VSA and Navi isnt bunched together. What does come with the Navi is VRsomething. Voice recogntion or something like that. VSA is standard.

 

Also point out that suggested also means paying more than MSRP. Try buying a Nissan GS-R for MSRP.

 

Are you kidding. Many of us that drive a Fit for Eco (as it is designed for JDM) would kill for the 1.3l with 6 speed and an overall ratio that results in some normal 60mph rpm like 2000.

I have never understood the mentality of tossing cash at a Fit for performance.I could hit it with a 200 kit and if it lived it would still be slow. It's a TURD and many other cars are a better value if you include all the crap the kids bolt on them to try and make it into something it will NEVER be capable of. I have never said that on here till now, but performance in any measurable method does not belong in the same sentence with HONDA Fit. The Camero and older 1989 to 1993 Mustangs kicked major ass for the $$$. My Mustang with GT-40 heads intake B-303 cam headers Tremach 5 speed and an over driven Paxton would run 11 at close to 115 in the 1/4 and with Yokohama tires and Kama Areo package also do very well on the Moroso road course. It's was very fun and inexpensive.

 

With the first-generation Fit, both in the 2007 and 2008 model years, Honda offered a base version and a slightly tweaked Sport model. The same strategy will continue with the second-generation version. The Sport model will come with 16-inch wheels in place of the base’s 15s, as well as a USB audio interface. Optional for the Sport will be a navigation system with voice recognition and a 6.5-inch screen.

2009 Honda Fit Preview | J.D. Power

 

I've read through most of the information posted here on the 2009 Fit. However, nothing relating specifically to the Canada models where we had a DX, LX and Sport model vs. the Base and Sport in the U.S. Does anyone have any details for Canada's 2009 Fit? Thanks...first post! Pre-order in, delivery in late September - early October. Woohoo!!!

 

Very informative discussion...I appreciate the tidbits about some of the behind the scenes workings of dealerships.

But why does it really matter who is willing to pay what? Isn't it ultimately up to the consumer? If one person wants to try as hard as they can to get the lowest price they can, that's up to them. If another person wants to get a good price but also be fair and have some sympathy for the salesman, allowing a small profit, that's their decision. If yet another person wants to do no research whatsoever and money isn't a huge issue for them, and is willing to pay a little more, that's their call. As long as each person is satisfied with their choice...and their own perception is positive, isn't that all that matters?

I dunno, I think I'm stuck somewhere between a relentless negotiator and a fair consumer. For my reserved '09 i plan on taking a check for an amount just a tiny bit over MSRP and leaving it at that. I've already put $500 down, and with another hundred or two on top of that it should cover the destination charge and documentation fee. I've already asked them to skip the dealer prep (don't want them washing the car), so i figure the check amount i give them will be fair to both of us. They get a profit, i get a decent deal. And with a check in hand there's minimal negotiating, they can take it or leave it. Sounds like some of you are in the car sales business, i'm curious from your perspective, does that sound fair? How often do people do this and would you rather have that or a lengthy back and forth?

 

Where/ when did you read that VSA is standard?

This is from 8/05/2008: Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda 2009 Model Year Change Summary

American Honda Press Release Model Year Change Summary:


2009 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit debuts as an entirely redesigned model for the 2009 model year. New features and specifications include:

Fit (all models)
1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine

New colors: Crystal Black Pearl, Blue Sensation Pearl, Orange Revolution Metallic

Carryover colors: Blackberry Pearl, Storm Silver Metallic, Tidewater Blue Metallic, Milano Red, Taffeta White

Discontinued colors: Nighthawk Black Pearl, Vivid Blue Pearl, Blaze Orange Metallic

On-sale: October 2008

Fit Base
15-inch steel wheels, up from 14-inch

Tilt and telescopic steering column

Front passenger seatback pocket

Power windows with auto-up/down driver's window

Fit Sport (adds to Base)
16-inch alloy wheels, up from 15-inch

Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System

USB Audio Interface

Available Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

 

This from the Honda.com web site.

