Hi everyone, I am new to the Fit circle but i tell you this little guy has my attention. I have been researching for about 3-4 months for a vehicle that can help me a few very specific requirements.

Currently I drive a '08 Toyota FJ (flawless machine), but more and more i am starting to pay attention to price at the pump. my situation is that i am a small business owner, and often i am on the road helping make small deliveries and seeing customers from one side of the city to the next. We are in the automotive and industrial lubricant market with our own house brands along with major brands as well. Although we are known for bulk; we do sell pails and cases.

Now, I drive around 350 miles per week; and i would say that 80% of that is highway travel. So, the way i am making this decission is truly based on dollars ans cents. My FJ is paid for and Carmax will give me $18K, now the fit may be $1K more out the door but i can recoup that money within 6 months.

First question:
Real world highway numbers- I have been annal about keeping up with my MPG's since I bought the FJ and I have averaged 20 MPG over 3.5 yrs. What are you all seeing on real world highway numbers?

Second question:
Often I am by myself, but from time to time i will have a passenger with me. i am concerned with the Fit's power plant. Worst case scenario is that I will have a passenger with me and about 20 cases of oil with me for a quick delivery. (case = 12 quarts). That would mean approx 400 lbs of goods plus two adults. Can the fit handle that, specially with an Auto trainny? Keep in mind that I am Houston, so no hills but plenty of rigs on the road.

Third question:
Front seat comfort- i am 6'-0" and weight 185 lbs. This car will easily see travel time of 3-4 hours in and out of Texas. My FJ kills my lower back after a 200 mile trip; what are your thoughts or suggestions on this?

You may be asking how I got to the fit. I looked at the Prius, Golf TDI, and Ford Fiesta.

Prius - i wont see my return for a very long time; i need "now" numbers.
Fiesta- Not enough cargo room; never been a Ford guy.
Golf TDI- very nice machine but it will cost me $8K more than the Fit. It will take me close to 3 yrs to get my return. i can buy a lot of gas with 8K but I really liked the TDI.

In order of importance:
1) MPG
2) Cargo space
3) Comfort

i am looking at either a '11 or '12 Fit Sport Auto.

Thanks in advance-

 

I'll try my best to comment but I've only had my 2009 Fit for 2 weeks so bare with me.

Fuel economy: Too soon to tell because I've only filled up twice but on the highway I'm seeing high 30s.

Cargo Space: I'm 6'2" and I thought I would be cramped but I have tons of room and with the seats folding completely flat, I can fit a lot of stuff in there. Easily fit a bike and some camping gear in there.

Comfort: Everyone here complains about the seats but I actually like these seats and I'm never uncomfortable in the 2 + hour rides I've had.

Power: Well it's not crazy fast but I don't really feel like I'm in any danger. The auto version is slower than the manual 0 to 60 so that may be something to consider.

At the end of the day you just have to give it a test drive and see if it's right for you, I did and I loved it.

 

Would you consider a used (1-2 years) Golf TDI? That would be better than the Fit at hauling the kind of weight you are talking about, get about the same (maybe better) mpg, and cost the same. It won't be easy to separate those three cars on mpg, space, and comfort. The TDI will best best for hauling and if price is the only concern there, it might make the most sense to get a used one...

Anyway,

I just bought a 2012 Fit, and I am sure you would be happy with it. However, I think that you should do the above for a few reasons:

1) I have noticed that the rear cargo floor may not be an ideal spot for heavy stuff. The floor is covering the spare, but the cover material is thin and flexes a bit even with about 10lbs in the center. If I had to constantly haul cases of oil around, I wouldn't want to worry if my floor was going to collapse.

2) A lot of people complain about the A/C being on the weak side, which is something you may not want to risk in Texas.

3) The Fit can get 40 mpg on the highway, but you can only really get that between 55 and 60. I find the seats to be comfortable, but many people don't. I could see my leg getting tired on trips over 2 hours.


I think the extra torque of the TDI would make a lot of sense for you. I would double check the VW forums to see how people feel about it comfort-wise.


Now on to the real question: why doesn't Honda just make a diesel Fit?

 

Small business owner wants return! Making decision on dollars and cents. Spends $1500 xtra for Sport model for delivery vehicle? Does not compute!! JIm 0311

 

Very good points, I appreciate it.
Yes I have considered a used TDI but it has been very difficult to find a 4 door with Auto. From what I have read on the VW forums, most of those guys opt for the 2 door/manual version.

