So, I got to test drive a Fit this weekend. Took a 5MT base out for a spin, didn't really get to push it much though. With me and my fiancee in the car plus the salesman in the back it wouldn't have done much good anyways. Drove through town, got on the freeway and drove back. First impression was that the clutch seems to engage pretty high off the floor (not as bad as the '08 xB but noticeable). Also the lack of power over my mazda 3 was obvious, and I felt like I was sitting a little higher so body roll was a touch more evident. My fiancee on the other hand didn't feel like she was sitting any higher at all, so it might have been an illusion due to the higher roof

While I like the car for the low price, honda reliability, excellent gas mileage, and hatchback utility, I think we both realized it would be a step down from the Mazda in some respects. Which got me thinking this morning, why would I really want the sport over the base? I went through the list of upgrades and my thoughts on each one.

Fog Lights - I like the fogs, though they're not critical. Could buy them myself for $243.60

Security System with Remote Entry - Don't really care about the security system but the keyless entry would be nice. Could buy the keyless only for $100.40

Cruise Control - A nice to have but not needed feature. I have it on my mazda but have only used it a couple times on long highway trips

Underbody Kit and spoiler - I like the looks of the underbody kit but that is something I can do myself later. The spoiler really makes the back end look better, could pick one up at some point.

200 Watt AM/FM/CD 6-speaker - Really doesn't matter to me as I was planning on upgrading anyways. Was also planning to get the JDM center console which has the missing MP3/aux port on it too.

15" Alloy Wheels - Going to upgrade wheels either way.

Steering Wheel mounted paddle shifters - doesn't matter to me since I'd be getting a 5MT.

So, in the end I could be happy with the $100 on keyless entry to start with. I did the math and my payment difference would be about $30 a month, or in the long term, $1,750 over the life of the loan.

The only thing I really couldn't have off the list would be the cruise control, but I also don't think that alone is worth $1,750. Anyone else make the same choice of Base over Sport, and how do you feel about the decision now vs. when you purchased?

 

Fit Sport and Fit base are like to toally diffrent cars to me haha, as weird as that sounds. I would defiently spend the extra money and get the Sport. All those things you just mentioned really improve the car overall. if you are anything of a car enthusiast i recommend the S model.
Ohh and you forgot to mention that the Sport comes with a leather wrapped steering wheel, that feels really nice. One of my fav. features on the inside actually.

Tyler

 

Difference is only $1320... less than 10% the cost of either the base or Sport. Unless you're trying to spend the least amount as possible on the Fit (or you're planning on modding it to high heaven), I don't think it's worth it *not* to get the Sport, especially considering all the time and money you'd spend getting all the aftermarket stuff put in.

I happen to like just about everything the Sport model offers over the base, but sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of it. Bottom line: If you don't like any of the Sport features, then there's no reason for you to get it. Just don't complain about it afterwards.

-Mike

 

I got the base over the sport and am glad I did. The mods I did (keyless entry, fogs and sport wheels) cost less than the price difference between the two. Also, I didn't want the body skirts and don't need cruise.

I went AT because I use the Fit to commute (AT in traffic FTW) and I didn't want to teach my kids to drive on an MT. They can learn that later. YMMV It all comes down to need or preference.

 

I haven't looked into the specifics yet, but how bad was the fogs and keyless install? I'm mostly concerned with it all plugging in and looking factory still. Haven't read through the DIY threads but as long as it comes out clean then I'd be fine.

 

i got a base, mostly because i didnt like the fog lights and the back spoiler. the only thing i truly miss is the aux jack, which can be int=stalled anyways. i really dont think i missed out on much.

 

Base Vs. Sport "DING" "DING"

Sport wins by K.O.

thats how i feel anyways

 

if i had found this site before i got my fit i would have got a base... im used to driving pos's so not having some nice features wouldnt have bothered me... i didnt have an ipod until recentyl so the jack never came in handy til last week... the wheels i would have upgraded with the saved money... same for lip kit... but the fogs i like...

