I've been collecting pictures of the 09 Fit these past months and just put them in a Picasa web album. You have probably seen most of them. But maybe there's a few you haven't. http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits
I've been collecting pictures of the 09 Fit these past months and just put them in a Picasa web album. You have probably seen most of them. But maybe there's a few you haven't.
Some great pics there. I just hope that HUGE sunroof and I do mean ROOF is an option because it's unable to be blocked and no way would I want a giant sunburn all the time. :sick: In fact without a way to fully block the sun I can't see them selling the 2009 Fit in any of the Sun States. Imagine Texas, Arizona, Nevada etc... with a honking huge unblockable sunroof. I say keep the other upgrades but ditch the sunROOF. Hopefully the sunROOF won't pass the safety tests. It'd be a deal killer for many, for certain.
In the pics Lenny put up there is a pic of a light blue Fit with no doors and it has the old style interior in it. So no adjustable seat height. The steering wheel is the same as in my Civic Si. I am very interested to see the actual model we will get here.
"I just hope that HUGE sunroof and I do mean ROOF is an option because it's unable to be blocked and no way would I want a giant sunburn all the time. In fact without a way to fully block the sun I can't see them selling the 2009 Fit in any of the Sun States. Imagine Texas, Arizona, Nevada etc... with a honking huge unblockable sunroof. I say keep the other upgrades but ditch the sunROOF. Hopefully the sunROOF won't pass the safety tests. It'd be a deal killer for many, for certain. "
Not to Worry: The sky roof has a shade that is electric and operated by push button. Can be closed all the way or partial. Honda was able to have an optional glass roof because of the improved rigidity of the A pillars and overall car.
I just hope that HUGE sunroof and I do mean ROOF is an option
In Japan, it's an expensive option (almost US$1200), and very few people are taking it. I am not sure whether the Skyroof will be available in North America, and if it did become available, I have a feeling that not many units would be shipped here with the Skyroof. We will find out soon enough.
"In the pics Lenny put up there is a pic of a light blue Fit with no doors and it has the old style interior in it. So no adjustable seat height. The steering wheel is the same as in my Civic Si. I am very interested to see the actual model we will get here."
If your talking about the last picture, thats the new interior and thats the passenger seat.
In Japan, it's an expensive option (almost US$1200), and very few people are taking it. I am not sure whether the Skyroof will be available in North America, and if it did become available, I have a feeling that not many units would be shipped here with the Skyroof. We will find out soon enough.
Well as long as it's an option and not mandatory on any trim level I'd be ok with that. more worrisome is the last pic Lenny had which shows no seat height adjustment and a primary reason we didn't buy the Fit or a Prius. The Skyroof looks like it belongs on a concept car not a street going model. Can you say "Stress Cracks"? I knew that you could. :surprise: :sick: Honestly the skyROOF is a bad idea if ever I saw one. Now a convertible would be ok or even a normal sunroof. Although I'd prefer no sunroof at all.
If your talking about the last picture, thats the new interior and thats the passenger seat.
Yes I am, last pic light blue, no doors at all. Did you notice there is no seat height adjustment? a deal killer for my lovely but short wife. I hope they put it in along with the Civic steering wheel as is seen in other pics. I know Japanese arrogance will have them de-contenting the car for the US market but the Fit isn't the only car out there. If the shifter had been like the Fits we would be driving a Scion xD right now. More power and much better stability but shifted like stirring rubbery coal, no height adjustment either so no xD. It's not like it's an expensive option either. Honda makes great cars and I really like them but seat height is a must for my wife. If they don't put it in they'll lose my business this next time around.
Well as long as it's an option and not mandatory on any trim level I'd be ok with that.
The problem with Honda in North America is that they virtually never let you choose a manufacturer's option, unlike in Japan where you can pick and choose pretty much anything you want off the option list.
What that means is that, if Honda is going to offer the Skyroof to North America, it is more likely that this expensive option would be a mandatory item for a certain trim level, exactly what you are fearing may happen.
