Between the delays, the limited supply causing many to over pay, the new factory in Mexico which definitely has to be a quality concern, I'm thinking of waiting out the first year of the Mexican built Fit. There is less robotics being used in Mexico. Maybe it will work out, but like most things when there is change, there are glitches. There are a few reasons that I want to buy a Fit. The main one is the legendary Honda quality. If that is compromised in any way that ruins it for me. They appear to be trying to make fixes on the fly. But I think I will wait for the next model year to give them some time to work out the already found problems and any other potential problems they find. And also allow the supply to catch up thus lowering any gouging that might be going on by many dealers. My current ride, a 2006 Scion XB has been practically perfect and I will probably just ride it out a year and then see.

 

I think I read somewhere that both the engine and transmission, will be built in Mexico alongside the car at a new plant soon. It may turn out 2015 was the year to buy the Fit.

 

This is what I said in another thread. If I'm gonna have some issues, I'd rather it be hardware that first year build 'glitches' with the CVT transmission and/or direct injection earth dreams engine. Oh No's!

 

I think- if I was going to wait- the new generation Mazda2 "2015/2016" which may come out as early as the end of the year- is more appealing.

 

My first thought when I saw that the 2015 MT was revving at 3,500 in 6th on the highway was, "The beancounters at Honda phoned this one in".

There are dozens of little shortcomings and missed opportunities left hanging that Honda could fix at minimal cost, or with a trivial price increase. So I expect they'll do just that. I want one of the "good" ones.

Also, by holding off I'll get a look at the HR-V, and also maybe at whatever replaces or refreshes the Mazda 5. I'm not under any pressure to buy right now.

If Honda never fixes the Fit? My other choice is an Accord MT, one of the best cars and best values in the auto market. But most days I feel like I'd rather have a Fit; it just appeals to me more.

 

There's people who need a car and there's people who want a car. I only want a new Fit. I don't need one. I love my current one. As soon as I got over my car lust for the 2015 I decided I'd wait a year or two. Honda is going to see how the 2015 is received and judging by what people like or want changed or improved, there's a good chance they'll respond to that feedback and make the adjustments and/or improvements. After all, the 2015 is what it is in response to all the feedback and of course the competition. I wouldn't doubt this place is one source for them to monitor user feedback. So I'll stick till 2017 and see what's what at that time.

 

Not the beancounters, the marketing people.

If the Fit had a taller top gear the car would have to be shifted down into fifth for even moderate grades.

While we would be perfectly fine with that (that's how overdrives work!), some bozo automotive writer would decide that the Fit was underpowered because it couldn't pull a hill in top gear like the 500HP Mustang he drove last. He'd write that the car was underpowered and idiots who believe car writers would avoid the Fit.

That's probably why the 6th gear of the '15 is identical to the 5th gear of the '13. More shifting to do for no real benefit. In fact, on a track a 5-speed might well beat a 6-speed simply because the 5-speed driver will have less shifting to do

 

I'm not saying I buy that argument, but if it's true, then Honda has fallen pretty far. Any company that would design a transmission based on what auto journalists may or may not say--rather than on what is actually good and proper--is a company that has lost its way. Not only that, if it's true, the plan completely backfired, since most reviews have complained about the high revs on the highway.

 

Has the OP and others considered how long some Toyota's and GM models being built that are a number of years old and are having recalls ? First year worries concern you ? Look at their track record for a moment...

 

All concerns are bad concerns. Nothing is going to be perfectly worry free. But the new Fit appears to have too many concerns for me. As I said the main reason for me buying a Honda is their quality reputation and the peace of mind that would afford me. Now that peace of mind, for me is dubious. I'll probably give Honda a year to work it out. Also by next year there should be plenty of supply and limited price gouging.

 

Don't know if it matters to anyone but most if not all first year models are always the lightest. So if weight savings is something on your list this year will be the lightest of the GK's. Honda has proven to make reliable cars time and time again, even if it does have a couple bugs/flaws repair and maintanence costs will be low. Especially if you learn how to do it yourself. That way you learn your vehicle and save money.

 

I've had no issues thus far, and had my 2015 Fit for a whopping 34 days now.

In bold: What do you mean too many concerns ? Made in Mexico perhaps is one, but what are the others

 

Not just journalists, but anyone driving the car. People want to feel a response when they put their foot down and if there were a fixed O/D ratio they won't feel much. At 3500RPM the Fit has roughly 65 horsepower on tap. At 2500RPM that number drops to 40 or so. With 25HP being used just to overcome air resistance the excess power available for acceleration drops from 40 to 15 with the taller O/D ratio. Yes, we can chalk it up to people being too lazy to shift, but that's how it is.

"High revs" doesn't turn off buyers as much as "underpowered."

Back to the original topic,

Has it been confirmed that the engines and transmissions are coming from existing plants outside of Mexico? If so, the '15 might be the better year if the '16 gets Mexican engines and transmissions from a brand-new plant. A Corona cap rattling around in the door is a nuisance, a Corona cap rattling around in the CVT is a disaster!

I've always been lucky to have my Japanese cars come with a "J" in the VIN. This is going to be my first foray into non-Japanese production and I'm quite leery of Honda's ability to maintain their quality level.

 

They are still building the CVT plant next door. It's expected to be ready next year.

Honda already has a plant in Guadalajara which build(t) Accords and CRVs, but the Celaya plant is the most modern implementing the same techniques as it's facilities in Japan.

New tech features of the plant:

• Stamping times have been reduced by 40 percent thanks to a high-speed servo stamping press and quicker die changes. The new press was also recently installed at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant and will be added to its Alabama plant soon, Ito said.

• A new body-welding system reduces the number of robots and jigs needed, while increasing the number of weld points, to make a lighter and stronger body-in-white at a lower capital cost.

• Most water-based paints require three coats and three bakings. The Celaya paint shop is doing a "coat-bake-coat-coat-bake" process, eliminating a primer coat layer and one round of baking, for a claimed improvement in paint finish and a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption.

 

Edit. Oops, wrong thread.

 

Low weight is the specific reason why I'm going with an LX model. CVT because I don't care to drive a manual. Never thought about the first year model being the lightest. First I've read about this.

 

They already followed that route with the 9th Gen Civic. Many journalist were critical of it but it was still a best seller. The changes for the 2013 and 2014 models were significant considering refreshes of that nature usually happen mid cycle. Journalist are entertaining but I wouldn't listen too much to their recommendations because 1. Their opinions are jaded because they drive so many great cars which spoils them and 2. They don't have to pay for the cars they get to drive and 3. They get paid to be entertaining