Man I really feel bad for you being in the kind of situation you are in... I went from a Volvo 760 Turbo to a GMC Safari cargo van in 1997 and it was a real pain in the tail bone and the sciatic pain in my butt made it miserable to drive.. I was able to make it some what better by putting spacers between the front seat mounts and the floor but I still had pain to some degree at times.... Thinking back about the Fit I did suffer quite a bit driving it for a long time and was almost constantly readjusting my position in the seat, shifting my weight from one side to the other, almost wincing when I would go over a series of bumps and lowering the tire pressure even on many occasions... The tires that came on mine were very stiff contributed somewhat to my discomfort as did the 17.4 lb stock alloy wheels and when the tires wore out I remedied the situation with touring tires and 9.4lb wheels and later installed Swift springs which are firmer but not as jarring as the stock springs. I had gotten the sort nap seat cover early on but replaced it recently... I enjoy working on cars and have a lot of time on my hands so I was in a position to do the things over a period of time since I also don't need to drive that often.... It is now pretty close to being as comfortable as the Volvo but when I recently drove into Louisiana where the roads suck I was told of a route that would put me back in Texas within a much shorter time by driving in the opposite direction from home and I took it.. I can recall being down there in 1993 driving a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and being miserable in it too. so I guess I can't really blame the car... I hope you are able to get a car you are happy with, good luck..

 

Thanks again for sharing your story with me. The dealer said he'd buy it back from me...so we'll see how much $$ I lose in that deal, but my health and well-being are at stake here. I have to drive everyday - no choice, so I need a comfortable car. The Accord is not perfect, but it does have an excellent seat (as I recall from the test drive), so I will do a more extended test drive in that BEFORE I make my final decision. Will drive the Accord over my roads at home for the test drive - those roads should be a test track! Thanks again!

 

If I had to drive everyday I would need something else also, preferably with 6 way electrically adjustable seats and lumbar support.

 

Today I finally decided to trade in the fit for a more comfortable car. I'll take a photo, post it on the Fit site, and remember it fondly - it IS incredibly cute. And mine is pumpkin colored - so I had registered it as 'punkkn' (a little edgy, I thought!).

But, hey! I'm not 25 anymore and I need a more body-friendly vehicle.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with your Fit, and giving me ideas on how to improve it. Its clear though that it will always aggravate my sciatica - so I am putting this down as a valuable lesson in car buying! I'm incredibly fortunate that the dealer offered to take it back COMPLETELY - I won't lose any money at all. Its incredible, really...

 

@snobun... I'm sure glad that you were able to get full price for your Fit on the trade.. I really understand what kind of of pain you are talking about. I just hope that your new car is very comfortable and doesn't hurt to drive....

 

How about a shout out for that dealer that took care of you? That's the kind of people we should all do business with!!!!

 

Here's the 'shout-out' for a great Honda dealership: Darlings' Honda of Bangor, Maine! Wonderful people who completely understood about the Fit aggravating my sciatica and not only took back my car for the full price I bought it for (!) the week before, but took $1,500 off a Honda Accord I will buy in exchange.

That is service where the customer comes first!

 

It would almost be worth a trip to Maine to do business with folks like that... If I am ever in the market for a new Honda I might even do it since I have never been to that area before, it would be neat to drive through states that are smaller than some of the counties down here.

 

Maine is a beautiful state - and not so small. I used to live in Rhode Island ('Biggest Little State in the Union' - though they compete with Delaware for that status....ha ha!).

I will post photos of my 'briefly owned' PUNKKN Fit! I loved it for the week I owned it - if they ever come out with a Fit SE (heated leather seats, well-cushioned suspension), I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

Thanks again for listening and giving advice. I feel a part of a wonderful Honda family ...

 

Went to a local upholstery shop and had them cut a 3inch thick by 20inch square piece of high density memory foam ($40.) and make a zippered cover for $10. Works well except it's a little short in width. Will try a 22 inch square if I do it over. Tends to shift to the right after use so I have to move it back to the left side of the seat but it makes a world of difference to the comfort level. If someone comes up with a method of securing the cushion in one place I'd like to hear about it. By the way, I have a Costco sheepskin cover under this. Sells for $49. on their internet site. A 2 inch foam might work for those with less sensitive bottoms.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I bought some high density foam, but then we returned the Fit before I made anything with it. Now I have a 2011 Accord, and even the heated leather seats are bothering me - not as much as the Fit, but still...very disappointing. I drove my company car (Chevy HHR) for 4 hours a few days ago and had no problem with the seat.... find I do not look forward to getting in my new car because of all this.... who would have dreamed that new car buying would have turned out so badly.... oh well!! Am aiming to keep the new Accord in excellent shape and selling in a year...

Meanwhile, will keep test driving till I find what works for me.. After 17 years in my Saturn without any problems, I had no idea I had any issues with seats!