1. Will the US Fit be XM ready?
2. Will it have steering wheel audio controls?
Thank you, my purchase decision will be based solely on these factors!

 

1. It seems like NO, from all of the press releases I have read.
2. NO. Sucks that this feature is available in other world market Fit/Jazz's.

 

Yeah, that is lame. Looks like I'll be dropping a few extra $K to get a 5-door Mazda 3 instead. I may hit an auto show in Richmond in March to see for myself before making a purchase.

 

Hey man, there is no need to have so much animosity toward someone who doesnt wan't to buy a Honda FIT. It's his/her money, and people buy cars for their own reasons...

But to the OP, the Mazda and Fit are really in different vehicle classes. A more similar vehicle in the same class is the Nissan Versa 5 door hatch, which is coming out soon. You can get steering wheel mounted audio controls as a part of the convenience package ($700) and XM/Sirius satellite radio for $300. AND YES, it will be assembled in Mexico.

It's really a shame that Honda doesnt make similar options available for the USDM FIT. They dont have to force these options on the consumer, they can just make them available as options. If Honda wants to market the FIT as a premium equipped subcompact, then it should be available with premium options.

 

The options that the Fit will or won't have is definitely one of my biggest concerns right now. It seems like with a lot of Honda's, they include a lot of things as standard equipment, but then give absolutely no options to add on. When they say that the Fit will have "approximately 30 accessories available at the dealer," that makes me hopeful, but we'll see.

 

Thanks for the input.
I am definitely going to choose a car that has the XM or Sirius integrated. I don't want to buy a new car and have wires, etc... hanging around my dash. Additionally, looking at photos of the FIt, there doesn't seem to be a good place to mount an XM roady or compatible. If I'm buying a new car, i want a sleek look inside. The Civics and Elements come XM ready. Too bad the Fit doesn't.
Also, if you have experienced Sat Radio, you know that, with all those options, there is alot of channel changing, hence my desire for steering-wheel audio controls. I used them in test drives of the Civic and Mazda3. Very nice.
Thanks for the advice on the Versa. That looks quite compelling. I am going to test-drive one of those before I make my decision.
Yes, I know my tastes are bizarre, but it's not like I'm going after an AMC Pacer or something, the Mazda3 gets good reviews.
Indeed, the only hesitation I might have about buying a brand new model (Fit or Versa) is that Consumer Reports, etc... won't weigh in until late summer.
Take care---