Honda Fit

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Comments

  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    I've been happy with the new index, once I figured out that by tracking the group, it would automatically track new threads, and I could then cancel tracking on threads that didn't interest me.

    I know the mods have been beaten up ten ways to Sunday over some of these changes, so it's good to give them some good feedback from time to time. It's always easy to complain, but we need to remember to praise, as well.

    Now, if only we could consolidate the "Honda Fit: MPG - Real World Numbers" and the "Honda Fit - Poor MPG" threads under the first thread (since I think real world covers both good and bad mileage)... ;) :P
  • jethadenjethaden Member Posts: 36
    My only suggestion is that when a message is moved between topics that the message be presented to the client (user) in the time sorted order that it was created and not in the order that it was inserted into the group. During the last few days of re-sort of the topics, the moved messages have been in a chaotic time order. Folks have been replying to messages that are a month or more old since they appear, unless you check the date on the original message, to be the latest.
  • jesswhite1982jesswhite1982 Member Posts: 9
    I was thisclose to buying a Scion xA when I started to get tired of waiting for my Fit, but honestly, I'm glad I didn't. Not because of any car quality issues (the xA looks to be a quality vehicle, and in a lot of ways, it's a bargain compared to the Fit), but simply for this reason: over the past three months, I've seen so many xAs on the road - they're getting to be as commonplace as Civics. I still think the car is adorable (and a good deal for the money), but I like driving a more unique vehicle, at least for now, hehehe :)

    I think gas prices are getting to a lot of people, especially up here. Aveos and xAs are everywhere, as are the subcompact sedans. I've only seen one Yaris, though, and that was a sedan, not a liftback.

    And, I saw my first Versa the other day, and I'm almost sad that I didn't wait for it to make my car purchase - online photos don't do the car justice at all!
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    A large local newspaper is looking to interview 18-25 year olds on what type of car they are looking to purchase. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Thursday, August 24, 2006 by 2:30 PM PT/5:30 PM ET containing your daytime contact information.
  • barsonbarson Member Posts: 34
    Another one of the Honda dealers that I emailed about the Fit says that there's a 6 month waiting list on the 5-speed Fit. Only people who put down deposits can do test drives on what comes off the truck when the 6 month wait elapses. As I indicated before, I'm not willing to wait six months just to do a test drive.

    I'd be curious to know if this is the case in places like California.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    A tv reporter seeks to interview sub-compact (Aveo, Fit, Versa, Yaris) drivers who live or work within 25 miles of Manhattan. Please send your daytime contact info, location and vehicle make/model to alex_cohen@businessweek.com and/or jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Tuesday, August 29, 2006.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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    Review your vehicle

  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    I think that the new system has too many topics. There should be a new topic only if there are more than, say, 150 posts on a specific item. If you look at the "problem" topics, many of them have relatively few posts, and won't get many more posts - because the problems don't re-occur. Yet, as more and more topics are added (which you have to do if you really want to put a forum for each problem topic), these problems will go on to the 2nd or third page back, and if they re-occur, one would have to go "hunting" to find them.

    My mother in law has a Fit and I wanted to see what kind of problems they are having. I would much rather do that in a single forum.

    Take a look at the CR-V Forum; I prefer that kind of division. They added a forum for the A/C Compressor issues, and the old fire issue. Otherwise the "Problems & Solutions" are all together. Much easier to keep track.
  • countrymomcountrymom Member Posts: 14
    We have property in the country... Old farm land. There are several farm dogs that like to bark, there bark is always bigger than their bite. Well not this afternoon. We just picked up our Fit yesterday a white Sport AT. This dog came out of the woods on our old dusty lane and rammed the car. We have teeth marks on the back bumper. The dog hung onto the bumper twice. I wanted to cry when we realized what happened. We have no idea whose dog it is. We got home and filed a police report.

    Thank we when to Walmart and someone rammed us with a cart... on the passenger side door two big dings...

    I'm beginning to wonder if I should of bought the car???

    Beware dogs like Fits
  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    I think if that had happened to me, they would have found me sitting on the ground, in tears.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I love animals, but if it had happened to me, I think they would've found a dead dog. :sick:
  • tonkstonks Member Posts: 12
    As of this week, I've seen at least five new Fits in my neighborhood. Before this week I knew of only one other. I've now seen two other silvers (one with permanent plates and one with temporary plates), a blue (twice, I think it was the same one), a black and an orange one. Suddenly, they're everywhere!
  • boatfloydboatfloyd Member Posts: 29
    "Suddenly, they're everywhere!"
    They aren't everywhere, they are all in your area.
    :) boatfloyd :)
  • getnfittywiditgetnfittywidit Member Posts: 50
    I've had several people come up and ask me HOW TO GET ONE. I had a woman walk up and ring my doorbell. Another guy stopped me in the parking lot of the Wal-mart. Folks who want them have no idea how to get them.

