Oh, that's nice. I didn't notice the stereo's wattage increase. Nice! Maybe this will finally curb my 20-year-old habit of yanking out the factory stereo and replacing it with an Alpine deck/Infinity speaker combo every time I buy a new car. The new integrated panels are stumping the local stereo installation guys at this point in time, anyway. Hope I can live with the factory stereo.


Anybody know if the iPod connection in the Fit Sport is compatible with installing a XM or Sirius satellite radio adaptor???

 

I hope it is a simple 3.5mm stereo jack. I have been thus far successful in avoiding the iPod craze. I use a Dell Axim with a 6GB Microdrive to store my music (some movies, too). I also have a Garmin Que 1620 GPS and a dash mount and power cord just waiting for a Fit to which to fit it (sorry).

 

Don't apologize for the pun, BKK. I thought it was hilarious.

The USA Honda website describes it as an "auxilary input" jack. I have called 3 different car stereo stores here in Denver and they all say the XM portable units are designed to plug in to this type of jack they're seeing on a lot of the new cars. It's not just for iPod, from what they tell me. I'm thrilled, as I've had XM for over 4 years and do NOT want to give it up.

If you're a spoiled brat like me when it comes to car audio, I was told you can greatly improve the sound if you're unhappy with it, by upgrading to better speakers (such as Infinity). However, at this point in time, every car audio installation guy I've spoken with says that replacing the head unit (deck) is a real problem, because of the integrated dash that combines the stereo and its display, with several other controls like the heat and a/c. In order to replace the stereo, you will have to change out the entire panel--you can't just yank out and replace the head unit anymore. And I'm not sure Honda has produced any alternate panels at this point, so I don't know if it can be done at ALL. If anyone knows differently, please let me know!

 

CI,

I think Vividjazz might be able to help you. If I remember correctly, he got some 2 DIN plates from Thailand to replace his stereo. I looked at the pictures and it appears as though the enclosure might be a little trapazoidal, so you might be out of luck. With 200w on the Sport, and the ability to play MP3 and WMA disks, you might not really want to change it (one of the new motorized-hideaway-screen DVD players might be nice, though). I think it is going to take actually looking at the car when it hits the U.S. Based on the pictures, the audio system looks different from the one I rented here back in November.

If it is possible, and the cover plates need to come from Thailand, let me know. I will be living here until about December 2006, and would be happy to help you to get your paws on whatever you need.

I agree 100% about the speakers. I have a walkman in my office playing to a set of Bose Roommate speakers I bought in 1986, and it sounds great.

Cheers.

 

Having never purchased a new Honda product (I had a used '99 Prelude), my real question is how much actual sale prices will differ from the much-discussed MSRP.

I factory-ordered a 2004 WRX in late '03, and I ended up paying only a hair over $21k for it. MSRP was like $24.5k.

Similarly, at the same place I bought that car, they've got an internet price (which I know they'd honor, that's how I got mine) on a 2006 WRX for $22,820. That car has a $24,495 MSRP with NO options, but their car has like $1k in options.

That's like $3k off MSRP.

Can I expect to see similar discounts off the Fits in showrooms once they've been out for 6 months or so? I'm really interested in what the invoice prices will be.

 

For a car in the low to mid teens, I doubt there is a $3K gap b/w MSRP and invoice. I suspect that the gap is probably $1k for the base and maybe $1.5K to $2K for the Sport.

 

Yeah, I was figuring it more as a percentage than as just $3k off.

Regardless, even $1-2k is a big difference at this level. Even if the Sport AT comes in at $16k MSRP, which I doubt given where the Civic is, that means that we'd be paying maybe $14.5k for them in the showroom.

I could live with that.

/speculative rant

 

People are pre-ordering the Fit from the dealers before it is even here!!! There will be no dealer willing to negotiate off of MSRP because, well they don't have too.. As much as I like the FIT the price is too close to the Civic Si..For the extra 3K I would rather have 200 hp..I really hope they don't ask $16K, too many cars near this price range with waaaaay more features, it's a bang for the buck issue.

 

I agree with Halo in that they're not going to come off the MSRP by much, if at all, because they dont have to. If they get more people that want the car than they have cars, its MSRP. Deal with it, pay it, or pick another car. If you go to buy this car in Apr or May, be prepared to pay MSRP.

I dont agree with Halo in comparing the Fit to the Civic Si. Different kind of car, so its apples to oranges really. Maybe you can live with just 2 doors, but i just dont see much use with comparing cars that aren't the same type. We might as well compare it to the Miata or something if we're going to do that. If i didnt need 4 doors, i'd get a 2 door car anyway.

Last i heard, Si's are still also going for MSRP, and by the time you get one typically optioned at the dealer, its more like 21-22K.

 

Yeah, I agree. I won't be buying one until at least December, which is why the immediate demand at launch won't so much be a concern of mine so long as I can find a Sport AT model to test drive.

I got reamed once buying a new car at launch, never again.