What is happening in Honda Japan is not a very good predictive tool for Honda in North America.
What that means is that, if Honda is going to offer the Skyroof to North America, it is more likely that this expensive option would be a mandatory item for a certain trim level, exactly what you are fearing may happen.
Fearing for good reason I might add. I don't see them doing this on all trim levels but why on earth put it on a base model? No chance, so the Sport or RS model will likely suffer with it but your handling will be way off if you have a heavy glass roof on top of the car. I don't see this being offered in the US unless it's in a 3rd trim level like a touring model. I just want a sport model with adjustable seats and no skyROOF.
What is happening in Honda Japan is not a very good predictive tool for Honda in North America.
Yes which is why websites don't really help much. The new Subaru STi gets different turbochargers from the US model for example. I'm hoping the skyROOF is not brought over, sadly Honda will probably bring it over and not as an option and it'll make the handling awful. Guess there will be a different car than a Honda in my garage if the Fit Sport/RS has a skyROOF and no adjustable drivers seat.
As futurefit said, that is the passenger seat, not the driver seat. And how you confused the 2nd generation Fit's interior to the first one, is pretty confusing. Anyway, here is a picture of the seat height adjuster on the driver side. Of course, whether North America will get the seat height adjustment and telescopic wheel remains to be seen. http://picasaweb.google.com/datumj/Interior/photo#5173227529727539826
Calm down and wait for the unveiling of the N.A. spec at the NYIAS. I'm hoping you won't spam this thread on how you won't get this car if it's missing something for your "lovely" wife.
Oh and thanks for sharing the photos you've found, futurefit. I added some of those pics for a collection from various sources if anyone wants to view some other pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/datumj
As futurefit said, that is the passenger seat, not the driver seat. And how you confused the 2nd generation Fit's interior to the first one, is pretty confusing. Anyway, here is a picture of the seat height adjuster on the driver side. Of course, whether North America will get the seat height adjustment and telescopic wheel remains to be seen.
Look at the LAST pic he has of the light blue Fit with NO doors of it. The steering wheel is on the left not the right. It has no height adjustment. I don't have his link in front of me but it's there and that is a show car. But yes we have to wait for the show to see what the deal is with the USDM car and not the JDM or the preview cars.
Below is a link to 63 additional pictures attached to the World Honda press release I post earlier. Most have been circulating arouind the net on various web sites but it's the largest collection I've come across on one site.
How is it "spamming" to talk about how a feature of a car is important to the people who will drive it? :confuse: Who are you to judge what is important to someone buying a car, and what is not? A little more civility and empathy would be welcome.
Keep in mind that the current Fit has a driver's seat height adjuster in most other markets, but not in the U.S. So I think it's a reasonable concern as to whether the new Fit will get a height adjuster in the U.S.
And at the risk of being called a "spammer", the lack of adjustability of the current Fit's driver's seat was the #1 reason I didn't buy one back in April 2006. I have high hopes that the 2009 Fit will rectify that problem, and in fact I am first in line at my nearest dealership for the 2009 Fit (put my name on the wait list last fall). If the driving position of the 2009 Fit is still uncomfortable, I'll be very disappointed.
It's not spam if it's mentioned once. I'm just "hoping" you won't spam on what features are missing. Again, I didn't say you were spamming but i'm "hoping" you won't.
Aside from speculating about the features this car may or not have, I am very confused in what you're trying to point out in the last picture. Here is the album that was posted. http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits and this is the last picture as it says 92 of 92 http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits/photo#5173120141510659746 It's the Fit with no doors yet the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle, not the left. The picture is of the left side of the car which is the passenger seat. :confuse:
It's not spam if it's mentioned once. I'm just "hoping" you won't spam on what features are missing. Again, I didn't say you were spamming but i'm "hoping" you won't.
