Hello all, I am new to this site and possibly will be sticking around for quite some time. I am currently in the market for a new vehicle as my current car is a 2007 Nissan Xterra which I can squeeze 17 MPG out of on a good tank. I am fed up with paying $60 a week for gas and with the prospects of it going even higher in the coming months, I will be stretched to afford it.

I am looking at a Fit for the gas mileage as well as the interior size of them as I do actually haul some decent size items. I am looking at getting a Fit Sport and hopefully can find one in the MT version rather than the AT. I am not sure whether the dealership will have one in stock or if they will even let me test drive them, but my experience with a manual car comes from an MGB and a Ford Model A. Not exactly current cars. How much of an adjustment will it be going from these cars manuals to that in a Honda? Also, about how long is the clutch in a Fit good for?

I am hoping to get to the dealer tomorrow and hope that they don't laugh at me when I try to get a straight trade. I will report back in with what I hear and may have to begin the search process and talk to some of the other local dealers as well.

 

Welcome .Gas milage will average around 30 and take about $25 to fill .You will be able to put more in the car than you ever imaged(It's Japanese) .Honda's manual's are known to be very,"Rifle Like,"and last around 50k or more if you drive it right(I'm sure other's have done better).As for the test drive,you will be able to drive the car if they have it on the lot(It's not an American car ...sorry).Keep us updated on your progress.

 

Welcome to FitFreak Dank.
You will be very happy with the Fit! Great MPG, a blast to drive, and you can haul around alot of stuff!
D o not expect too much in a trade deal, they usually low ball you. If possible, its better to do a out right sale.

Tyler

 

As far as your transition to an MT Fit from what you described you might be pleasantly surprised. I very much like older MT's even the classic minis gearchange (but I am odd ) The Fit is far more sensitive smooth and perky with regards to gear selection and throttle response usually. I find the drive by wire (DBW) a hinderance mostly in this cars MT trim. And its adjusted to give a heavy bias to the first bit of travel. It will not have that same increase in juice that you are used to, it will have what seems to be a slight decrease in response the further down on the thottle you are. I have found it takes more concentration to drive this manual at varied rpm. It shifts intuitively at around 3k and higher. But when you start short shifting it (really short shifting it) it can still be smooth but it doesn't feel as intuitive. I have also noticed considerable sample variation on the MT Fits. If/when you get the chance to check one out please try and see if you can try a second MT Fit as well (if at all possible).
Hondas in MT form generally have a pretty good life span, but I just don't get that same wholesome feeling from the Fits tranny. But most other MT owners seem to think its is or will be stellar. I will side with them just because my bad luck should not be the guiding rule.

I find my Fit (MT of course) to be wonderful and the MT to be exceptional but only when I am in its comfort zone and/or when things are just going good. But sometimes I find it rather inconsistant. But do remember I have really bad luck.

 

oooh yeah and welcome
if in case I did not say it elswhere.....

 

I'm positive you meant something else here...just curious to know what you meant.

Did you mean the clutch? If so, I usually get around 120k on my Honda clutches and I drive pretty hard with a lot of downshifting.

Maybe you meant 500k?

 

The 1995 Civic (same basic drivetrain) we traded in had 160,000 miles and the original clutch still operated like new. You will be amazed with how much the Fit can fit

 

My 1997 Civic has 233,000km/139,800miles and I never had to replace my clutch and I'm fairly aggressive with it.

 

I've had may people tell me their clutches have gone out around 50,000 mile's.Given these people raced alot,maybe that was it.

 

I was able to get out to one of the local dealers yesterday, but forgot they closed at 6, so I was unable to talk to anyone. However they have 1 new Fit on the lot as well as a 2007 Fit Sport AT with 24,000 mile on it, but they have the price at $15,998 on their website. I'm hoping to get to the dealership today and talk to them about it. I have not been able to find a manual within 100 miles of my house, but plan to see if I can find one, but if not the paddle shifters on the Fit Sport AT sound like a good alternative.

 

I wouldn't get that used 2007 with 24,000 mile's.First it's to expensive(I only paid a 1000 more for brand new).Second,it's a year old.3rd,Don't settle on a auto. if you want manual(though I like my auto) .And finally,The warrenty is almost up on that used one.Just wait.I've had to wait up to a year or more(with alot of looking in the meantime)to find the right car/deal,but everytime it's been worth the wait.Keep us updated before you make your final decision.

 

Well, on the used one, it's at a Honda dealer and is a Honda certified used car, coming with the 100000 mile powertrain warranty, so i would actually have a longer powertrain warranty with the used over the new, but i am heading up there hopefully later today, or if not for sure tomorrow to see what kind of a deal they will give me. I have to test drive them, but I think that with the prospects of moving into the city in the next year, that an auto may be the way to go. I always have my MGB to drive when I feel the need for a manual.

BTW, those of you who complain about the need for another gear in the Fit should try driving a 4 speed on the highway. 4,200 PRM's at about 65.

 

That's fuuny,my Dad fix's MGB's. And I had a auto 2001 Prelude 4 speed and yeah it suck not having a least 5 gear's. As for the Powertain warrenty it's bull.How many time's have you heard people say,"O no there goes my powertrain again,NEVER."It's the REGULAR warrenty you want.Alot of Koren car maker's and Domestic(Dodge/Fird/Chevy)car maker's are on the band wagon of the powertrain thing,and we all know they wouldn't do anything to try and rip off there customer's.