    So where do you live? Maybe I can direct them to your area? LOL.
  • daummhdaummh Member Posts: 5
    So for those of us who were not early adopters, what is the next best (under $15,000)car out for someone who needs:
    1) Excellent MPG
    2) Reliabilty
    3) Is needing to buy in the next 1-2 months?

    Versa was 2nd on my list, but their real-world MPG numbers aren't too promising. The Scion and Yaris are also hard to find where I live. (even test drive) to know if I like them enough to consider them.

    I was thinking of getting a Hyundai Accent for the next 2-3 years until supply catches up with demand for many of the under $15,000 fuel-efficient cars.

    What do ya'll think? What would you buy to tide you over until the Fit becomes available? No used cars, I can't negotiate worth a hooey.
    Mel
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I think the Accent is a good choice, if you can live with less versatility and handling that is not as crisp. Fuel economy might be a tad lower than the Fit's also. The Rio5 is cousin of the Accent but has better handling and is a 5-door hatchback. You might be able to find a '06 Corolla for under $15k, and its fuel economy is better than the Fit's. Another one to check out is the Elantra GLS hatchback, which is quite roomy (not as boxy as the Fit though) and pretty economical and fun to drive, especially in stick form. Even loaded with ABS/traction and moonroof, it would be under $15k ($1000 rebate).
  • fit4mefit4me Member Posts: 2
    I have yet to see a Fit on the road. I test drove one at a dealer, while looking for an econo car. It was gone like the next day. I wasn't aware at the time they were hard to get, and that was the first time I knew anything about the Fit. I came home to do research on it, and then realized the demand for them. I liked the car and decided to go back again for it, and then it was gone. My closest Honda dealer told me that same day he would get a few in within a couple of weeks. I think he got one in instead, and it was spoken for. I been on the waiting list for a few weeks now, and should (fingers crossed) have my blue sport with M/T sometime this month. Good luck to all waiting, or searching!
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    So for those of us who were not early adopters, what is the next best (under $15,000)car out for someone who needs:
    1) Excellent MPG
    2) Reliabilty
    3) Is needing to buy in the next 1-2 months?
    ****
    Get a Civic GX. 1-2 years used, they should run about 13-15K. Reliable as a watch. The trick its that with an appliance that you can buy and install in your garage, your home becomes your own gas station.(It's roughly $800-$1200 though see below)

    Price per mile? Equivalent to $1 a gallon! It gets about 30mpg(roughly), but with natural gas so cheap, it effectively gets 70-90mpg compared to local gas prices.

    Say you're paying $3.25 a gallon(California). The device casts you $1000. That's 2.25 saved every 30miles. If you drive a conservative 12000 miles a year, that's 400 gallons of gas at a $2.25 savings. $900.

    In one year you nearly break even and that's not considering the benefits of always having a full tank and never having to stop at the station.

    ***
    For cars that are comparable to a Fit - buy a base Mini. It's a bit of a stretch, but the depreciation is virtually nothing. Drive it for 3 years and sell it for maybe $2000 less than you paid for it.
  • vcarrerasvcarreras Member Posts: 247
    This morning on Autoline Detroit (SpeedTV) the VP of Honda North American mentioned the fact that the FIT is selling much better then expected. Honda set 30-40K annually and sales are far exceeding that. Average car on lot time for the FIT is ONE DAY! I got my FIT SPORT AT on April 19th and happy I did.

    The program will be re-broadcast tomorrow morning, Monday at 6am CDT. It's worth watching.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Civic GX has a range of only 200 miles. :sick: If you NEVER travel more than 200 miles from your home, the GX might be an option.
  • vchiuvchiu Member Posts: 564
    just averaged 23 mpg (9,5L/100) with my fit with CVT on a tank done wiht 50% busy city and 50% busy motorway, all with A/C on (I am in China).

    as and average, the fit is marginally more fuel efficient than the 2.0L primera estate with automatic of my mother (400 lbs more). For me, the FE of the fit is just average for the weight and the displacement of such a car.

    the trip computer can make up to 10% mistake on fuel consumption calculation.

