Ok, so I finally took that extensive Fit [Sport] drive. My friend -- the Honda Dealer -- let me drive around in town, winding country roads and interstate so I would have no more unanswered questions/doubts.

It was a Blue Sensation Pearl AT Sport w/navigation.

I'll cover the points I was either concerned about, or read/heard were supposed "major" issues.

Power- Ok, really, I don't get it! Sure, it's no Ferrari (then again, what is? ) It's not even in the same league (speed, torque) with my '08 Avalanche V8 LTZ. Then again, I don't plan on drag racing every Friday and Saturday night... not even with the local "Rice-Burner Kiddies" who want to drag at almost every stop light and straight stretch in the county. "Yo! Wind those rubberbands tight, dudes!"

Listen, I'm glad I read all of the negative commentary on the Fit's speed, or it's [supposed] lack thereof... because I was more than pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a slow crawl uphill, and even on some downhill grades shy of 45 degrees -- according to some of the commentary I heard/read. Even some here said the Fit is a resounding "SLOW"!

I must say I was delightfully surprised at it's power for a 4 cyl. It may not achieve 60 in 4 secs, but, well, let me put it this way... If the Fit were any faster, because of it's feel, I know I'd be getting some serious tickets every day.

Seriously... I went on the Interstate. The particular stretch I entered first was only 60 mph for the first mile or so then changed to 70. I was allowed to give it some fairly serious gas to check it's power, and my friend had to tell me twice, "Man, you're doing 80," and further telling me, "The state police love giving tickets on this particular stretch of interstate." I seriously didn't realize I had climbed to 80 mph either time. Had to fight to slow myself down. It felt really good to me.

I don't know what some of you are used to, speed wise. But I can tell you, for what it is I think it's anything except "slow." The one I drove is at least as fast as my wife's PT, probably faster... and that's one zippy little 4 cylinder with it's 2.4L engine.

Bottom line? The Fit's speed is more than I need for what I want the Fit for. With my lead foot, I'll have serious legal issues otherwise. Maybe it takes some time to get used to after initial ownership... but as of now, actually calling this car "slow"? Sorry, I don't see it! Maybe some of you bums are used to Ferraris and Lamborghinis?

Driving pleasure- Oh my God! Now I definitely GET the "fun to drive" thing. For me, "fun to drive" has to be understatement of the decade. This little car kicks some serious fun butt! Oh my God... I can see putting miles on this puppy in no time... I'll actually find reasons to go out and drive it!

The Fit Sport is one of the most "fun" cars I've ever driven. The only cars I can say may have been as much fun to drive were the 1st and 2nd gen VW Rabbits from the 80s. I drove a couple of used ones somewhere around the late eighties/early nineties. Someone had really taken care of those two cars, considering how old they were at that time. Anyway, they were a blast to drive and the Fit is absolutely no exception.

Don't ask me why the Fit is so fun... it just is!

Rough ride- Here again... I don't get the "rough ride" accusal(s). I went over bumps and some rough roads [just shy of actual potholes] and, while it's not as smooth as the "living room-like" interior and ride of my LTZ, it's not even "in the ballpark" close to being as bumpy/rough a ride as what I was led to believe by some. It's actually a lot smoother than my wife's PT. And I've been on a lot rougher, more rigid rides than my wife's PT... by a long shot! It just feels "sports car rigid" to me... and not even close to bad at that.

You want a fun car, or you want a boring luxury sedan?

Features- I purposely tried to fishtail (one small wet stretch of curvy pavement (my dealer friend loved that! ) at a slow and controllable speed and felt the VSA kick in. Wow, strange feeling... at least for me. It's like I wasn't in complete control there for a split second. I suppose I wasn't, come to think of it. I could see where this would be nice in more severe situations. Although, I still wonder if it's worth the price of VSA and the navigation system together. I also wonder just how much better it and traction control would make a snowy driving experience, if any at all. I get the impression it is more suited to potential accident recovery, rather than for bad weather. Anyone, please, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about that.

That brings me to the navigation system. I like the functionality of the navi. Yet, for my tastes, I think the display and it's options, or rather it's lack of display options and versatility is on the low end of the modern audio/navigation unit scale.

Don't get me wrong... it's directional functionality, accuracy and voice control seems very good... as little as I got to use it. I just think Honda may have used a less-than-ideal display for the unit. The display options (what you actually see on the screen) when playing various forms of audio leaves a whole lot to be desired. Even the backgrounds are washed-out, boring and lackluster.

