Hi folks. I have a manual 2009 Honda Fit (sport) with 120,000 that I LOVE, but my better half needs to drive it more regularly now, and the stick shift is no longer an option. I was going to buy a 2nd gen but am being more open-minded about third gen now. Can you answer some questions about the automatic 3rd gens?

1. I've heard that the early models of the third generation are not great. Why not? And at what year do you think they were they better?

2. Can someone explain all the different types of 3rd gens (LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L). I am not very car-savvy so I probably won't understand abbreviations. I hate giving up the stick shift. So, I am interested in one with the paddles.

3. Is the size of the 3Gen body itself bigger, or is it the same size as the 1 and 2 generations? And, is it true that the boot of the 3rd gen is smaller to give more room to the back seat?

4. I keep hearing it's slow. Really? even with the paddles?

Any other advice or insight about how you like the car?

Thanks for your help.

Mel

 

oops. error in title. want a FIT, not a vit...

 

I'll be reading the replies to your questions, I also may be considering a Gen 3 Fit. I'd also consider a manual transmission 2009-13 Fit, the main concern with both is how are they in snow. I'm sure there's plenty of topics here about that. Also a concern is the CVT reliability when it gets way up there in miles.

 

I purchased a 2018 Sport w/CVT this passed January. Here's my two cents on your questions.

As far as problems, there have been reports of issues with the fuel injectors. There are endless posts about that on this forum, so I won't regurgitate it further. I've been very happy with mine in the short 8 months I've had it.

If I had a weekend only fun car, it would certainly have a manual transmission. Since my Fit is my daily commuter, I wanted an automatic. I'm also intrigued by the concept of a CVT, and generally don't care for automatics as they never seem to do what I want them to do. (you see my conundrum). I think the CVT on the Fit is the best behaved automatic I've ever owned. It is impossibly smooth when left to its own devices. That goes for both normal "D" or sport "S". It also is generous in handing out additional RPM when climbing, or just rolling on more throttle. The only thing is I when in Sport, it was more aggressive with the RPMs off the line, but when I want that I just use the paddles, and to be honest I use them often.

As to your question about it being slow, I will say this. I don't find the car too slow IF I'm the only person in the car. Put a couple more people in it, then I start wishing it had more power.

The other thing I'll mention is that I was looking for a 2018 or later due to the mid cycle refresh that occurred that model year. It helped improve the road noise in the cabin, as well as addressing some poor crash test scores.

 

@CajunLanMan, thank you so much for your input. I appreciate it a lot.

Can someone explain all the different types of 3rd gens (LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L). I am not very car-savvy so I probably won't understand abbreviations. I hate giving up the stick shift. So, I am interested in one with the paddles.