Obviously I'm 99.9% ready to take the plunge or I wouldn't have become a member here, but I guess a little reassurance would help greatly. I have a 2004 Accord V6 black leather with nav., 49,000 mi. It's in really good condition. The problem with it is that it's boring as hell, and I feel like I'm 50 instead of 35.

When I test drove the Fit Sport I loved it, even considering the reduction in quality of the plastics on the interior... it makes me smile.

So, one voice in my head says "what are you doing? You have a really nice car in great condition... why would you give it up for 11K max trade in and pay a little more to get a downgrade?

And the other voice is saying... downgrade or not, I feel awesome in it, I like the gas mileage (I was getting 19 mpg in the Accord) and you only live once.

The only thing I don't like is the quality of the plastics on the interior... wish they were more refined... but other than that..

I LOVE this car! Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

I don't know, 240 hp & 212 lb.-ft of torque with 19 mpg vs. 117 hp & 106 lb.-ft of torque 36+ mpg. Tough decision I would say.

 

Do you have a payment on the Accord? If not, you could always buy the Fit and keep the Accord? Then you get the best of both depending on what you need. Probably not the most economic solution though, but its an idea. I'm a big fan of "you only live once" as well, I'd be having the same hesitation if it was me

 

Buy a used Fit, that way you could probably break even on the trade.

 

qft...........

 

I'll say keep the accord and do some modifications to it...thats why u rpobably feels like 50 because its alll stock..lower it with some coils and maybe some wheels..little things here and there and bottle it and thats it

 

Honestly, I'm fine with the power of the Fit... but I was just reading the huge thread about what problems are people having, and there are definitely some issues that worry me now...

I noticed it was hard for me to sit either without my right knee digging into the corner of the dash or the steering wheel being too far away.

The paint problem really scares me b/c chips in paint equal future rust (!)

I think my worst fear would be if I did it only to find I didn't get that much better gas mileage. Lots of people on here are complaining about it, but then others say it's fine. I want to achieve 28 mpg average minimum and I live in the DC suburbs.

 

I'm in an AT GD3 and I average (really!) 33mpg pretty consistently. I live in SoCal where there are a shitload of hills and its pretty hot on a regular basis so I'm using the A/C a decent amount, too. Everything I've read about the GE indicates it will give you better mileage by 2-3mpg compared to the GD.

I wouldn't worry about mileage in a Fit, especially the 2nd gen.

 

What is the GE vs. the GD?

 

GD is the first generation Fit, 2007-2008 in the US (2001-2007 in Japan)
GE is the second generation Fit, 2009-current in the US (2008-current in Japan)

 

Got it. Thanks!

 

Lipappy. Go for it. I am 67 and feel like 50 in my FIT. It will take years off your life.... wait I should say it will make you feel younger .

 

I'm not entirely sold on the plastics of the interior either, my glove box already has scratches on it. My 03 Element had the same problem everything on the interior scratched easily , my dad had the same problem in his 03 Accord.
I'd keep the Accord if you can afford it and get the Fit also :-)

I'm 34 my daily driver was my 01 Benz wagon that drives awesome even at 110mph its just solid. It has almost all the options, but the Fit is just fun and yeah i feel younger in it. I love it don't regret it at all. I kept my Benz but left it with my parents(gonna keep it for winter use its a 4-matic all wheel drive model). I feel that if i want the more luxurious ride i'll drive the Benz but i'm sold on the fuel economy of the Fit and that it runs on regular gas :-)

 

I honestly don't understand the logic of this trade, but sometimes things happen in people's heads; viz., Governor Sanford of SC.

Given the size of the financial bath you will take from trading the Accord, gas mileage would be the least of my worries. If I were looking purely for fun, I'd go with a supercharged BMW Mini, it probably wouldn't be as reliable as a Fit. OR, in Sunday's auto section, I saw a new 2009 Mazda3 Speed offered at $19,995. Now that would be fun!

Don't worry about Fit reliability -- the 2009 Fit has fewer problems than any other car currently sold by Honda, and is among the most reliable of all cars built.

 

Obviously this decision is reliant on a number of factors...

I'm assuming that you own the Accord without any liens on it (no payments still left, etc.) Although one might not wish to make that assumption.

I think a few things to contemplate are... your economic status, i.e. level of income, savings, investments, etc. How secure and good your job is...

