Need some thoughts from Fit owners - and I know some of you have more than one car so maybe someone can even do a direct comparison for me. Currently have a '07 Accord SE V6 on lease that's about to expire - thinking about getting the '09 Fit but its certainly quite a different category of car to switch to.

Its a big switch and drop in HP/torque, plus space... I am 6" and have gotten used to having more room in a car. Haven't had the chance to see an '09 in person yet, plan on checking it out soon though, figure I would need a test drive too, just so I can get an idea how it drives and how much the difference is really going to be.

Part of why I'm drawn to the Fit - lower gas consumption, and the space versatility with the Magic Seats... that's a big plus being able to load bulky items that even a big sedan might have trouble with. If Honda built a 5-door Civic with Magic Seats, it'd be a slam dunk to me... I wonder if the Fit is just a bit too small and too weak on the engine side.

Thoughts anyone?

 

Every one should test drive and examine their options. I haven't noticed the drop in power going from a more aggressive engine to the Fit, and I have no space issues at nearly six feet tall. The cargo area is always nice, and the fuel economy is the #1 reason to look in to the car. I have a friend who has a hybrid model of the Accord sedan, and he gets the SAME GAS MILEAGE I get when it is in hybrid mode and much worse when the car clicks over to normal consumption. Actually I routinely beat him on MPG. Now he has a heavier car which is a sedan, but still there you are.

The Fit is cute, sporty, reliable, and a good investment. It's been ranked the #1 subcompact and one of the best cars by almost every organization that rates automobiles. It has superior handling, is easy to drive, and a breeze to park even in the tightest of spaces. Why not check it out?

 

I also have a Lexus LS that I drive every day to work. However, I have been driving the Fit most days since I bought it. My daily driving is 100% in town, and the Fit is plenty fast at lower speeds. I don't think that it would be as enjoyable on the highway.

There is plenty of room inside the cabin. I miss the electric seats, parking sensors and XM. The only feature that the Fit has over my Lexus is the USB port which works very well. The flexibility of the interior is great. I had a Camry Hybrid that returned 36 mpg in town. I stupidly sold it before the gas prices jumped.

You should drive an '09 Fit to see if it has enough power for you. I have been averaging about 31 mpg in town.

 

my other car is a toyota 4runner v8 4x4.

the fit is ok. there are things the fit can do and 4 runner cant and visa versa.

 

The Fit is designed for people 4.5" and under.

 

I am 5'11 and I fit the Fit very comfortably. I mean if you're 4'5 then wow I feel sorry for you j/k

As for the difference in car, I currently own a Nissan 350Z, Toyota Tacoma and the Fit. I enjoy 3 of my cars perfectly. To be honest, I enjoy driving the Fit majority of the time. The 350Z which is my track car is only enjoyable in a open freeway and not really around town.

I hope that helps you.

~Robert

 

I came from a 300 hp 08 Accord Coupe 6MT (stock) and switching to an 09 Fit 5MT was a night and day difference. Yet the Fit has its merits and overall I'm much more happy with the Fit, especially since it's trouble and rattle free.

 

I don't think the 08 6spd was 300HP.

~Robert

 

The Coupe's engine was underrated at 271. I went to Temple of VTEC's dyno shop and they told me 300hp/275torque:

http://vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=719873

Oh, and how does 0-60 in 5.6 and 1/4 mile in 13.9 @ 102 mph sound? That engine was a beautiful beast!

 

the 09 fit is not as small as you think, has a lot of interior room.
Only way to find out is to really test drive , i do notice that it does get a tad squirly 65mph and up and the ride is surprisingly firm; which i like.
i'm avg height 5'11" and 200 lbs and the telescoping/adustable wheel is a nice addition.
Power is well enough, not much you can do if youre shopping for an econo car. If you need that extra oomph, i love downshifting via paddle shifter just to pass other cars.
It will definitely save you some $$, excellent mpg and i'm sure v6 accords are in the 25k range.
If you are looking for a 5door civic, 4cyl crvs come to mind.

 

I have a 2006 Accord v6 6MT Sedan as well as a shiny 2009 Fit 5MT. As most of the above have noted, take the Fit for a ride. It's a lot of fun and does have quite a bit of room. I find myself wanting to drive the Fit more than the Accord. Echoing the above as well, the power of the Fit at highway speeds is a bit lacking compared to the v6 Accord, but not to the point that it is a big deal in my opinion.

 

Appreciate all the replies - I know a test drive and checking the car out in person will make a difference but I know that a test drive can never truly relate to real world day-to-day experience with a car either. Thus its great having the perspective of people who have driven cars in different categories that can compare it to the Fit.

Someone suggested a CRV - that defeats the purpose of fuel economy which I might have forgotten to mention but is one of the goals. The notion of a 5-door Civic is a bit more power, a bit more space, one size up from a Fit and still keeping all that good fuel economy.

 

My wife and I have a 06 Accord, 06 CRV and a 09 sport Fit, each has its on place. If we go on a long trip we are going in the Accord. For running around town the fit is fun to drive and gets good gas mileage. Went on a 160 mile trip today in the Fit, it was ok but nothing like the Accord. My wife has had 4 new Civics over the years and liked them until I got her a 04 Accord and then a 06, as she said there is no going back. I just don't think the Fit is a one and only car to have unless you are young and single. Thats my 2 cents.

 

Yea im kinda in the same boat as you. Im goin from an 07 Civic Si to either a new Insight or a Fit. I'm just waiting til the Insight comes out to see if I fall in love w/ it, if not i'll pick up a new 09 Fit.

 

They have a five-door civic with the magic seats...but its only available in UK/Europe. Its pretty friggin sweet though. Honda Car Experience

I do think that going from a V6 to the paltry 118 HP Fit will be quite the change...even from my old 93 Accord (140hp) to my old 02 Civic (115 hp) was quite the change. But you have to look at if you really need the space and want a fun car to through around.

 

6'2"ish is where people start to complain.

I was going to make a dirty joke about this, but decided against it.

 

I left a 05' Nissan Maxima for the new Jazz, but only because of my experience of owning the older GD model for the past 4 years which I passed onto my girlfriend. I liked having a larger car, but for me zipping through town doing the same amount of driving the Jazz pays itself off big time. In all honesty I think I've got more room in total plus more efficiency. Unfortunately the only thing missing is that fine line between power and economics which isn't ever going to be there with the Jazz but maybe I'm just over racing to the speed limit every ware I go.

 

Driving around town I don't really feel the difference coming from a '98 Accord V6, mostly because of the stop and go traffic. It's climbing hills when I really can tell the difference in power. At highway speeds I do drive slower in the Fit than I would in the Accord (60-65mph compared to 70-75mph), but at least I never have to worry about getting a speeding ticket!

 

I thought if you were 4.5" and under you bought a Hummer! hehe

I'm 6' tall and the '09 Fit is roomy as hell! I love it! 34.3MPG in mixed city and highway! I'm thrilled!

 

I just reluctantly gave my 04 V6 Accord to my son. With some trepidation I bought an 09' Sport model. I absolutely love the car. It doesn't have the same power - but it has pleanty, plus great features, plus a great, quiet, comfortable ride, plus a "cool factor" youi can't beat.