone will come up with an accessory aluminum footrest soon. Just something to raise and flatten out the side of the foot area where it starts to rise up. Then he can rest it on the footrest and hit the clutch with his toe.

As for useability - it's great. Short, almost no weight, and unless he has his seat in way far back gangsta-hide-behind-the-pillar mode it's a quick downward motion. It's exactly like in the Celica. Not a Miata/RX-8 or a Boxter or simmilar by any stretch of the imagination. But it's certainly not a rubbery piece of junk as an afterthrought.

It feels very "European". Like my old Volvo 240 did - not a fantastic clutch, but good enough. In many ways the Fit reminds me of a less expensive expression of the same philosophy. Build a family car - as much space inside as possible(even if it ends up rather square - lol). As reliable as possible. Amenities come a distant second to handling and driving experience.

240s were plain, budget Volvos for the most part. But they worked well, had tons of space for their size, and drove like a proper Volvo. JUst like the Fit drives like a proper Honda. The Yaris? Definately not a "Toyota" driving experience. Lol.

vchiu

This pictures shows part of the leather Trim

http://public.fotki.com/vchiu/d50_trial/fit4.html
http://public.fotki.com/vchiu/d50_trial/fit1.html

I will try to make better pictures and one of the factory installed sunroof">

mtngal

I decided to go to Autoland and let them search out availability. I was looking for a manual Sport and he couldn't find one anywhere in SoCal, just an auto. I sure hope I get this car sooner rather than later - gas at our local Flying J jumped from $3.07 to $3.13 today.

haulsmall

All Things Considered had a short piece on the crop of small cars, including the Fit, Yaris, etc. They mentioned the realization by Asian and European manufacturers that their are some North Americans that actually like small cars!!!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5362373

sntgizmo

The Fit (Jazz) has been the second best selling car in Japan for a few years now. It is also Honda's #1 selling car in that country making up over 30% of all Honda's sold. The US Fit is essentially a Jazz with left hand drive. The Window sticker even states 100% Japanese. The last thing I would worry about is futere parts availability. Even if they discontinue the US car they are not about to kill their #1 car overseas. The car has a 3 year bumber to bumper and a 5 year power train warranty. There is no way a company like Honda is going to let their mechanics work on these cars if they do not know what they are doing. If your car needs that major of service before the warranty is up it would be in your best interest to sell it off anyway. If the Fit is like every other car Honda makes resale will be excellent.

sd_driver

Take the Fit up to 60+ mph.

With both front windows all the way up, roll down one or both of the back windows all the way.

What happens?