So, just how fun is the Fit to drive?
 

The only three cars I've ever owned are a Mazda B25 pickup, a 2004 Honda CRV, and currently, a 2009 Ford Ranger. I have never owned a "sporty" car, and I'm curious if the 2018 Honda Fit will feel "sporty" to me. I'll definitely be getting the manual transmission. What do you like or dislike about the feel of driving a Fit? Thanks in advance! I've been digging through this forum for a few weeks now, and I love how much great information is here! Looking forward to dropping a down payment in the next year and hopefully becoming a part of the club.

I'd imagine that, based on your previous vehicles, that a manual trans Fit will feel "sporty".....although the gearing ratios for 4th, 5th, and 6th are oddly similar....LOL ....works when I'm out in the mountains, but not a hwy cruiser. Steering is light, clutch is silly light, but, it's great fun for my needs. Progress RSB helps with handling feel, worth the $$$ and super easy install.

Thanks for the reply, Fuelish! That's what I've been hoping. I won't mind if it's a slow car, as long as it doesn't *feel* slow to me, if that makes sense. Lol. Of course, I'll test drive one in the future, but that's just a little ways away and, of course, I'm impatient af. Do you find that the bite point on the clutch is vague, even after owning one for a while? Or does it become easy to find and shift smoothly? Yeah, I've read some really good things about the Progress rear sway bar on here. After a while of driving it stock, I'll put one on so that I can really feel the difference. Most of my driving is highway, with some windy country roads and some city driving in the mix. I think I'll have a blast in a Fit, and really just can't wait to test one out. I may go to the dealership to test drive one with zero intentions of actually getting one that day lol buuuuut that feels dirty for whatever reason. I don't wanna waste a salesman's time over a joy ride lol

Make sure you test drive it on the highway. Generally speaking, short wheel base, light weight, and high side profile is not a great combination for highway use.

That's really solid advice, and I will definitely do that.

Your reply makes my soul feel good, lol. Thanks, Uncle Gary. I think it's gonna feel like a sports car to me, having almost always driven small trucks.

2018 Fit Sport Manual here. Purchased 2 weeks ago. This thing drives sporty and zips around well in the city. Drives just fine and stable at 80 mph provided there's no wind. It really does shimmy side to side at freeway speeds with strong side winds.. I am hoping my Swift Springs (ordered) will solve that along with a Progress rear sway bar (ordered). Added the Acuity shifter cable bushing for a much more positive and mechanical feel...ridding the vagueness of the stock rubber bushings. I alternate between this car and my 2013 Civic Si. Really recommend this car for the price and the fuel savings you will get. I think after my suspension mods will really turn this car into a great little handler.

The Fit isn't sporty. I just test drove a 2018 Sport 6MT earlier today as I'm considering getting rid of my 2012 Fit Sport 5MT.

It was fine. The 2012 is fine. The 2008 was fine.

But as someone who owns a sports car, the Fit isn't anything to write home about.

(And before anyone declares I hate Fits, I've been a member of this site in some form for a decade & 15k posts at this point, have owned multiple Fits, talked family & friends into them, etc., AND the 2018 is still in the running for my next car)

Since you come from driving pickups, you won't mind that feeling of the solid rear axle as you hit bumps lol

It's not particularly quick, but it fun to toss into a corner.

I feel the same way. My 2018 Sport with the manual is a blast to drive and feels light on its feet. You're right about the close ratios as well and while there is hate for the 6th gear ratio, those who want an overdrive are not thinking about how slow that would make the car. The ratios are optimized to keep the engine in its powerband. 6th is perfect because you can accelerate without dropping a gear or drop a gear and really accelerate if you need to.

You're right, the Fit isn't a sports car. Nothing is and I'm including cars like the GTI, WRX, 340i on that list.

But it's all relative and I think the Fit will feel pretty sporty to the OP since he is coming from small trucks.

Yeah it's pretty fun in corners but as others have said it's no speed demon. Before you make any decisions test it out on the highway, specifically merging into highway traffic is kind of interesting in this car.

I'm suddenly very curious about how much of a difference the acuity bushings will make. I've already been pre-planning to put in a buddy club short throw shifter, but I like the sound of those bushings. I don't mind the throw length as much as I want it to feel mechanically satisfying.

I'm acutally honored that you replied to this. Lol. I've seen you all over this forum and have learned a lot from what you add to the discussions. I don't expect the Fit to be anything like a sports car, but also, I've never driven anything remotely like a sports car. I've pretty much always driven small pickups, and I think coming from that, the Fit will feel very "sporty" to me. I'm glad that you had such a positive reaction to the 2018. I'm super stoked about it.

What do you mean its interesting? Fits are slow by modern standards but faster than sports cars of the 80s...the road system was designed with old cars in mind, because it is old, nothing sold today is incapable of handling onramps.

Lol, I'm just a dork who still uses forums. My thinking is, drive the Fit BUT also drive the Civic, you can get a Civic LX for almost the same money as a Fit. Both are very good cars and both are good choices, but you never know, one may just 'feel' right.

"Its fun driving a slow car fast."

I think its "sporty" up to 7/10 or 8/10th of its cornering limit. As someone as mentioned, steering is accurate, the shifter is fun and the car is very tossable.

To enhance the sportiness, do get the Progress sway bar and change the exhaust.

They really are a must do mod,,,so much more satisfying to row through the gears now.

That was well said and how I feel as well. For reference, our Golf is almost the same dimensions, but weighs 500 lbs more than our Fit. It is relaxing on the Interstate. Our Fit, and most Honda's in general, aren't relaxing on the Interstate. They are efficient primarily due to their light weight.

That light weight also adds to the "sporty" feel and handling ability so it's kind of a trade off.

I owned a 2000 Ranger 4.0 4x4 and it was much more relaxing on the highway than any Honda I've owned, but is sure didn't handle as well or feel as "sporty."

Given what the OP has said, I think they will enjoy the Fit. Probably time to mix things up a bit. 5 years later they may go back to truck life, but I think they will enjoy the Fit.

Sound advice to also test drive a Civic.

I'm definitely gonna try out the Civic when I'm there. I mean, when in Rome, test drive all the things. Lol. I'm hoping and expecting to like the Fit more. Aesthetically, I like the Fit better, and I like the smallness of the Fit better. The Civic seems a little long. But, I may be floored by the Civic and take an LX home. Hopefully there's an equally cool forum for civics hahaha. I'd be surprised if there wasn't though .