Im sure the no sunroof thing had to do with US roll over safety standards. To be honest, even if it was here i wouldnt opt for it. Id go for nav forsure over that usless clear roof crap haha.

Tyler

 

i actually missed all that. those are small touches but help.

as for the horsepower and torque/performance, i will hold my judgement until i see some test results. who knows, i could yet change my mind

chance are i wont buy one anytime soon anyway, simply because mine is only about a year and a half old.

 

Anyone know if the new Fit is heavier? Softer supension? If so, any power advantage could be out the window.

Like you said garett, it will be interesting to see test results on the new one.

 

I love the cupholder on the left side! Good for stick shifters

And the nav system! the roof! Dangit I wish I was rich. I want that.

 

Sunroof and panoromic glass roof should not have any bearing on rollover protection.

It has more to do with how the majority of consumers here aren't willing to spend that much money on certain options.

 

They're options, not requirements.
If Honda wanted to make some coin, they would have left them as options.
So how much are they worth since you seem to know how much they are-> "that much money"?

 

I went to the show Saturday. I loved the look of the 09 JDM hood and front end, but not so much the USDM version from the pictures that were released on Wed. Thought it was too long for the rest of the car. But seeing it in person, it works. It doesn't look outof proportion.
Someone here mentioned that it looks like a beak, and it does.

Unfortunately, the car is locked up tight. You cannot sit in it, or poke around inside. The spec. board next to the car gave no more information than the Honda site. The "honda specialists" behind the counter had no other information on the 09. They said specs and options would be released in the fall when the car goes on sale.

 

Yay, after seeing these pictures there's no way in hell I'm trading in for that ugly fit. No moon roof, no armrest, no dead pedal, no rear disc, no DIGITAL HVAC controls, SUPER LONG NOSE, NO sidemarkers or turn signal mirrors.

09 fit = epic fail

 

I second that motion.
that thing is atrocious.
I could have waited but when I google'd the JDM RS ver. I knew there wasnt a chance in hell even if the NA one was slightly redesigned.
Like I said before I can see all the soccer moms trading in their Oddesey's for the new fit and slapping up our current gen doors while trying to remove their baby carriers and groceries. bleh. longer is NOT better.

 

It has an armrest and a dead pedal.

 

Two things:
1- Even if the 09 is 4-6" longer, it's still a teenie, tiny car when you compare it to 90+ percent of the rest of whats out there. (in the US at least) It's not that noticable.

2- The released pictures are taken from the perspective of a 2 1/2 foot tall person. Standing at 6' tall made a difference.

 

As Sheepnutz said, there is a small armrest and a dead pedal.
As for no moonroof, does your current Fit have one? lol

 

The Skyroof is expensive, about US $1100 equivalent, if elected in Japan. Very few people choose this option over there. How many of you would if it were available in North America?

 

The 2009 Fit is 22-25lbs heavier than the 2008. The suspension has been re-worked so it feels more compliant in typical daily driving, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily softer. It's more like, comfy when you need it, sportier when you want it.

Also, wanted to comment, a good friend mentioned the engine feels underrated. He said there's noticeably more mid-range torque than the numbers lead you to believe. This may change on production vehicles, but either way, any weight gain should be neglible compared to say, a new Scion xB.

 

All these concerns are being addressed (even before people complained). This isn't the only version of the Fit the upper reps at Honda are considering. There should be another debut in just a few months.

And no, I don't work for Honda.



The following person is correct about the front end revision:

 

I would choose it, and I would definitely get it well before I'd get the navi.

 

Agreed, having that glass would be great and differnet.
The Nav, I've lived without (still do), directions, pen and paper.
But having something like the skyroof, very, very tempting.

 

I still say the steering wheel and new stock audio system if you dont deal out the cash for NAV is pretty awful.
theres alot of those and these about the car that people like and dislike visually, a lot will grow to accept these changes, and some like me will not.
I'm still gonna be at my Honda dealership day one test driving without the intent to buy

 

I'll check one out as well, but I don't see buying one anytime soon. Not b/c of looks or anything, but I just don't feel like shelling out the money to re-mod it back to what I've got in my car now.

That said though, I think the '09 looks hands and fists better than the current gen, at least the USDM does. For once, we're actually getting a better looking vehicle than its JDM counterpart. Maybe to some on here who've only seen the current model for the last year or so think it's fresh and agressive, but if you've been seeing Fits ever since they came out in '01 like I have, it looks pretty dated and it's time to move on.

 

For those going to the NY Auto show this week, go WEDNESDAY. WEDNESDAY. WEDNESDAY.

That is all.