My 2008 honda fit sport is starting to reach the point of repairs costing more than it’s worth. I know in Japan they just revamped the Fit and there’s rumors those changes are not coming quickly to the US version.

when I test drove the 2015 and earlier models I didn’t find them nearly as fun and responsive as the 2008 Sport. I realize part of that may be added safety features weighing down the vehicle. But I’m curious if anyone had found any of the 2014 or newer models to be as fun to drive as the 08 sport, or at least more fun than 2014/2015

 

 

The 2015+ Fits aren’t much heavier or larger than your GD3. They’re just a bit more remote feeling imo.

The 09-13 are pretty good.

 

That's a pretty good way of putting it! Remote feeling. Kind of like they used jello instead of bushings in the suspension.

If I were going to replace our GD Fit with another Fit and couldn't find another GD, I'd shop for the cleanest GE I could find and hope to find a '12-13 with the revised headlights and slightly more insulation.

 

The Fit will live on in Japan and other places, but in North America it's dead as of the 2020 model. 2021 won't exist.

 

Well, a lower mileage 2007 Sport isn't an option. :/

[James May like ramble part one]

In my honest opinion, I find that the between the GE and GK Fits both are a bit numbed down in terms of spring and dampening rates as well as steering feel when compared to the GD for the sake of comfort. Also, to make it a somewhat fair comparison the LX (modern 'Base' trim) from 2015 to 2017 model years is the closest you could get to a Sport until 2018 which is when the Sport trim finally came back then of course compare with 'X' model year GE Sport.

I find that the GE offers better practicality over the GK thanks to additional storage bins and cup holders. In addition to that, it's also the last gen of Fit (in the US/Canadian markets) featuring multi-port fuel injector vs the GK's direct injection with its L15B1 and if you're considering keeping this vehicle for a long term may be something to also keep in mind (will touch on this later).

In the case of the GK, I feel that it is the most comfortable suspension wise out of the three gens of Fit but also has the worse seating position and very hard armrests. Anything beyond a 20 to 25 minute freeway drive GK in the family fleet and my elbows are DONE from the hard door panel plastic and thin center console arm rest padding. After that, the GK does have a lot more modern amenities that the GE does not... Obviously it received the direct injected L15B1, HandFreeLink (Bluetooth) on all trims, and a rear view camera as new standard "tech" over the prior gens. Add One Push Start, Smart Entry, Lane Watch Camera, factory leather seats w/ heaters, Honda Sensing on facelift models, Android Auto/Apple Carplay, and a sunroof on trim levels above the LX.

[/End James May like ramble part one]

With that said... I feel as if the 2018 to 2020 GK Sport with a 6MT is the closest you could get to GD Sport. The GE has always felt like an oddball side step in terms of Fit evolution to me, too slap dash and not as refined enough for my liking when even compared to the GD. Seriously, look at the materials and their fitment in good, clean examples of both.

[ramble part two]

Even with arm rest issue I have with them (remember, GD's didn't have a dead pedal... Not comfy on long trips). It's still a relatively analog car like that of the GD and GE Sports but also has the basic modern most vehicles should have without being forced to get (but is optional on Sports) the Honda Sensing suite and Lane Watch. Like mentioned, the GK Sport is still a relatively light vehicle for its time with all the safety add ons and the thicker glass as well as additional insulation introduced for 2018 along with the 2017s revised suspension.

The down sides in my opinion is that the steering will not be as direct because the EPS motor is mounted behind the gauge cluster on the steering column vs the on steering rack as per GD and GE along with softer spring and dampening rates...

Then of course, there's the injectors... Which tend to get clogged up with carbon and varnish. When the time comes, it usually isn't a cheap ordeal as the injectors usually cost near a grand a set and are sold as a matched set so they cannot be replaced individually. There have been some individuals who have installed oil catch cans to help reduce this issue and have had mixed results... I'd recommend taking in consideration possibly having the engine walnut blasted as periodic maintenance to help alleviate or control the carbon build up and varnish in effort to avoid injector replacement. Again, just my personal opinion. This was a practice BMW and MINI picked up with their turbocharged engines in the late 2000s starting with BMW's N54 and MINI's N14 which were also direct injected.

[/End ramble part two]

That's just my two cents though. Everyone has their own preferences and priorities.

 

GD3 is a classic, in the shape and simplicity of the overall car. Reminds me of the following the EF9 has. In ten years you'll wish you'd kept it and stuffed a K motor in it. 🤭

 

Replace it with a Type R Civic.

 

I replaced my '08 Base Fit with a '13 Base Fit. The '08 was more raw in every sense, which I liked, but the '13 is fun as heck, too, and it comes without the piston slap (or whatever that noise was). Also, the '08 always wanted to kill me in the wet, but the '13 is kinder in that regard.

The question you should be asking is: Do I want direct injection or not?

 

The 2008 is so outdated. I currently own a 2010 and a 2018. And the 2018 drives the best by far. More power, more options, tighter chassis.

 

Have you owned a GD Fit? It handles by far the sharpest of the three and is the most fun to drive. A head unit swap adds bluetooth, satellite radio, back up camera, etc.

The only thing I see lacking in a GD Fit is Smart Entry. Every time I drive ours I get in and then realize the key is in my pocket. D'oh! I've gotten used to modern stuff too quickly.

Saying that, I should mention that ours has a dead pedal, center console with armrest, etc. The GD Fit's were pretty lacking out of the box, but are by far the sportiest and fun in my book. The easiest way to have a nice Fit with a tighter chassis is to buy a GTI and never look back.