Hello all,

I'm new to the forums and I was wondering if anyone would care to weigh in on these two cars. I am deciding between either or, but am leaning towards the Fit because it looks nicer with mods.

Things I would like to know from your guys' experience is, reliability, cost of ownership, insurance costs, maintenance (assuming I get everything done at the dealership)


2013 Honda Fit Sport (MT) $23,734.20 (OTD car+total interest over 48mths)
vs
2013 VW Golf Trendline 3-door (MT) $24,353.52


Both cars are new, I have not done any negotiations yet on the VW Golf.

But with the Fit, I have negotiated, free, tints, mats, cargo tray, wheel locks, alarm


Thanks in advance!

 

Get the Fit!! Better fuel mileage (4 vs 5 cylinder), less maintenance and less maintenance costs when time for it. Was always a Honda guy, owned a VW for a while, then right back to Honda. Great solid car to drive, the VW, but the maintenance were obscene compared to all my Honda ownership experiences.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, so VW charges a bit of a premium for maintenance right?

More information:
The VW is 170hp, but it's the lowest model (cheaper interior, steelies with plastic hub caps). I like to drive very fast, 80-90 mph bursts all the time in the city, and consistent 75-90 mph on the highway. That's the only thing holding me back from the Fit cause from the posts here, it doesn't handle highway driving that well, and that's 70-80% of what I do with my car.

Even then.. I am leaning towards the Fit because it's the highest trim and I think it has more potential to look nice with mods. The only thing that's holding me back is the power and high RPM highway driving. Argh.. gonna call the salesman again, if the price is right, then I'll bite the bullet, if not, then I guess it wasn't meant to be

 

Yes it has less power and low end grunt than the Golf, but I enjoy ringing out the Fit more and rowing the gears. My commute is highway and have no issues with it revving as high as it does. It's built to take it.

If you're looking for a comfortable commuter car, then the Fit is NOT the car you want. Not that it's THAT uncomfortable, but compared to the VW it's a little harsher, but that's what I want, a car that communicates back to me, not dull everything in the name of comfort.

 

I currently drive a 2003 Mazda Protege5, I think it drives quite similar to the Fit. Comfort isn't a big deal for me, I rather have a car be very responsive and feel more "alive" so to speak.

 

Then the Fit is the car for you. Reminds me of my beloved, long departed '89 Civic Si hatch.

 

Ahh, thanks for the info moniz. Do you know how the clutch feels? They only had an AT for me to test drive, the MT has to be ordered in. I read that the engagement/catch-point feels "numb", that you can't really feel it?

If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm making my final decision later in the afternoon today or tomorrow.

 

Ah the curse of the hydraulic clutch! Yes, if you're used to a cable clutch it's is numb by comparison, but nothing you can't get used to. Muscle memory kicks in real quick when you get used to it.

 

The current Golf gets 24 mpg according to Consumer Reports overall. If you were to buy a Golf you might wait for the 2014 redesign they are going to a 1.8l rated at 170hp.

 

The 2014 Honda Fits (Gasoline) get about 130 HP, but I really like the design of the GE8 more.. Ahh..

I've kind've decided.. buy the 2013 Honda Fit Sport MT in Taffeta White today, if I can push for 2 more accessories.

 

You'll love it. Mine is a 2012 Taffeta White Sport. I too prefer the GE8 over the redesign. Extra power is nice but it's not THAT much over the current car (13HP more)

 

current golf is meh.

get the Fit.

btw, my price was $19K otd cash on a sport 5MT... even with mods im less than $22K...

 

Do you live in Canada? And did you buy it new? If so, than dang, that's a good deal

 

That is my favorite color but when I brought could not get the white due to Honda limited imports into USA from Japan. Good luck.

 

Our Fits are Made in China

 

LOL Golf. 170hp, 3000 lbs, fuel efficient final drive. Oink oink.

No faster than the Fit anyway. More comfy and civilized i'm sure, but if you like driving you'll like the Fit more. Glad you're picking one up.

 

Hey guys quick..

Does the fit come with an alarm? The alarm goes off if I open the door, but it doesn't go off when someone bumps into it right? or breaks the class?

Should I swap out the Honda shock sensor alarm for heated seats instead? (Keep in mind, I live in the Detroit of Canada, very high #'s of auto-theft) lol

 

Well it has a ignition interlock so it will stop the basic joyriders, but pros can steal anything. Plus even with a shock sensor, that really determined smash and grab types aren't deterred anyway so keep all temptation out of sight

 

Golf has plenty of power actually. The Fit has barely enough. Golf is a better commuter, but maintenance costs are higher. If you like tossing the car around, the Fit is definitely better... not that the Golf is bad, it just has slow steering. (also why it is better on the highway) Hate to say it, but Golf is better for your needs.

Ultimately, though, the Honda is what I would buy if I want a reliable and cheap car to own for decades to come. You just can't beat Honda.

 

I disagree. If you know how to work that tranny, more than enough power with the Fi to get you in trouble. It's a street car, not a race car. Plenty of usable power on tap for those who know how to rev.

I find that those that aren't used to high revving engines are the one who claim that the Fit doesn't have "enough" power. They are usually people who are downsizing from a larger car and the sound of a high revving engine scares them as they think it's working to hard, when it's actually working well within its range.