    I still think this is the best quality / price ratio on the Chinese market. THe Honda Civic and Nissan Versa are 50% more expensive
  • barsonbarson Member Posts: 34
    I think the Scion xA is comparable to the Fit except in terms of cargo space. I found my xA by going to a high volume dealer.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    There are well over a hundred filling stations, and the range is closer to 250 miles according to my cousin's husband, who has one.

    Other than big trips, 95% of driving is done withing 100 miles of home. The rest is either something you could rent a car for, use the second backup "beater", or need a 4*4 or simmilar.
  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    I know you're coming from a Mazda 323 hatch... are you committed to sticking with the hatch, or are you willing to drive a coupe or sedan for the interim?
  • sd_driversd_driver Member Posts: 49
    I don't know what's up with your Fit, but my mileage is improving as I get a feel for the Fit. I got 32.9mpg on the last tank. I drive about 30% highway/70% city.

    One thing I remember from a previous post is that you said that you drove 85+mph on a trip. Is that the usual speed you drive at? If it is, that may explain why your mileage is so low.

    I had some low mileage tank fulls, but I found out that in order to get the best mileage you MUST keep it under 3600rpm whenever possible. After that the v-tech valve action starts up and begins to suck gas much faster.

    Unfortunately, Honda has geared the Fit so short that any freeway driving has to stay below about 70mph or you get into the 3600+rpm range.

    Up to about 75mph the Fit does fine on the freeway (34-36mpg), but after that the numbers drop fast. Someone here reported, I think, that at 90mph they got about 20 or 22mpg.

    Watch your tach. Keep it below 3500rpm, and I think your mileage will go up significantly.

    Good luck.
  • vchiuvchiu Member Posts: 564
    Well, actually, i went around 20mpg (11,6 L/100 displayed by trip computer) on the first half of the tank that was 80% done in city. of course, mileage improved when doing the motorway. Highway Speed was some continuate variation between 45 and 80 Mph, whereas city trips were numerous and short.

    The China traffic is pissing me off, with trucks going as slow as 25 mph on the highway over any lane (SL = 75) and many cars sleeping in the left lane at 50 mph. trying to go 75 is a challenge that neeeds sustained slalom and a continuous combination of accelerating and braking.

    I easily reach 21 mpg with my BMW 740i at 90 mph on the French motorway where lane discipline is 100X better (but not as good as in UK). As the BMW makes 3X the displacement of my fit, I understand very well that the traffic environment is key in influencing the driving style, thus the mpg.

    Now, computer trip displays 7.4 L/100 (close to 30 MPG I think) more motorway, fewer city. A/C always on. Well, nothing extraordinary. When tested by French magazine (sorry, no link) with the smaller 1339 cc engine+ manual, the fit returned comparable mileage as its gasoline competitors. not better nor worse.
  • daummhdaummh Member Posts: 5
    I actually had a chance to drive both the Scion xA, Yaris and the Accent this weekend, one right after the other. They were all in contention since I can't get a fit.

    Surprisingly I hated the seating position of the Scion. I sat up way too high. Seriously folks, my left foot couldn't even reach the floor. Since I was driving an auto it didn't really matter. I also thought it had the most uncomfortable seats of any car, save the Aveo.

    Then I tried the Yaris. Now I am coming from a 92 Mazda 323. Imagine the interior quality and features found in this stripped 15 year-old. OK stop. Imagine my surprise when the Yaris felt even cheaper than my 323. Every surface was stone cold hard. It road a bit noisier than the Scion, but about the same. Unfortunately where I live the Yaris, Scion, Varsa and Fit are rather scarce.

    After I drove the Yaris I drove the Accent. I was really impressed at how well it drove and the interior quality. My thinking is that since there are a lot of Hyundai dealers around, I might have a chance negotiating a better price. At least I could get one within the next month, which is more than I can say about the Fit, Yaris, or Versa.

    I haven't been too impressed with Suzuki or any American cars.

    To answer Dewalt's question, no I am not commited to a hatch, just a low price tag.

    Comments anyone?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If a low price tag is very important, you might be able to snatch up a '06 Accent GLS sedan for a good price right now. One of my local dealers is offering $2500 off all '06 Accents. That means a fully loaded Accent (ABS, power package, remote locking with alarm, 15" alloys, automatic) would be just under $13k before T&L. Without the power package, remote, and alloys, it would be around $11.5k. Assuming you can get a similar deal in your area that is!
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    Buy used. Seriously. A three year old Crown Vic, for instance, is a nice car and then some. Maybe $10-$12K thanks to silly depreciation form so many fleet sales.