First off, don't ever say I'm spamming unless you can back it up with hard facts. The very use of the word Spam causes people to view posts with disregard and suspicion. I don't know if you know what Spam is but I for certain do not spam. These are forums for discussions on FUTURE cars not one I can buy off the lot today. I have driven the Fit overseas, I have driven them in the US. I was very close to buying one but it lacked features that did matter to me and they were very real issues for my wife more than myself. The Fit has needed a seat height adjustment, a dead pedal for manuals and an arm rest. Look up the thousands of posts not just in Edmunds but in any Fit/Jazz Forum and these are among the most common gripes. Sure if you are very tall the seat height is no big deal but some people like my wife are short. That seat height adjuster cannot possibly add much more than $100 retail to the car since it's all out of the Civic's stock bin anyway. The Fit is hardly a bargain basement car when it comes to price and when I'm paying $16K+ for a car a seat height adjustment and a arm rest and dead pedal are not exactly out of line with reality. As far as what it HAS for features I don't really care because I am NOT selling these cars, buyers want what they want. Sellers care more about some of that stuff than I do. I have "features" in my car now I will never ever use.
Aside from speculating about the features this car may or not have, I am very confused in what you're trying to point out in the last picture. Here is the album that was posted.
This was my error, sorry about that. One of the pics Photo 3 was reversed so I un-reversed it with my picture viewer. i didn't switch it back so the last pic was reversed. But looking at it carefully the seat is in fact the passenger seat so you are correct about that. Let's just see what is offered to the US market after it is announced
I wonder if it's for safety reasons or liability or whatever. I cannot believe this feature did not make it to our land of the obese, it's a godsend for many of our "horizontally challenged" citizens. Hell, this would be a godsend for me when I'm 70 yrs old, or sooner.
I remember some GM cars had that feature many years ago. And the middle row seats of the Chrysler minivans swivel (if you have that option package). So it's not like there isn't an understanding of its usefulness to the U.S. And if Chrysler can get away with it now, it's probably not a safety reg issue.
But I don't think anyone in the U.S. tried to market those seats as ADA-compliant options. That's where the market is not being tapped, I believe. In Japan, they sell these seat options as providing accessibility to those who otherwise would have a hard time. I used to volunteer at a center for people with physical disabilities, and I frequenlty wondered why these clients had to use big and expensive vans while in Japan small cars were available that offered virtually the same solutions.
I didn't even think about it as an ADA option. It's just so much easier to exit the car, especially in winter when you have a big coat, hat, gloves, pocketbook....
Especially for ladies in a skirt who try to exit their cars gracefully (that-was-not-me -typing, fight it...) :sick:
Based on the numerous postings I've read, I seem to be in the minority who thinks the styling of the redesigned 2009 Fit is superior to the current model.
People indicate the new model which is more aerodynamic looks like a small minivan and I'm having trouble understanding those statements because what do they think the current model looks like?
Ford Escort/Fiesta. I know this will get me alot of love here , but when I see the "profile" of the current Fit, thats my first impression.
I was going to buy one late last summer. (my present car is dying) Then the photo's of the new model were leaked and I knew thats what I wanted. The first gen is a tough looking car, but I prefer the futuristic style of the 2009 model. I LOVE the super sloped hood. And the sort of puffed up, more unified body. Also, seeing the 2nd Gen address the concerns of the 1st Gen, which are pretty well documented on this and other boards.
Not sure about the minivan bashing. Maybe early childhood trauma from being shuffled around from soccer games to Baby Gap by mommy? :confuse: Being from the geezer rock generation I was spared that. In the 50's we were just told, "go outside and play."
I think people here like the 1st Gen better because thats the one they own. The one they're invested in. The one they have fun driving, waxing and modifying. And for many, their first car.. I'll always love my first; 1964 Buick Wildcat 445. (It was used, I'm not that old.)
Thanks Widetrack, this should be an interesting thread.
With some people, including myself, styling doesn't carry a whole lot of weight in car selction unless it is brutal (e.g., Pontiac Aztek, Subaru Tribeca's nose before MMC), so long as the same car has other positive attributes. That is the kind of way we felt about our Fit when we chose it. We are not in the market for the next gen, but if we were, we would again be more or less nonchalant about the new styling.
