I like things like the fog lights, spoiler and actual rims. But I just don't want to go to a local auto parts store and buy cheap crap. Anybody turned their base to a sport? Or at least made it sporty-er?

 

There is a member on here Connor(something) who did a base-to-sport swap. It can be done, its expensive because you have to purchase more OEM parts. But if there is a will there is a way.

 

Depends if you want to look sportier or feel sportier. If you want looks get rims and body mods. Other aftermarket parts might be cheaper than oem. At least in my area online is my only real option for parts. If you want to feel sportier, light rims and good tires seem to be a favorite. Suspension upgrades like coilovers & rear sway bar will help with handling. Without motor swap, turbo or supercharger there doesn't seem to be a lot of power gains to be had. However, intake and muffler might help you sound faster.

 

I am in the same boat with slowly transitioning my car from base to sport (aesthetically). if any one has some good read links, it would be appreciated. I am just picking up parts now for a spring install.

 

I'm just about done with my base-to-sport conversion... and I will say it is not a cheap process. As for the spoiler you can get replicas on eBay for about $120. I got my side skirts on eBay also for $240 shipped (unpainted) and they're Duraflex type M (Mugen). The bumper is the most expensive part. The only reason I ended up doing this conversion is because I hydroplaned, hit a sign, and wrecked my bumper. So I decided to go ahead and replace it with the sport bumper. Both bumpers (base and sport) are the same price from Honda, but you'll need fogs. OEM fogs are wayyy to expensive, so you'll have to go aftermarket. Aftermarket fogs are about $180 per pair (eBay again lol) and then you'll need all the wiring. Bernardi parts has all the parts you'll need and I got the wiring for about $90 shipped. Depending on your year, you might also need a different grille. 2009-2011 has the same grille as the base, but 2012-2013 has a different sport grille. I went ahead and bought the Fit Shuttle grille from Japan (probably $100 shipped). You'll also need a lower grille. Overall, unless you have a good reason to switch, it's just a lot of money. But it's up to you. If you need specific part #'s PM me.

 

To feel and look sportier in one go....?
Hands down, just lower the car.
This will obtain a lower center point of gravity. You will achieve both looks and better "feeling" performance.
This was thought up using the "One stone, kills two birds" theory. I have yet to install my lowering springs....currently working on getting in some Recaro's first for personal driving comfort. #JDMge8RS

 

Anyone find a source for OEM Sport style side skirts?

 

Nah. I looked for awhile, and couldn't find anything. Keep looking and I'm sure you'll find something.

 

This is why you buy the trim you wanted from the start. You'll have extra money kept in the bank that wouldve been used to convert from base to sport on other things that u wanted to do like springs, HID's, leather seats, or maybe audio. Just to give u some knowledge, when new the 2nd gen base vs. sport was 1500.00. The difference on the the used market if same year with similar mileage is only 500.00 so why you just didnt buy a sport from the start I'll never know. I bought a brand new 2013.5 Sport Navi. The navi is another 3000.00 which is a decent reason to just get sport if you want but the sport got you fog lights, +1" rims, Wider tires, a rear anti-roll bar, (your base has only front), side sill extensions, and the roof spoiler. Like some of the other members stated, its gonna be a lot of money because most of this youre gonna have to buy brand new for a car that had all this stuff for 500.00 more had you not settled for what you bought. So if I was in your situation I'd do what another member stated... And they would be "in my mind"...

-Buy base fog light Honda kit
-HID's (If 09'-11' buy blacked out headlights on 12'-13')
-Roof spoiler
-Cheap rims like Rotas in current size if you wanna save not buying tires or 16's-17's
-Springs if you want to lower the car yielding you a lower CG giving you less body roll and more responsive handling
-OEM exhaust finisher unless you'd rather go with an aftermarket muffler or exhaust

Going this rout would save you a LOT of money vs. going a FULL base to sport conversion bro. I mean no harm to the other doing that route but it's just not economical to do on a new fit or used base. It like others saying "damn i wish i never bought this Accord LX when i should have bought an EX. Im wanna convert it to an EX". Do you follow what I and a few others are opining on?

 

I totally agree with this post. Too much effort to convert a base car to one with a body kit and fog lamps. I mean this is a Honda Fit... a cheap grocery getter. Maybe if you had a classic Chevelle converted to an SS but not a base Fit to a Sport Fit.
I bought a Sport because back in the day because base didn't come with factory cruise control, leather wheel and keyless entry.
BTW you can add factory mud flaps front and rear with the base Fit.

 

Well for me, I didn't have much of a choice. I wanted a Red 5 speed 2nd gen and there was ONE within the tri-state area and it was a base model.

 

Spending time wondering why people do the things they do will drive you insane.....who cares. If you want to do the conversion, go for it.

Here's Connor55 build thread who did it.

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...lx-2012-a.html

 

Just another 2 cents, if you ever wreck the car, as far as the insurance companies go, its NOT a sport(VIN Number), they won't pay for the body kits without a fight and they seldom lose..

I learned this the hard way when I wrecked a 4x4 that had been converted to a Silverado from a base by a buddy.. Used Book value on the base truck was almost $3K lower than the Silverado at the time..

 

On this same token (and what happened in my case), I wrecked my base, and instead of buying new base parts, I went ahead and bought the sport parts. Since the bumpers are the same price new, all I really had to pay for were the fogs and skirts (I had already bought the spoiler). I guess it depends on the situation. I do agree that the conversion is overly expensive if you do it all at retail price, but like FamilyWagon said, if you wanna do it, do it.

 

To the OP. Since you skipped the sport, go a cheaper route. Either do 15" wheels so you can re-use the tires to save a buck (I'd go 1in bigger than stock. It's what I always do.), add OEM mud flaps front/rear, get a Japanese Honda wing or the carbon fiber spoiler, add OEM fog lights w/ yellow bulbs, and finally lower it. That will look nice and clean. Now the interior, radio technology is like computers. It's obsolete as things get added. But get a DVD and navigation w/ Apple and Android. You can use a lot of applications. It'll read your text/emails as u drive. And do either do the quick response or speak you response. Bluetooth, XM Radio, weather and the Kenwood unit I'm getting has wifi for your passengers to use their phones/tablets/computers to keep them entertained while on a road trip. Just take your time and make the car your own. All or most of these things can be done cheaper than a sport conversion (minus the radio which on its own will be 699 to 1099). Just ask or look at different bases to get the ideas boiling in your head. One thing I tell people, modding your car is like buying clothes to wear. If you wouldn't wear together, don't match it with your car.

 

I read a post not long ago. Guy has a Sport, but took the spoiler off, cuz he said it made the car look "cleaner". I have a base, and would like to just put the spoiler on & that's it. Base does ride higher than the Sport, which has saved my front lip a few times from hitting those cement parking deals.

 

I pulled into a parking space too far and popped the left side of my bumper off... that never happened to me when I had a base bumper

 

Thats why ever since high school 19yrs ago, i back in packing spots. Hondas are lower than most cars stock.

 

Good point. I'm also pretty low with maybe 3.5in clearance on the front end. Luckily I have a rubber front lip which protects from scratches. Anyways,

 

+1 the sport pretty much hits all curbs in the front,, Wish they would have made it about 1" higher.. Its a city car ...