hi you all, as you know my 1st gen was totalled by a hit and run just over three weeks ago. I'm shopping for a car. What's better/worse about the 2nd gen? I don't care about looks. I'm interested in driving, esp highway, and any quirks reliability maintenance issues that the 09 or 10 has that I need to know about?

 

We had two 2nd gens. Never did anything to them other than fuel oil changes and tires. Now have a 3rd gen. which is basically the same car with a few new new features. We would still have the 2nd gen ones (a 2009 and 2011) if my daughter hadn't totaled both of them. A 45 mph head on with a van and a deer strike at 55 mph did them both in.

 

"Better" is kind of subjective.
I never owned a Gen 1 Fit, so can't make a comparison.
But I would say, I owned a Gen 2, 2010 Honda Fit and thought it was well built, reliable and fun to drive.

Also, IMO there are significant differences between Gen 2 and Gen 3. The Gen 3 offers more amenities....in the EX a sunroof, but for good or bad, it also feels more refined, softened.
Also, the interior of the Gen 3 is IMO much more homogenized, it's a very nice dash, and interior, but very standard looking. While I thought the over sized dials, and sloping dash of the Gen 2 Fit was much more unique.
But I realize that is not the comparison shopping the OP is doing.
I can only say, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Gen 2, If you were happy with your Gen 1 Fit, I would say, I bet you would be happy with a Gen 2.
The choice is however yours.

 

Harder to get to the back of the engine in 2nd gen because the wiper motor and cowl are in the way, whereas in the first gen it's much easier access. If you do your own plugs and coilpacks, it'll take more time, but if you don't, doesn't matter.

I think 2nd gen is a little more civilized on the road, less of that go-cart feel, a little quieter and more composed, less buzzy. I drove a 1st gen for almost 150K miles and when I took my first test drive in the 2nd gen after the 1st gen got totaled, the difference was not subtle. I'd take the 2nd gen in a heartbeat for highway driving.

 

What is interesting, is that is almost exactly what I would say in comparing the Gen 2 Fit to the Gen 3.

I thought my 2010 had more of a Go-Kart on rails feeling. While the 2016, is more refined.

Most of the time I'm happy with the 2016....on full moon nights...I miss the 2010.

 

I'd say that it depends on your sporty vs comfort level.

Each model change has lost sporty and gained comfort.

For my taste, I'd either want a GD for purist reasons or a '12-13 for best all around reasons.

 

Get a Gen 3 EX Stick. The Sport Model looks great. But it doesn't have a Sunroof. Unless you can live without a Sunroof.

 

Yep, and I have a 3rd gen now, with a CVT, after my last seven cars were all manual. The difference between the 2nd gen AT and the 3rd gen CVT was huge - the 2nd gen AT was harsh and buzzy going through the first couple gears, whereas the CVT is smooth and quiet in comparison, and keeps the revs much lower.

 

2nd Gen can have really lousy seats. Read a lot of posts here about lumbar support. But it is a good car.

 

2nd gen is most definitely better than the GD.. but that's if you get the MT. i hated the AT on my 09 GE my wife drove. the 12 GE i also had was MT and that was actually a pretty fun car to drive. i hate absolutely zero issues on the '12.

 

I just want to tell everyone that I loved my GD MT, and thought it would be my last car. With these responses I'm opening *my heart* to 2nd or even 3rd gen. So helpful. Best users group ever.

 

GD MT is the way to go! Anything newer has softer suspension. Honda even admitted the GD was too "stiff", to me its perfect. I was going to buy a 2018 Sport, but it just wasn't as fun in the corners.