Ok... about the Fit's "Slowness"
Once you are use to driving a car with a small displacement engine you can jockey around in traffic and leave much faster cars far behind you..... I had to make deliveries in Dallas out of an overloaded VW diesel pick up with 60 H.P. and a lot of low end torque.... I covered more area and made more money than anyone else doing the same thing I was.... You have to keep your speed up, accelerate toward openings before they open, keep the revs up and stay off of your brakes by not moving up too close to slower moving vehicles.... Friends that didn't grow up in the DFW area that ride with me when I go up that way literally start screaming at me when my old driving habits resurface in that environment....The Fit is far from being slow to a person that knows how to drive it.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
The Fit is slow, albeit relative.
In 1984 a Porsche 944 got to 60 in about 9 seconds or so, not too far off what either a GD or GE do with either MT or AT. Perspective changes things a bit, eh?
For me, I own a 381 horse Tundra or a V6 Accord I can drive if I don't drive the Fit. I do miss the power in passing situations; passing two cars at a time when the second car doesn't really want you to is much harder. Just reading that back to myself made me laugh. Impossible. So you have to surprise them with a rapid, timed overtake with no notice, speed already built. Fun, pure and simple. Burst out from behind the rear car and whip their ass before they realize a FIT just blasted by at like 32.6mpg.
Around town the gearing of my AT makes it more enjoyable for than the manual, it feels peppy and quick, tons of fun in the cut and thrust. I have the opportunity to drive either of my other cars every day; since I have bought my Fit I've driven the Tundra once.
We acclimatize ourselves to straight-line acceleration but so far I never tire of an engaging, eager, nimble chassis. I plan on a PRM, K&N or to build my own shorty intake, I plan to add the HKS High Power axle-back and an Eibach spring kit but that's it.
Until there's a supercharger, of course....
37 year old father of 4.
In 1984 a Porsche 944 got to 60 in about 9 seconds or so, not too far off what either a GD or GE do with either MT or AT. Perspective changes things a bit, eh?
For me, I own a 381 horse Tundra or a V6 Accord I can drive if I don't drive the Fit. I do miss the power in passing situations; passing two cars at a time when the second car doesn't really want you to is much harder. Just reading that back to myself made me laugh. Impossible. So you have to surprise them with a rapid, timed overtake with no notice, speed already built. Fun, pure and simple. Burst out from behind the rear car and whip their ass before they realize a FIT just blasted by at like 32.6mpg.
Around town the gearing of my AT makes it more enjoyable for than the manual, it feels peppy and quick, tons of fun in the cut and thrust. I have the opportunity to drive either of my other cars every day; since I have bought my Fit I've driven the Tundra once.
We acclimatize ourselves to straight-line acceleration but so far I never tire of an engaging, eager, nimble chassis. I plan on a PRM, K&N or to build my own shorty intake, I plan to add the HKS High Power axle-back and an Eibach spring kit but that's it.
Until there's a supercharger, of course....
37 year old father of 4.
The Fit has a lot of attributes that a person needs to exploit and make the most of it....Massive horsepower and automatic transmissions are a poor substitute for poor driving skills and reminds me of people that feel that they need a semi automatic high capacity fire arm as compensation for not being able to hit what they aim at with one well placed shot, or a cabon fiber shafted oversized golf club to hit a ball further than they could with a steel shafted club because they can't play worth a damned..... When Stirling Moss test drove an early Austin Mini in London he got into it so much and had such a good time that when the cops finally caught up with him and he had to face a judge his drivers license was revoked..... This was in a little under powered car with less than half the power of a Fit equipped with 10 inch wheels..
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 431
From: Westsylvania
I grew driving VW Bugs, which always had a huge gap between 3d and 4th; if you kept your speed up, you were golden, but you wouldn't give away 5 mph to save your mother's life. Fits aren't that bad, but maintaining inertia is still important.
