For those that like video reviews as much as I do, CNET just released their most recent review of the '09 Fit Sport. Not terribly in-depth, but fun nonetheless.

Link

 

Thanks for the link!

 

He seems to sugget that the 07-08 Fit line did not have an optional manual transmission. Did this guy REALLY do his research?

Fun guy, though, if a bit... odd.

 

I agree with him on the bluetooth. I was hoping with the Navi I would get a bluetooth availability. The civic has it and the accord does too so I don't see why they couldn't add it to the fit even as an option. Thanks for the share. A nice review.

 

Thanks for posting that. +1 rep for you.

The guy speaks pretty well, but it was a really short review, not touching on a lot of things. He shouldn't have yanked that flash drive out like that, lol. And what is he like 6'9"?

It's irking me now that so many reviews report on the modest EPA figures for this car, while real world numbers are far higher. Honda is shooting themselves in the foot.

 

I agree. Every time I hear "an average of 30mpg" with reference to the Honda Fit I silently mutter to myself.

 

I wish he didn't spend half the review on the radio. I don't buy a car specifically for the radio. It might have been nice to go over the interior and storage capacity including the fold-down back seats. And he should probably not wear a pink shirt when reviewing a red car! It clashes and takes away from the car in my opinion. That's actually something I would think of before going on camera! And I don't like that he kept saying that it was a cheap car. That implies that it's poorly constructed. He acted like buying one is nothing. Let's face it, $18,000 - $20,000 after taxes and freight is not cheap!

 

Although they are a tech website, I do find it strange they don't give a more detailed review.

Funny you mention the shirt...I'm watching another CNET tech podcast from last week and he's wearing the same one.

 

CNET guys love their pink shirts!

 

The word 'cheap' has a certain connotation that impacts negatively on quality. It assumes there has been a sacrifice due to lack of funds. However, the word 'inexpensive' denotes a good value.

One thing is for sure, the Fit is a great first car purchase, or a second car for a lot of buyers. However, as a replacement vehicle for someone who is currently driving a larger mid-size with premium content, the lack of power and features is quite glaring. While this in itself is not a reflection of the Fit's ability to do what it is designed to do, it does make it difficult for some buyers to justify this type of purchase based solely on fuel economy savings. Let's face it, a lot of theses types of buyers feel 'forced' into downsizing, so no matter which small car they eventually purchase, they harbour a bit of initial resentment. Lets face it, the Fit is not a car for the North American masses - it sits in a small niche, but one that it dominates.

There are a lot of other (larger) vehicles in the market today that offer good mileage, more power and comfort at a reasonable price, and a lot of new car buyers look at extra features as a good value, and place it higher on the list than handling or Honda's reputation for reliability.

Not everyone is an enthusiast like us, and this reviewer runs his story right down the middle (with a big C-Net tech slant) being careful not to be a champion for the Fit, while not slagging it either. Of course he was not 'wowed' by the Fit, even though the review was a fair summation of the vehicle and its qualifications.

It would be nice to know what the reviewer's daily driver was, just to add some perspective.

 

I agree with everything you said DeeZeex. The thing I find with most reviewers is that they're not talking to the target market. Check out the Cars.com review that just came out (YouTube - 2009 Honda Fit). This is the worst review I've ever seen because he spends too much time making fun of the slogan the marketing department came up with (Fit is Go) and then goes on to say that families will have a hard time on road trips. He even gets people who have nothing intelligent to say to offer opinions. Horrible.

In many reviews I see, they don't realize who the target market is. Someone who likes larger cars, pick-ups, mini-vans, or SUVs is not interested in the Fit. So why does every review focus on these people and talk about the lack of power and space and how your entire family might have trouble fitting in the car. That's not the target market! I am the target market. I never even saw a Fit before a month ago and decided to buy one right then and there because I WANT a small car that I can fit my hiking/fishing/camping stuff in the back and zip around town. I do not want a sports car (and I'm a guy!). I'm usually the only one inside. I don't intend to have a family inside and go on a huge road trip. And because I'm very fit (pardon the pun!) I don't have a problem fitting (pardon the pun again) inside like most fat ass Americans might have!

The reviewers need to give the good and bad and compare it to other similar cars. Why should or shouldn't I buy a Fit instead of a Yaris, Versa, Aveo, etc.