My first Honda. My first bad car purchase

[corey415]

Need cliff notes. Posts are too long too read!

[wdb]

Clif notes: Wordy SoB bought wrong car for their needs, can't accept personal responsibilty for bad choice, blames mfg.

The Fit is a very well designed, very well made, award winning car that sells like mad the world over. It's not the car, it's you.

[gimme]

The brakes and suspension are competent enough, if you are the only one in the Fit

you must be HUGE. Me @ 245lb, wife at 135, kids at 120 combined...and my brakes and suspension are sufficient.

I honestly put my laptop bag (about 15lbs) into the back hatch and you can see it squat a bit. The weight capacity for the car is just over 700lbs total.

i would LOVE to see you weigh the laptop, measure the ground to fender, put the laptop in the car and measure the ground to fender...all on video.

Next are the blind spots. The A pillar holds the curtain airbags (so don't get A pillar gauges unless you disable the bags). Unfortunately that makes the pillar very thick indeed creating a wicked blind spot.

I can appreciate this statement.

Also unusual is the small window just aft of that A pillar. This pushes the side mirrors (which are quite nice and large) back on the door forcing you to take your eyes off the road to use them. If they were at the base of the A pillar like in most cars, this wouldn't be an issue. If you position the seat (only two ways of movement, back and forth and the seat back angle) and you position the rearview mirror properly, you will notice the rearward visibility a bit obstructed. You will have to peer through very large rear headrests, a large secondary tail light, the rear window wiper (which does not feature an intermittent setting), very thick C pillars, high belt line for the rear hatch, and if the middle seat belt is "installed" the belt is right in the middle of site. It is like looking through a porthole

sounds like you sit 8 inches from the wheel.

The gauges are nice and very easy to read, but one fault is they stay lit all the time. Not only does this wear the lights in them faster but when it is dark out and you are expecting to turn on your headlights, you might forget to do so because the gauges are already lit.

your tail light bulbs will burn out faster than those

The only way you know you have your lights on is a small green light in the bottom of the gauges. If it is twilight out and you have been driving for quite a long time (unlikely with the short range this car has) you will forget to turn the lights on. I do that almost every time I leave from work near sunset.

they put that there so you know if they are on.

Since the seats do cool tricks, they have to be quite small and agile. To do that Honda made the padding quite thin and firm. On long trips the car is very tiring. When you do push the front seats up to drop the back seats underneath them, there is no memory to return them back to their original position; more of an annoyance really.

padding is adequate for me and family/friends. Not even the 08 Accord has memory to return it to a particular position....I have one.

No armrest/center console, no dead pedal, no sunroof option, no overhead console.

lack of dead pedal, i miss. Center console should be a must. sunroof and overhead console, not a necessity unless you have that much crap in your car where you need more storage space.

To make it ready for North America, Honda had to put on new bumpers to meet crash requirements. These protrude out a lot and collect lots of dirt as you drive along, particularly the rear bumper. It is a shelf for dirt and grime. They also make it a bit trickier to put things into the rear hatch because of how far out they jut.

as far as the depth of the bumper, you must have short arms to think it is too long

I understand you can't make a car fit all markets, but to bring the car to the states, Honda took out every addon feature like an armrest and roof console and turn signals on the side of the car and transmission options, and engine options, and brake configurations that would have helped some of these issues.

which honda in the states has factory mounted fender sidemarkers?

Tach is on the left side of the gauge cluster, blocked by your left arm as you use your right arm for shifting. Most cars have this issue, but I would still like to see a car maker do it right once, like in my old Mazda Protege.

huh? arm blocks the tach?

I have a manual and shifting into 5th is an "adventure". All of the other gears snick into gear wonderfully. 5th requires me to backhand the shiftknob and do some interesting arm movements. Reverse is geared badly as well, forcing you to floor the gas and taking off much more aggressively than you want to in order to keep from stalling. 1st gear is very quick indeed (up to 25mph maybe) but 2nd gear is so deep, you have to rev in first very high before the shift to not lug. You cannot start from a standstill in 2nd very easily if at all.

i have a 5sp manual and dont have these issues.

Let me spend some time on the biggest gripe I have with this car, the fuel economy.

