Honda Fit

baseknock72

I've owned honda products since the early 90's. I am a Honda owner. The Civic has and continues to be an entry level product for Honda. If Honda makes a cheaper sedan or coupe in the U.S. sans Civic badging, I'd love to see it. The Civic starts at only $700 & $900 more than their new (to the US) 5-door product. The Fit is unrefined, has bad doors, was rushed to our market and is ****.

thatsmycall

for: The Fit Is Go

FETISH GOT I
HEFT GO I SIT
FEST GO HIT I
EIGHT FIT SO
GHETTO IF IS
EGO FISH [non-permissible content removed]
GET FIT HO IS
GET OF HIT IS
HE FIT GO SIT
THEIST IF GO
SHE FIT GO IT
TIE FISH GOT
SET IF GOT HI
TEST IF HOG I

http://www.mbhs.edu/~bconnell/cgi-bin/anagram.cgi?cpw=1&phrase=thefitisgo

thatsmycall

I actually like the way they work and close. The doors feel and sound solid to me. Much nicer to use than our 04 oddy. It's actually a hassle to get people and stuff in and out of the oddy compared to the Fit. Went to CostCo today. This is one of the most solid feeling honda vehicles I've been in. Try out the doors on the CRV, man, brah ha ha. I've checked out 1995 honda and 1975 and I say it is better than those. This is 2006, this is the way they build stuff, these guys make an art out of cheap, and it's better.

dewaltdakota

Oooh, now that would be cool... would also deaden sound. I don't think I'd go for the front seat backs, but definitely the rear ones would need it.

gearhead1

The doors are excellent quality as well as the interior. The only thing I would agree could be better is the carpet, but it's not even a big deal. The Fit is a very solid car. It's not a step down from the civic, just a step over, and it's much more capable than the Civic.

micweb

I agree with baseknock72; we were in a Honda dealer yesterday and today looking for an Element, and looked at the Fit in passing, and if you aren't in love with the concept (looking with eyes of love), everything baseknock says is true.

cmk

EGO FISH [non-permissible content removed]

Hah. I like it. I think that's going to be the name of my new band.

carfanatic007

I completely disagree with your post. The Civic is way overpriced for what you get. An Economy car. That is what a Civic is. It doesn't deliver on its EPA fuel economy. Most posters in the Civic thread report about 28-29 MPG. Not 40. Also, the Civic is made in the USA. The Fit is made in Japan. That is good enough for me.

carfanatic007

I was stationed in Japan in the 1990 era. Bought a brand new Nissan March. Which was never sold here. It had about 60 HP. I drove that thing to death, it never gave me any problems. The Fit is so much better. To hear some of these peoples comments in hear makes me think "these might be Dealers from Toyota, Mazda or Nissan". Just my two cents. Don't believe it. The Fit is a great automobile. Now I just have to find mine.

baseknock72

Okay Okay. Now we're getting the "E" words thrown around left and right. We have ENTRY level, now ECONOMY. All three cars (Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Fit) fall on the lowest Honda rung. The Civic is one of the CAR's OF THE YEAR. Don't take my word for it, look it up. It is more refined. Period. But the Civic doesn't "fit" my needs. I like the style of the Fit. The form and function drew me to it. However, after having examined and driven it, P-A-S-S. In my opinion it doesn't live up to Honda's pedigree. Maybe Honda should have rebranded it on a level like Scion.

gearhead1

It most certainly does live up to the Honda name. it is described by many publications as premium in its class. I've driven it. It is a first class act, and I'm coming from a fully loaded Ridgeline. The Fit is a very good quality vehicle. I was very impressed with the interior and and the performance of this car. I prefer it over the Civic.

bodble2

"it is described by many publications as premium in its class."

True enough. But what are the others in its class? Yaris, Aveo, Accent, Wave? You can be the tallest midget, but you'd still be a midget. The Fit is nice enough for its intended market, but it is still a notch down on the "refinement" scale from the Civic. And that's if you are comparing the Sport to the base Civic. You take a base Fit, and it's not even close. I'm not saying the Fit is not a good car, but it is what it is. It is an econobox through and through, albeit a very good one.

sd_driver

What's a Noblesse Fit? All I could find in English were cosmetic add-ons. And no cosmetic add-ons are going to make the Fit perform as it is in that video, unless it's all a big put-on.