To us, the styling that meant something had to tie to a function, and in our case, that was a usable and economical hatchback that could carry a lot. The Fit's "odd" shape performs this function very well.
People indicate the new model which is more aerodynamic looks like a small minivan and I'm having trouble understanding those statements because what do they think the current model looks like?
My wife thinks it looks like a ladybug. :confuse: I think it does have a bug shape thing going for it. It has minivan styling cues but I wouldn't say it looks like a minivan except in the same way virtually all hatchbacks look a bit like each other or sedans for that matter. I like the blue instruments on the older model, hate the red lights. I have them in my Civic Si and would rather have blue. The overall shape is more appealing on the new model as it all seems to blend together better whereas the older model looked like a pigs snout stuck on the front, very out of place. Ideally I'd like to see it have 20-30 HP more and AWD available. AWD is offered in Japan. Why more HP? Because I drive 90% highway, 90% of the time. 109HP is not enough also I live in a very hilly area that you can't avoid the hills. I liked the Scion xD as far as power but the rubber shifter was horrible.
Also as a side note, the Fit may have great handling but no one is running any in the SCCA Autocross. It's not even considered to be a car that can win due to lack of power.
I like the looks of the 2009 Fit better than the current one also--sleeker, more "modern". Looks a little like a small van, but what box-back 5-door hatch doesn't?
And I thought my first car which was a 1977 "Bandit" Edition Trans Am with a 400 under the hood was a big engine. The way it was driven as a teenager, I got about 10 miles to the gallon so I can only imagine what owning a 455 was like. Of course gas was $1.00 a gallon then which is why we're all on the Fit message board these days isn't it?
It was a beast with a BIG appetite. Great party car. If I checked the actual MPG, I have no memory of doing so. It was 1972-73 and gas was 32 cents a gallon on Long Island. 1/10 what I'm paying now.
To what degree do you think the skyroof would alter the handling? Is that emergency handling or everyday handling? I liked the look of it, but I don't want to get anything that would make it more difficult to drive. I have the feeling that Honda will deem it to "wacky" for the NA consumers (and honestly, I probably wouldn't disagree)
To what degree do you think the skyroof would alter the handling? Is that emergency handling or everyday handling? I liked the look of it, but I don't want to get anything that would make it more difficult to drive. I have the feeling that Honda will deem it to "wacky" for the NA consumers (and honestly, I probably wouldn't disagree)
Well I'd imagine for tooling around in Tokyo it would be find, top speed there is very limited during the day anyway. In a country with 27 mile long traffic jams speed in a Fit or anything else isn't much of an issue. But the reason is the glass will be much heavier than metal and will contribute to rollovers at higher speeds. Combine that with erratic drivers and well I just see a top heavy car as a liability. If you have a chance go to an autocross some time (or even better run in one) and you will see the inside rear tire lift as high as 12 inches on tight corners at speed. If you combine that with a very heavy roof, when you transition back like in a slalom it will act like a pendulum. This is bad. I think it would not pass our crash tests and a glass roof will have people thinking glass versus metal. It might be a cool option for some but I'd certainly avoid it, regular sunroofs cost enough as it is in terms of decreasing rigidity. Although they are light years better than say 10 years ago.
I've been doing research on the new 2009 redesigned Fit exclusively and every article we've come across indicates the glass roof won't even be an option on the US models so I wouldn't worry about a safety issue at this point.
Also there seems to be some speculation that we (US) will have the choice between the 1.3 and 1.5 engines when it arrives here and my sources indicate that the 1.5 will be the only one available to US buyers.
Of course I'm sure it will change ten times before the new model hits our shores because you know how large corporations are; totally unpredicatible!
