So, just how fun is the Fit to drive?
#1
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.
#2
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.
#3
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
#4
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.
#5
I love driving my manual transmission Fit. Steering is crisp, and the car tracks well. The close ratios of the top three gears really come into their own when you are driving briskly on the hilly winding roads that abound around here. The engine has a lot of spunk for only 1.5 liters and the car really is a blast to drive. Then again, what do I know?
That’s what I really like about the Fit. It loads like a truck and drives like a sports car.
That’s what I really like about the Fit. It loads like a truck and drives like a sports car.
#6
That's really solid advice, and I will definitely do that.
#8
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.
#9
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)
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)
#11
I love driving my manual transmission Fit. Steering is crisp, and the car tracks well. The close ratios of the top three gears really come into their own when you are driving briskly on the hilly winding roads that abound around here. The engine has a lot of spunk for only 1.5 liters and the car really is a blast to drive. Then again, what do I know?
But it's all relative and I think the Fit will feel pretty sporty to the OP since he is coming from small trucks.
#12
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.
#13
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.
#14
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)
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)
#15
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.
#16
"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.
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.
#17
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.
#18
This might be useful advice: I have actually gone from a 2004 MT CRV to the Fit. I love a lot about the Fit and yes one requirement was it be fun to drive. Sporty, sure; fast, no. And yet I do not feel it is any slower than the CRV, and it is far more fun to drive quickly.
I miss one or two things: Ground clearance, primarily, though losing AWD is no big deal. Roof rails. While the Fit can't carry as much cargo as a CRV, there is a huge amount of room with the seats down and more than many other small SUVs. My fit is a 2012 but the newer cars are not substantially different - just small improvements across the board.
Any modern car can make it up an off ramp safely, just don't be a fool who waits until the end of the ramp to accelerate. Cruising at speed is more of the issue: plenty of power to maintain speed, but the low weight means the car moves around more than some. Acceptable but not relaxing.
Hope that helps. 😊
I miss one or two things: Ground clearance, primarily, though losing AWD is no big deal. Roof rails. While the Fit can't carry as much cargo as a CRV, there is a huge amount of room with the seats down and more than many other small SUVs. My fit is a 2012 but the newer cars are not substantially different - just small improvements across the board.
Any modern car can make it up an off ramp safely, just don't be a fool who waits until the end of the ramp to accelerate. Cruising at speed is more of the issue: plenty of power to maintain speed, but the low weight means the car moves around more than some. Acceptable but not relaxing.
Hope that helps. 😊
#19
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.
#20
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 .