Gas mileage is quite awful. 109hp and I am barely getting more gas mileage than my 7yo Mazda with 130hp and 131K miles and the Fit is 400lbs lighter. In the Fit, I average 32mpg with 90% highway driving. That's appalling for an economy car from the most frugal and environmental car company on earth., specifically geared for economical driving. From the same manufacturer (Honda) you have a car with 82% more hp and 27% more weight and meets emissions tougher than LEV that gets only 10% less mileage. (Accord I4) Or even 28% more hp and 17% more weight and meets emissions tougher than LEV and gets almost exactly the same mileage? (Civic LX) Could you imagine what that engine in the lighter shell of a Fit would do; what the Fit should have got mileage-wise in the first place.

The engine platform was designed from the ground up to be independent from other cars in Honda's stable. It was to be a platform engine for the world-seller car (the Fit/Jazz) to go into as many countries as possible as an economy car. The design was fresh and new from the ground up which is rare for a platform engine; how many rehashings are there of the beloved LSx block? On the technology/economy front, what I was expecting was the latest gadgetry Honda had in their bag of tricks thrown into this new platform. That being the shutoff at idle and seamless restarts of the engine as seen in their hybrids, regenerative braking to charge the battery, easing the alternator a la hybrids, better gearing for economy (this only redlines at 6500, not very high at all especially for Honda), trick VTEC and fuel management maps.

Yet the engine is weak, thirsty for what little power it provides, and not-so-good with emissions. Were Honda engineers asleep during that platform design? They certainly weren't asleep for the B series or K series. My coworker's 1995 Civic with 422,000 miles on it (yes, that's 422K) with the AC on and 80mph gets 40mpg consistently, every day. That mpg measurement isn't out of ordinary, either, from the CRX or other cars of that vintage. What happened? There was no trickery then. No hybrid, no crazy lean burn, no regenerative braking, no trick valve timing. That Civic is the same weight as the Fit and with almost same hp, it gets MORE mpg, 10 years ago. Even today the Fit gets worse than a current Civic and the Civic weighs more. I don't like the excuse cars are heavier now so they are "allowed" to use more fuel. I don't buy it. A Civic then is the same size as a Fit now. An accord then is the same size as a civic now. Does the new civic get as good or better mileage than an old accord? Yes. Does a fit get better gas mileage than the old civic? No.

That is my issue. Honda should have taken just as much engineering and time that went into that trick interior and spent that money for the drivetrain technology.

When cars that are much bigger (at least a foot longer, 400 lbs heavier), more powerful (140hp vs 109), and better emissions (SULEV vs. LEV) are getting better gas mileage, the engineers of the 1.5L platform need to be replaced.

i get 39mpg regularly. started off lower and decided to drive the speed limit, there my mpg went up.

i am done. i have other things to do than counteract subjective opinions.

sounds like you need a mercedes. sell the fit and get one. Kia? HA! but again, that is an opinion

[cojaro]

Originally Posted by HarumaN

I'll admit upfront, my understanding of cars is pretty basic. That being said... a lower RPM at the same cruise (highway) speed would equate to better gas mileage, right?

Yep. I'm pretty sure you AT guys get marginally better highway mileage.
Gas consumption is determined by 2 variables: RPM and throttle position.

[eldaino]

op should remove the e and z from his user name.


about 75 percent of your gripes could have been addressed during a test drive.


not enough room for three people in the back? arent there like, a million cars that this applies to?


this is the single most hilarious rant i have ever read!

[GAFIT]

I think everyone is entitled to his/her opinions and I think that one can acknowledge their car has faults, but they still enjoy it. The Fit is by no means perfect and it appears that Honda is addressing many of it's shortcomings in the '09 model. I've yet to own a perfect car...I don't think there's any such thing. There's just some things that I can live with and some that I can't.

The original poster should test drive a Toyota Matrix. I think that it would be more his style. That isn't a slam by any means. It is roomier, rides better, gets almost the same mileage, and has more power. I happen to like the Fit better, but that's just personal tastes.