AutoTrader has a few available within a 100 mile radius from where I am but still asking $22.5K; but I do agree with you and it is something I have contemplated and may still look at.

1. I have test driven the car twice, and I did not think about your floor comment. That is certainly something I need to go back to revisit. I don't carry this much weight all the time; but when I do it will be a very important point.

2. I noticed the AC struggling a bit during my last test drive; especially when we were experiencing continuous triple digits.

The TDI definitely has plenty of low end torque, but the used car market is in very high demand for these diesels.
Anyway, I really appreciate the great points you brought up.

 

Well, it really won't be a "delivery vehicle". It will be personal car (just like the FJ is now) and since I choose to be a working owner; I get to see customers everyday and do make the personal deliveries to help my drivers.

I failed to mention that my family will also get to ride in the car so the extra $1500 is definitely worth it.

 

The automatic transmission model will not do well fuel mileage wise with a heavy load in heavy stop and go driving in traffic and the sport model is sure to be scraping the front lip when entering driveways... The flexible cover over the spare can be covered with a piece of plywood thick enough not to flex... You might be better off with a base model with manual transmission.. It would be much better suited for deliveries being that it is quicker, more economical and has better ground clearance.... Removing the cabin filter will allow the A/C to cool much better when the ambient temperature is 100 and over.

 

I drove my 2007 MT fit 3500 miles from minneapolis to anchorage and averaged 41 MPG. I had a passenger and 350-400 pounds of stuff. However, I did drive 60 mph the whole way with no AC, and I am a very conservative driver.

with full AC and average driving with an automatic fit you will probably get around 35mpg. it would not be difficult do replace the flimsy floor board with something a bit stronger, but I have had no problems with it.

You could also consider a toyota yaris. it is a bit cheaper and just as reliable, and it might get you a couple miles more per gallon. it's not quite as fun to drive, though.

 

Come to think about it, I didn't have any problem with the flimsy spare tire well cover as long as the spare tire was in the well...

 

Here's a picture of my car taken this summer. I was carrying three adults and the luggage and averaged about 39 mpg going from Massachusetts to Maryland. Besides the luggage you see, I also had the seat behind the driver folded down and had even more "crap" and the car did just fine.

 

Stop-n-go traffic won't be an issue; usually I am on the open road traveling.

I drive 65 with my cruise on in order to pull 20 MPG out of my FJ currently; if I can pull anywhere north of 35 MPG with 80% highway travel with minimal load; I'd be very happy.

I was going to ask if the spare tire served as some sort of support. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Well, that is what I was looking for. Wow!
Like I said; I don't have products with me everyday but I will use the car as my personal daily driver for personal use and business. The sport seemed the most fun and frugal at the same time.
I love the picture; glad things went well for you on your trip.

Thanks everyone- looks like I will be going for a third test drive this week and see if we can go and find a white one. I am not concerned about the sound improvements on the 2012 model; this thing has to be quieter than my FJ Cruiser.

 

Just make sure you list it that way with the IRS

Many talk of constant 35 MPG. Seems to be an anomaly, if you look forward to high 20's for an average in mixed driving you will not be disappointed.
JIm 0311

 

I have a 2009 BBP Sport, first of all get a sport model if you value resale value, if you don't then don't.

As for mpg on the highway, I can tell you with the audio system (probably close to 300lbs) in my car I can still get 40mpg on the highway at 70+ I have done it a few times now.

As for capacity just a simple google/fitfreak search will show you pictures like this;








As for comfort, I have had 6'+ people ride in my fit and they are simply amazed they have plenty of room, the seats to me are comfortable however the material is not the most fun to clean I would recommend getting seat covers like clazo's I think they are called, they are not cheap but they come in everything from neoprine to leather.

Bottom line, the fit can and will get you good mpg if you follow the manual and some tips you can find on here for driving. It has TONS of space in the rear especially with the seats folded down. And the comfort isn't bad either. For me personally I see no reason to not get the sport model but then again that is me, I value resale value and the overall look of the car is much better when you have the sport model.