Any specs? Can I get my Fit Noblessed? How much? Where?

johnnyvj

Hahaha... that 'Noblesse Fit' was an automatic, and still tore all those other cars a new one!

hungarian83

The doors on my car shut with a solid "thunk", no hollow sound.

I agree that the carpet is quite thin and probably won't hold up well under hard use. Also, the wheel covers are cheap looking. The rest of the car (interior and exterior) is very solidly built.

hungarian83

Even in countries where more than 5 cars make up the small-car segment, it's still rated at the top.

...and in response to someone's post about the Civic being a "Car of the Year".
Yeah, well so was the Fit (JCOTY).

earth

completely disagree with your post. The Civic is way overpriced for what you get. An Economy car. That is what a Civic is. It doesn't deliver on its EPA fuel economy. Most posters in the Civic thread report about 28-29 MPG. Not 40. Also, the Civic is made in the USA. The Fit is made in Japan. That is good enough for me.
------------------------------------
Wrong.... I get 26.8 miles per gallon city only driving, and 38.2 miles per gallon, highway most of the time, with my 06 EX coupe with Nav. The MPH depends on tire pressure, how fast you go, the highway traffic conditions, and the Yo Yo behind the wheel, and his or her lead foot.

Absolutly no vehicle on the highway today gets the EPA rating, that includes the Fit

fit_ness

"Absolutly no vehicle on the highway today gets the EPA rating, that includes the Fit"

I know.

My Fit has been delivering above the EPA numbers on the sticker. I hear they used the new "real world" EPA tests because it is badged as a 2007.

dudleyr

"Absolutly no vehicle on the highway today gets the EPA rating, that includes the Fit"

Absolutely not true - look at Consumer Reports numbers. Very few cars do not exceed their EPA highway numbers. Also the Fit does not use the EPA test. It will not start until the 2008 model year - read the EPA web site.

thegraduate

The Fit is made in Japan. That is good enough for me.

Well then, I've got some Mitsubishis to sell you, man!

bodble2

So..the Civic is overpriced, nothing more than an economy car? Interesting perspective. :confuse:

And your opinion, it follows then, is that, in comparison, the Fit is good value, and more than just an economy car? Give us some supporting facts for that...after the hangover wears off.

mtngal

We drove from Frazier Park to L.A. to Vegas last night. Left West LA at 4:30 so the first part of our drive was rush hour traffic through downtown L.A. as well as the crawl once we got on I-15 (been a long time since I've been out there - couldn't believe how built up the area is!). Then it was high speed on the 15 to Vegas. We drove conservatively (65-70) when we could finally drive that fast, stopping for gas near Barstow. Our auto Fit Sport got 40 mpg for the trip - that's better than the rated 37 mpg. As you can imagine, I'm absolutely delighted - my other vehicle is rated at 19 highway and I'm lucky to get between 17 and 18.

kato1

"Absolutly no vehicle on the highway today gets the EPA rating, that includes the Fit"

you are correct, sir..ha ha (old johnny carson/ed mc mahon reference)

im ecstatic that ive utterly failed to achieve the epa numbers for my 06 corolla of 32/41--instead my average has come out to 35/42.5 after 6 tank fulls :P

im sure fit owners who drive in a reasonable fashion will be able to beat fits epa numbers.

Sylvia

We already had a discussion for that going so posts can be found here: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/.f0c3598

carfanatic007

Gearhead1: I checked out your car on Carspace. I didn't think I would like the Orange. But I have to admit it looks good in the pictures you posted. Nice Ride!

gearhead1

Gearhead1: I checked out your car on Carspace. I didn't think I would like the Orange. But I have to admit it looks good in the pictures you posted. Nice Ride!

Thanks, we like it.

moparbad

Fit Hybrid

Interesting that the Fit has same wheel to wheel dimensions as the Insight.

plekto

What kind of doublespeak is that? Wait - let me plug in my street slang translator module...

