Go with the MT Sport ...

 

I have only owned one automatic in my life, and that was over 30 years ago. If you like more control over your vehicle, better mileage, lower initial cost, lower repair cost if you have a transmission problem, better performance, and a more pleasurable drive, then get the manual.
If you don't, well get the automatic, but don't complain about the gas mileage, or the lack of performance.

 

I just can't see spending more money to have worse acceleration, less mileage and higher maintenance costs unless you drive in stop and go traffic a lot. I don't mind an MT in normal city driving but it can really be a pain in heavy traffic. On top of the reasons I listed above manuals are way more fun to drive, plus your car is less likely to be stolen (many people can't drive stick these days, car thieves included).

 

It's not a question to ask whether you want AT or MT, you should know that already. The question is, how slick is the shifter? Is it smooth and accurate? If anyone is in question, go AT. But it's always said that AT drivers crave MT's, and MT's crave AT.

 

i dont think i could have put it any better myself

 

I've heard people rave about the AT sport with buttons. I test drove one but I am a total MT junkie. The AT sport was good--for an automatic. For me I just can't get over the feeling of having complete control over the car--I don't like the car telling me when to shift.

Another thing is that historically (from my civic background), Honda has been MUCH more known for their manual transmissions. Their automatic transmissions historically were not as strong. I don't know if that is the case any more.

I got the Manual but that works for me. Do what you like. I can't tell you that. I'll admit that I don't have to drive in stop-and-go traffic every day but then again that hasn't stopped me in the past. Manual works for me. Get what works for you.

Oh, and I haven't craved AT--not for a second. Thats just me...

 

Honda's MTs are great - I've had several and they are much slicker than other MT's I've driven. However, I know many people with Honda AT's and none of them have had problems either, and the having 5 gears in the AT Fit is a good thing. Since I'm an MT guy too, I'd have to add "good considering it's an AT...."

I've said this in other posts before: Most econo cars I've driven had a HUGE performance difference between the AT and MT. In the Fit, this difference is still there and is noticable, but not anywhere near what used to be in those other cars. Getting an AT is not a bad choice in this car, just not right choice for me.....

 

Otto or Manuel, that is the question.

As has been discussed ad nauseum, if one transmission suited everybody, they would make only one.

Manuel: More fun, better fuel mileage in the city (if you do it right). No fun in a traffic jam.

Otto: Slower takeoff and acceleration, easier in a traffic jam, better highway mileage, no clutch to wear out periodically.

Both are good. Get what you like.

 

I know that I have neeeever craved a Auto...gross

 

You probably live where the road is flat. Depending on if it's your primary car, living here in San Francisco makes you think twice about which to get. Have you ever tried parallel parking into a narrow space on a steep hill. Traffic and parking is tough in S.F along with the hilly roads. But a good point taken is that the AT is 5sp and so is the MT. If you have another car which is AT, get the MT. In some cases in which you only own an MT and you need someone to move your car for you for any reason, you better hope someone knows how to pop it in gear.

 

Actually I used to live in seattle which is just as bad, Manual was just fine for me. It made me reeeal good at manual on hills too haha.

Its all personal preference.

Are you the same jeebus for tdf? If so where is the other e?

 

Neither can alot of us, thats why I went AT. I didnt feel like learning, besides...I didnt buy a Fit for performance, I bought it for reliability. I'll be working in downtown houston pretty soon, and I think it'd be good for going through that traffic.

 

I have owned nine manual transmissions cars and truck in over 40 years of driving, including a 1965 Mustang 289-4barrel 4 speed, a 1969 Fiat 850 Spyder 4 speed, and a 1978 280Z 5-speed. The shift on my 5-speed Fit Sport is tighter, with a shorter throw, and more fun than ANY OTHER vehicle I have ever owned, and I can have all of that fun, and not worry about getting tickets. I have only owned one automatic transmission car in my life, and that was a mistake. Some people with MTs may crave ATs, but I am not one of them. Manual transmissions for me until they take away my license, and put me in the home

 

If you like getting every once of power the car has, yeah, MT -- but you won't get every once of MPG if you drive like that so I think it's funny that MT drivers are so concerned about MPG because they shift over 5K RPMs....
Question though -- can you get essentially the same MPG out of the auto if you drive like a MT and shift early?

 

The short answer is no. The reason ATs get worse fuel economy is because the torque converter has some built in loss to it (you are burning fuel to move fluid around in your transmission rather than moving the car) and the transmission is heavier so you have a higher curb weight. Actually using the paddles to shift earlier in an AT can give you worse mileage if it keeps you out of lockup.

The exception is at high speeds. The AT has taller gears than the MT so at higher speeds when the AT can just stay locked up in fifth it will get better MPGs than the MT.

 

You might be able to get reasonably close. But I think it would be hard to overcome reduced efficiency of the torque converter in those situations,especially since it won't be locked up much.

Cruising, sure. And on the open road at a steady speed, it can actually be higher because of the difference in gearing.

 

MT... you already lose like 10whp more due to the auto tragic lol I'm a car enthusiast and love the MT.

 

I wish we got the CVT in the states. My Civic Hybrid has a CVT and I love it.

As for the OP if you get an Auto make sure you get a sport as you can use the paddles if you feel the need to shift.

 

i would definitely get a MT over an Auto. I didnt have any patience so i ended up getting an auto sport, if i had actually waited i wouldve gotten a manual

 

what is your goal for the car that affects the tranny choice? if its just a daily and you dont care for shifting, then get the auto.

If u like full control 24/7, get the manual.

Go with what you think will be happy in the long run. Not based on what other ppl think.