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[quote=Cosmo;356638]This fall my wife will be due for a new car. I have pretty much talked her into buying an 09 Fit Sport due to fuel economy/utility instead of the CR-V she was wanting. She knows how to drive a manual but prefers an automatic. Here are the specifics:
18 miles interstate @ 70 mph each way
3 miles city (2 miles 30-35 mph & 1 mile @ 40 mph) each way
3 stop signs & 2 traffic lights each way with very light traffic if any
Looking at this from a pure fuel economy standpoint (she doesn't care about a performance driving standpoint), would the manual or automatic (I know the fuel economy of the 09 is supposed to be pretty much on par with the 08 models) make the most sense? Yes, I have read for hours through numerous manual and automatic fuel economy threads, but almost all pertain to various hyper-miling techniques that she will most likely (definately) will not incorporate into her driving habits.
The manual gets better mpg at all levels. Expect 2 mpg less with automatuic.
Now having said that, the automatic is much easier on the driver. My wife spends a lot of time on the highway in home health so she drives a Civic HX (not a hybrid but vtec 1700cc tuned for economy) for the 40+ mpg (documented for IRS) which only came with 5 speed manual. However when we're at home she takes my Fit Sport instead 'cause its easier'. The Fit gets 30 mpg when she uses it at her work.
Your wife should make the choice. Hopefully the 09 will have the CVT automatic and if it does both of you may find it preferrable. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel are great for those of us who have shifted all our lives.
Oh, considering the run on Fits you might want to develop a sales arrangement on the Fit ASAP.
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