Street Slang translator reads: Fake, pretentious image-based selling point. See Gucci and Bose.

The fact is that most of the *world* loves the fit a lot more than the Mini because for them, it's about the engineering - how well it drives for how little you pay.

Reguardless, though, we can both agree that the Fit is in a different class than the Yaris and Hyundais - it runs circles around them and that's plainly worth the small premium in price.

As for the Fit hybrid - make mine an EX and I'll gladly buy the very first one Honda ships to Los Angeles. 60mpg and good interior amenities - you can SO kiss a Prius goodbye. Second choice, after seeing the Fit in person, is actually a 1 year old Civic GX. MPG is a huge deal for me and currently, CNG is loads cheaper than gasoline, AND it has all of the hybrid bonuses as far as parking and HOV lane access here in Los Angeles. But I can wait for the hybrid Fit if it really, truly is coming.

bodble2

What he's saying is that you buy and drive what you want and can afford. If all you can afford is a Fit, then go buy it, and don't worry about telling everyone else they shouldn't buy something more expensive. I also like to wear a Rolex instead of a Seiko. If I can afford one, then it's no one's business whether it's worth it over a Seiko.

mikecapone

Went to my local Honda dealer to check out the interior of the Fit today. Very impressive! Lots of space, more headroom than in the Accord they had (which had a sunroof, but still), and I can sit in the back (I'm 6'1") with the front seat pull all the way back with no problem.

The instrument panels, radio cluster, etc.. all seemed very high quality and well designed. I did not take it for a drive, but someday I will. The salesman told me that they had sold everything they had and if you wanted one you needed to order it (2-3 months waiting list).

Am also psyched about the hybrid version of the Fit which is supposedly coming in mid 2007:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/honda_fit_hybri.php

Also should be a hybrid CR-V in late 2006..

plekto

http://www.honda.co.jp/Thats/SP/
Honda Xb anyone?

http://www.honda.co.jp/LIFE/
Micro-Fit

http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/grade-data/index.html
Note the AWD.
http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/type/index.html
Note the navigation system.

http://paultan.org/archives/2006/03/07/mugen-fit-spec-d-prototype/
*DROOL*

Everything you mentioned in the post above - done. For an auto show car, especially a Mugen in *Japan*, it's so understated as to scream "pre-production". And yes, for about 20K it would smoke the doors off of many things.

Love the body kit, too. Gorgeous. I've been inquiring about how to actually get one for a few weeks now. So far, they are keeping suspiciously tight-lipped, which is furthering speculation that it's going to be offered in Japan/U.S. soon. It uses the U.S. spec-tuned 1.5L engine as well.

telem

The Fit may be the most capable car in its class, but it sure isn't pretty. It has been sold for a while as the Jazz. When will there be a new version that may look better? I think Honda (and other Japanese makes) re-does its cars every 4 years.

backy

Lately the typical redesign cycle has been five years for Honda, and Toyota also. An all-new Jazz/Fit is rumored to be coming in 2007, at least for some countries.

hungarian83

Part of the reason for the extended first generation of the Fit/Jazz is the way Honda introduced it worldwide starting with Japan in 2001 and Europe in January 2002. Since then it seems like a new region is getting it every few months, finally with the US and Canada in April 2006.

nemichael

dudleyr wrote:
> Also the Fit does not use the EPA test. It will not
> start until the 2008 model year - read the EPA web
> site.

JOOC, what part of the fueleconomy.gov site contains that information? As I understand the process, EPA fuel economy estimates for vehicles for a given model year are included in the report for that year unless the "vehicles’ fuel economy information is not available in time to be printed in the guide" (EPA 2006 Model Year Fuel Economy Guide, 2006).

As the 2007 Fit is available well ahead of most other 2007 model year vehicles, I would expect that it would be included in the 2007 Guide.

dudleyr

Normally I would say go look it up, but I am feeling generous tonight.