The lack of a height adjustible driver's seat was the reason I didn't buy a FIT in August 2006 too. I love the car but with the big hump over the gages it's hard to see properly. This is a huge consideration for those of us who are short. I'm hoping that the 2009 has it but am not holding my breath. There are reports that the car in the Vancouver show didn't have it.
Cathy, I'd hate to see you miss out on the purchase of what I'm sure is going to be an excellent 2nd-gen model owing to the possible lack of an adjuster for seat height. I like a clear view of the road too and know how you feel about visibility while driving. Given that Honda has addressed the criticisms of the old model and improved the new version in virtually every way, have you considered the purchase of a seat cushion? I've looked at several online (just in case) because I've decided the Fit is really the next car I want to purchase after considering several others. What do you think about this option?
my sources indicate that the 1.5 will be the only one available to US buyers.
This is indeed the case. North America will only receive 1.5 L. Even in Japan, those who drive at highway speeds prefer 1.5. The 1.3 L is a pure city runabout, and is underpowered for most American operations.
For iPod all you need is the USB cable. That's for the sport model. The new USB input gives you full iPod integration. Also plays thumb drives and other usb devices.
It looks like they have eliminated the raisable headrest for the center rear seat! In fact, it looks like it might be a 4-seater instead of a 5-seater, as I don't see a center shoulder belt.
I have 3 kids--how am I supposed to fit them in the 2009 FIT??????
I guess this means I'd better get a 2008--but I had my heart set on the 2009--waaaah!
I don't know which pictures you are looking at. I just checked Honda's US website for 09 fit and it DOES have 3 headrests on the back seats. So your kids are covered.
"I don't know which pictures you are looking at. I just checked Honda's US website for 09 fit and it DOES have 3 headrests on the back seats. So your kids are covered."
Are you sure? I just looked at the picture on that site and I only see 2...
On the 2007-2008 models, there is a third headrest in the center, a bit lower than the outboard ones, but still raisable. It really looks like there's nothing on the 2009. It doesn't even look like there's room for anyone to sit in the center.
Yes, there are three (3) headrests in the rear seat of the upcoming US Fit. In the official next-gen Fit website, there is a photo which consists of three (3) separate shots of the magic seat configurations. The pic on the left shows the normal seat config, and in that picture you clearly see three (3) humps on the rear seat back. Those are the headrests.
I just want weighing in as one more person waiting to see what the new design will offer: I am looking for telescoping steering wheel, and seat height adjuster. Without these,it might be a deal breaker.
The telescopic wheel was demonstrated when the U.S. Fit debuted earlier this year, so it is confirmed. There was no sign of a driver's seat height adjuster however, and no official word from Honda whether it will or will not be included in the 2009 Fit for the U.S.
(Thanks to the wide photos above, I was not able to reply directly to your post.)
If you are going to add photos to your posts, please limit them to no more than about 600 pixels in width so we can avoid any right margin issues. If a photo you want to share is larger than that and has to be seen full sized to be appreciated, you can link to it.
Crystal Black Pearl Blue Sensation Tidewater Blue Metallic Orange Revolution Blackberry Pearl Milano Red Storm Silver Metallic Taffeta White http://www.hondapreview.com/fit/
Noted in the UK brochure for the 2008 Jazz/Fit that the Drivers Seat did have a height Adjustment. The Web site is http://www.honda.co.uk/car/ choose Jazz, then download a brochure.
If anyone can read Japanese there might be a description of Seat Height Adjustment at http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/
Comments
I've been collecting pictures of the 09 Fit these past months and just put them in a Picasa web album. You have probably seen most of them. But maybe there's a few you haven't. http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits
I'll leave them up till after NY Auto show.
Some great pics there. I just hope that HUGE sunroof and I do mean ROOF is an option because it's unable to be blocked and no way would I want a giant sunburn all the time. :sick:
In fact without a way to fully block the sun I can't see them selling the 2009 Fit in any of the Sun States.
Imagine Texas, Arizona, Nevada etc... with a honking huge unblockable sunroof.
I say keep the other upgrades but ditch the sunROOF. Hopefully the sunROOF won't pass the safety tests.