• 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder i-VTEC® engine
• Spacious, configurable interior
• Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™*
• iPod®†-compatible USB port** for radio-controlled connectivity
• 2nd-row Magic Seat® with one-motion dive-down functionality
• Available paddle shifters

Beyond Efficient Safety

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure
• Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)
• Active head restraints
• Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags
• Front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side-curtain airbags
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

 

Yeah I've seen that, just wondering if he had seen it confirmed somewhere that it would be standard. Everything since the NY show was leaning towards VSA/NAV and the only thing I've seen so far saying otherwise is the Honda Fit future models and concepts page not saying "Available".

I'm looking forward to finding out for sure one way or the other about this and everything else!

 

[quote=pcs0snq;389874]Are you kidding. Many of us that drive a Fit for Eco (as it is designed for JDM) would kill for the 1.3l with 6 speed and an overall ratio that results in some normal 60mph rpm like 2000.

I have never understood the mentality of tossing cash at a Fit for performance.

The 1.3 is underpowered for the US market as any scooter pilot will tell you friom experience if you m ix it up in traffic..
Besides 1.3L isn't necessarily going to improve mpg. The energy it takes to travel a given mile in a given car doesn't change much so the efforts of smaller engines just make the engine work harder. And thurstier.
To prove the point my 2005 Civic HX 1700 gets 40+ mpg driving the same route as my 5 speed 08 Fit that gets 33-35 mpg, driven the same way. The HX is not a hybrid and weighs 500 lb more than my Fit. Torque at low rpm permits leisurely driving instead of strained engine efforts because gearing is more favorably..
Its also why a ZO6 gets the same EPA rating hiway as a Fit.
Honda knows that too.

 

mahout
As always your using Performance and Eco (FE) in the same argument. That totaly ****s up all aspects of a reasonable discussion. The two are opposed. I along with many others are on the 100% Eco side.

totally wrong. Spend some time looking at what the JDM Fits get with the 1.3. In fact you need to spend some time on the Clean MPG site learning before you make many Eco statements that are totally wrong. Some of the stuff you say with no basis has sent Honda Fit users in a wrong direction wasting time and money. Like using WOT on the Pulse on the P&G technique Wrong wrong wrong 80 to 90% LOD keeping the eng in closed loop is the experts method with proven results.

 

Here's a decent Honda Video of the iVtec eng.
This is the 1.8 but the 09 Fit's 1.5 will be about the same.

Honda Worldwide | New 1.8l i-VTEC Engine and a little deeper

Honda Worldwide | July 5, 2005 "Honda Develops New 1.8l i-VTEC Engine"

 

Actually, both you and RXphantom are correct to a degree. First, Honda is notorious for not budging on MSRP, at least when compared to say, Toyota or Nissan.

I'm not sure what purchase options are available in the states, but here in Canada one business, carcostcanada.com will provide you with a folder stating actual dealer cost for up to five vehicles for a mere $40.

They also recommend a dealer in your area that's willing to play ball, and put you in touch with a designated sales person at that dealership, usually a manager.This automatically eliminates the "let-me-check-with-the-manager" sleazeball runaround that certain sales reps have been known to employ.

True, most Honda dealerships won't budge. But this on-line brokerage isn't interested in those ones. The downside is that you may have to travel a little farther to get to the one that will budge. And you typically won't get much of a drop from MSRP, maybe $300 to $500. Still better than a kick in the ass, and that $40 was well worth the expense.

As for Fit buyers being suckers, well, Honda has done an admirable job of impressing upon their buyers that the only way to get a Fit is to pay (at least) MSRP. Very few of their customers go through a brokerage or similar option. Therefore, very few get to pick up their Fit for less than MSRP.

So then, are these people suckers? Maybe. But not nearly as much so as the poor schmuck who buys a Dodge Caliber, Chevy Optra, Kia Rio, Smart, VW Golf or a host of other lesser vehicles.

As for many auto journalists, don't believe everything you read. They're trained seals, unwilling to step on the toes of auto manufacturers who are their meal ticket and suppliers of perks such as gifts and junkets to offshore auto shows. As stated in Lemon Aid, the manufacturers view these journalists as whores.

I plan to order an '09 Fit in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted as to whether or not I find a dealer in this area willing to play ball.

Here's the link to Car Cost Canada's customer feedback page. Scroll down and note the two Honda Fits sold below MSRP:

Car Cost Canada - Feedback

 

Do you know if the current generation iPod Classic and the iPhone 3G are supported? Thanks for all the info you've provided!

