North American First Drives
 

Anybody know when we can expect to see the first drives in NA media given that the on sale date is 4/14? It should be soon, no?

Where did you get the April release date from?

I've reached out to a few Honda dealers, including a friend who works at one, they have no dates or month yet. Just a spring release.

Actually, two posts from the "on sale date" thread have links to comparisons with the new Fit's competitors that list that date.

Here's three of the four links from that thread:

Ford Fiesta vs Honda Fit: Compare Small Cars

Kia Rio Honda Fit: Compare Small Cars

Nissan Versa Note vs. Honda Fit: Compare Small Cars

Wow. This must have recently been added. A awesome. Good find.

To me, the TBA 4/14 just makes it seem like Honda is announcing the price on 4/14 and not that it will be sold on 4/14

To me "on sale" at the top, means available for purchase. I guess we'll see soon enough.

These must be the cars that Honda sees as the main competitors.

Island Fits arriving months after mainland deliveries
 

You guys on the mainland really are fortunate to get April/May delivery. Us island folks won't be getting them till after a month or two. Haven't looked for ads but when I viewed exl500's link comparing the 2015 Fit to the competition, know now that I'll be getting an EX-manual. Was going to go cheap and settle for the LX (currently driving a 1st gen '08 base auto), but hell, will be keeping this for a decade. Will definitely regret it if I don't get perimeter entry and push button start. The wife's Lexus '11 RX350 has it and its practical especially when carrying a bunch of stuff (e.g. grocery/shopping bags).
In the past, the first of any new model usually had some imperfection or defect. Since mine will be one of those, just hoping that Honda figured it out for our market. They had it in Japan (Jazz) for more than a year so here are my fingers crossed.
Given the "0" problems encountered with my '08 and a previous '07 FJ Cruiser 6-speed (first batch I took delivery back in '06) my confidence level for JDM's is extremely high. :thumbups:

Motor trend posted a pic yesterday (or the day before?) of the one they were testing. Currently nothing on their site, but I am keeping a look out fornit

Hey, I want to get the EX MT. You know there won't be too many, probably only a few per dealer for the first few months.

Your totally correct. But am sure the big volume dealers are going to get more than most. Knew what I wanted last year after the Japanese release. After details came out from the Detroit show, did my deal last month with Pacific (formerly Pfleuger - our largest Honda dealer). Know they are spec'ng 8 units for late April build (June arrival) so depending on the allocation mix per model, will determine when I can get mine.
Subject to what final specs of each model, may end up with an LX instead. As long as I can get the M/T, A/C (you and I both need this) and perimeter entry/push button start. Lotsa standard stuff so don't need sunroof, leather and the rest. The less I spend initially OTD, the better, cause, whatever is left-over my budget will go into a set of wheels.
The bad part - will most probably pay full pop.
If anyone wants one immediately, visit a bigger dealer cause they will be getting the larger allocation.
Lets face reality. Its a new model and most dealers will be selling them at full MSRP initially. The price of "keeping with the Jones". In my case, time for my trusty GD to go to a new home (its pre-sold). Lying!!! It was the perfect excuse to the wife!!!
Hell, I feel giddy like her when she goes shopping for bags and shoes. Trouble is, unlike her, can't do it every 20 days. I can only afford do this once every 20 years!!! :rotfl:

What island are you from? I'm from Guam and there is a small chance we will get Japan made US versions.

Oahu. Wouldn't be surprised if you get Jap made stuff. Its closer than Mexico. Post once you confirm. That would be interesting for this community. Aloha:D

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<p>It's a possibility. If ours are Japanese made I'm pretty sure yours will be too... No point Honda going through the trouble just for us. My wife's 2010 Toyota Highlander is made in Japan but my 1990 Accord is US, Ohio I think.</p>

Pretty sure our island will be getting "Made in Mexico". GM of dealership am dealing with is headed of to San Antonio, TX for a dealers ride/drive event happening all of this week. :thumbups:

@ROTTBOY, any news on your end? I got nothing here and technically today should be the On Sale Date as it's already the 14th here.

Suspect the first units to arrive on the island in May but it could be earlier. Keep an eye out on the other FF posters from our island. There about 1/2 dozen of us who are following the arrival quite closely. My specific unit is expected at the latest, by July. After many years of communicating with car sales employees, have learned not to believe their promises in detail. They're earning a living and mostly mean well, but are all dicated by their managers.
If you need tech specs, scroll on the other threads under 3rd Gen. Lotsa pricing and tech reviews. All very interesting.:D

FLASH UPDATE - GOOD News
 

Fellows, Just got an e-mail from the dealership (Pacific Honda) I've placed my order with. They have 2 Fit EX's on the lot and I've been invited to view them despite they're knowing my order is for an LX. Guess they want to upsell me into the EX cause he told me the LX production allocation won't be till next month (meaning arrival in June/July). May go tomorrow to check them out and will post my impressions. Hopefully I'll be able to take it around the block (doubt it).
These are exciting times!!!!!!!!!!!!:hyper::hyper::hyper:

Wow... looks like all your worries of mainland people getting a test drive before you are gone! I live in Southern California and every dealer I'm in contact with is giving a range of unknown to "at least a month" away till they have units available.

Note that the e-mail from the dealer says "view", so a test drive is not set in stone. Don't want to burn my bridges either, with my sales rep as he has been pretty straight-forward with me up to this point. If his manager says no test drive, believe me, I ain't gonna push it. The distressing news is he mentioned that LX allocation may not happen till June!!!:violin:Next month's shipments are all EX's. BTW, So-CAL Dealers all have strong brand relationships. Wouldn't be surprised if they all (Honda dealers) agreed on holding back putting the GKs on public view till the start of May or later.

Just got off the phone and the two colors available for the EX's on the ground are Alabaster Silver and Black. They have 22 GKs posted on their online inventory - 14 EX-CVT - 7 EX L-CVT - 1 EX L Nav - CVT. Most should be on ground in the next two weeks. Would be interesting who would be buying those EX L's cause they got heated leather seats. That's one option that may not get any use on the island!!!!!!!!