It'd be a deal killer for many, for certain.
So no adjustable seat height. The steering wheel is the same as in my Civic Si.
I am very interested to see the actual model we will get here.
In fact without a way to fully block the sun I can't see them selling the 2009 Fit in any of the Sun States.
Imagine Texas, Arizona, Nevada etc... with a honking huge unblockable sunroof.
I say keep the other upgrades but ditch the sunROOF. Hopefully the sunROOF won't pass the safety tests.
It'd be a deal killer for many, for certain. "
Not to Worry:
The sky roof has a shade that is electric and operated by push button. Can be closed all the way or partial. Honda was able to have an optional glass roof because of the improved rigidity of the A pillars and overall car.
In Japan, it's an expensive option (almost US$1200), and very few people are taking it. I am not sure whether the Skyroof will be available in North America, and if it did become available, I have a feeling that not many units would be shipped here with the Skyroof. We will find out soon enough.
So no adjustable seat height. The steering wheel is the same as in my Civic Si.
I am very interested to see the actual model we will get here."
If your talking about the last picture, thats the new interior and thats the passenger seat.
Well as long as it's an option and not mandatory on any trim level I'd be ok with that. more worrisome is the last pic Lenny had which shows no seat height adjustment and a primary reason we didn't buy the Fit or a Prius.
The Skyroof looks like it belongs on a concept car not a street going model. Can you say "Stress Cracks"? I knew that you could. :surprise: :sick:
Honestly the skyROOF is a bad idea if ever I saw one. Now a convertible would be ok or even a normal sunroof. Although I'd prefer no sunroof at all.
Yes I am, last pic light blue, no doors at all. Did you notice there is no seat height adjustment? a deal killer for my lovely but short wife.
I hope they put it in along with the Civic steering wheel as is seen in other pics.
I know Japanese arrogance will have them de-contenting the car for the US market but the Fit isn't the only car out there. If the shifter had been like the Fits we would be driving a Scion xD right now.
More power and much better stability but shifted like stirring rubbery coal, no height adjustment either so no xD. It's not like it's an expensive option either.
Honda makes great cars and I really like them but seat height is a must for my wife. If they don't put it in they'll lose my business this next time around.
The problem with Honda in North America is that they virtually never let you choose a manufacturer's option, unlike in Japan where you can pick and choose pretty much anything you want off the option list.
What that means is that, if Honda is going to offer the Skyroof to North America, it is more likely that this expensive option would be a mandatory item for a certain trim level, exactly what you are fearing may happen.
What is happening in Honda Japan is not a very good predictive tool for Honda in North America.
Fearing for good reason I might add.
I don't see them doing this on all trim levels but why on earth put it on a base model? No chance, so the Sport or RS model will likely suffer with it but your handling will be way off if you have a heavy glass roof on top of the car. I don't see this being offered in the US unless it's in a 3rd trim level like a touring model.
I just want a sport model with adjustable seats and no skyROOF.
What is happening in Honda Japan is not a very good predictive tool for Honda in North America.
Yes which is why websites don't really help much. The new Subaru STi gets different turbochargers from the US model for example.
I'm hoping the skyROOF is not brought over, sadly Honda will probably bring it over and not as an option and it'll make the handling awful.
Guess there will be a different car than a Honda in my garage if the Fit Sport/RS has a skyROOF and no adjustable drivers seat.
http://picasaweb.google.com/datumj/Interior/photo#5173227529727539826
Calm down and wait for the unveiling of the N.A. spec at the NYIAS. I'm hoping you won't spam this thread on how you won't get this car if it's missing something for your "lovely" wife.