 

Both come out very clean. The keyless entry takes about 20min to install. Fogs are harder because you have to cut the bumper. Easy to do but tough to get up the nerve to start!!! The fit of the fogs and fog switch are excellent - as good as on the Sport except the fog switch is on the dash next to the side mirror adjuster instead of being on one of the sticks. Meets all state legal requirements. The DIY's on this forum are terrific. The keyless entry is clean as well - there's even a hanger for the box already welded into the chassis. Clean doesn't really apply to keyless though because there's nothing to see outside of the wiring.

If you buy the Honda units, the install looks factory. All the connectors are designed to fit with the existing wiring so no splicing or jury-rigging. It is slightly easier to do the fogs first then keyless since one of the keyless connectors is piggy-backed on one of the fog connectors but it really doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. If you do both at once, you only have to tear into the electrical system once.

I did keyless first, then fogs only because I wasn't sure I wanted to spend $ on the fogs. After driving a few weeks, I decided to get the fogs. The cheapest price on fogs was at bernardiparts unless you want to try one of the 'OEM-type' or JDM items on ebay. I couldn't find any write-ups on the cheapos so I went for the factory one.

 

It puzzles me why Honda doesn't offer the LX (middle model) model like in Canada. We get three models here, the DX, LX and Sport.
With the LX you get cruise control, A/C, power door locks , windows and mirrors, 4 speaker CD ect.
Basically equipped like the Sport but no body kit or wheels but its 2K cheaper.

 

if you get the base, you will never EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER have a sport. kinda like a MT versus a AT.

 

i got a base so i can spend that extra $2k for a jdm front. so its not just like a average looking sport fit

 

keep in mind with the sport model ... all of the extras are covered under your warranty
aftermarket stuff is not
sport model FTW!

 

I got a Sport and am very happy I did. The Base isn't bad looking, but it's not nearly as sleek as the Sport, imo. You may find that you use the cruise more than you think you will, and the factory installed fog lights are seamless. I plan to keep my car totally factory -- there is a great appeal in that, for some reason.

 

had i gotten a base, i would NEED to mod it, because i wouldn't be happy with it. Its like any car: you get the base model and then you start drooling over the stuff you wanted with the higher end version. (i used to do this with my rabbit, i wanted some awesome vw 17's, colormatched bump stops and the votex body kit, yummy...)


so if you look at it that way, a base could end up costing you more... at least in MY case, because like on of the above posters noted, its a good reason to do the jdm conversion.

 

I honestly don't think the money you save is worth it when you consider the "what if" of not getting the better model. Sure there are things you probably don't want, but at least in my case, the time spent in figuring out how to add things aftermarket, like fog lights, keyless entry (integrated onto the key itself on the Sport, btw, no extra dangly on your keychain), the leather-wrapped steering wheel (you will love that so much better than the base model wheel), and then the extra goodies for looks like the spoiler and underbody kit.. I just don't feel the base model is that good of a deal.

Maybe you can haggle with your dealer a bit.. make it seem like you really want the base, but *might* consider the Sport version if he sweetens the deal a bit for you..

 

I went for the base 5AT, I really do not like the spoiler and ground effects on the sport. It is not a sports car. I bought the Fit to drive to work for the fuel economy and the versatility of the hatchback. I bought a set of the 15' sport wheels and tires with 1500 miles on them for 300 dollars from a sport owner who upgraded to 17' wheels. Without the plastic wheel covers I think the base looks better than the sport, the ground effects and spoiler really look juvenile in my opinion.
LS6454

 

If you don't think you'll use the extras on the Sport, no need to pay for them. I liked everything the sport had to offer (except I didn't care one way or the other about the body kit...), and the cost of adding all of these was way more then the difference, so I went for the sport.

BUT, you may want to consider:

1) I don't think that adding an MP3 jack to the base stereo is trivial. Even though the JDM console has the jack for it, you still need to connect the other end of the wire to the head unit. I don't think there's a connector for this in the base. There's a diy on the forum - it's certainly possible,
but I seem to remember that it involves pulling out the head unit and doing some soldering - not plug and play....

2) The base stereo doesn't support playing MP3/WMA cds, and the sport does. (this one was a big deal for me......)

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I'm pretty sure if you redo your math the 15" wheels, security system + alarm(which the security system will save you money on insurance), audio system, cruise control, and fog lights will equal out very close to ~1300... If you get an AT, the paddle shifters will make the car even more worth it.

 

Just get the Sport. You won't regret it.