Moon
Moon
I've driven MANY different cars in my line of work, including 911 Turbos, Cayenne Turbo S's, R8's, S8's and so on. I've driven chipped 996 Turbos, chipped with bolt ons-RS6s and a bunch of other exotics.
I've also owned two D-series Civics and a Sentra SE-R. The Fit is not "slow", it is a different type of car. You need to keep the revs up - and you need to choose your gear differently.
I like the Fit because it is very comfortable rolling along a backroad in 5th gear and 2200RPM, and takes very well to just "cruising". What I miss was the power-on-demand my 2.5L Sentra had in the middle gears. The Fit drives much like an older 92-95 Civic. It almost forces you to drive economically, but also begs to be driven like a small car - which I love.
In the end, I think the Fit could benefit from an honest extra 30 or so horsepower, and a different 5th gear.
I've also owned two D-series Civics and a Sentra SE-R. The Fit is not "slow", it is a different type of car. You need to keep the revs up - and you need to choose your gear differently.
I like the Fit because it is very comfortable rolling along a backroad in 5th gear and 2200RPM, and takes very well to just "cruising". What I miss was the power-on-demand my 2.5L Sentra had in the middle gears. The Fit drives much like an older 92-95 Civic. It almost forces you to drive economically, but also begs to be driven like a small car - which I love.
In the end, I think the Fit could benefit from an honest extra 30 or so horsepower, and a different 5th gear.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 83
From: Grand Forks AFB, ND
I've had two Honda Civics, a '96 HX Coupe and a '96 CX Hatch...the coupe was definitely slower as the hatch was lighter, but I like the feel of my GE Fit. It's definitely slow...but it's very responsive to turns and does put rubber to road if driven right. Then again, as soon as the snow hit here, I have to put it in 4th to get it going anywhere (why the dealer would put snow tires on a car driven in a state with snow 6 months out of the year, I will never understand). I would like to feel a Turbo'd or K'd Fit though...I'm sure those "econoboxes" aren't slow! hahaha! I'm with you though...the Fit is definitely the most capable car I've ever driven (in my short 9 years of driving)!!!
In the end, I think the Fit could benefit from an honest extra 30 or so horsepower, and a different 5th gear.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you about that.... That is roughly what I have now thanks to Kraft Werks.... Just by going to very light wheels and tires you gain a great deal of performance improvement in every area that can be improved. Throttle controllers are nice too.
I agree with you about that.... That is roughly what I have now thanks to Kraft Werks.... Just by going to very light wheels and tires you gain a great deal of performance improvement in every area that can be improved. Throttle controllers are nice too.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 250
From: Eastern, NC
Just my demographics lol... but getting parallel, sneaky and the cut and thrust all work together fine as long you keep her away from your wife.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 953
From: NY
I was pressed for time yesterday, running behind for an appointment. I pushed my Fit around but good and it ate it up! I even got a little screech out of the front tires once when accelerating! LOL! I spend most of my time being a conservative driver, both for gas savings and to go easy on the car. But every so often, whether there's a need or just for fun, I lace into the car. I think it likes to be opened up a bit every now and then. It sure seemed to like it yesterday! I had a blast! Slow? Not that I noticed!
Dan
Dan
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,421
From: Upstate New York
I agree. In day to day driving, I usually "drive it like I gotta pay for it if I break it", but sometimes I can't resist the temptation to "get on it". The Fit actually seems to enjoy being driven hard, and seems to run better for a few days afterward.
Of course this may just be my imagination.
Of course this may just be my imagination.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 837
From: Atlanta, GA
The Fit is the first car I have driven in years (nay, decades) that has a free-revving engine that actually feels unstressed in the upper RPM ranges. Texas Coyote is right on the mark about finding the appropriate style to drive a small vehicle (car or motorcycle) effectively. Let the engine rev, and take advantage of corner speed. Of course, gas mileage may suffer, but at its worst, mileage on the Fit is about the best highway mileage I ever got out of the Subaru.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Slow Fit
I traded in my 04 Volvo V70 R for my Fit Sport. My Volvo, modded with CAI, Free flow with race cat/convertor and upgraded ECU made approx 330 HP and was a beast. Had it in Germany and hit the 155 limiter weekly.