Oh and thanks for sharing the photos you've found, futurefit. I added some of those pics for a collection from various sources if anyone wants to view some other pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/datumj
Look at the LAST pic he has of the light blue Fit with NO doors of it. The steering wheel is on the left not the right. It has no height adjustment. I don't have his link in front of me but it's there and that is a show car. But yes we have to wait for the show to see what the deal is with the USDM car and not the JDM or the preview cars.
http://world.honda.com/news/2007/4071018All-New-Fit/photo/pages/01.html
Keep in mind that the current Fit has a driver's seat height adjuster in most other markets, but not in the U.S. So I think it's a reasonable concern as to whether the new Fit will get a height adjuster in the U.S.
And at the risk of being called a "spammer", the lack of adjustability of the current Fit's driver's seat was the #1 reason I didn't buy one back in April 2006. I have high hopes that the 2009 Fit will rectify that problem, and in fact I am first in line at my nearest dealership for the 2009 Fit (put my name on the wait list last fall). If the driving position of the 2009 Fit is still uncomfortable, I'll be very disappointed.
Aside from speculating about the features this car may or not have, I am very confused in what you're trying to point out in the last picture. Here is the album that was posted. http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits and this is the last picture as it says 92 of 92 http://picasaweb.google.com/lennypics/Fits/photo#5173120141510659746 It's the Fit with no doors yet the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle, not the left. The picture is of the left side of the car which is the passenger seat. :confuse:
First off, don't ever say I'm spamming unless you can back it up with hard facts. The very use of the word Spam causes people to view posts with disregard and suspicion. I don't know if you know what Spam is but I for certain do not spam. These are forums for discussions on FUTURE cars not one I can buy off the lot today.
I have driven the Fit overseas, I have driven them in the US. I was very close to buying one but it lacked features that did matter to me and they were very real issues for my wife more than myself.
The Fit has needed a seat height adjustment, a dead pedal for manuals and an arm rest.
Look up the thousands of posts not just in Edmunds but in any Fit/Jazz Forum and these are among the most common gripes.
Sure if you are very tall the seat height is no big deal but some people like my wife are short.
That seat height adjuster cannot possibly add much more than $100 retail to the car since it's all out of the Civic's stock bin anyway.
The Fit is hardly a bargain basement car when it comes to price and when I'm paying $16K+ for a car a seat height adjustment and a arm rest and dead pedal are not exactly out of line with reality.
As far as what it HAS for features I don't really care because I am NOT selling these cars, buyers want what they want. Sellers care more about some of that stuff than I do. I have "features" in my car now I will never ever use.
This was my error, sorry about that.
But looking at it carefully the seat is in fact the passenger seat so you are correct about that.
Let's just see what is offered to the US market after it is announced
In Japan, virtually all makes and models (sans sports cars) offer accessibility options including the rotating seat.
Especially for ladies in a skirt who try to exit their cars gracefully (that-was-not-me -typing, fight it...) :sick:
People indicate the new model which is more aerodynamic looks like a small minivan and I'm having trouble understanding those statements because what do they think the current model looks like?
Give me your opinion.....
I know this will get me alot of love here
I was going to buy one late last summer. (my present car is dying) Then the photo's of the new model were leaked and I knew thats what I wanted. The first gen is a tough looking car, but I prefer the futuristic style of the 2009 model. I LOVE the super sloped hood. And the sort of puffed up, more unified body. Also, seeing the 2nd Gen address the concerns of the 1st Gen, which are pretty well documented on this and other boards.
Not sure about the minivan bashing. Maybe early childhood trauma from being shuffled around from soccer games to Baby Gap by mommy? :confuse: Being from the geezer rock generation I was spared that. In the 50's we were just told, "go outside and play."
I think people here like the 1st Gen better because thats the one they own. The one they're invested in. The one they have fun driving, waxing and modifying. And for many, their first car.. I'll always love my first; 1964 Buick Wildcat 445. (It was used, I'm not that old.)
Thanks Widetrack, this should be an interesting thread.
To us, the styling that meant something had to tie to a function, and in our case, that was a usable and economical hatchback that could carry a lot. The Fit's "odd" shape performs this function very well.
