Henley bought 8 brand-new Touring Ridgeline in August that were driven twice around the Indy track in Toronto. I was there today and didn't see any in the lot. Fantastic vehicle, will be interested to see how the redesign turns out.

A friend's father was a mechanical supervisor for Otis Elevator. Dad retired and after 25 years as his apprentice/assistant, he took the job. Little Danny ain't, little that is. As far as he's concerned, Otis is his company. He has certain skills beyond mechanics.

Seriously, many industries need to harden their IT sites, elevators to automobiles to power transmission.

A little late to the thread BUT I've witnessing this trend for a while with Honda and other manufacturers. For the Fit in general since US introduction, M/T configurations just slowly started decreasing in numbers and eventually fall of a trim level (2011 Sport Navi as example not an M/T option)... I was hoping that Honda would offer another "fun" alternative to the trusty 3rd pedal BUT they haven't brought of the DCT transmission offered for the Fit in other markets... just an extremely smooth CVT that (to me) kinda neuters the car from a fun to drive point.

I'm attempting to snag a Mystic Yellow Pearl EX 6 Speed for the 2016 model year... so far not a single manual is in my district or zone (located in Greater Houston area). Being in the flat southern part of the US won't help my chances of scoring one BUT I'll be for sure trying.

Ha, ha, I know that feeling. A couple of years after I bought my '09 Fit, I saw a TV ad for the dealer I'd bought it from, and they showed a clip of the showroom in the commercial. Sitting right there was my orange Fit Sport!

You may need to order it. Pay some money down and wait 4-6 weeks, or longer.

I did. Not too much of a need for a deposit since I work at a Honda dealer. ;)

Picked up my 2016 6MT base (Canadian version) today. Was told it would take 8 weeks, but only took 4. It was already "On Rail", whatever that actually means, when I ordered it Hecho en Mexico. Shifts very smoothly, but first gear is so ridiculously short I can't even make it through an intersection.

Yep, 1st and 6th gears are too short IMO.. I almost never use 5th gear.. Shift directly from 4th to 6th..

I really don't like having to shift to second in the middle of the intersection. Intersections are busy and dangerous places, so I'd rather be fully concentrating on other drivers, pedestrians, than losing forward power due to needing to shift. This, to me, is a safety issue. I'd never shift when in an intersection on my motorcycle. Maybe I'll just rev out first to 4k or so...

Agreed and actually the Fit needs an entirely new, better spaced gear set.

Yes, I remember my test drive on that short first gear too.

Sounds like 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th are the only gears needed. Back to a 4 speed manual like my 76 Civic CVCC and first honda (with a choke too). :)

I'm in Japan, and you are correct. Unless you are talking a sports car or a truck, you won't find a manual anywhere.

My first generation fit is finally being replaced thanks to a faulty CVT transmission, and I ordered my new fit just yesterday. The brochure doesn't even mention that there is an option for a manual. It lists different cup holders and interior light colors, but there is absolutely no mention of a manual. But I told the guy I wanted a manual, and they do offer it - although it's a 5 speed instead of the 6 speed you guys outside of the states get.

It's definitely a special order car. If I had went with the CVT, it could be delivered in a week or two. With a manual, it'll arrive mid-january, and it's still october.

Good for you to get a manual, though the wait seems so very long. Here in Canada-US in the Consumer Reports Quality Survey Honda has dropped 4 positions to 8th place. Honda and many other manufacturers are having troubles with transmissions (8,9 speed autos, CVTs, DCT) and their infotainment systems. A manual will give you much better reliability.

Thanks for keeping us informed about Fits in Japan.

I will readily admit that the old 5 speed had better gear spacing. Still not enough to force me into an automatic.

Is it possible to start off in 2nd gear or is it a bit too tall or lacking in torque?

You CAN start in second, but you'll have to really ride the clutch.