2 Year Report: I'm so glad I bought the Fit!
 

I thought it was time to post because my baby ('07 VBP Fit) will turn 2 this week.

I'm one of the senior Fit owner's here. (I picked up my Vivid Blue Pearl 2007 Fit on May 13, 2006.) My primary reason for getting the Fit was for fuel economy. (Gas at the time had hit an astronomical price of $2.76/gal!)

I also wanted:

• Reliability
• Fun to drive
• Roomy
• Flexible (passengers and cargo)
• Affordable

The Fit met all these criteria and beat out the other candidates at the time (Yaris, Sentra, Corolla, etc.)

Now after ~41,000 miles, here's my report:

• Quality: Not a single problem with this car (like my 2 previous Civics). One other thing -- all cars are great when brand new. This Honda still drives like a new car. Everything still works and seems rock solid. It is one of the best cars I've ever owned.
• Fuel Economy: as expected, MPG improved after break-in. LIFETIME AVERAGE: 37.532 MPG (yes -- I'm anal) ncluding a/c use, idling, and 1/3 city driving. Most recent 3 month avg: 39.3 MPG
• Fun to Drive: still very fun to drive. My Hondas have always had an enjoyable personality -- willing aggressive engine, great cornering, very smooth driving experience. Nice turning ratio, easy to park. Quiet on the highway.
• Practicality: comfortable for 4 adults. I can fold down the rear seats and get a huge haul from CostCo or Home Depot in it, no problem.
• Other: This is not a stripped down, cheapass car. I really appreciate things like the alarm system, cruise, foglights, alloys, and 6-speaker stereo.

The new 2009 model looks great to me, but I'm still very glad I bought this car. It reminds me so much of my 1985 Civic "S" hatchback (my very first Honda).

To anyone buying a new Fit --
You are making a wise decision and you will not be sorry!

Thanks for listening. :)

well written:wavey:

well said mine just turned 1 year old still chugging along..lol 27,000miles and my tires are still fine..im only just start avg 32-34mpg..lol..before i was 26-28..i love my FIT

Funny you mention that. My tires were worn (badly). I don't fault the Fit for that at all. Just the way things are.

I got some new Michelins at CostCo today. They are incredibly QUIET! (I've always liked Michelins)

If you guys need to get new tires, consider them. I have the MXV4s. $490 installed (incl tax) at CostCo and you get a $60 gift card.

good to know youre still loving your fit. and that its holding up pretty good!

Nice 2 year report man, i enjoyed reading!

Tyler

I'm not as glad I got the Fit. Poor pick up with 3 or 4 adults going uphill.

Having trouble getting any sort of decent mpg. I once got 31 mpg with highway only driving point to point, never repeated.

Must be the area I drive in and the not very peppy engine plus automatic transmission.

Traffic tends to be heavy, frequent parking lots during rush hour or any accident within 10 miles seems like, long 5 mile stretch uphill daily, and many urban shorter trips of 2 miles or so.

Usually mpg about 26. My Fit is new so I'll wait. Maybe.

Same drivers same area, recent Honda Civic sedan AT gets 30-32 mpg
And Modded MINI Cooper S gets up to 29 mpg but it's really difficult to drive that slow!:mad::vtec:

"Fuel Economy: as expected, MPG improved after break-in. LIFETIME AVERAGE: 37.532 MPG (yes -- I'm anal) ncluding a/c use, idling, and 1/3 city driving. Most recent 3 month avg: 39.3 MPG"


WOW! I'm passed the break-in period.....around 24.5k miles.......

I'm still getting close to 30.0 mpg...........if i'm lucky.

btw ---- good write up!

you guys must have autos because i get about 36-38 in my stick only way to get over 40 is to drift trucks there is no other way i can get that much:wavey:

I think you mean drafting. But yes, that does improve your mileage a bit.

I personally have never done it, except unintentionally when some trucker cuts me off -- and even then not for more than a couple of seconds.

Everyone on this forum knows that the AT Fit can yield very poor mileage in some driver/traffic combinations. Although I have read of some AT owners who do quite well with their mileage. In any case, the MT Fit seems to consistently get better gas mileage.

My secrets? They're common sense really, but here they are:

• No jackrabbit starts
• I try to conserve momentum
• Drive close to the speed limit or a little over (without pissing off everyone else)
• Stay out of VTEC range (3,400+ rpms) while at a steady cruising speed :vtec: [I like this smilie btw!]
• Tire pressures are at 38 psi all-around
• I don't carry a bunch of extra junk in my car that I'm not using

I do use the a/c and cruise control.

I just got new tires, which may improve it a bit. I also found out that they're Nitrogen-filled, which keeps the pressure steady in hot and cold conditions with minimal leakage.

As I've also read about the new Fit and how they've dispensed with the spare tire to save weight, I just today removed mine from the rear storage area (& the jack and toolkit). I'm going to replace it with a tire repair kit and electric pump (which I already have). That will save a little weight (and gas). How much -- who knows? I'll keep you posted.

For new owners, I want you to know that there is a point after 25,000 miles that the Fit engine seems to become more fuel efficient too. Though my lifetime avg is 37.532 MPG, recently it is averaging between 39 and 40 MPG.

On pure highway road trips at steady speeds with my above-mentioned driving practices, I always get between 40 and 44.2 MPG, with the a/c running constantly. Granted that is at a steady speed of 69, with good traffic conditions, etc. But it is consistent. Summer gas mileage tends to be better than winter, but not a huge difference.