Hi everyone,

So I'm getting ready to buy my first car at 40-something. I was sold on the Toyota Yaris but when I saw one "in person" it was a little too round for my taste. Then I saw the FIT and fell in love. I don't think it's much bigger than the Yaris and that is the key. I want a very small car. There's only myself, the husband and cat so no room for car seats or the like is needed. I have seen the 2009 pictures online and honestly like the look of the 2008 one better.

I was configuring the 2008 model online and have a couple of questions that I hope some of you may be able to clear up for me. What is the "immobilizer theft deterrent system" that comes standard in this car and what does "sport mode gear indicator mean?

Thanks for your help!

Edited to add another question: I was looking at https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-pictures-videos/19846-2008-picture-trail-pg-13-check-2.html that thread and see that the front bottom is awfully close to the ground, no?

 

"immobilizer theft deterrent system" is just a big word for "car alarm".

The sport mode thing shows what gear (1,2,3,...) you're in when you're in Sport Mode (S) on the Fit Sport automatics.

and MX6GT89's car is lowered. Stock, the Fit is not that low at all. It's still low, as I've scraped my front bumper a few times, but his car is a good 1.5 inches lower in the front than a stock Fit is.

 

the theft deterrent system should "immobilize" the vehicle if so equipped and armed. (i think)

the gear selector indicator is a digital gauge that tells what gear you've selected to run in. the sports version's automatic transmission is "shiftable" via the paddles located to the left and right of the steering wheel. however, your not required to use these. essentially, a little computer screen on the dash board tells you if your in park,neutral,drive or sport mode(and if in sport mode, what gear your running in)

also, the picture trail you clicked on, that happens to be a fellow enthusiast that has "lowered" his honda fit. yours wont quite be that low. but you still will need to watch for parking pylons and curbs. hope this helped.

 

ya........he beat me to it, nut he didnt remember that this is a 40+ yr. old. lady. so all the alphabet soup you just slung at her probable has her confused.... sorry cojaro.

 

Thanks for the replies. We have speed bumps and such at work and looking at those pics worried me. I don't think it would make it.

I'm going to visit the showroom this week and see the car for myself. I don't want to look stupid there so I will look stupid here instead and ask if you think it's possible to get the "sport" version of the FIT but without that front low hanging piece and perhaps the side ones as well? I like the full package that the Sport offers but would much rather not have those pieces. Is that something that's possible.

Again, thank you for your help. I'm dying to pull the trigger on this car purchase but wanted the few questions I had clarified first.

 

But I like alphabet soup

 

The Fit Sport comes with the front and side pieces installed and painted at the factory. They make the car look sporty. They are not a problem with speed bumps. We have them in our neighborhood and the car goes over them just fine at slow speeds. I personally think the Sport version is the best buy.

 

I have a Fit sport on a stock suspension which is what you would potentially be buying. The only problem as far as being to low is if I go down a steep driveway quickly. You can't really compare with how low the car is by looking at pics on this forum alot of people have lowered their car.

 

Since no one got it right...

The Immobilizer system uses a transmitter in the key and a reciever in the car that will net allow the starter to be engaged without the correct transmission from the key.

 

the stock Fit is low... but if go slow over speed bumps (as you should in any car) you will have no problems... i drive over atleast 5 large speed bumps every time i drive around my school campus and i have not once scraped my lip... i have scraped the lip in a parking curb tho... thats the only time I have had an issue... but the fit is small so there is really no reason to pull that far forward ( i did mine right after i got my car and had yet to realise just how small the car is)

 

Thank you, I really hate to see people get wrong information. To the original poster, the Sport lip on the front bumper isn't really low enough to scrape on speed bumps it seems like some people have issues with pulling into parking spaces sometimes.

 

+1

It's the immobilizer system used since the days of the Integra.

 

And what a fantasic job it did, huh?

The Integra was consistently listed among the top stolen vehicles.

Of course, you never saw one with a screwdriver jammed in the ignition. Like any kind of theft deterrent, the Immobilizer key thing is just that...a potential deterrent.

I always see people mention that Honda/Acura was first with that, but if I am not mistaken, my Grandfather's 1988 Buick Regal had it. I may be wrong and it may have first appeared on his 1994 Regal, but I think it was the 88.

 

Probably a different system but yeah, I've heard that the immobilizer just stops you from getting a screwdriver stuck in your ignition and nothing else. If a thief is intending to steal your car they'd have thought up all the alternatives.

 

First of all, Margaret, the Fit does not have a problem with ground clearance any more than any other car (SUV's excepted). Fit Sports have 7" of clearance under the front bumper; that should clear speed bumps easily. I haven't had problem one nor has my wife.
Most of the lowered cars also have smaller diameter tires so they are lower than just shorter/stiffer springs.
As for the 'sport' shifter, its mostly for image though you will get better gas mileage and faster acceleration using it. When you use 'sport' mode there is less automatic shifting because the smaller engine wants to keep up and will downshift a good bit. In sport you do the shifting with the paddles. I use them all the time but my wife doesn't. For once I get better mpg.
And finally, though it will shift if it really needs to. Y'all need to drive the Fit; it is by far the nicest driving econocar on the road. The Versa has equal mpg, more room, other interior colors, and super back seat but drives like my father's Olds (circa 1980). The Fit sounds like a fit for your family.
good luck.