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/420f06009.htm

The Fit uses the old tests.

nippononly

EPA testing regimen goes into effect on 1-2-07, for any model claiming to be a 2008.

waltersbg: verrrry interesting, those Edmunds results with Fit shooting through the slalom at the same speed as the Mini Cooper. I wonder how body roll compares.

Thanks for the congratulations on actually wanting to drive both to form my own impressions, but I am wondering when the Fit will finally start hanging around in dealer stock. Hasn't happened yet, at my local dealer.

And no, I am not considering the Mini for a purchase. As much as I like some things about it, there are others I don't, and the nearest dealer is way too far away.

Anyway, here I am, weeks after the initial deliveries, still hoping that some day I will be able to test drive....the Fit. :-|

carfanatic007

No matter which EPA tests you use, gallons bought devided by miles driven equals MPG.

bodble2

It's the other way around, isn't it? Miles driven divided by gallons consumed.

sd_driver

Interesting links. Do you read Japanese?

So everything I mentioned in the above post has been done?

Wow. Someone's shoved a S2000 engine into a Fit somewhere? I'd like to see that.

I appreciate the info, but what I was hinting around at was a commitment from Honda to do that stuff in-house, to develop a factory designed and built WRX STI killer.

Anybody with the cake can go to Subaru and say, "Here's my money, give me a WRX STI." They don't have to go hunting around aftermarket to put all the pieces together.

What if you could go to your local Honda dealer and say, "Here's 28 grand (or 29 or 30 etc.), order me Pearl White Honda Fit Si C isT." And, in a few months, you could take delivery of a 300HP AWD Fit tricked out with all the best performance gear like the STI, put the key in the ignition, and fly out of the dealer's lot?

That's what I'm talking about.

They've got all the pieces. Why not put them all together?

carfanatic007

Your right, I got meant that but typed faster than I thought.

carfanatic007

I drank some Canadian whiskey tonight, and my thought process got tangled.

plekto

Heh. I read a little. Installing a language pack makes a big difference - though my main system font is now 16MB worth of foriegn language symbols

The Mugen Fit is noteable as it uses the U.S. spec engine and drivetrain, and has very VERY little tweaks done to it. It definately has the look of something that might be an optional package, at least in Japan. From what I hear, though, Honda seems to be planning to go the Mini/Scion route and offer a plethora of accessories.

But yeah - that supercharger is slick.

plekto

The auto companies tend to hire designers from the same 5-10 schools around the world, which leads to parts of the industry having the same look and style, just like in archetecture, because they all had the same teachers.

So a lot of cars look the same, unless it's a small company, where they might go with more local or in-house talent. Mazda is a good example. The RX-8 is a gorgeous car with zero "jellybean" in it. Honda, Toyota, and a couple of others all tend to get students from the same schools in Asia. GM and Ford tend to like to hire from the College of Art and Design(Pasadena, CA) - so you get a lot of similarities.

ramo

Hi, if you could tell me what province you are in I would appreciate that. Still trying to determine wait time for my Fit. I put a deposit down, April 6 and there is no word as to when Suzuka will spit out my car. (B.C.)

crimsona

Depends on the dealership within BC you order it from too. If you ordered from Richmond, it will probably take longer. I got mine from Carter Honda, coming in 3rd/4th week of May. Otherwise the next batch is in July

mikecapone

"if you could tell me what province you are in I would appreciate that."

I'm in Quebec.

mtngal

As I was riding (note, not driving) today on my way back from Vegas, I got a great idea. Since there are a number of people out there waiting for the Fit to become available and since they seem to not stay in stock long, how about lets post here how much we hate the car. Do you think that will help with availability? Then after everyone waiting buys their car, we can tell everyone just how good these vehicles really are. Think that might work?

I didn't get to drive either to or back from Vegas - my husband said he was doing quite well. That is unusual - we usually switch off half-way through the drive. We both think that the Fit is a much better long distance car than our other car (to be fair, our daily driver up until now has been a softop Wrangler Unlimited).

vchiu

was introduced end of 2004 in CHINA.

Already 4 Fits in my estate

ramo

Thanks. I will enjoy all the more, the longer the wait. I am on the island, so perhaps will wait longer, we'll see.