So my 2015 fit has roughly 15,000 miles on it. Currently my daily commute is about 30-35 (50/50 city and hwy) miles round trip to and from my office.


I am early in the interview process for a better job with a bigger company. The downside is that it would be 90-100 (all hwy though) miles round trip everyday.


I have considered a few things that would increase:


fuel cost
I would get the air deflector for the hood (rock chips mainly)
I would most likely get a set of snow tires
increased maintenance (oil changes at the very least)
I would be replacing summer tires more often
increase in mileage on my car every year


My question is this: For you long distance daily commuters, how is the fit? Is there any daily annoyance that I am not considering?


I need to consider everything to properly prepare to negotiate a salary.

 

Fuel costs shouldn't be hard to calculate.

You should buy snow tires anyway, you live in WI, its common sense.

Air deflector is good for dropping fuel economy, increasing noise and looking bad. Just buy some touch up paint and don't tail gate.

Highway miles are easier on cars, maintenance wouldn't be changed all that much...and you can change your own oil, its cheap & easy.

Replacing tires regularly should happen anyway for your own safety and that of others.

 

My current commute is 86 miles roundtrip. I've been averaging low 40s for mpg. The Fit has been a great commuter car and I appreciate the integrated Bluetooth connection. Since I bought the car in 3/2015, I've put around 19,000 miles.

I've already done 2 oil changes, rotated the tires 3 times, all wiper blades, replaced the air filter and cabin air filter. The first oil change was free, but the 2nd I did myself. Filter and oil was about $27, the filters $30. I'm hoping to get 35-40k on the tires.

To improve the commute, I've added a HKS exhaust and a progressive rear sway bar. In addition, I added a higher center armrest that also has storage built in. In the summer I park in the shade and have a folding sunshade so the car doesn't take as long to cool down. I am planning on getting the windows tinted to help with the summer heat.

Some complain of the engine and wind noise. Instead I turn up the radio and got a louder exhaust I'm actually thinking of getting 14" rims and higher profile tires to replace the stock 16”.

 

I've only had mine for 9 months.. got 19000 on it.. doing road trips... the 4000 rpm buzz on interstates gets annoying at times.. but only when I'm tired.. this from a guy that used to rock Crown Vics and other larger cars...

 

My commute is about two hours round trip and the best thing I ever did for comfort was to order the center arm rest.

Snow tires will lower your MPG, but make for a quieter ride. Also obviously much better in the snow.

Other than that, I don't think there's anything else you can do that will make things any better.

 

My normal commute is 40-50 minutes one way on either rural farm & State roads, or farm roads and interstate. I've also made numerous 16+ hour trips to my Dad's (who has dementia) - at 16 months of ownership, I'm about to hit 35K miles. While I prefer a manual, I bought the CVT for the less-frantic RPMs at highway speeds in anticipation of all the long trips.

Honestly, the Fit is just as comfortable (to me) as my wife's VW Routan SEL (rebadged high-trim Town & Country).

es

 

You are the first guy I read that want to put smaller rims instead of bigger. I guess you want it to be more comfortable? Does it really help? What about fuel econ?



@c_bongo
I will try make the ride as luxury and confortable as possible. Firs reduce noise my puting roof isolation, upgrade sound system, put an arm rest in the door(other guys have done it look it thru) and in the center console, and buy some orthopedic seat rest and buy a leather cover wheel. That would made your driving up to a accord level.

 

Getting smaller diameter and lighter rim/tire combination will reduce unsprung weight and rotational mass. It should actually improve gas mileage because it will take less engine effort to turn the wheels. Braking should also improve as it'll take less effort to slow the wheels from rotating. The higher profile tire needed to keep the same overall diameter should give a softer ride but may reduce cornering since the sidewalls will give in more. Another benefit of the taller sidewall is that it'll protect the rim better. We get some crazy potholes here and I've got dings on the rims from hitting some of the potholes.

I'm still on the fence and will make my decision once I need new tires. Either just replace tires on the stock 16" wheels or spend a few hundred more and get a new wheel tire setup.

You bring up a good point on the leather wheel. That was the first upgrade I did by wrapping the steering wheel with a fully perforated wheelskin. The stock steering wheel was so slippery. I also replaced the shift knob with the leather one from the EX-L unit.

With the CVT, the Fit engine is at around 2300-2400 rpm at 65-70mph. I can barely hear the HKS exhaust and the wife doesn't complain, so no droning from either lol

 

To reduce stone chips, there are other alternatives these days.

You could price a 3M protective film overlay (a Clear Bra) on the hood and/or mirrors. (Ask at a tint or detailing shop). Or you could DIY a spray-on protective film (but this needs to be reapplied every year or two).

 

Also consider the job offer to leverage your current salary, reduce time away from current/future family and wear and tear on your cars. Or look for another option even closer to home and/or telecommute a few days a week if your job circumstances allow it.

 

I travel around 65 miles a day and find the Fit to be ideal for getting back and forth. As you already have one, I am sure you know why. On my way in without heavy traffic I average about 40, but on my way home in traffic I am closer to 36. (manual trans and a lead foot)


The only thing I would like to do to mine is add some spacers below the front of the seat so it has a bit more of an angle. There is a thread on here with a how to and the warning against modifying the thing that stops you in the event of a crash.


As for the tinted windows, they are a must as that green house of a car heats up fast in the summer. The winter tires are also a great idea regardless of commute distance. My secondary vehicle is a 4x4 F150, so I did not get winter tires for the Fit. When it is going to snow I take the big ride so I can help pull over confident drivers out of ditches.


The one thing I didn't see mentioned in your above post was when you thought you might sell your car. By more than doubling your mileage each year, you may be ready to trade sooner, or if you keep your same sell date, you may get far less. Assuming your new job pays enough to make this worth your wile, then go for it.

 

Which one did you get for the Fit? After driving Dodge Caravans for 26 years, I miss having a right armrest.

 

The OEM dealer option armrest.
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It's nice, but you lose a lot of storage room that's under the stock center console.

 

I've had my 2015 for a year now and put 71k miles on it. I would definitely suggest getting a clear bra for the hood.. All of my chips are on the hood, none on the fenders. I bought a lifetime oil change option through my dealer which costed maybe $400 and it's well worth it since I find myself getting oil changes every 2 weeks or so. Usually every 3-6k miles, even then the oil isn't dirty. I replaced my air filter at 65k miles after noticing my gas mileage was terrible. Now I'm back at 40 mpg on the highway. I replaced my tires at 56k after I had 3 flats at the same time.. I still had tread but they made me mad that they let me down lol.

Other than that I've had no problems with my fit. Highway miles are way easier on the car so you really shouldn't notice much difference. I should also note that I have a cvt.

 

For those of us who don't Kanji, is there a part number or online source from which we could order here in the US?

es

 

Wow, thats a lot of miles in a year! Good to hear its holding up well.

 

I think these are potential sources:


$175.50 USD Bernardi

 

Belch has a JDM Jazz, while the USDM Fit has a different center console so it wouldn't be a direct fit. The Amazon Link is for a GE model.

 

"Shucks."

es

 

Actually, they are called Fit in Japan as well as the states. The center console replacement replaces the entire center console. It's not just an armrest, but the whole thing - cup holders and all.

I'm not sure if it could be a direct replacement, but the part number is
08U89-T5A-010

and can be ordered via amazon japan, although I would definitely add a warning to talk to a mechanic before ordering it. I don't know if it will fit, or not.

Amazon | ???? ?????GP5 GK3 GK4 GK5 GK6? ???????????(???)????????????????[08U89-T5A-010] | ????????? | ?????