    A 4-5 year old LeSabre is also a very nice car and can be had for well uner 10K. ABS, airbags, trip computer, CD player, traction control, dual zone heating/cooling, memory seats, leather... the list goes on and on on both cars compared to a cheap econobox. And they are reliable if you don't abuse them. Plus plenty of power. My mother's LeSabre has hardly ever been in the shop and goes really quickly up to speed. Whomp on it and shift it manually(yes, it's an automatic - heh) and you'll get to 60mph in about 7 seconds.

    Or do what I did - I got a 39 year old classic Mercedes. :) $3000 plus another $1200 in parts to make it a daily driver. Cost in repairs and parts since then, almost a year later? $80. Virtually nothing to break on it that you can't fix yourself.
  • daummhdaummh Member Posts: 5
    In a stroke of luck, I managed to find a base fit, manual, for retail. Put a downpayment over the phone last night and will pick it up tomorrow. Can't wait to drive it home.
  • hungarian83hungarian83 Member Posts: 678
    Congratulations! What color is it?
  • dewaltdakotadewaltdakota Member Posts: 364
    I think daummh is out, picking up the car, so I'll go ahead and answer - Base Storm Silver Metallic stick, found in Charlotte, NC. Isn't that the same configuration as your's, Hungarian?

    While waiting for our Base Lunar Mist Auto to come in (due November), I keep watch over other dealers in four different states. This morning, I found another dealer in Virginia that had a Base Vivid Blue Auto come in, that someone had changed their mind about, so it was up for grabs. Problem is, the dealership had already stuck the problematic iPod Music Link on it, which bumped up the price by $315. We didn't want it. Another salesman already had a couple standing in the background, waiting for our answer, because if it was "no", they were going to buy it. I literally heard them yell "Yeah!!!", when the one I was on the phone with, told them we were going to pass.

    MAN, this is one high-demand little car!
  • hungarian83hungarian83 Member Posts: 678
    Yes, that's exactly like mine. Storm Silver seems to be a popular color for the base. So far I have seen about 5 other base Fits and 4 of them were Storm Silver. The other one was Lunar Mist and I thought it looked very nice. I personally think you made a good choice on the color you ordered.

    When I ordered my car back in January, the dealer had two Sport models and a Lunar Mist base MT down for the initial shipment. I almost went for what they were already ordering, but I ended up changing my mind at the end for Storm Silver.
  • bluebell2bluebell2 Member Posts: 21
    Anyone aware of a maintenance schedule for the Fit or know how the automatic maintenance minder works? We are coming up on 7,000 miles and want to keep up with maintenance jobs.
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    We had the first oil change done at 8100 miles when oil life showed 10% and the little orange wrench showed up on the minder. We now have 13000 miles with 40% oil life left. I let the minder do its thing. I think there is more info on this in the manual regarding codes matching service types. If no wrench shows up, nothing needs doing.
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    I forgot to say, that the little windshield washer symbol will come on (orange) when the fluid is low.
  • wendymac23wendymac23 Member Posts: 1
    We just bought one yesterday on a fluke....took our CRV in that the lease was close to term on, decided to look around the lot, found the only one on the lot....and bought it! Now if I can stop using the word "cute" for it, my husband will he happy,,,,since it's his! LOL :blush:
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    The manual does indicate that the maintenance minder has more on it than just the oil change. We did the second oil change at around 15,000 miles and the code for rotate tires came on at that time. We've been waiting to do the oil changes until somewhere around 10% also. We're over 19,000 miles now and I haven't checked the oil life recently. I still love our Fit and am SO glad we got it!
  • fourlizardsfourlizards Member Posts: 1
    Funny that you mention daummh picking a Base Storm Silver Metallic in Charlotte because I picked up my Sport Vivid Pearl Blue Fit in Charlotte on the same day. The dealer was getting a base silver Fit ready a few cars over from mine. Maybe it was the same one. It was on South Blvd.
  • toronado455toronado455 Member Posts: 83
    Honda has done nothing to develop a Mazda5 competitor. I had wished for a Toyota Wish too.

    Is there any news on a Mazda5 competitor from Honda or Toyota? Or at least something as big as the Nissan Versa? The Fit and Yaris Liftback are too small.
  • jacksan1jacksan1 Member Posts: 504
    Honda has done nothing to develop a Mazda5 competitor. I had wished for a Toyota Wish too.

