Probably buying a Fit MT Sport - Need reassurances
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Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 38
From: Indiana
Probably buying a Fit MT Sport - Need reassurances
Hi! I'm really thinking hard about buying a Fit and need a few positive reassurances that it is the right choice in the C and B car class.
I'm a grad student and am getting married next summer. I spend a lot of time driving in the city, but I also love a good road trip and frequently make the 2-3 hr journey home on the weekends (especially in the summer).
My biggest concern with the Fit is the engine noise on the highway. I read in the forums that a Fit MT's engine spins about 3900-4000RPM at 80 MPH. I'm a little concerned (and therefore also have a Civic MT next on my list of cars) that the engine noise will be really annoying on longer trips. I test drove a Fit MT a few weeks ago, but the highway had serious construction and I wasnt able to get much past 60mph. Does anyone use their Fit for long road trips, and if so, how is it? I'm not concerned about the wind buffeting...I drove a great uncle's crown vic for about 9 years which had THE WORST steering rack (actually it was a recirculating ball) in the entire world - zero on center feel. I can handle making wind-related course corrections.
Secondly, I was reading that most people get around 30-40mpg (depending on driving style) in the Fit, but there are a few "lemons" that get mid 20's; is this a common occurance and is there any way to ensure that I get a Fit that performs as advertised?
Thirdly, is dog hair easy to remove from the seats?
Thanks for the advice!
By the way, does anyone watch the UK show "Top Gear"? If so, have you all seen the episode where the hosts have their mothers test subcompacts (Jazz, Renault Modus and the bizzare Peugeot 1007?) Its hilarious. BBC - Top Gear - Episode Archive - Series 6 - Episode 4
I'm a grad student and am getting married next summer. I spend a lot of time driving in the city, but I also love a good road trip and frequently make the 2-3 hr journey home on the weekends (especially in the summer).
My biggest concern with the Fit is the engine noise on the highway. I read in the forums that a Fit MT's engine spins about 3900-4000RPM at 80 MPH. I'm a little concerned (and therefore also have a Civic MT next on my list of cars) that the engine noise will be really annoying on longer trips. I test drove a Fit MT a few weeks ago, but the highway had serious construction and I wasnt able to get much past 60mph. Does anyone use their Fit for long road trips, and if so, how is it? I'm not concerned about the wind buffeting...I drove a great uncle's crown vic for about 9 years which had THE WORST steering rack (actually it was a recirculating ball) in the entire world - zero on center feel. I can handle making wind-related course corrections.
Secondly, I was reading that most people get around 30-40mpg (depending on driving style) in the Fit, but there are a few "lemons" that get mid 20's; is this a common occurance and is there any way to ensure that I get a Fit that performs as advertised?
Thirdly, is dog hair easy to remove from the seats?
Thanks for the advice!
By the way, does anyone watch the UK show "Top Gear"? If so, have you all seen the episode where the hosts have their mothers test subcompacts (Jazz, Renault Modus and the bizzare Peugeot 1007?) Its hilarious. BBC - Top Gear - Episode Archive - Series 6 - Episode 4
Hi-
Congratulations on the upcoming events in your life. I can't answer your manual trans. specific questions because I have an AT, but in no particular order, here are some answers.
Dog hair will be a problem with the stock seat covers- they are lint magnets (I have dogs). You will need aftermarket covers such as neoprene from makers like Coverking (they make some for Fits).
Engine noise at 80-85 mph on long (5 hour) road trips with my AT has not been a problem. There is more noise than from my V-8 truck, but you would expect that. Noise is not particularly intrusive with music through the sound system or conversation with a passenger. Easily tolerable, but that is my personal opinion- others may differ.
My AT gets between 32-33 mpg at the previously stated speeds, and I don't do a lot of city driving. The really low gas mileage reported by some members is a mystery to me, and I have obtained even better mileage by staying near 60 mph on freeways. I just get tired of slow speed and always being in the way of other drivers, so I sacrifice fuel economy for more pleasing personal driving style.
There may be many other cars that are quieter, but few that offer the practicality and fun of this one. How you can avoid getting one of the low mpg "lemons" I can't even guess.
Good luck in all of your pursuits!
Congratulations on the upcoming events in your life. I can't answer your manual trans. specific questions because I have an AT, but in no particular order, here are some answers.
Dog hair will be a problem with the stock seat covers- they are lint magnets (I have dogs). You will need aftermarket covers such as neoprene from makers like Coverking (they make some for Fits).
