Do you regret your purchase?
No it means it takes a really long time to get to 65, then a really long time to accelerate and pass anyone, or, if slowing down to let someone else pass, a really long time to accelerate back to speed.
if you are going the same speed as someone else in the adjacent lane, and you need to get over you can 1) speed up and pass or 2) slow down and then speed back up to traffic speed
Either way, is really slow.
If I use the paddles or just push the pedal harder you get this weird deceleration effect while the motor revs up attempting to get the CVT into the powerband. I guess what it is there is no power "on tap" at speed. The engine and transmission is going to have to switch up something whenever you make any changes at speed, engine high rev, transmission low gear ratio.
I think the issue is in a normal AT vehicle you might drop 1 gear, engine speed will increase by 500 rpm, and youll get a nice pull nearly immediately. In a CVT you try to change speed, and it will simultaneously virtually drop 3 gears and adjust engine speed from about 2k rpm to about 4.5k (~2500 RPM change takes longer). I think the deceleration feeling is coming from the gear drop, but the engine revs dont catch up in time. So for a moment you feel like either the car stalled or isnt doing anything but revving. Almost like you were driving and bumped it into neutral for a second. I think the transmission has to drop so many ratios because its attempting to get the motor into its very narrow power band.
I think its a defining characteristic of CVTs (though the Juke my mom has doesn't do that).
if you are going the same speed as someone else in the adjacent lane, and you need to get over you can 1) speed up and pass or 2) slow down and then speed back up to traffic speed
Either way, is really slow.
If I use the paddles or just push the pedal harder you get this weird deceleration effect while the motor revs up attempting to get the CVT into the powerband. I guess what it is there is no power "on tap" at speed. The engine and transmission is going to have to switch up something whenever you make any changes at speed, engine high rev, transmission low gear ratio.
I think the issue is in a normal AT vehicle you might drop 1 gear, engine speed will increase by 500 rpm, and youll get a nice pull nearly immediately. In a CVT you try to change speed, and it will simultaneously virtually drop 3 gears and adjust engine speed from about 2k rpm to about 4.5k (~2500 RPM change takes longer). I think the deceleration feeling is coming from the gear drop, but the engine revs dont catch up in time. So for a moment you feel like either the car stalled or isnt doing anything but revving. Almost like you were driving and bumped it into neutral for a second. I think the transmission has to drop so many ratios because its attempting to get the motor into its very narrow power band.
I think its a defining characteristic of CVTs (though the Juke my mom has doesn't do that).
Just this morning on my commute in to work I experienced the complete opposite. I was following people that were doing maybe 60 on a couple of occasions. I applied gas and very smoothly yet promptly accelerated by them. I noted the little time it took to put them well into my rear view mirror and wondered if people perceive the vehicle to be slow because there is no shift lurch or torque curve as one enters a gear and progresses through the torque curve.
Based on your post I think that's affirmative, yet the car is definitely not under powered. It may be perceived as such because of its ability to surf the optimal location on the torque curve rather than being forced along the curve.
I haven't noticed this. Is Econ mode on? If not I guess this is just the time needed to adjust the pulley ratios. Can you describe this in units of time? Is it a second?
In a conventional auto, when you floor it, the car usually tries the current gear and 'decides' against it before kicking down a gear at which point it tries that gear and if you put your foot far enough down, deicdes against THAT gear before shifting down yet again, inducing multiple lurches and lots of lag before finding the sweet spot for a second then shifting again. Lots of lurching and testing. The CVT is way more efficient at delivering the requested ratio but removes all of the pausing and lurching (other than the pause you are describing which I will have to search for on my way home today)
Based on your post I think that's affirmative, yet the car is definitely not under powered. It may be perceived as such because of its ability to surf the optimal location on the torque curve rather than being forced along the curve.
In a conventional auto, when you floor it, the car usually tries the current gear and 'decides' against it before kicking down a gear at which point it tries that gear and if you put your foot far enough down, deicdes against THAT gear before shifting down yet again, inducing multiple lurches and lots of lag before finding the sweet spot for a second then shifting again. Lots of lurching and testing. The CVT is way more efficient at delivering the requested ratio but removes all of the pausing and lurching (other than the pause you are describing which I will have to search for on my way home today)
The Fit has 130hp, more than last year's model. Also, the 114ft lbs of torque and lower gear ratios are supposed to make this car slightly faster than the outgoing one. While driving enthusiasts hate CVTs, you're the only person I've heard of so far that's complained about lack of power out of this engine. The car hits 0-60 in about 8.6 seconds.