You can change background colors only as it pertains to navigation function... or at least that's what one of the salesmen told me. In other words, no customization to one's personal tastes and preferences. In my opinion, the "visual experience" of the unit stinks! Far too "plain-Jane" and "yesterday" for what Honda charges for this option. I mean come on... any Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood, etc, aftermarket unit -- even without navigation -- blows the doors off of this system when it comes to user-controlled options/preferences and actual display quality and versatility.

Maybe I didn't get to play with it long enough... and maybe the salesperson didn't know what he was talking about (nor my friend... the dealership owner). Let's just say other than the actual navigation functionality, I think this unit is WAY overpriced, and boring as h3ll! And why would they leave out XM radio out of this unit? That's about as irritating as it gets for me.

Compared to other units, for much cheaper, the actual display itself is low in quality, I think.

Again... anyone please feel free to disagree or tell me where I'm wrong. I messed with it for only about 15+ minutes... and without using the manual at that. I want to know if I'm missing something.

The instrumentation cluster is absolutely cool, I think. I love the color and layout of the gauges... it's definite "eye-candy" at night, for me. Nothing more to be said here... I just love it! From a strictly stock perspective? Honda hit a major home run with the gauges. I refer to this aesthetically, of course. Not familiar enough to comment on instrumentation functionality, yet. Compared to my "luxury SUV" I'm sure functionality could be lacking... but that's seriously not an issue for me. I didn't buy the SUV for those reasons either... it was just an added bonus.

Interior space- This thing is almost 5th dimensional. You see the car from outside, then you check out the entire inside and it's almost as if the interior is larger than the exterior. Hence, my "5th dimensional" characterization.

Again, Honda did a great job with the interior of this little gem. I'm not so thrilled with the "carpet." Although I'll bet it wears well... similar to how [even cheap] indoor/outdoor carpet would wear.

I'm also not thrilled with the pathetic excuse for a cover of the tire compartment... although I can beef that up in a heartbeat. Yet I shouldn't have to. Honda could have easily made that a bit more solid and sturdy. I mean, are they using flippin' cardboard for that cover? Come on Honda! I know you're trying to contain costs... but you're better than this! I can live with it however, no huge problem. I can "fix" it if need be.

Exterior design- Nothing much to say here... personally, I love it! There are a few things I would have designed differently. I would have given it an even wider wheel base and given [at least] the rear fender a bit more flair (as in the new Scion IQ... love the looks of that thing). Yet, as it stands I have absolutely no complaints. I know some of you '07/'08 enthusiasts didn't like the new design. Like I said, I really like it... it's slick-lookin' as far as I'm concerned.

I also would have given it [at least] a size or two wider tires. That's strictly personal preference... I think wider tires look better. Not "muscle car" or "dragster" wide... just wider.

I think they could have offered a sunroof/moonroof option. Thankfully there are aftermarket options possibly cheaper than what Honda would have charged. I've had moonroofs in every vehicle I've owned for quite awhile now... it will be strange without one until I can arrange it. Then again, with the Fit's huge windshield maybe I won't miss it.

Finally, I could go on about the Fit, but I think I've covered most everything I was concerned about.

All in all, I'm extremely impressed with the Fit Sport... and more than a "for what it is" impressed. The Honda Fit is a great car, especially given it's price. I suppose long-term ownership could prove me wrong, but I don't think so. I certainly hope not.

My extensive test left me absolutely loving this little car. So much so, I hope people don't start buying them in droves... I want it to remain the "special club" it seems to be. Popular enough for Honda to continue making them. Yet, not so popular you start seeing them everywhere!

I've composed this over a period of a few days of thought... please excuse the length. Any disagreement is welcomed. I changed my mind on what I wanted so my friend has to import me another one. So I'm waiting again. Hey, my fault... I make my bed, now I have to lay in it!!!

Gimme' that Fit!!!

 

Thanks for the thorough first-impression review. Nicely done. My Honda dealer just sent me a letter (Summer Clearance Sale! Equity Transfer Program!) to convince me to upgrade from my 2007 Sport AT and, I must say, it's a temptation.

The GE has lines closer to the Jazz Sport CVT I used to drive in Thailand, which I miss. It looks more cohesive, while the GD3 looks like it got a fat lip, with the bumpers they had to slap on it to satisfy US safety regs.

Also like the telescoping wheel (since I'm 6'4") and the navi.

Don't like the thinner tires, though. Cornering in my GD3 is too much fun.

I'll probably be heading to my dealer this weekend to see what kind of offer he'll make me.