[GAFIT]

BTW, I have first hand experience with a 1995 Civic lx. Just so happens that's the exact car that we traded in on the Fit. It did indeed have nearly identical power to the Fit and was used for the exact same things in the same manner. It DID get considerably better mileage than the Fit. We have had a low of 32mpg and a high of 37mpg with the Fit. The lowest we had with the Civic was 38mpg and the highest was 42mpg.

That being said, the Fit is much more fun to drive due to the considerably better handling and driver feedback. I do think that after 14 years of advancement Honda should be able to do better. I'm betting that the '09 will.

[FITrunner]

Originally Posted by GAFIT

I do think that after 14 years of advancement Honda should be able to do better. I'm betting that the '09 will.

They did do better. But the problem is after 14 years, good old big brother in the NHTSA kept adding rules and laws year after year regarding safety that those same improvements got overshadowed by extra weight. If I am not mistaken, the 1995 Civic LX came in around 2400lbs give or take. The Fit comes in at about 2700lbs! Shed those 300lbs of safety and you will see much better mpg. So again, don't blame Honda, blame the NHTSA.

[seeremlive]

Originally Posted by HarumaN

I'll admit upfront, my understanding of cars is pretty basic. That being said... a lower RPM at the same cruise (highway) speed would equate to better gas mileage, right?

I gave up fighting this one long ago. But yes my 5AT BBP runs 700 - 800 RPM lower at 75MPH than a 5MT of any color. You do know that paint color makes a difference in MPG.

[Cat]

Sorry the Fit is not working for you. I have to say after one year in my car - I actually love it more today than the day I bought it. It's just running so great and sure it is not the perfect car but the things I love about the car is a longer list than the items I don't.

You just need to be happy with what you are driving and know that you have to do what is right for you!

We wish you good luck in whatever you end up doing.

Cat

[zRollerskate]

Originally Posted by Cat

Sorry the Fit is not working for you. I have to say after one year in my car - I actually love it more today than the day I bought it. It's just running so great and sure it is not the perfect car but the things I love about the car is a longer list than the items I don't.

You just need to be happy with what you are driving and know that you have to do what is right for you!

We wish you good luck in whatever you end up doing.

Cat

same with me cat... when i first got my fit it was fun... but i had no ambitions... then i found FitFreak =D

[imfinallyfit]

Wow that's alot of writing. all i know is last year when i bought my fit (roller skate, cell phone, penny racer) I got made fun of cus everyone was buying diesel trucks suv's and whatnot. now i get to do all the laughing. Don't hate, appreciate! , but enough from my corner, go on with the chloraphil! i'm just gonna sit back and !

[FITDragon]

I for one will be interested to hear your thoughts on the new 2009 design. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself.

I Fit is obviously not for everyone, nor should it be. But even given my own observations on comfort, I am very pleased with my Fit, enough so that I was willing to switch over from the Kia.

But still, even though I disagree on many of your points, I am still glad you took the time to post your thoughts!

[Sugarphreak]

holy crap are some of these responses long!

Well it is clear your mind is made up, glad you took the time to explain as well.

I am with FitDragon, I still disagree with many of your points and it sounds like your car seems to be experiencing more problems than it should.

However I am surprised you missed the dash rattle problem

[dbzeag]

Originally Posted by FITrunner

They did do better. But the problem is after 14 years, good old big brother in the NHTSA kept adding rules and laws year after year regarding safety that those same improvements got overshadowed by extra weight. If I am not mistaken, the 1995 Civic LX came in around 2400lbs give or take. The Fit comes in at about 2700lbs! Shed those 300lbs of safety and you will see much better mpg. So again, don't blame Honda, blame the NHTSA.

Except it's not.

A 1995 Honda Civic LX - 2376lbs
A 2007 Honda Fit Sport MT - 2471lbs

The Civic is 100lbs less, not 300. And the man I was mentioning that has 422K miles on his car is 365lbs himself, I am less than 150lbs, more than making up that difference.

Weight can't be an argument, either, because Honda's own Civic weighs more with the same level of safety equipment (it is overall a larger car) and has more horsepower and gets better mileage (with better emissions I might add).

It's not weight. That excuse can work on some cars, but not with the Fit.

[dbzeag]

Originally Posted by Sugarphreak

holy crap are some of these responses long!