I don't experience a lack of speed at all and I drive only with econ mode on. I have the opposite problem, the accelerator is very sensitive so it makes maintaining a speed and avoiding speeding something I have to pay attention to
Zero regrets. This car is fun to drive. It's comfortable, versatile and gets great mileage. I shopped all the new Fit's competitors including the 2013 Fit. None of them have all the pluses this car does. Seems like most of the people criticizing the new Fit are previous Gen owners(jealous?) 

Just enjoy your car and don't worry if other people are feeling that little green monster as a result of your purchase.
I considered the Kia Soul, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. The Fit was by far the best combo of manual transmission option, back seat space and fuel economy, which were our three priorities. I know there is no other small car that meets our needs like this one.
I wish it had been easier to get one, and that I didn't have to get the first model year and one of the first ones at the new factory, but....it was worth it.
I wish it had been easier to get one, and that I didn't have to get the first model year and one of the first ones at the new factory, but....it was worth it.
It's just an ok car. A wider tailgate would have made hauling larger items that can fit inside but are hard to get inside, much easier. MPG isn't too great per performance ratio, after a year I average 32mpg but whatever. Cheap interior..etc but it's a fairly cheap car but could be priced lower I think as Kia.
The paddle shifters are about the most gimmicky piece of crap I ever known and therefore useless to me. If I wanted a manual i'd buy real one. I have a number of other misc complaints but then again nothing is perfect. It gets me from A to B.
Sure I kinda wish I purchased a different but similar vehicle but it's not a big deal as the entire point of owning a car is getting from A to B, not so much as how you get there. So I'm just kinda meh about it. I don't even bother waxing it...etc anymore cause the paint is so freaking cheap it's pathetic.
The paddle shifters are about the most gimmicky piece of crap I ever known and therefore useless to me. If I wanted a manual i'd buy real one. I have a number of other misc complaints but then again nothing is perfect. It gets me from A to B.
Sure I kinda wish I purchased a different but similar vehicle but it's not a big deal as the entire point of owning a car is getting from A to B, not so much as how you get there. So I'm just kinda meh about it. I don't even bother waxing it...etc anymore cause the paint is so freaking cheap it's pathetic.
The Fit has 130hp, more than last year's model. Also, the 114ft lbs of torque and lower gear ratios are supposed to make this car slightly faster than the outgoing one. While driving enthusiasts hate CVTs, you're the only person I've heard of so far that's complained about lack of power out of this engine. The car hits 0-60 in about 8.6 seconds.
It's just an ok car. A wider tailgate would have made hauling larger items that can fit inside but are hard to get inside, much easier. MPG isn't too great per performance ratio, after a year I average 32mpg but whatever. Cheap interior..etc but it's a fairly cheap car but could be priced lower I think as Kia.
I'm kind of regretting it right now. I just think I want something completely different. I've only had it for 3 weeks so maybe it's the buyers remorse phase. It has nothing to do with the Fit. I have even thought of selling it or trading it in.
Keep in mind that most modern production cars do 0-60 under 10 seconds That is generally enough power to do most typical driving maneuvers safely. For the size and weight of this car, it's a fair number. If you want a performance vehicle with a lot of power and torque, there are other classes of vehicle that better suit those needs.
Back OT, even though I have a Fit on order, I'm still looking at other cars. Honestly, the cars in the compact class (the next level up from subcompact) provide better ride and power than Fit and other subcompacts. The exception so far has been the Fiesta, which has a really quiet interior with a surprisingly soft, stable ride, but that car does not have enough interior space for my needs, particularly in the rear seat and boot.
If I want more, I need to spend more and I am not really in a position to do so. There are enough costs to car ownership (insurance, fuel, regular maintenance, etc) that given my financial situation, I do not really have the luxury of spending more towards the cost of the vehicle itself. That couple extra grand can be used towards a lot of other things, so unless the car ends up being a lemon, I don't think I will be regretting getting a Fit.
You, sir, have a lot of audacity to presume what motivate other people's opinion of the car. I have no intention of buying another Fit. I guess I'm jealous of your Mexican made Fit, as well.
Just enjoy your car and don't worry if other people are feeling that little green monster as a result of your purchase.
Just enjoy your car and don't worry if other people are feeling that little green monster as a result of your purchase.
I love mine more every day.
