After “lurking” here since 9/2005 and of late considering holding off for the next generation Fit I have finally put down a deposit on a red 5-speed manual sport. I have a couple of questions

· How do folks that have the 5-speed manual like it – is the clutch and shifting action as good as other Honda’s are reported to be?
· Anyone sold the sport cladding yet on ebay or some other forum – any guess how much can I expect to sell it for?

 

I find the transmission the smoothest and most engagine of all the vehicles in its class. It's very similar to my 97 Civic HX, which I think is part of why the car is so fun to drive. It's light and tossable. It's not quite as buttery smooth as my 07 Si, but for what it is, it's pretty damn good.

As far as the sport cladding, could you define what you're wanting to sell? Body kit only or fog lights and etc?

 

As far as the sport cladding, could you define what you're wanting to sell? Body kit only or fog lights and etc?[/quote]

Just the body cladding

 

the word cladding is unfamiliar to me, what do you want to sell?

 

Do a search, I know there are several posts concerning the action of the manual trans. Basically, it shifts like any other Honda, which is to say excellent.

I believe if you remove the cladding you will be stuck with mounting holes.

 

The body kit is what I want to get rid of - but I may need to keep the wing as I think it will leave holes but the underbody stuff looks like it will come off without any holes showing

 

i believe the sideskirts have holes too after taken off

 

Has anyone take these off before?

 

nah, you should keep the OEM kit on the car, unless you are going to replace them with something else. This way you can keep the FIT looking good, and maintain the resale value.

As far as the transmission, I love it to death. Other than having no short shifter to support it, I have no complaint whatsoever.

 

smoother than the competition

 

To each his own I guess, the "body cladding" is just to "speed racer/teen ager in heat" for my taste.

Still hope to hear from someone that has pulled off the body kit/cladding/aero stuff to see what the body looks like with it off. Looks like there will be no holes showing, but I cant tell for sure.

 

I love this manual shifter. I've driven a mightymax truck, s2000, civic 97, CRX, and this one is VERY easy to drive. The only problem you might encounter is you might stall a lot. I think the fit is very weak below 900RPM. The cluthc pedal is light and doesn't feel like you're leg pressing weights or anything. The shifter is smooth and does a comfy "click" when it goes in gear. The shifter is also very light. Don't need force to pop it in.