Engine noise at 80-85 mph on long (5 hour) road trips with my AT has not been a problem. There is more noise than from my V-8 truck, but you would expect that. Noise is not particularly intrusive with music through the sound system or conversation with a passenger. Easily tolerable, but that is my personal opinion- others may differ.
My AT gets between 32-33 mpg at the previously stated speeds, and I don't do a lot of city driving. The really low gas mileage reported by some members is a mystery to me, and I have obtained even better mileage by staying near 60 mph on freeways. I just get tired of slow speed and always being in the way of other drivers, so I sacrifice fuel economy for more pleasing personal driving style.
There may be many other cars that are quieter, but few that offer the practicality and fun of this one. How you can avoid getting one of the low mpg "lemons" I can't even guess.
Good luck in all of your pursuits!
New Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5
From: Sarasota, FL
Just celebrated 1 yr. MT Fit
Total miles ... 13,500
More than half is a 225 mile one-way, 450 r/t 90% interstate driving.
Set Cruise Control around 3800 ... cruises @ 80mph
Rides as good as any small car I've ever owned. Only (minor)
complaint is some road noise ... but with CD and/or Satellite Radio ... sound
system more than makes up for it.
Got 34mpg on my first tankful from dealer. Have never gotten less
than 36 -38 since then. Actually got 40mpg once on r/t. Will get
approx: 2 mpg less with A/C running. Like the other responder, I've never
experienced the low gas mileage ... but then again ... I couldn't care less
about exceeding red line ... jump starts ... or any of the other perfomance
criteria. That's not what I bought this car for. Agree re: dog hair. But my dog (mini dachshund) has short hair so it's not that much of a problem. Went out and bought a car seat ... solved what little problem there was. The best thing I can say ... The MT is just fun to drive ... easy to park ... and the inside room is incredible.
More than half is a 225 mile one-way, 450 r/t 90% interstate driving.
Set Cruise Control around 3800 ... cruises @ 80mph
Rides as good as any small car I've ever owned. Only (minor)
complaint is some road noise ... but with CD and/or Satellite Radio ... sound
system more than makes up for it.
Got 34mpg on my first tankful from dealer. Have never gotten less
than 36 -38 since then. Actually got 40mpg once on r/t. Will get
approx: 2 mpg less with A/C running. Like the other responder, I've never
experienced the low gas mileage ... but then again ... I couldn't care less
about exceeding red line ... jump starts ... or any of the other perfomance
criteria. That's not what I bought this car for. Agree re: dog hair. But my dog (mini dachshund) has short hair so it's not that much of a problem. Went out and bought a car seat ... solved what little problem there was. The best thing I can say ... The MT is just fun to drive ... easy to park ... and the inside room is incredible.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 302
From: Minneapolis
I have an MT sport, and yes, the rpms run right about 3900 @ 80 mph. I haven't driven across the country (yet
), but I have taken several 3+ hour trips in the Fit at those speeds. This is of course a matter of opinion, but I don't find the engine noise annoying at all. If I were going 95, I might feel differently....
There is a fair amount of road noise though, and this is typically Honda. Just about any Honda will have more road noise than the the equivilant car from the competition (e.g. Accord vs. Camry, etc....)
The engine is pretty refined and quiet though. I'd say if you are comfortable with the typical Honda road noise you won't have any problems with the Fit, be it MT or AT.
Mileage wise, I've been pretty consistent at about 34 in mixed driving, but as low as 29 in our Minnesota winters, which can get well below -15F. Highway only mileage is about 37-38, though I actually got 46 once (don't know if I believe that one myself - tank was still ~2/3 full, and I filled up at a different station, so maybe the shutoff was more sensitive, etc....)
Hair - yes, it's easy to remove, just get a lint brush.
Hope this helps!
ps - if you want the MT, get the MT - you won't regret it
), but I have taken several 3+ hour trips in the Fit at those speeds. This is of course a matter of opinion, but I don't find the engine noise annoying at all. If I were going 95, I might feel differently....There is a fair amount of road noise though, and this is typically Honda. Just about any Honda will have more road noise than the the equivilant car from the competition (e.g. Accord vs. Camry, etc....)
The engine is pretty refined and quiet though. I'd say if you are comfortable with the typical Honda road noise you won't have any problems with the Fit, be it MT or AT.
Mileage wise, I've been pretty consistent at about 34 in mixed driving, but as low as 29 in our Minnesota winters, which can get well below -15F. Highway only mileage is about 37-38, though I actually got 46 once (don't know if I believe that one myself - tank was still ~2/3 full, and I filled up at a different station, so maybe the shutoff was more sensitive, etc....)
