Reviews say that the 15 inch regular Fit has a better ride.
I was thinking about trading my 16" rims for 15" rims so the ? is.
I like how the fit looks but use it mostly to drive from point A to B and I like to go from A to B in better comfort in the 15" rims offers that.

Yes it's not the rims but the tire size and it has more depth.

Do they make a 15" factory rims that looks like 16" rims?
I like the Alloy 16" rims so like to keep that look but in a 15" rims.

Anybody wanna trade in you're in the NJ area?

 

part of the ride quality is a slightly different suspension in the rear (sway bar) which wont change so you won't get the mushiness of the base with just a rim swap. also, remember you are only gaining 1/2" of sidewall which isn't that much. check your tire pressure to see if you are running the recommended 32 or if it is higher (like around 36-40). If it is higher, drop it a few lbs to make for a softer tire (but don't go below the recommended pressure). you could go up in tire size a little bit too (to like a 195/55/16 which would be slightly wider, slightly taller) and should provide a softer ride. It'll throw off your speedo a little (and also your odometer) but not by too much... just be aware you are going a little faster than what the speedo says.

~SB

 

You know what?

Might as well buy some 15" steelies (keep the 16" alloys).

Give it a run and see if it's any more comfortable.

If not... well, now you have winter wheels to use for snow tires.

 

Like has been said already, just run lower pressure in your tires or get tires with higher sidewalls. Avoid performance oriented tires that might have "stiffer" sidewalls.

The Fit, even stock, has a fairly rough ride. One of the reasons I bought one to begin with

 

Are you saying the Fit Sport has a different suspension than the Base Fit?

 

Yes it does!

But the difference is just the rear sway bar which is built into the torsion bar (ie, "rear axle").

Another "but"... the RSB affects ride quality in terms of bumps in the rear... without the RSB, only one corner will feel the bump. But with a stiff enough RSB, both corners will feel it.

 

hondas are known for slightly stiffer suspension than their toyota counterpart. the end result for me has been whether i Drive someplace (honda) or whether I Ride there (toyota). needless to say, I'd rather "drive".

The suspension is a little bit stiffer than the base because of the RSB (Rear Sway Bar) like goob confirmed above but tires will make the most difference. Get your tires to the softest safe point before making a call on changing size. Maybe someone else in NJ would be willing to swap for a week so you can check out the ride quality (note that your TPMS light will go on because of the original sensors missing)

Where in NJ?

~SB

 

My 14' winter rims and tires are a million times better of a ride than the stock 16's...its crazy...not looking forward to putting my 16's back on

 

I am running 15" steelies with snow tires. Ride is some softer but it is still a Fit.

 

My winters are on 15" wheels and while the ride is a bit softer, it is also much sloppier and less responsive. I love the feeling when I put on the 16" with stiffer sidewalls. Can't wait until my new tires arrive and the summers go back on. Maybe sometime next week it'll happen.

OP, if 15" are of interest, consider picking up a set of 15" alloys on Craigslist (I did this for my winter alloys). Any civic, Fit, or integra 4-lug (known as 4x100) alloy will fit. My winters are Integra Mesh - search the forums and you'll see a few photos.

~SB

 

The Fit Sport rear suspension is NOT any stiffer than the base- same springs and dampers- but around corners, the rear sway bar on the Sport effectively increases the spring rate SOME. Going down the road straight there is no difference.

Yes, taller sidewalls may help soften things up, but as specboy has said, you will lose SOME steering feel and gain some slop in the handling due to the taller sidewalls. It's a trade-off. If you aren't looking for max handling, 15's will be fine. Find someone near you with a set of OE steelies and TRY swapping them- see if it's worth doing before you spend $500+ on wheels and tires that may not solve your problem. Also, as has been said, check your tire pressures. Do NOT go below 30 PSI per corner, or you're messing with safety! (That should open up a good argument from the keyboard warriors ) Running lower tire pressure WILL increase braking distances, impair handling, and too low will cause erratic handling. So don't drop tire pressure way down in search of a better ride. Try the 15's, and if that doesn't do it, you're in the wrong car.
A $15K econobox with tiny dampers (with pretty crap valving) will never ride terribly well. The suspension is tuned for a sporty-ish ride, but those dampers just kill any ride comfort. They also aren't terribly good- before 15K, we'd already had two replaced (one front, one rear). Yikes Mark W.

 

Do they make 14" alloys for the Fit?

 

my 09 fit LX came with 15" alloys, which the US models don't get. would u be interested in a trade, for your 16" sport for my 15" aloys?
I live in montreal canada, not that far from u

they look like this

 

^^^ I really like those Canadian LX "pie-cutters" wheels. Too bad the 16" Civic versions are 5 x 100.

Been thinking about the 15's for a little while now.

 

By ride you mean the increase in sidewall height for the same diameter results in more flexible sidewalls; but doing that also means less prece turning. If you're not under 30 psi try dropping the tire pressure to 30 psi to see if that doesn't result in better ride.

 

I feel comfortable with these wheels on my 2012 Base Fit, turning is sharp. I do not ask for more.

 

"mushiness"?? i kick a$$ an take names in my Base. i guess if i had the Sport i would be a menace to society LOL

i plan on droppin Black Dagger and gettin 16" wheels eventually. but all this sidewall, offset etc makes no sense to me

 

that being said, if anyone wants to trade for my 15" awesome steelies LEMME KNOW!!

 

i'm gonna lower my Fit, so 15's would be perfect. If i find 16's that i reeeeeeeaaaaallly like i might go bigger. Fit feels like a cloud compared to the Z.

 

The speculation, and don't sabotage this change with heavy steelies. You need to buy the lightest weight wheels you like, and use them. I did it with my 2010 Fit Sport and can't be happier!