 

Get a base Fit if MPG is your biggest concern and you want an auto, the programming of the Sport gets in the way of getting you the best MPG. You goal of 35+ might be optimistic, unless your 80% highway is like getting on the highway once, no other on/off-ramps, and then cruising at a set speed without much traffic getting in the way. That's unless you resort to some of the hyper miling tricks people do here like not using A/C which to me is just plain crazy.

The FJ and the Fit are such different vehicles, I'd just caution that there might be buyers remorse down the road, not knowing what possessed you to buy the FJ in the first place. Going for MPG can get old over time. And please, don't bother with a Yaris as someone suggested here... the only thing more boring is probably a Versa.

And I know Jim is half joking, but it does seem a bit impulsive of a decision so far... thus the caution to think it over, since changing new cars every 3-4 years does get financially expensive.

 

Some data from my '09 Sport AT

MPG: I take a couple of long highway trips each year, 800 miles one way across moderately hilly ground and with the car stuffed with items for fixing up an out of state house. I haul 400-500 lbs of cargo on those trips, plus a passenger. Calculated MPG averaging about 70 mph with A/C almost 100% on has been about 35 to 40 for those trips with the lowest numbers driving in a pouring rainstorm. I drive conservatively but not like a grandma either. My non-highway driving is mostly easy suburban/country commuting with no heavy traffic, and in its first 17,000 miles my Fit has an overall lifetime average of 35.0 MPG (but, with almost no winter driving on this car so far).

Power: I have no complaints about power but my previous car was an 88 HP Escort so my expectations are low. I really like the paddle shifters for quickly kicking down a gear to pass or hold speed when I hit a hill. Unless you're the type that comes to a complete stop at on-ramps and then expects to "punch it" to get into traffic, I think the Fit is fine for power.

Cargo Space: You can see from the pictures already posted that the Fit swallows cargo. The load floor and the backs of the rear seats (when folded) are a bit flimsy, but I haven't had any problem hauling more than your 400 lbs of oil.

Comfort: I'm also 6 ft, but a little skinnier and have no complaints about the seat for long trips. But that's really a matter of personal taste - everyone is shaped differently. I find the legroom just adequate though. If I had an extra inch of seat travel, I would probably use it.

Overall, knowing what I know and based your description I think the Fit is an excellent choice for your needs.

 

Thanks for the pictures; I am sure the cargo area is plenty big for what I need. and the 80% uninterrupted highway travel could push me to the MPG's you are getting.

Thanks for your input. Let me shed some light on your points. First of all, I have not purchased new car in over 10 years; always purchase used. So the FJ was no exception. Before that I had a MY 2000 BMW 3, before kids came along. So I do keep them over 7 years on average. The reason why I am looking into the fit is try to get as equal as possible out the FJ and into a better vehicle that gets me better MPG. Funny you asked about why I bought the FJ in the first place. Well, I really liked the looks and I wanted to try a SUV; but quite frankly (the FJ guys would flame me for this) I have never taken the FJ off road. Four years ago my commute was 10 miles each way; I'd park the car until I left the office. Now things have changed dramatically during the last two years; we launched the business and now I am working like a mad man, driving all over town.

I don't have car payments nor have I had them for years; I am hoping the fit will allow me to keep that (no car payments) while getting me much better MPG's. In an earlier thread, I has mentioned that Carmax will give me $18,000 for the FJ; I plan on moving that money into the fit. I appreciate your input and I am looking at this from every angle.

Thank you for your input; my highway travel is also uninterrupted since I do stay away from congested areas and from peak hours. I am being cautious and that is why I decided to finally post something here to get everyone's take. Thx!

 

One last question guys; what about safety?

I have two little ones what will travel with me from time to time on weekends. Now this will not happen often because we do take my wife's SUV for 90% of the runs with the girls. But the 10% of that time that I will have to move the car seats to the fit. Those with car seats; how does it look back there?

 

My daughter has rode with me a lot in my fit, she is now 3 and I have ZERO question as to the fit being a safe car. I even before buying one looked at the Insurance and Highway safety commission crash videos, that may not be the exact name of the agency but I think you know what I mean. As for the car seats, the fit is ULTRA easy when it comes to putting them in and out, it has behind the back seat mount and under the seat mounts aside from the seat belts.

 

Awesome! My oldest daughter is 3 and we have a 1 yeard old.
Thanks for your input.