Hi Everyone,
I am an avid Honda motorcycle fan and im looking to buy my first Honda car.

Due to work I live in China (no financing available) and the models are slightly different. So im having a hard time choosing. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Im pretty much stuck on the super basic 1.5 LX cvt versus the EXLI (top model)

There is about a 5000 USD difference.

The basic LX cvt has no touch screen no cruise control no magic folding seats and does not come with EPS + VSA traction control technology (its super basic) but its only about 13,000 USD. Still has same engine as USA model and gforce control technology.

IN china only the top end model EXLI has the EPS +VSA technology and magic seats, cruise control + 7 inch screen (and many features i dont care about stereo 16 in ch wheels, keyless entry, moonroof etc) and a price tag closer to 18,000

If i bought the basic model i would def upgrade the tires, and dashboard system altogether maybe 1300 USD if i go fancy. So im looking at a price difference of around 3700 USD for Magic seats and VSA+EPS technology ... plus i get all the extras of the top model.

So you guys think its worth it?

be lazy spend 18000 USD cash and get the top end model

or

buy the super basic model 13,000 USD and make small upgrades on my own.

remember no financing so its just cash anyways.

Any thoughts from experienced Fit 2015 owners?

 

If you enjoy modding and have the time, I'd opt for the basic car and use it as a clean slate for your wildest ideas!

es

 

Can you share pictures of the china model ?

 

The Honda Fit is manufactured in China by the Guangzhou-Honda joint venture, it debuted in April on the 2014 Beijing Auto Show.

ChinaCarNews

I think the Fit would be an excellent car in China, but the driving would be terrible in big cities. I've lived and visited there.

 

I'd love to be able to get a stripped Fit for a reasonable price! Not going to happen in the US.

BTW, is the great price difference due to a deletion of safety gear like air bags or perhaps by manufacture in a different plant?

 

its def a combination of the 2 ... even the most basic model still has dual airbags though.

But usually cars in china made by non chinese companies are always more expensive than their counterparts in the USA so this is an exception

yes driving in china big cities really suck but im in a second tier city in between 2 big cities so a car is absolutely necessary if i want to have a life and not just eat chinese food everyday (its pretty good though)

Seems like people on this webpage prefer a strip downed version of the fit ...

But modding in china is discouraged and pretty much illegal and if something happens to the car (accidents very likely in china, they drive like stuck up idiots here) it wont cover any of that. Hence im leaning towards the expensive model which is the only one that offers everything the USA basic models offer ... plus some more.

 

There is no comparable vehicle to the China LX here in North America. Even the very low end DX here in Canada is fully loaded with touch screen, magic seats, traction control, 6 air bags and backup camera. When we say stripped, this is relative to what is offered here. A North American LX is a vastly better equipped and safer car.

Even in a second tier Chinese city, I would not drive a Fit. It is too small and easily damaged, given the driving skill in China, to take a hit and protect my family. I'd go for a much larger vehicle. I've also spent enough time in second tier Chinese cities. While the amount of traffic is lighter than Beijing, the drivers are just as reckless. Traffic laws are mere guidelines to be followed by other drivers, not themselves.

The Fit here in North America is acceptable, not because it is built any better, but because we have traffic laws and people, in general, follow them. A red light means stop until it changes to green. In China a red light, when they are turned on, and when there are no police at the intersection, might also mean creep up slowly, against perpendicular traffic and make a left hand turn. I'd really worry about my safety in a Fit. A larger car the size of a Civic will be safer.

 

yah i totally understand your sentiment.

I have lived in china for 6 years due to work but mainly in big cities.

I hate driving here in Dongguan (even though it can be fun in a reckless way) but its better than dealing with creepy taxi cab drivers who constantly try to screw me over and over all give horrible service and actually very hard to find where i live.

I would def rather buy a civic or an accord but they are literally twice to 3 times the price than the fit and 30% more than the us market. Considering my budget and since i need pay cash on hand for the whole car i cannot make such an investment for a short term use car.

I know the fit is small but it has received a very good safety rating ... my assumptions is that it will bounce off haha

The other cars in my price range ... are cars made for china market only by china manufacturers and pass absolutely zero safety certifications (life is cheap here you know haha) cherry, byd, geely

Either way its safer than my motorcycle in china and i dont have a family to worry about.

Traffic rules have changed here in south china ... things have gotten better ... you cant even cross the yellow light anymore and traffic fines have increased significantly.

Im hopping automated driving system come out quickly and for cheap asap! I swear it will improve traffic here 100%.