 

Actually. its many of the Eco aruments that are wrong. I don't depend on posters; I depend on known careful testing results.
I say that with two engineering degrees and 50 years experience with testing vehicles. About 750 of them of all displacements with very detailed instrumentation.
Its not wheter WOT or near WOT thats in question, its how much energy it takes to cover a given distance. Yes, WOT uses more gas but it also cuts the acceleration time considerably and is the real key to maximizing mpg is how long you can increase the coast-down time compared to the accel time. One of these days I'll get around to trying P&Gwith upper speed 54 mph and lower 46 to se just how narrow the gap can be.
Its like those who think a smaller engine will always yield better gas mileage. Unless the weight drops proportionally, there is little gain. Even the timy gains for Accord 4 cylinders over 6's by Honda in EPA tests indicate that.
The reason is simple: it takes a given amount of energy to move a given vehicle over a given course. Whether its done with 1.3 liters or 2.0 liters doesn't really matter to how much fuel it takes.

Closed loop control has no measurable improvement to open loop control in terms of fuel delivery; the injector timing is controlled by programmed need for fuel to measured incoming air flow in open or closed loop; when in closed loop the delivery is monitored to also meet the oxygen (exhaust) sensor limits and does little to change the fuel/air ratio at near or WOT conditions. At light loads it makes more of a difference but then there is almost no coasting so no potential gain.

There is an experiment I hope to run this fall to see if the coasting in gear could be better than coasting in neutral for the Fit. We think that the coasting time for in-gear is decreased more than the extra use of gas in neutral while idling gains.

Oh, and I have a friend in Asia that had a 1.3 Fit. His mpg is only better than the 1.5 by the small change in weight, about 1-2 mpg. Next time he's going to buy a 1.5. Even tho he's in Asia where the norm is small cars. Where traffic is as varied as it is in the US small heavy cars are not only not eco friendly they are hazards to other traffic (moving traffic cones).
You need to read CR's Smart test and having driven a Smart I absolutely agree. I'm still trying to figure how how Roger ever got into that.?And yes i drove a Geo Metro XFi for nearly 20 years getting over 46 and sometimes 55 mpg with only a 1.0 liter engine. But it weighed 1600 lb, not 2500. When I loaded it with cinderblock and such it was not a 40 mpg eco car.

You should learn to differentiate between advertising and fact.

 

I read up somewhere about what generations are supported. Im have to look for it.

 

The acceleration of the 1.5 liter engine wasnt the selling point of the car...it was the handling, versatility and the fun-to-drive factor that sold me.

With that, if Honda had offered the 1.2 liter engine here, I wouldve went for that. I would rather get the highest possible MPG than get to 60MPH about 1 sec faster. Im still happy with the 1.5 MPG though...just that the 1.2 would get a better rating.

 

On the VSA and Navi, we looked at what the dealer had coming in and only the cars with Navi had VSA listed with them. We were looking at the allotment list right on the computer with him. I'm not sure you have to buy them bundled, but the two they had coming in had both. There was no mention of the other Fits having VSA.
I'm just waiting wondering how much these options will cost.

 

This was on yahoo page one this morring. Best and worse cars.

Top 10 best.

Honda Fit

Reviewers say that the compact five-door Fit has the soul of a sports car and the practicality of a wagon. Its fun-to-drive handling, nice appointments and flexible folding rear seat are highlights. Even better, Car & Driver named the 109-horsepower, 38 MPG fuel-sipper as part of its "10Best" list. An all-new 2009 model (scheduled release in the Fall) will gain electronic stability control, a feature not previously available.

 

It's regional and not an absolute as you try and say.
As your hiding with "USA" for location, I'd guess you and not in a good area to get a deal.

I have seen recent local ads for Fit's for less than MSRP here in SE Fla.

My Fit Sport MSRP was $15,905 American
My invoice was $15,625.47 including
$589 dealer fee "service"
$50 Battery, tires tag title

They also included strips and Honda Floor mats and 1st oil change that I did not take.

That was Feb 2008 and I'd bet it's harder now, but not an absolute. Honda wants to get rid of the 2008 Fits and if you live in an area with many on the Honda lots, they will deal