[Committobefit08]

Wow that was a book....

Anyways. I'm glad your thinking of a Fit but honestly nobody here is probably going to be able to persuade you any differently. You seem to have a basic understanding of each car and any advice you get here is obviously going to lean towards the Fit (since we are all owners and we too have more in likely looked into these cars I know I did) Each person has different needs and wants.
After all that... if you want my opinion on what I would choose obviously out of the cars listed the best for me was the Fit

Secondly I would probably choose the civic or the 5dr subie.
They are even in my book due to Civic gets good gas mileage but Subie being hatch and awd. Looks wise I like the civic better even though they are everywhere. Both are good reliability.

Thirdly I would have to choose the Rabbit. I'm not too excited about vw's reliability but the rabbit is a good all around car.

And finally would be the mini. Other than a fun track car I don't really car for the mini's just not practical for my applications.


To your suspension and brake questions...I am lowered on Tanable DF's and feel my car handles pretty darn well. With upgraded tires I feel the car could hang with alot more race inspired cars around the turns easily. As for the drum brakes I think they are substantial for the car rear rotors would be nice but I don't feel they are really needed. Its not a 300hp car so you don't really need heavy duty brakes. In the future if I feel I need more stopping power I am going to upgrade the brakes to slotted/cross drilled rotors with ebc green stuff pads.

After having single piston calipers that warped like crazy on my Acura CL-S I think the Fits stock brakes are pretty d*mn good.

Again this are only my opinion and everyone is different so good luck choosing.