'routinely packed the rear compartment to the gills with band equipment.'

That's what my Fit will be doing as well.
Drums? Amps? any problems getting gear in.

I play bass and lug around a 2x10 combo, poss. some PA gear too as well.

 

I have about 25k miles on mine. I've had filthy bikes in the back pretty much every day I've owned the car. Everything from dirty sharp engine parts to camping gear to sports equipment and in between. I haven't had any problems with the carpet, other than the fact that it is visually unappealing.

The paint has been excellent. I put a clearbra on pretty much right after buying the car, but the rest of the car's paint is as good as new. I have news for anybody who thinks the paint on these cars is significantly worse than more expensive cars. . . it's not. I've been detailing cars for a long time and I have regular customers with everything from bentleys and track only porsches to saturns and hyundais. The paint on the fit is no better or worse than the paint on pretty much any car under $30k. With all of the environmental restrictions governing what they can make paint with, the quality of paint has diminished across the board over the past few years.

 

Why buy them from the stealer? Didn't you give him enough money?

 

You know, I was just thinking that a few minutes ago...lol

think I'll stick to weathertech and get 'em myself...
same with the cargo cover and cargo mat.

 

I am an audio engineer, so I routinely carry my whole PA system in the car. 2 QSC 15" 2-way self-powered pa's, 4 JBL EON 10 powered monitors, my Allen-heath 32 channel board, 2 roll-away cable boxes, mic stands, mics and my effects rack all fit in the back. I wind up using literally every cubic foot of space back there. People tell me I should film myself packing and unpacking my car with all that gear and send it to Honda to use it in a commercial.

My only fear is that I'll overtax the rear suspension. Funny thing is that I get better highway mileage with the car full than with it empty. go figure.

 

I think many people are expected too much out of a b-segment car. Not only is the Fit priced lower than the cheapest Civic, it's pretty much fully loaded when compared to the EX; that doesn't come for free. Yes the carpet is cheap however it's liveable. The only problem I've had with mine is the little thin rubber floor mat on the driver's side is starting to pull up in places. But I have no holes anywhere after over a year of driving it (5MT). Hood and bumper chip easily and I have quite a bit, but most of that was from my 3500 mile road trip from ct to florida and back.

 

Nice!
Between my drummer's Blazer and my new Fit, I think we'll have it covered. Usually the singer has a BIG SUV for the PA...but sometimes the drummer and I get stuck lugging the gear. So now I'll feel that I can help out more.

Good to know...it was one of the main reasons for choosing the Fit over the Civic.
Plus, I carry gear for work as well (music-related) so I always have tools/parts/literature/samples stored in the back.

That's weird about the mileage while loaded.

 

You've found a way to drop your ride... without a spring kit. The weight lowers the car and therefore reduces drag leading to better mileage? You'd think the weight would have more of an effect than the areodynamics though...

 

Not to jack this thread, but the big advantage with the OEM mats is that they come with a hook/latch system that connects directly to the floor of your car, preventing them from sliding around. You'll need to make some small, simple cust in your carpet to install them (required parts: 1 utility knife). Just don't buy them from your local dealer. Online places will sell them to you for a huge discount. I think I paid $90 for the set, including shipping, back in the fall.

 

It's a good idea. I bought the mats and put them in myself, and although it's not hard, I did lose the base of one of the positioning hooks under the back seat carpet because the floor is so sloped there. You can do this job yourself if you want but it's a good idea on the forward hook in the right rear mat, to use a small screwdriver or punch to hold the base in place until you are ready to snap the hook onto it. That way you won't lose it.

I really like the all season mats. They fit great and look good, and are keeping my carpet in very good shape.

 

I still considering purchasing a Fit Sport with a 5 speed (if I can find one without having to pay over MSRP..). However, my wife and I are put-off by two aspects of this car; namely the cheesy carpet ( and I use the term carpet very graciously...) and the reports (26 pages on this forum) of peeling paint.

I understand that the Fit is an economy car, but still, the paper/plastic/psuedo carpet thing is just.....well cheap. I'm really concerned that even with carpeted floor mats it just won't hold up well.

Since this is a forum, I appreciate that problems like the paint, can get over represented. Again, though, I really don't want to lay down $17 -18K (OTD) for a Fit that ends up shedding on me.


Both my carpet and paint are fine. No holes, no wear spots, etc.
Out of curiosity what carpet are you comparing this to?

 

Hi mahout,

At least in my case, every car I've ever purchased had a real carpet. That is, some sort of nylon carpet that generally had some sort of padding underneath it. I think I do recall seeing some lower (economy) price point vehicles with essentially a rubber floor mat that covered the whole floor area.

I currently have a 2005 Dodger SRT-4 Neon, (certainly not known for being a luxury car...) and it's carpet and cheap carpeted floor mats are a quantum level above what is in the Fit. My wifes 2000 Nissan Xterra (the car we want to replace ) also came with a vastly superior carpet, in my opinion. Heck, my 72 Datsun 240Z, (also, not known for a luxury interior..) has better carpeting and it's over 35 years old

The floor covering in the Fit is almost identical in look and feel to the trunk liner in my SRT-4 (the liner that attaches to the trunk lid itself.).

Anyway, I'm not trying to dog the Fit, I really want to get one; I just want to be sure what I'm getting into and not have false expectations and hence the questioning.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle

 

i've only had the car for a month and i love it... i've been getting high 30s MPG, i fit a 50" tv and stand in it, low car payments (the dealer offered me $15,700 when the msrp was 15,900... BOM M/T Sport) and as far as the carpet... yeah i hated that but i got the carpeted mats online then also went out to the autoparts store to buy some cheap $20 big all weather rubber floor mats for winter and commuting to and from work, so the carpet isn't a big deal because even the upholstery isn't that bad

i think the oem all weather mats are a waste of money and i wanted some real carpet too... i recommend getting cheap rubber mats and the oem carpeted mats

 

I think I'm going with the all-weather Honda OEM's. But bought somewhere cheaper of course..lol.
I like the hook idea, I noticed that in many pictures.

 

Ah, welcome to the modern day world of cost effectiveness. I have the Honda floor mats so the OEM carpet isn't really visible much less used.
Try getting a piece or pieces of reminant carpet of your liking and cut like floor mats to fit the floor. Now the 'carpet' should be OK.

 

I'm going to install Bella Hardwood Flooring in my Fit when I get it...BETTER RESALE VALUE that way! Plus it's the new trend according to HGTV.

 

I thought the Fit carpeting was rather flimsy, too, but when I bought the thick and substantial all season Fit floor mats and cargo liner for the back, that completely took away the cheap, flimsy feel.

Right now my Fit feels totally fit for comfortable driving.