Hi Guys,
I spent $27,500 to buy the new FIT Hybrid 2015 model. With that same money I could have got a Hyundai Creta, or Hyundai I20 Active. However, as I wanted a Hybrid and also due to the fact that Honda has a very good reliability records. But after having driven the car for the first time I realise that there is something very wrong with the lack of shock absorbing ability. The vehicle cannot support rough roads as it will kill the suspension over a short period of time. I don't mind the road/wheel noise but the shock which is unbearable at times. I just cannot imagine a brand new vehicle could have such a rough ride.

Some people say its because of the short wheelbase, but this is not correct. The Hyundai I10, I20, KIA Picanto, and KIA Rio all have shorter or same wheelbase length and have a much softer ride than the FIT. Some say it's because the FIT is a light vehicle. Again this is not true as all the above vehicle I mentioned above are lighter than the FIT. So what is wrong? I would like to have some information on what can be done to have a smoother drive.

 

"sports" vehicles are generally not known for their smooth and supple rides. big rims and low profile tires dont help the ride much either.

 

Hi brockenlasagna,
Thanks for your feedback. My tyre size is 185/55/16.

 

"After having driven the car for the first time...." So, wait ....you dropped over $27000 on a new car before you even test drove it? Test drives are free, ya know, just sayin' .... the ride on my '15 Fit LX is just fine....it ain't a soft luxury car comfort ride, it's very fun to drive...just sayin'.....perhaps I misunderstood yer post?

 

Fuelish, yes I did not test drive the car as everyone was saying it was a good car. Also on the island I live there is no Honda dealer. I would have flown to the main island to have a go which I did not find it necessary as I trusted what were being said. Nonetheless, the road where the test drives are made are very smooth and I would have found it ok. I have been advised that I should change the suspension system to put one which can be adjusted. But this would cost me another $1500 roughly. Check the site below:

Shock Absorber and Strut Diagnosis

What is your view??

 

OK, I understand where yer coming from ....unfortunately, I have no advice for you. Have had my (gently used) '15 LX for about 2 months ....drives superb on our east Tennessee roads, and had it up to the Detroit area a month ago, and it was quite alright, ride-wise (Detroit area roads aren't known for being very good, having lived there 10 for years in the past)...perhaps someone who knows a bit about these cars can chime in with some help, but it seems most folks are more about stiffening/improving handling/lowering than in increasing "comfort," per se...I put a Progress rear sway bar on mine, didn't affect ride comfort but helped a good degree in the handling feeling. Wish I could be of more help, but...am a Fit newb as well, and I don't mind what some might consider a "firm ride"...it's really not bad in the scheme of things, and if it rode "softer," would decrease the fun factor. I wish you luck in your quest

 

I don't know anything about the "Sport Hybrid" model, but the Fit in the US is generally pretty smooth riding. I know the last generation Fit rode very rough, and Honda addressed that with the 3rd gen model. You have the same tire size as the US, so I'm assuming they put stiffer springs and such in there.

 

The 3rd Generation Fit has a live rear axle and putting stiffer springs on it will only make the ride rougher.

The cable TV show "Wheeler Dealers" takes forgotten, odd, or sometimes abused cars and makes repairs and/or modifications to make a profit. The tall grey haired mechanic is a wizard. He restored an abused, mistuned S2000 into the car it should have been before some ham handed idiot meddled with the VTEC.

They recently took a 1970s Chevy LUV pickup that also had a live rear axle. In order to get a better ride, they installed air shocks, a rather inexpensive solution to the harsh ride.

 

Thank you all for your advice. The roads are now being resurfaced in my county and the FIT is now riding very smooth in areas where work has completed. In perhaps 2 - 3 months time, I should not be having any rough ride issue. I intend to keep the original suspension and wheel for the time being.

 

Resurfacing, huh? It must be near election time, at least that's how it works around here.

The locals just unveiled a new laser surfacing meter here. It goes along the street and "reads" the depths of pot holes and other imperfections to judge where and how much resurfacing material is needed. Metro Nashville/Davidson Co. has close to 600 miles of local roads, not counting federal roads like the interstate and the Natchez Trace (the beginning, ending in Mississippi.)

 

KentFinn how do you know that? Actually, it's true the next legislative election is on 10th next month. You couldn't have guessed it better. Cheers!!

 

Politicians, at least the non oppressive ones, are pretty much the same the world over. Curry the favor of the voters with the expenditure of their own money just before the next election.

Our Republican and Democrat local primaries are next Thursday along with the general for local judges and school boards. Guess when the pot hole mapping was announced ... would you believe 3 weeks ago?

 

Kentfinn, that's exactly what happen in Seychelles my lovely island in the middle of nowhere. That's why you have to support Trump to change the rhythm.

 

Uh oh. Stuff and things to make this post long enough.

 

Hyundai Kia generally prefer a softer ride, giving up some road feel. But not so much that you would describe one subcompact as "fine" and the other brand as "terrible" on the same road. Maybe have someone else with a Fit drive the car? It is always possible you were sold a car with some damage to the suspension.

If not that, then best get a small SUV. More ground clearance means they can put longer-travel, softer, springs on the things. Certainly, my old CRV was more comfortable off-road than the Fit! As I would expect ...

 

At least they're resurfacing the roads in your area. Here, they do nothing. One road I have to drive to work everyday hasn't been resurfaced in nearly 40 years. They just keep putting patches on top of patches and it's nearly undriveable.