If Fit was not available and I wanted a new car, I would still only consider the ones with manual transmission. So, I would be looking at civic mt, yaris se with mt, mazda 2 and 3, corolla with mt, and maybe an acura ILX (used) though they get pretty poor gas mileage (I heard in the mid to high 20s).

If I had to get into an automatic car, I might again consider an ILX, lexus CT200, and prius. Otherwise, I am 86% happy with my 2012 fit mt. It gets 39-40 mpg and is fun to drive.

 

Dublin Honda (CA) was so rude to my father, that he left and instead got a new (20mi) Elantra GT 6MT + tech + style for a crazy low otd price (20.9k how is that even possible with CA ttl, that's almost 3K under TrueCar.) edit: Because he didn't get the Tech pkg, still decent price though.

 

Yeah, Dublin Honda does suck. They're pretty arrogant. Probably take after there leader Mike Harvey. I would have tried going to another Honda dealer nearby, i.e. Livermore Honda or Honda of Walnut Creek.

 

On my way home today i stopped at the local Mazda dealer and sat in and gave the Mazda 3 SV a close look. I was very positively impressed my the drivers seating position and the quality of the seat, and interior materials. They also come standard with 205/60/16 Yokahama Avid tires!
The dealer has a white one on his lot and I almost asked for a test drive, but I know if I did I probably would have bought the Mazda 3 SV.
I would like to see the 2015 Fit before I jump ship...but I'm not going to wait forever!

 

The fit is in production in Mexico and the first 6000 are going out to dealers. While the 3 is nice, its a long way behind the 2015 Fit.

 

In what way?

3 has the same MPG.
MUCH better seating.
Just as much front and rear passenger space or more.
At least the same crash test safety.
More power.

 

I've been driving a Mazda Protege5 since I bought it new in 2003. Other than the rusty rear fenders it's been a great car but it does need to be replaced soon. I was really looking forward to the new 3 coming out but I hate the bodystyle and the hideous head unit/infotainment thing sticking up out of the dash. There's also no DIN or double DIN slot in the dash so it's impossible to shove a new head unit in it to upgrade to whatever technology comes out in a few years. If I had to replace my car right now I think the new Fit would be my first choice.

 

Agreed, the new 3 hatch body is an awkward down-step. Gonna miss the previous style.

 

The Mazda has 155Hp vs 130 for the Fit, Plus the Mazda gets the same MPG. The Mazda has been reported to have a wonderful sporty ride and great seats, Plus much nicer material.

The Fit does have the Magic seats, and is much smaller, carries less gas, shorter wheelbase, generally a good measure of ride comfort. The Mazda 3 SV also has premium tires that are larger than the Fit.

The Mazda 3 SV costs about the same as the LX CVT.

The Fit does have the Magic seats, Oh, I mentioned that already!

How exactly is the Mazda 3 SV a "Long Way Behind the 2015"?

 

I agree... the new 3 looks great in pictures with the big wheels but odd in person especially with the small wheels. That thing sticking up out of the dash also bothers me.

Everyday the 2014 Civic Si (Sedan) looks better and better except for the gas mileage. I think I like the red on the black seats as long as they aren't a really bright red. The new wheels I'm getting used to. I'll just wait and see if/when I ever get to drive a 2015 Fit if it is entertaining enough to drive and own.

 

sounds like a different class of car. if you can run a larger car and want more power/less cargo it seems like a no brainer to me. (one thing to note is the mazda is nearly 200kg heavier so the power figure isnt so great once you factor that)

I needed cargo space and preferably a car smaller than the Fit, so the Mazda 3 (axela) is a step in the wrong direction.

 

I've test driven a few Mazda 3's and I was not overly impressed. It seemed somewhat unrefined and rough and you really have to put your foot into the accelerator pedal to get it to move. The long schnoze looks awkward enough on the sedan but on the hatchback it almost looks hideous. Just a very unbalanced looking car. I don't see it aging very well. And yes, the Mazda 3 and the Fit are in 2 different classes so they really can't be compared. In the Mazda lineup you would want to compare the 2 against the Fit.

 

Although I am very interested in the all new 3rd-generation Fit I wasn't planning on buying one right away. Last night, I took delivery of a brand new 2014 Honda Civic EX sedan in Dyno Blue Pearl. Wow, what a beauty! I traded in my black '13 EX sedan. Actually paid a little less for the '14 than I did for the '13 back in January of 2013. The '14 has so many upgrades over the '13 that I couldn't resist. By the way, the new Earth Dreams CVT is really great! Not sure what it is but overall the '14 Civic seems quieter and more refined and also quicker than the '13. I can hardly hear the engine during acceleration. Heck, once Honda installs the new Earth Dreams 1.8 DOHC DI engine the Civic will become a little dynamo.

 

If you're planning on buying a GK...why bother with a '14 Civic when you already have a '13?

Sounds less practical than lighting money on fire.

 

Very good choice . We test drove a '14 LX with the C.V.T.. Enjoyed it . The interior seems tight , no rattles at that time , even on rough city streets . The C.V.T. was smooth and at the the end of the test drive it showed 38.2 ( if I remember right ) . Didn't want a high payment , so went with the '13 FIT . Keep us informed on gas mileage , etc.. Hope you have a great experience with it .

 

Does it say anywhere in my post that I was planning on buying a GK right away? I bought the '14 Civic because Honda made substantial upgrades to it, i.e. Earth Dreams CVT (improves performance and fuel economy), Push Button Start, Smart key entry, 7" capacitive touchscreen audio, new premium cloth seats, LaneWatch, back up camera with predictive guidelines + love the Dyno Blue Pearl paint job!

How am I burning up money? The price of the '14 Civic actually was less than what I paid for the black '13 EX sedan back in January 2013. The equity I had in the '13 Civic was my down payment on the '14.

By the way Mike, if you haven't got something constructive AND positive to contribute here please don't say anything at all. Keep snarky comments to yourself!

 

Thanks, Odie! I appreciate it! I am interested in checking out the '15 Fit when it arrives but don't plan on buying one anytime soon. I think Honda will fine tune it and make improvements for 2016 and they may even add a "Sport" trim back in the lineup.

 

I've been by Walnut Creek Honda a few times. Very nice people and no pressure.

 

Will 2015 owners be able to upgrade to 2016 models, or is that dependant on the dealer?

 

I had nothing else to do, so I took a test drive with a 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Red, and boy was I impressed with the Interior/Exterior. Sharp looking car, and it has a beige cloth or leather seats option, and a far better looking dash instrument panel than the Fit in my opinion. Now I'm wondering if I should hold off for the 2015 Ford Fiesta later this year or not. About the same price, and they do have incentives.

Downside of course, it does have less resale value compared to the Fit, and reliability record is some what less. The Fiesta is also made in Mexico. But, I was impressed with the looks of it. Of well, decisions, decisions.

To the poster above regarding an upgrade to the 2016 Model from the 2015. Of course. They will trade you into a 2016, but as everyone knows, it will cost you. They will not just do an exchange with a small difference. That is plain silly. It won't happen.