Explain to me how the Fit is a fun car?
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 235
From: Florida
Another fossil here
My first car was a 57 Cadillac convertible. I've had a few neat cars since. Corvair convertible, 64 1/2 mustang 289 HP! When I was a Chrysler salesman I had a Road Runner Superbird for a demo
An elderly gentleman, probably about 50 YO bought it for a family car
Gas was a bit less expensive then.
I find the Fit just a (I was going to say cheap, but there is nothing cheap about the car!) It is one heck of a bargain, lot's of room, great on gas, easy for an old body to get in and out of and just
fun to drive. Sorry I cannot define fun for you.
I wonder though in 2051 will people be going to a car show to see a concourse condition 2011 Honda Fit base ?
JIm 0311
My first car was a 57 Cadillac convertible. I've had a few neat cars since. Corvair convertible, 64 1/2 mustang 289 HP! When I was a Chrysler salesman I had a Road Runner Superbird for a demo An elderly gentleman, probably about 50 YO bought it for a family car Gas was a bit less expensive then.I find the Fit just a (I was going to say cheap, but there is nothing cheap about the car!) It is one heck of a bargain, lot's of room, great on gas, easy for an old body to get in and out of and just
fun to drive. Sorry I cannot define fun for you.I wonder though in 2051 will people be going to a car show to see a concourse condition 2011 Honda Fit base ?
JIm 0311
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 39
From: Pioneer Valley, MA
yes, as simple as swapping to better tires... to upgrading the springs (Swift <3)... the fit's driving dynamics can easily be described as night and day. And not that I would suggest, I love spirited driving but also love to cruise the right lane when given the right situations (no cars in front of me). I have often been tailgated by "other" sporty/sportiesh cars when driving to my usual interstate route all the way to the exit ramp leading to another interstate. It is on that nice long "S" ramp is where the Fit puts a big smile on my face when I drop to 3rd and just watch the so called tailgaiter starts to disappear into a spec on my rear view mirrors and starts to paddle and cruise again when on the interstate... a second or two later they just blew by me like an angry bee while I laugh and enjoy the rest of of my drive. Always makes my day... again, I'm not suggesting you pull this trick but it's just good to know that the Fit can 
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More here...
http://youtu.be/4_R7PNaOYM0?hd=1
Last edited by JCrimson; Apr 29, 2011 at 10:13 AM.
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,417
From: Capital Distric New York
Another fossil here My first car was a 57 Cadillac convertible. I've had a few neat cars since. Corvair convertible, 64 1/2 mustang 289 HP! When I was a Chrysler salesman I had a Road Runner Superbird for a demo An elderly gentleman, probably about 50 YO bought it for a family car Gas was a bit less expensive then.
I find the Fit just a (I was going to say cheap, but there is nothing cheap about the car!) It is one heck of a bargain, lot's of room, great on gas, easy for an old body to get in and out of and justfun to drive. Sorry I cannot define fun for you.
I wonder though in 2051 will people be going to a car show to see a concourse condition 2011 Honda Fit base ?
JIm 0311
My first car was a 57 Cadillac convertible. I've had a few neat cars since. Corvair convertible, 64 1/2 mustang 289 HP! When I was a Chrysler salesman I had a Road Runner Superbird for a demo An elderly gentleman, probably about 50 YO bought it for a family car Gas was a bit less expensive then.I find the Fit just a (I was going to say cheap, but there is nothing cheap about the car!) It is one heck of a bargain, lot's of room, great on gas, easy for an old body to get in and out of and just
fun to drive. Sorry I cannot define fun for you.I wonder though in 2051 will people be going to a car show to see a concourse condition 2011 Honda Fit base ?
JIm 0311
For crazy fun there's always bumper cars - Tom Wright’s Street-Legal Bumper Cars
With the FIT it's in the affordability and the ability to trick it out with aftermarket, something motor heads will do with anything they can get their hands on. That's the fun part, even if it's simply a flashy badge or window visors.
instructor: "no... no...!!! just one at a time...!"
New Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
From: Angola, Indiana
fit fun to drive
I traded in my 04 subaru wrx with mods and 350 hp for my 09 fit sport a/t after one test drive. The gas mileage with the sporty handling had me sold. I think it actually handles better than my wrx did. And for me fun is having the car that's on the road more than at the repair shop and not spending half my paycheck on gas
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
OK, my title here is an exaggeration since the Fit handles decently. Still, many on these boards describe the Fit as being the most fun car they've ever owned. As a guy who currently drives a Miata and has recently driven a GTI, Fiesta, 2008 Focus, Mazda3, and Mazdaspeed3, I would place the Fit second to last in the fun to drive category.
Am I wrong? Am I missing something, or is the Fit really just decent handling (which used to be rare at the Fit's price), freakishly practical, and a great value?
Am I wrong? Am I missing something, or is the Fit really just decent handling (which used to be rare at the Fit's price), freakishly practical, and a great value?
You aren't wrong. The Fit, as sold by Honda, is a very understeering car. It does have the advantage of a good steering feel that makes it a good car to drive, especially for a mass produced 'econobox'. Wheels, tires, shocks, and suspension upgrades can make it better but still second to the Maz3 (Speed or otherwise), Miata, or even Mini. That wasn't Honda's intent. But the steering feel raises it above most small sedans like Sentras, Toyotas, etc. Its easier than many cars to get the limit of performance on a Fit. And that's the secret.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
From: Bay Area CA
The fit is boring, but sensible. It's practically a honda trademark. Handling in stock form is "meh," and power is low but smooth. You really need to mod it to make it fun. The neat interior and paddles make it less boring at first, but that wears off.
My WRX was fun to drive and I racked up 60k in 2 years on it. My Fit only has 6k in 1+ years so far!
My WRX was fun to drive and I racked up 60k in 2 years on it. My Fit only has 6k in 1+ years so far!
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 56
From: Yuma, AZ
Here's an example of how the Fit can be a lot of fun:
Testing the 2011 Mazda 2 and 2010 Honda Fit B-Spec Racecars
New wheels, stickier tires, an exhaust, springs, and not much else and it's good for 72.9 mph through a slalom and 1.02g skidpad. That sounds like some good handling right there lol.
Can't wait to put better tires and Swift springs on mine but I want to get familiar with her stock first
Testing the 2011 Mazda 2 and 2010 Honda Fit B-Spec Racecars
New wheels, stickier tires, an exhaust, springs, and not much else and it's good for 72.9 mph through a slalom and 1.02g skidpad. That sounds like some good handling right there lol.
Can't wait to put better tires and Swift springs on mine but I want to get familiar with her stock first
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 52
From: Iowa, USA
I too have a Miata, and just picked up a new Fit. Fit steers quick and IS fairly fun to drive, but not Miata level in my experience. Not without a bunch of upgrades as many have already mentioned. I enjoy driving the fit, but REALLY LOVE driving the Miata.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
From: Bay Area CA
You can't argue with that. A few mods away from stock, it becomes "unboring:"
Here's an example of how the Fit can be a lot of fun:
Testing the 2011 Mazda 2 and 2010 Honda Fit B-Spec Racecars
New wheels, stickier tires, an exhaust, springs, and not much else and it's good for 72.9 mph through a slalom and 1.02g skidpad. That sounds like some good handling right there lol.
Can't wait to put better tires and Swift springs on mine but I want to get familiar with her stock first
Testing the 2011 Mazda 2 and 2010 Honda Fit B-Spec Racecars
New wheels, stickier tires, an exhaust, springs, and not much else and it's good for 72.9 mph through a slalom and 1.02g skidpad. That sounds like some good handling right there lol.
Can't wait to put better tires and Swift springs on mine but I want to get familiar with her stock first
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 157
From: The Fourth Corner
To me, this seems to be the trademark of a "classic Honda": whether there's a lot of absolute performance or not, it's always ready, willing and eager to let you use all of what it's got. By this measure, the Fit is a "classic Honda": there might not be a lot of absolute performance in a Fit, but that eagerness to go dancing on a twisty road is what makes it fun. It's a subjective, not an objective thing.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 95
From: Queens NY
Honda fit is a high revving very involving car for this day and age and price range. The handling is quite communicative. Seating position is very good, pedal position is very good. Manual gearbox is smooth and engine loves to rev. Suspension is nice and tight and the damn thing weighs little so yes it is a fun car to drive.
