Why in third world countries the manual transmission more popular?

In India, which I do not think is a third world country, I could be wrong but believe they can get the 5-speed manual, or they can get a choice between the 5 and the 6.

They also can get the car with or without the magic seats – they can get a bench seat in the back with a back that folds down in one piece if I recall correctly. They can get climate control if they wish - something we can't get in the US. In some trim levels they have a choice of upholstery colors. Also something we cannot get in the US.

I believe they can also get a choice of engine size - get either a 1.5 liter or a 1.2 liter. I think this is because there is some regulation there where there is less tax on smaller engines, or on vehicles with higher weight to power ratios. Many owners are quite happy with the acceleration of the 1.2.

 

We are in rural Yucatan, Mexico. We are very rarely on 4 lane roads, and almost never drive over 100 kph. And we drive over lots and lots of topes (speed bumps), and use first gear on almost every one. In these conditions, the gear ratios are just fine, but if I'm in sixth at 100, what would my rpm be at 125?

Edit: The CVT is available here, but no sunroof on any model. The 2018s have the rear view camera, and the 7" screen, but the lane warnings are unavailable. Navigation is an option. Our 2017 Fun, mid range, defined by four speakers,instead of two, or six, has only a radio/phone/aux display on the dash, and is dark otherwise. No outside temp. The clock is in the fuel guage display. And a normal volume knob. Quite a stripped down version, and sold for around 13,000 brand new. And it has Bridgestone tires.

 

Cost is a big factor. Manual transmissions have always sold for a lot less than any kind of automatic transmission and in many countries where money is tight the MT has always been more popular. Poor roads would also favor a MT.

 

I bought a 2018 Honda Fit EX in January of 2024. I received the title on 2/3/2024 and tomorrow, 5/4/2024 I am selling it to Carvana. Three months of ownership and under 3000 miles driven and I'm happy to take the loss. The 2018 Fit has been the biggest disappointment of a Honda I have ever owned. And I grew up driving a CRX in high school (63,000 miles in TWO YEARS) and loved it. I also currently own a 2007 Honda Fit I bought off a grandma with 60k that now has 90k. I bought my 2018 to replace the 2007. My 2018 has 44,000 miles on it. I paid $16k out the door and brought it to Honda two days ago and they told me that it needs $4000 worth of work. A VCT Actuator for $1800 installed (which I had done and shouldn't have) and a $2000 complete set of replacement fuel injectors. So they want 25% in service for a 5 year old car with under 50,000 miles. I bought an ODB2 scanner and holy shit, the fuel trim is even worse than they said. I am SURE it needs new injectors. AT 46k MILES??????? I am dumping this huge piece of excrement on Carvana tomorrow at 10:00 AM. I can't wait to deposit my check and keep my 2007. The 2018 Fit is the biggest failure I've ever owned. Your mileage may vary. Wish mine did. You've been warned. I will never own another Honda ever again. Picked up a 2010 Lexus RX350 for $12.3k last week and despite 114k miles, it is BUTTER and a chit ton better than this POS will ever be. I signed up for this account specifically to respond to this thread. F Honda! And don't expect their "Goodwill, we build chit cars but might give you $500 off your bill" program is equally chitty.

 

Glad you can take the loss and get rid of it. I don't know what happened to it in the five years someone else owned it, but apparently some things happened.

I will note, however, that it would be hard to find service more expensive than a Honda dealer, with their dealer labor rates and use of Honda-brand parts. At that price I'd look for a second opinion, too, at an independent mechanic that knows Hondas. Probably would save a bunch on parts and labor. But it sounds for you the best answer is to move on. I hope you get lots of miles on your 2007.

 

To be fair, I'm *somewhat* heartbroken but I'm over it because I love the car for all things that make it special. I checked around and everyone seems to charge the same prices. Kind of like when you go buy a printer at Staples, and it is the exact same price at Walmart and Target, and Radio Shack (oh wait!) That anyone could have abused the car in any way that makes it require this much maintenance at such a low mileage speaks more to a lack of quality than it does a lack of maintenance AFAIC. That CRX I owned as a kid in high school? 63,000 miles with ONE oil change. Yeah, I destroyed the motor at 105k miles because I was a dumb high school kid. BUT IT LASTED THAT LONG. My 2007 Fit base with 91k miles has required very little, I think I replaced a coil and charged the AC and had oil changes performed. My 2018 Fit EX is absolute garbage and while this may not be the norm, I couldn't care less. It was my experience and others should be aware of it. There are excellent videos on Youtube that explain what a direct injection engine is, and how and why they fail. The 2018 Fit has direct injection and not only does that gum up the injectors, it causes another problem later. A stretched timing chain as a result of the pins becoming eroded because of all the debris that is causing the fuel injectors to fail. Someone needs to say the quiet part out loud. Here I am. No thanks. Done with Honda. Lexus and Toyota from now on. I have a 2006 Tacoma double cab with 100k miles. Silly me for thinking I could save a couple bucks by buying this garbage. YMMV