So, the Fit is a huge change, but damn, I really enjoy driving it. It is a momentum car due to lack ot HP/torque but once you get it going it is a lot of fun. Sure I would like more power, but as a whole package, including the fuel economy, I am very happy with it.
So, the Fit is a huge change, but damn, I really enjoy driving it. It is a momentum car due to lack ot HP/torque but once you get it going it is a lot of fun. Sure I would like more power, but as a whole package, including the fuel economy, I am very happy with it.
New Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
From: Loomis, CA
My previous car was a BMW 540i and to be honest the only thing I miss is the V8. Love how cheap the fit is at the pump, love to know cheap repairs will be down the road, and so far modding has been a blast. I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the fits tiny engine, I think it's quicker than most people think. Like a lot of people are saying it makes a huge diff to know the car and how to drive it to get the most out of it. my advise would also be getting a lighter wheel/tire set-up, I have a GE mt, and noticed a tiny gain with an intake and exhaust...but the biggest difference I could actually feel immediately were lighter wheels. i think they were 6-8 lbs lighter each and i love em. big fan of weight reduction since then haha
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,271
From: CA
I agree. In day to day driving, I usually "drive it like I gotta pay for it if I break it", but sometimes I can't resist the temptation to "get on it". The Fit actually seems to enjoy being driven hard, and seems to run better for a few days afterward.
Of course this may just be my imagination.
Of course this may just be my imagination.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22
From: ca
I'm considering buying the Fit, but I know how slow they are. But I'm not getting the Fit for that reason, since I own a 08 civic si. I just want a Fit for everyday stuff, like going to work and whatnot.
If you bought the Fit for speed...... dunno what to tell you.
If you bought the Fit for speed...... dunno what to tell you.
Are people forgetting the Fit has more power and torque than the Civic Si and CRX Si had in their heyday?(89-91) I had a 89 Civic Si, and the first time I drove the Fit, it reminded me of that car; plenty peppy(not barn door burner fast, but plenty of get up and go) and go kart toss-able.
I'm currently in a 2007 VW GTI lease that is up in July 2011. Now this car is plenty fast and handles pretty damn good, but when my lease is up, so is the warranty. As well some engine design issues that lead to premature wear of the cam follower, that if it goes when it's out of warranty, will be stupid expensive to repair, hence why I will be turning in and come back to Honda and get a Fit Sport. Sure it will "slower" than my GTI, but not like some people are making it out to be and will handle pretty damn well for a small car. Plus I can go back to using regular gas, and I'll have a solid NON-Turbo Honda engine that just begs to be revved!
I'm currently in a 2007 VW GTI lease that is up in July 2011. Now this car is plenty fast and handles pretty damn good, but when my lease is up, so is the warranty. As well some engine design issues that lead to premature wear of the cam follower, that if it goes when it's out of warranty, will be stupid expensive to repair, hence why I will be turning in and come back to Honda and get a Fit Sport. Sure it will "slower" than my GTI, but not like some people are making it out to be and will handle pretty damn well for a small car. Plus I can go back to using regular gas, and I'll have a solid NON-Turbo Honda engine that just begs to be revved!
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
Are people forgetting the Fit has more power and torque than the Civic Si and CRX Si had in their heyday?(89-91) I had a 89 Civic Si, and the first time I drove the Fit, it reminded me of that car; plenty peppy(not barn door burner fast, but plenty of get up and go) and go kart toss-able.
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And weighed nearly 500 lb less than my Fit.
The best thing about the Fit is its reliable as a Honda and is BY FAR the best driver in the sbox class.