Hair - yes, it's easy to remove, just get a lint brush.
Hope this helps!
ps - if you want the MT, get the MT - you won't regret it
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 38
From: Indiana
Thank you all for the info. I'm looking forward to the purchase. I've done a lot of traveling in Hondas in various states of repair, and I agree the road noise is slightly higher than in other makes, but the sweet sound of a precision I-4 more than makes up for it.
I'll keep you all updated on progress. I just gotta figure out a way to pay for it now.
I'll keep you all updated on progress. I just gotta figure out a way to pay for it now.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
From: Croton, NY
Dude, Please!!
Come on man.. Do some research...... Look at all of the write ups, about how awesome the car is.
In fact I have not seen one bad write up.
Engine noise, dog hairs...... Maybe you should buy a caliber or a Vw.
In fact I have not seen one bad write up.
Engine noise, dog hairs...... Maybe you should buy a caliber or a Vw.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 51
From: Louisville
The MT is a blast... I don't regret it 
Is my first manual car. Love it.
The road noise and/or engine noise does not bother me at all, because I was used to driving a '97 Cavalier with no A/C, so I had the windows down all the time... the Fit is much quieter in that regard
It's interesting... I test-drove a Ford Focus hatchback, and the road noise was terrible. It was double the road noise the Fit puts out.
I can't REALLY comment on the engine noise at higher speeds, because I do the speed limit I used to speed all the time in my junky old Cavy, because I didn't care squat about it, but I have to protect my new baby! hehe
Is my first manual car. Love it.The road noise and/or engine noise does not bother me at all, because I was used to driving a '97 Cavalier with no A/C, so I had the windows down all the time... the Fit is much quieter in that regard
It's interesting... I test-drove a Ford Focus hatchback, and the road noise was terrible. It was double the road noise the Fit puts out.
I can't REALLY comment on the engine noise at higher speeds, because I do the speed limit
I used to speed all the time in my junky old Cavy, because I didn't care squat about it, but I have to protect my new baby! hehe
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 27
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I just got my MT Fit 4 days ago and last week, I had the chance to drive a Sport Auto VBP for 2 days (out of town trip with a friend)..
to be frank.. I kinda like the Auto (Sport)... for Fit, it's just a perfect match..
I stayed with the MT because maybe in the future, the car will have different purpose.. but if you're not an enthusiast and have no plan to be one..
I can suggest getting the Sport Auto. (Yes, it's that good!).
I can't compare the gas consumption... but I'm hoping at least 35 MPG on my MT.. (got a 94 Civic SI with 33 MPG now)
my Friend's AT got roughly 32-35 MPG and I know she drive it quite fast in traffic.
Noise? What Noise? LOL.. the FIT is the QUIET-est Honda that I've owned.. (got 9 to date)..
maybe you should find someone with a 98/00/01 Integra Type R and ask them for a ride.. 70 MPH on 3rd gear and you won't hear the guy shouting sitting next to you. LOL
Last edited by piyoimut; Jun 21, 2007 at 07:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 38
From: Indiana
Thanks for all of the information. I took another test drive and the highway was much clearer this time, so I spent some time at typical cruising speed of 65-70mph. I'm pretty sure I'll soon be posting pictures in the forum.
BTW - Does anyone watch Top Gear?
BTW - Does anyone watch Top Gear?
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 61
From: sf nm
I have driven several long runs 2,000 miles to and then another back straight thru in my mt sport.I always run a story cd music or radio.so that background noise is not a big factor,but its there and more noticeable for converstions.I prefer my fit on the road,as around town the mt seems to be sports car geared,but most everyone else would see that as a plus.The sports model really offers alot,but underneath it all occaisionally you recognize you are driving an economy car and not a bmw.Some where on this site is a deatailed thread of people who have used several different products to do it yourself soundproof the cab.The seat material is not the fits,strong suit.when I go to park the car I realize its a subcompact.but inside I feel little difference from my old legacy wagon.On the hwy I go 80 and get 36-38 on those road trips The engine is a uniquely tuned miracle and seems to have all the power you could ask for except you are slowed on steep mountains and that extra umph high power cars have in high speed passing seems missing.
New Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
From: Knoxville, TN
I have seen one episode where they put an EVO against a Lambo on the track. They were neck and neck the whole time then the Lambo spun out. They cut to the host after the test. He stated that if you only watched the first half you would think the EVO was the greatest car in the world. Then they rented a 1.5 L Peugeot sub compact and did a 5th gear 30mph exceleration. The Peugeot smoked it because turbo lag was so bad in the EVO. Was pretty funny. The host is very comical.
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