Well it is clear your mind is made up, glad you took the time to explain as well.

I am with FitDragon, I still disagree with many of your points and it sounds like your car seems to be experiencing more problems than it should.

However I am surprised you missed the dash rattle problem

I guess because mine doesn't rattle. I didn't even know that was a pervasive issue. Maybe I was too distracted with the fuel sloshing around with a full tank to notice.

[dbzeag]

Originally Posted by wdb

Clif notes: Wordy SoB bought wrong car for their needs, can't accept personal responsibilty for bad choice, blames mfg.

The Fit is a very well designed, very well made, award winning car that sells like mad the world over. It's not the car, it's you.

I will concede the interior is one of the most thought through designs I have seen in a car. The level of engineering and ingenuity that went into packaging the Magic Seat and the rest of the interior is quite genius and I very much respect that. As a matter of fact, I believe that part to be the only thing Honda really hit the nail on the head with in this car.

It's the rest of the car that holds that fabulous interior that let me down.

If half of the engineering budget that went into designing the interior figured out how to make the L15 not suck so badly, it would have been a more balanced car for me.

It sells like mad throughout the world because countries are small and congested and this car is completely in its element in those conditions. That's why Honda did a mini release of the car in NA years after the world release, because they didn't know how our driving styles would coexist with the Fit's abilities. If you live in the most populated cities in the country (well the ones without snow anyway), this car is a champ. If, however, you live in the rest of the 90% of land in the US, this car might not be what you expect (it certainly wasn't what I expected).

[eldaino]

Originally Posted by dbzeag

Except it's not.

A 1995 Honda Civic LX - 2376lbs
A 2007 Honda Fit Sport MT - 2471lbs

The Civic is 100lbs less, not 300. And the man I was mentioning that has 422K miles on his car is 365lbs himself, I am less than 150lbs, more than making up that difference.

Weight can't be an argument, either, because Honda's own Civic weighs more with the same level of safety equipment (it is overall a larger car) and has more horsepower and gets better mileage (with better emissions I might add).

It's not weight. That excuse can work on some cars, but not with the Fit.

the reason the civic gets better mileage is because

A: the engine itself it tuned for fuel economy. the fit is a gas sipper simply because its a tiny engine.

b: the engine in the civic is newer, not a seven year old design

c. the civic's bigger, totally geared differently engine has to work less at any given speed, given its higher torque and horsepower ratings. (even if it does weigh more.)

like i said before, half of your gripes could have been avoided had you totally tested the car properly. did you even bother to research or read reviews on it? some things pertaining to size, power, mpg and interior accomodations could have easily been addressed before you even set foot in the dealer.

and speaking of mpg, did you bother to read what the fit was rated at? have you seen what the adjusted sticker of that civc is/was? it should have been no suprise to you then.

the d series was a very fuel efficient engine, and maybe the l15 simply isn't as fuel efficient. thats not poor engineering, thats just the nature of 2 different things. surely thats not too hard to deduce?

and the b series has never been that fuel efficient, even the non performance versions. (the b18 in the base integras was barely rated at 30mpg highway while offering the same hp as the r18 in the new civics, which as you know, are rated much higher. See? honda is making strides, its just not with this first gen fit. wait till the new one comes out. its borrowing engine tech from the r18 and shares similar design elements and will probably get better mpg to boot.)

[HarumaN]

Originally Posted by seeremlive

I gave up fighting this one long ago. But yes my 5AT BBP runs 700 - 800 RPM lower at 75MPH than a 5MT of any color. You do know that paint color makes a difference in MPG.

BBP FTMFW!!!!

[dbzeag]

Originally Posted by eldaino

the reason the civic gets better mileage is because

A: the engine itself it tuned for fuel economy. the fit is a gas sipper simply because its a tiny engine.

b: the engine in the civic is newer, not a seven year old design

c. the civic's bigger, totally geared differently engine has to work less at any given speed, given its higher torque and horsepower ratings. (even if it does weigh more.)

like i said before, half of your gripes could have been avoided had you totally tested the car properly. did you even bother to research or read reviews on it? some things pertaining to size, power, mpg and interior accomodations could have easily bee