My wife thinks it looks like a ladybug. :confuse:
I think it does have a bug shape thing going for it. It has minivan styling cues but I wouldn't say it looks like a minivan except in the same way virtually all hatchbacks look a bit like each other or sedans for that matter.
I like the blue instruments on the older model, hate the red lights. I have them in my Civic Si and would rather have blue.
The overall shape is more appealing on the new model as it all seems to blend together better whereas the older model looked like a pigs snout stuck on the front, very out of place.
Ideally I'd like to see it have 20-30 HP more and AWD available. AWD is offered in Japan.
Why more HP? Because I drive 90% highway, 90% of the time. 109HP is not enough also I live in a very hilly area that you can't avoid the hills.
I liked the Scion xD as far as power but the rubber shifter was horrible.
Also as a side note, the Fit may have great handling but no one is running any in the SCCA Autocross.
It's not even considered to be a car that can win due to lack of power.
Take care!
I have the feeling that Honda will deem it to "wacky" for the NA consumers (and honestly, I probably wouldn't disagree)
Wow, thats an extensive group of pics.. Thanks alot datumj. I hadn't seen any of the "Honda Net" group of pictures before..
I have the feeling that Honda will deem it to "wacky" for the NA consumers (and honestly, I probably wouldn't disagree)
Well I'd imagine for tooling around in Tokyo it would be find, top speed there is very limited during the day anyway. In a country with 27 mile long traffic jams speed in a Fit or anything else isn't much of an issue.
But the reason is the glass will be much heavier than metal and will contribute to rollovers at higher speeds. Combine that with erratic drivers and well I just see a top heavy car as a liability.
If you have a chance go to an autocross some time (or even better run in one) and you will see the inside rear tire lift as high as 12 inches on tight corners at speed.
If you combine that with a very heavy roof, when you transition back like in a slalom it will act like a pendulum.
This is bad.
I think it would not pass our crash tests and a glass roof will have people thinking glass versus metal. It might be a cool option for some but I'd certainly avoid it, regular sunroofs cost enough as it is in terms of decreasing rigidity. Although they are light years better than say 10 years ago.
Also there seems to be some speculation that we (US) will have the choice between the 1.3 and 1.5 engines when it arrives here and my sources indicate that the 1.5 will be the only one available to US buyers.
Of course I'm sure it will change ten times before the new model hits our shores because you know how large corporations are; totally unpredicatible!
This is indeed the case. North America will only receive 1.5 L. Even in Japan, those who drive at highway speeds prefer 1.5. The 1.3 L is a pure city runabout, and is underpowered for most American operations.
It looks like they have eliminated the raisable headrest for the center rear seat! In fact, it looks like it might be a 4-seater instead of a 5-seater, as I don't see a center shoulder belt.
I have 3 kids--how am I supposed to fit them in the 2009 FIT??????
I guess this means I'd better get a 2008--but I had my heart set on the 2009--waaaah!
Here's the official Honda US site for 09 Fit
Are you sure? I just looked at the picture on that site and I only see 2...
On the 2007-2008 models, there is a third headrest in the center, a bit lower than the outboard ones, but still raisable. It really looks like there's nothing on the 2009. It doesn't even look like there's room for anyone to sit in the center.
I really do hope that I'm wrong.
(Thanks to the wide photos above, I was not able to reply directly to your post.)
2009 Colors
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue Sensation
Tidewater Blue Metallic
Orange Revolution
Blackberry Pearl
Milano Red
Storm Silver Metallic
Taffeta White
http://www.hondapreview.com/fit/
Noted in the UK brochure for the 2008 Jazz/Fit that the Drivers Seat did have a height Adjustment. The Web site is http://www.honda.co.uk/car/ choose Jazz, then download a brochure.
If anyone can read Japanese there might be a description of Seat Height Adjustment at http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/
"The interior design includes a tilt and telescoping steering column and driver’s-seat height adjustment."
The URL is http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/2009-Honda-Fit-Preview
Some of the review covers Japan only specifications. Hope the seat adjustments is not one of them.