I need to replace my 2000 Toyo Echo MT due to terminal rust and have decided to get a 2nd gen Fit MT.

I've read so much about various cars over the last few weeks, my head is swimming (I also have long covid which makes thinking/remembering difficult) so I can't remember the details of the Fit trims. I did try searching the forums but couldn't find what I'm looking for.

Are there any significant differences in safety or reliability between the base and Sport trims? Comfort and convenience matter too, but safety is paramount.

I'm having trouble finding a low mileage 2nd gen in general, much less a MT, in my price range (US$6,000 max- I'm in Maine). It would be a lot easier to get a base than hunt for a Sport.

Also, I test drove an '08 Sport and an '09 base last week. The '08 was so much fun and shifted really, really smoothly. Best shifter I've ever used. The '09 was clunky and kept getting caught up, really unpleasant to drive. The owner said "it's always been that way". Is that a difference between gens or was it just a bad car?

Any tips y'all have to help me find a good Fit would be appreciated.

 

You should research modern snow tires as you live in a snowy state. Tire technology has advanced significantly.

 

there really is no difference in safety between the two, sport maybe has a leg up on the base model just because it has fog lights? but that's really a stretch, especially since no one uses their fog lights anyways. as far as reliability, they are going to be identical as well because they have identical drivetrains.

 

Thanks!

I thought the Sport has traction and stability control that the base does not? At least on the 09 & 10s?

 

Second gen's manual gear box is sweet.
Either do a drain and refill of the tranny every oil change or drain, refill, drive, repeat four times at 30k miles.
The one you drove was poorly maintained. Treat it like a sports car and it'll sport. :}

 

My '09 sport has neither. Only driving aid on the '09 and '10 was VSA but only on navigation equipped sports. I think VSA became standard on '11 for base and sport. Thinking it was a gov't mandate that made it so.

 

My 2010 Sport does not have traction control. IIRC, the differences are mostly cosmetic (bumpers, spoiler, side skirts, fog lights, 16" wheels) and some other amenities like keyless entry, cruise control, etc.

 

Does the Sport have a rear sway bar? That might help?

 

Thanks so much! I ended up with an '09 base MT with 107,000 miles. The shifting isn't as smooth as the '08 I drove but I was told it's a different transmission? It kind of reminds me of my bicycle with integrated gears- each gear seems to kind of click into place?

 

Grats on the new car!

When I first bought my Fit in 2013 with 27k on the odometer, I thought the shifter felt mushy. Although my frame of reference with manuals for the prior 12 years was my Camaro SS with a T56 and factory Hurst shifter that is heavy and very notchy. I replaced the Fit Sport's factory shift knob with a billet aluminum knob and it felt a bit better to me. It's grown on me over the years. It's light enough not to be a chore for daily driving and it's notchiness is positive enough that I don't need to second guess if it's fully in gear.

With 175k on my Fit, I just replaced the stock clutch, did a drain/fill of the transmission and drove it from California to Florida. The shifter felt great!