 

A Fit would be much safer than taking a taxi or riding your bike. I've not been to Dongguan but hear it is a rough town, especially since the economic downturn of their factories. Dongguan has about the same population as Toronto.

Safety is not a very high concern for most Chinese. You seem to have done your homework and know your environment.

The lower end LX would reduce the cost significantly, and suitable if you're doing mostly commuting at low speeds. For a short term stay, I'm unsure the extra cost for the EX would be worthwhile. Extra options are nice but not essential.

Six years in China is a long time, so congrats. It is not so easy to live there.

 

North American LX and DX models have a screen, but it isn't a touch screen.

 

The US LX or Can DX, cheapest model: 5" screen, not touch
US EX and Can LX: 7" touch screen

 

I stand corrected.

One salient point: I never hear anyone on this forum complaining about their 5" non-touch screen being sluggish, locking up, or otherwise misbehaving.

 

I have noticed this as well. Sometimes older tech that works is better than newer tech that's glitchy. In Canada if you want the 5" non-touch screen you need to give up aircon, cruise control, heated front seats, centre console but save $2,800CAD.

 

I'm wondering what the non- majic seats are like..It seems to me it would cost about the same either way so why not just have that standard? Air bags or lack of would be the deciding factor for me. I'm all for getting the most protection from idiot drivers. .

 

Everyone has different priorities in a car and certainly different financial means, but if it were my decision, I would definitely go with the EXLI. Between the many safety and convenience features offered, it would be worth it. I'm not sure what depreciation and resale values are like in China, but that may also be a consideration.

 

Get the cheapest model and turn it into a EXL model. That is what I am doing. I ordered all the mods from Taobao. I got a LX and mine have more items then a EXL. My wife calls it the Acura Fit.. hahahha.

 

I have been in China for 14 years now, Shanghai... I had a First gen Fit, which was second hand, and wasn't upgradable at all... It was sold and I got a Second gen Fit on 2011, right before the models were changed or upgraded... Somehow I decided to do this, as the parts were going to be cheaper due to the introduction of the new model ( one that you are buying). I am still not convinced on changing to a 3rd Gen...

Still, second generation fits had 12 models, configurations, mine is the H12 as the parts catalogue, and because it wasn't too basic, DIY's were done easily. I don't think that with a basic model the computer or the MICU will do a plug and play feature.

I had upgraded the manual Aircon to an Auto AC, using second hand parts, from Taobao, Installed Auto Folding Mirrors, Variable, intermittent Wipes, Reverse sensors, etc.... all easily done. Key point is that The high end 2nd gen fit, uses parts from CRV older models...

As i Got this DIY addiction here in China, the space that I get from the Seats is just the main reason why i got this car...again the 3rd gen didn't convince me yet haha

If you need I can send you the PDF parts finder for the 3rd generation fit, if you like to study and decide.

Don't forget to buy a good insurance and get Full coverage ( just in case ) LOL...

 

Help from Shanghai to Dongguan! Living in China for 14 years...WOW. I'm unsure I could do that...

 

Yes i went ahead and bought the most basic automatic ... it was too cheap to pass up on ... with tax and insurance it cost me 87,000 RMB which at the moment due to the devaluation of the rmb (perfect timing) it only cost 13,600 USD.

The car is super smooth and much quicker than i originally thought ... I was going 150 kph on the freeway in non windy conditions and i felt very safe.

I have rented cars in china in similar price ranges (citroen/toyota yaris/ and Kia k2) they all were total crap car (yaris was ok) both the citroen and kia felt extremely unstable at 100+ kph plus the automatic was so slow and crappy i originally thought something was wrong with the cars.

So at this point im verry happy with my purchase ...

Iv only done one upgrade so far ... added an armrest for the middle (yes i bought it on taobao for 80 rmb 12 usd)

Other things im thinking is speakers/ tires/ shocks?

Chinese roads are not great and their are some serious bumbs hear ... iv seen some after market racing shocks but im looking for a softer ride ... any opinions?

Also the speakers that came with the new fit are really bad ... zero bass ... speakers are not so important to me but these are really very poor.

but thats my only complaint ...

wish me luck driving in CHINA ... they are nuts here! People here if they hit you on the road they will go back and run you over make sure your dead ... because it costs less to pay the family for a dead person than to pay for a injured person all his life! crazyness

 

IMO taobao your car out. Labor is so cheap over there, order a bunch of stuff and get a local shop to install all of it. AHHH Dongguan.... love that city.