My last car was a BMW M3 which was a track rat.
My last car was a BMW M3 which was a track rat.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 568
From: Puerto Rico
It's fun because I can give the middle finger to the greedy oil companies with the great mileage I get.
It's fun because I can stuff things into it that some small SUV's I owned couldn't haul.
It's fun because it was cheap to buy,cheap to maintain,and has a good reliability rating.
It's fun because despite the size of the engine,and suspension it still kicks some more expensive cars to the curb in speed and handling. Fun to watch the other drivers faces.
It's fun because it reminds me of my 1979 Civic,and seems to have the same spirit,and fun driveability.
Fun for me on many levels,more then other cars I owned, costing 4 times as much,and 3 times the horsepower.
PaFitter
It's fun because I can stuff things into it that some small SUV's I owned couldn't haul.
It's fun because it was cheap to buy,cheap to maintain,and has a good reliability rating.
It's fun because despite the size of the engine,and suspension it still kicks some more expensive cars to the curb in speed and handling. Fun to watch the other drivers faces.
It's fun because it reminds me of my 1979 Civic,and seems to have the same spirit,and fun driveability.
Fun for me on many levels,more then other cars I owned, costing 4 times as much,and 3 times the horsepower.
PaFitter
I have to say that the Fit (I have a 2011 Fit Sport) is a TURD when it comes to standing start 1/4 mile acceleration, passing power (or lack thereof) leaves much to be desired, and so far the mpg has been a disappointment to me (best of 30mpg 1st tank, no better than 27mpg since)...
BUT!!!
It is super fun to throw around in corners, even 100% stock.
I like how smooth it rides, yet is capable when cornering hard. It soaks up bumps well enough, and it seems to not be unsettled easily even in turns when hitting bumps. I'm in a tough spot when it comes to modifying the Fit because my other two Hondas are of the heavily modified variety:
When I can hop in a 1990lb. B18C5-powered Civic hatch with 425F/550R rate springs, LSD, sticky tires, etc. I can leave the Fit stock. Even with much more capable Hondas to drive the Fit still has its place as my daily driver.
BUT!!!
It is super fun to throw around in corners, even 100% stock.
I like how smooth it rides, yet is capable when cornering hard. It soaks up bumps well enough, and it seems to not be unsettled easily even in turns when hitting bumps. I'm in a tough spot when it comes to modifying the Fit because my other two Hondas are of the heavily modified variety:
When I can hop in a 1990lb. B18C5-powered Civic hatch with 425F/550R rate springs, LSD, sticky tires, etc. I can leave the Fit stock. Even with much more capable Hondas to drive the Fit still has its place as my daily driver.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,222
From: San Antonio
It's fun in a "toss it around like a go-kart" sort of way, and stands out due to it's fun/$$$ ratio. I would expect a Miata to be far more fun (since it's not Wrong-Wheel Drive, and doesn't make compromises for utility).
As for the others:
GTI - not in the same category. I'd expect a Mustang to be far more fun as well.
Fiesta - Another lots of fun for not much money option... other than the Ever-Faithful around here, I haven't heard much bad about it's handling and fun quotent.
2008 Focus - Having rented a 2010 Focus for a month in Georgia, I am confident in lambasting that particular contraption as one of the least enjoyable vehicles I've had to drive in recent years. It reminded me of the late-80's Tempo that I drove in Driver's Ed.
The Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 - both also fun cars, although the latter is in a far higher market niche.
"Fun" should be caveated with "Fun for a car competing with the likes of the segment sales-leading Versa, Yaris, Aveo, etc."
As for the others:
GTI - not in the same category. I'd expect a Mustang to be far more fun as well.
Fiesta - Another lots of fun for not much money option... other than the Ever-Faithful around here, I haven't heard much bad about it's handling and fun quotent.
2008 Focus - Having rented a 2010 Focus for a month in Georgia, I am confident in lambasting that particular contraption as one of the least enjoyable vehicles I've had to drive in recent years. It reminded me of the late-80's Tempo that I drove in Driver's Ed.
The Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 - both also fun cars, although the latter is in a far higher market niche.
"Fun" should be caveated with "Fun for a car competing with the likes of the segment sales-leading Versa, Yaris, Aveo, etc."