It's so economical, and faster than the very many mid size rentals I had before we moved and bought a car (Fusion, Optima, Sonata, Camry, even the smaller Focus).
It's also a bloody moving van; we've transported wing back chairs, a 9 drawer dresser, and hosts of other things.
And the mileage keeps improving. And there's all that glass and consequent light. And as I get used to it, it really can be thrown about.
Very happy; can't wait to get past the home projects to throw some suitcases in and go for a long drive.
It's so economical, and faster than the very many mid size rentals I had before we moved and bought a car (Fusion, Optima, Sonata, Camry, even the smaller Focus).
It's also a bloody moving van; we've transported wing back chairs, a 9 drawer dresser, and hosts of other things.
And the mileage keeps improving. And there's all that glass and consequent light. And as I get used to it, it really can be thrown about.
Very happy; can't wait to get past the home projects to throw some suitcases in and go for a long drive.
I do like my Fit, but I have to admit that although perhaps not full regret, I do have 2nd thoughts that instead of the Fit I should have either:
A) Simply done the necessary fixes, including an engine rebuild due to a damaged crankshaft, to "renew" my 97 Geo Prizm with 146K miles which I owned for 13 years. I think that with about $4-5K I could have given it many more years of life. I do almost regret that I didn't do this, and for a few seconds I do actually regret it.
B) Bought a good used car for for about $9-10K. I probably would still have the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
C) If it was a new car, I could have saved a few $K with an Accent or Mirage, the latter would probably have given me better MPGs and would have been more in the spirit of a simple, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation. I still would probably experience the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
D) Spent a few $K more and get a Prius C or regular Prius. Yet again, I still would probably experience the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
Anyhow, the Fit has better MPG than my former Geo Prizm, but the seats are not as comfortable and it still hasn't made its way into my heart as the Geo did.
If the Fit proves reliable then it has a chance of getting into my heart instead of simply being my rebound - I simply don't know if I should trust it yet.
A) Simply done the necessary fixes, including an engine rebuild due to a damaged crankshaft, to "renew" my 97 Geo Prizm with 146K miles which I owned for 13 years. I think that with about $4-5K I could have given it many more years of life. I do almost regret that I didn't do this, and for a few seconds I do actually regret it.
B) Bought a good used car for for about $9-10K. I probably would still have the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
C) If it was a new car, I could have saved a few $K with an Accent or Mirage, the latter would probably have given me better MPGs and would have been more in the spirit of a simple, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation. I still would probably experience the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
D) Spent a few $K more and get a Prius C or regular Prius. Yet again, I still would probably experience the "almost regret, sometimes actual regret" of option A.
Anyhow, the Fit has better MPG than my former Geo Prizm, but the seats are not as comfortable and it still hasn't made its way into my heart as the Geo did.
If the Fit proves reliable then it has a chance of getting into my heart instead of simply being my rebound - I simply don't know if I should trust it yet.
Last edited by 2015FIT; May 8, 2015 at 09:56 PM.
NO!! After driving "cash cars" for 16 years, driving is enjoyable again. I probably wouldn't have purchased a Fit if my other car didn't get wrecked, but I felt like used car prices are high right now for what you get and I didn't want to risk getting someone else's problems, dents and dings.
I dealt with that when I bought my 01 Acura TL and had to put a transmission in it. That hurt.
I dealt with that when I bought my 01 Acura TL and had to put a transmission in it. That hurt.
In a way, my only regret is not getting the ex. I really wanted the alloys, the instant mpg feedback plus current/last drive mpg info, and the moon roof would have been super fun. Oh and passion berry pearl!! I was so disappointed when I found out that color was reserved for ex and ex-l!
Alas, I am on a strict budget and I just couldn't quite make it work. However, for the most part, I am pleased as punch with my little car. The LX is waaaaay better equipped than my last car and, honestly, all the extra tech features meant nothing to me. I just wanted those wheels! Mouse, as I call her, is a delight to drive and has worked her way into my heart in a way my last car could not. The regrets of being unable to afford the next level up diminish each day.
Alas, I am on a strict budget and I just couldn't quite make it work. However, for the most part, I am pleased as punch with my little car. The LX is waaaaay better equipped than my last car and, honestly, all the extra tech features meant nothing to me. I just wanted those wheels! Mouse, as I call her, is a delight to drive and has worked her way into my heart in a way my last car could not. The regrets of being unable to afford the next level up diminish each day.