 

Some idiot in Miami paid $35K for a 06 Civic Si. Thats right, its not a typo, $35K and its slightly used too (about 250 miles). A dealership offered the former owner $27K for his Si on a trade in for a 05 S2000. Then the dealer turned around, marked the Si up $8K, to $35K and sold it the next day to some idiot. Probably told him too that the Si is faster than the S2000. HAHAHA

 

I like the RSX Type S over the Civic Si anyway. Now those are comparable cars. Yeah its 2-3K higher retail, but they'll come off of it instead of MSRP or higher for the Civic Si. No limited slip differential,but its an acura and looks better IMO.

 

The RSX is on it's last leg, so if you like em... The fact that they didn't even add the LSD for the last year or two of production is a shame.

 

I just went to modernracer.com; 200 ft skidpad for the rsx type s is 0.86G, the 2006-07 Civic SI is 0.85G *shrug* They sound like similar performers to me.

 

The RSX was a flop, it never did as well as the Integra did. So Honda equipped the new Civic Si with all the required goodies to make it work as a tuner car.

For Acura to sell a more expensive car with almost the exact same performance numbers as the new Civic Si and without an LSD, is as big an indication as you can get that the RSX won’t be around for much longer. In the real world, an LSD is more important and fun than 0.01 advantage in a skid pad result.

 

An Si can be had for less than MSRP. Go to www.carsdirect.com and you'll see that you can get the Si for:

MSRP Price:
$20,540
Invoice Price:
$18,819
Target Price: (price you pay)
$19,819

I bet I could even get them down to $19,000 or less.

There are a lot more people in the U.S. than just those people who frequent Fitfreak.net. And those people are not passionate about this car like you people are. They are not lining up at the dealership putting money down even before the car is here.

As I have mentioned in a previous thread, this car is not the end all sub-compact. There is no logical reason why this car would demand a premium. There will be plenty of competition which will keep the price down. I know it's hard to believe, but not everyone is going to like this car. There will be plenty of people who will prefer the Toyota Yaris, Plenty of people will prefer the Nissan Versa, and plenty of people who will prefer the new Hyundai Accent hatchback.

Anyone who runs down to the dealership and puts money down before the car gets here either:

a) Likes to pay more for products than everyone else.

b) Is extremely impatient.

c) Has so much money they don't care how much it costs.

d) Feels sympathy for the poor little car dealership, and it's poverty stricken salesman, and justs want to see them "make a buck".

..or

e) Is a fool. And you know what they say about a fool and his money.

There is the possibility for one more category.

f) Is in dire need of a new car due to not having one, or your current car is on it's last leg.

If category f is the situation, there is still no need to put down a deposit. Just wait till they get the cars on their lot, then begin the negotiation process.

I am currently driving a 1990 Honda Accord EX because when gas prices went through the roof, I stopped driving my 4x4. The Accord has 160,000 miles on it. I drive 45 miles round trip to work each day and it could be argued that at that age and mileage the car's dependability is in question, and I could end up broke down on the side of the road. With that in mind, I'm not running down to the dealership and putting money down. I'll wait until they get here, then I'll go to the dealership and see what kind of deal I can get. If they aren't willing to deal, I'll leave and try again later. But even if I couldn't wait, I would still have a better chance of getting a good deal, than putting down a deposit in advance.

 

... In sales. In every aspect of the actual car's performance numbers, the Integra was inferior.

I covered this earlier; a Civic Si at MSRP+ = RSX Type S with a sale price close to invoice. Case and point from someone earlier, people are paying insane prices for Si's due to shortages.

The sticker for the Si is lower. Out the door, its about the same right now.

If the LSD provided superior performance, it would have been reflected in the skidpad numbers.

.........

Forget price, who'd want that ugly Civic Si. ;-) I know, thats personal preference.

 

I agree with all your points, but i still say, if you want the car in April or May, prepare to pay MSRP unless you run across a really foolish dealer that doesnt realize someone else will pay MSRP, at the initial release.

I'm hearing dealers are only getting like 2-4 cars. I know i'm getting one, so that only leaves 1-3 ;-)

 

Was the RSX really a flop in terms of sales? I see literally dozens of them a day around me. I always really liked them, although I wish we had gotten the DC5 ITR.

My girlfriend has an '05 base RSX automatic with the tiptronic-ish functionality. If the Fit's paddle shifters respond as fast as her car does, I'll be very happy with my Fit Sport AT. It's no BMW SMG, but it's also not a $60k car.

 

LOL, shows that you never drove both models with a few mods on them. Sure the K series powertrain was a big improvement, but the glass transmissions and horrible front suspension hurt the RSX LARGE. The RSX was more a luxury sports coupe, the Integra didn't care about the luxury aspect. Either way, Honda is all about selling a product, not selling the best thing on paper that no one wants.

Simply because the RSX-S is now 4-5 model years old, and was never a sales success. Acura will try anything to move some out the door.

Were both cars tested on the same skidpad on the same day? Doesn't take much for two different tracks to give totally different results. Plus the site you used as a reference has (estimate) writen next to the skid pad numbers, so pointless comparision. I've added an LSD in my 1992 Integra GS-R, so I know how it improves the handling.

Styling is a preference. And most people that will be buying the new Civic Si are hooked on the fact that they will be getting a totally new model, were as the RSX-S has already been around for a few years, so showing up at a car show with one won’t “AWW” the croud.