    Honda already has the Stream, which competes directly with the Mazda5. It's a pretty cool car, more of a cross between a van and a station wagon. I am not sure whether it's in the Honda plan to bring it to North America. Frankly, I doubt that the Stream would ever show up here.
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    Well, the glow has dimmed. I was rear ended by a Merc. the other day. Fit holds up well. Bumper has a crease in it, and body shop said that would need replacing, but I have no idea what wait time will be given parts availaibility. My son felt the impact a little more, belted into the back but really, I thought the car did well in a minor accident.
    On another note. I ran into the guy here who sells electric cars. He says the Yaris, not the Fit is a better car to modify. He did a Fit for someone in Calgary. (We are thinking of buying an electric truck).
  • toronado455toronado455 Member Posts: 83
    I thought that there were plans at one time to bring the Stream to the USA as the "Latitude".

    I think the problem is that nothing sells well in the USA unless it is either "sporty" or a "sport-utility vehicle". That is why they had to make the Mazda5 sporty-looking for the USA market.

    In Japan, Europe and elsewhere in the world there are many microvans and wagons that are just practical cars with lots of versatility and cargo room that get good MPG and are comfortable to drive. I wish that there was a big enough market in the USA for such vehicles that the automakers would consider making more of these types of vehicles available here.
  • hungarian83hungarian83 Member Posts: 678
    There is already a discussion on this, but I will add my thoughts here.
    There is a rumor that Honda will bring the Stream to the US as the Latitude. It's just a rumor though...nothing confirmed.
    It could fill the large gap between the Fit and the Odyssey. Even though Honda has redesigned the CR-V more as a crossover than an SUV, I still think a 7-passenger 3-row Mazda5 competitor like the Stream would fit into the line-up well. For some people the Fit is too small.
  • crimsonacrimsona Member Posts: 153
    Vans and hatches are more popular elsewhere since ownership of multiple vehicles is a very prohibitive expense. Only in the US can some families own 3 vehicles - a hatchback's versitility just isn't needed as often.

    My parents in Hong Kong had to enter a lottery to pay approximately 100k USD (not a typo) for a parking spot at their condo. Can you imagine trying to own two cars?
  • toronado455toronado455 Member Posts: 83
    Hungarian83, thanks for the link to the Latitude discussion! :)
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Lucky Canadians will now have a low-priced VW hatch to choose from, if the Fit doesn't "fit":

    http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/07citygolfjetta.htm
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    We are lucky, but the VW web site is not very well designed. Hope the car is better than that. At least yellow is an option. I like my Fit. Second car, if I could convince my husband to get one (not until hell freezes over) would be an Element, a Yaris, a Versa or a Mini. Hmm, a little indecisive, I guess. bodble2, what are you driving now?
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I'm driving an '04 TL. My wife has a Mini Cooper. We may soon have to get a 3rd car as both kids will be driving. So I'm researching all the small, economical cars available, which includes the Fit, Civic, new Rabbit, Mazda3 (pretty attractive lease offers currently). Would like something with the full complement of airbags, and 5-speed auto, so that would rule out Yaris, Accent, Aveo, etc. May consider this Golf City (even though it is essentially yesterday's technology), since it can be had with all the airbags and ESP. Not sure about reliability though.
  • fitluverfitluver Member Posts: 198
    Well, the glow has dimmed. I was rear ended by a Merc. the other day. Fit holds up well. Bumper has a crease in it, and body shop said that would need replacing, but I have no idea what wait time will be given parts availaibility. My son felt the impact a little more, belted into the back but really, I thought the car did well in a minor accident.

    Awww...poor little guy. (How little should be the question first tho. I am curious as I have a child who will be in tow and I want to know she will be ok.)

    How fast was everyone going?
    Was that a mercedes or a mercury and how did they fare in comparison?
    Airbags didnt deploy I would think, right?
    That is mainly why I am curious the speeds.

    Hope your babies are both ok.
  • ramoramo Member Posts: 66
    The other car was a Mercury. I was stopped, yielding to traffic,as per regulations. He was going about 10 miles per hour. (Yes, this was a minor one). However, pens were flying out of slots so there was a little speed there. My son is 9 and he was belted in. He definitiely felt the impact, though he was not injured. Airbags did not deploy. The Mercury, seasoned beater that it was, looked none the worse for wear. The nice thing was, that the other driver immediately assumed all responsibility. I have been rear ended before, at a pedestrian cross walk, and the woman that hit me, gave me the gears for stopping so suddenly at such a location!
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