How much commuting you do... to work? To family? errands? etc.

What type of roads, and in what situations you typically need to drive on and in.

If you can get better gas mileage in the Accord by applying different techniques... 100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips to increase gas mileage - EcoModder.com

Expected value, life, etc. left in the Accord...

How frequently you normally buy a new (or new-to-you) car.

What sort of needs you have... as far as various things.. passenger room, cargo space, etc.

Personally I'd suggest waiting. Who knows what 2010 will bring?

 

Yeah, I definitely can't afford to keep both cars, and I'm just a single guy... it would make no sense for me to own 2 cars. What is it about this car that makes it seem perfectly logical to give away a Benz to get a Rabbit... I know that's an exaggeration but that's how I feel.

My '04 Accord has the interior scratching problems... I've just come to accept that. The paint problem is what is freaking me out.

 

I own my 04 Accord. I have a good, secure job and I think I'm financially stable. My commute is a 10-minute suburban drive on side streets (which is why I only have 49,000 on my Accord). Every now and then I go into DC, which is a totally different story... the roads are HORRIBLE, and I take the highway in and out - 20 minutes. I'd say once a month I'd do a highway trip. I'm a single guy and thus I don't need a lot of passenger space. Cargo space needed is only for groceries. There's a LOT of life left in my Accord, but every now and then something goes wrong that can be very expensive. Last year I had to replace an o2 sensor and my main driver power door lock broke inside the door - both very costly dealer repairs - right after the warranty expired. I fear now that I'm in the 6-10 year stretch, the chance for more random things needing repair goes up, which is one way I'm rationalizing getting a new car - 5 more years of "newness" or "newerness."

Now that I think about it, one of the reasons I am disenchanted with my Accord is the paint. The silver has dullled, and there are a lot of scratches on it, some my fault, some not my fault (fingernail scratches that shouldn't be there if it was better paint). However, the interior looks brand new, including the leather seats. Aigh, what to do....

I appreciate everyone following this thread and helping me decide!

 

If what's really bothering you is the condition of the paint, you can get that fixed for far less than the cost of another car...even if you get a really high-quality paint job.

Best bet is to carefully think about what YOU want. You won't save much in fuel. Less than $1000/year. More like $600 at today's fuel prices. $600 is a lot of money, but for each thousand dollars you spend on to buy the Fit, that's 1/2 year that it will take you to come out ahead from fuel savings. Spend $10000 on the Fit...it will take you 5 years before you break even.

So really carefully compare what you dislike about the Accord and consider if the Fit will help with that. And also think about what each car can do that the other cannot (e.g. the Fit can no doubt carry bulkier objects, but the Accord V6 isn't as weighed-down with 4 adults in it).

 

I appreciate that. It wouldn't be a matter of need. This is a want issue.

The Accord is better in every way shape or form except for gas mileage. As I think about this, my reasoning for wanting a Fit is becoming more and more ridiculous...

1. My Accord is BORING. There are a million of them on the road and I have boring Satin Silver. The paint has dulled. I don't feel excited when I drive it anymore - but at the same time I feel very comfortable and pampered. The dash gauges glow white and are big ugly and boring... why couldn't they make it glow a pretty blue like the Fit? The black leather feels luxurious but it's HOT!

2. It's a big car for a single guy (but it's paid for - is that really a bad thing?)

3. It steers so heavy... I feel like I'm navigating a tank. (Again, is this really a problem?)

4. Interior plastics look much more refined, but still easy to scratch. (Same as Fit).

5. I only get 19 mpg.

The Fit offers FUN and fuel economy. Maybe I need to find fun in other ways (aka.. get a life.) I love the blue glow of the gauges and the sportiness. I don't like the way the radio part of the dash looks. There's something about a little tiny insect-like car, of which there aren't too many on the road, that is appealing to me.

I like the idea of a hatchback and the way the seats adjust (but the seats themselves are much lower quality obviously than my Accords.)

Maybe I need to look into how to make my current Accord more exciting. Is there any way to make the gauges glow blue? Is that the real reason I want a Fit?

 

/\ lol no no no, dont spend money trying to make your gauges blue!

the new fits gauges are rather nice though.

the quality of the plastics is ok...def as nice or nicer than anything in the class. granted, the only true standout in interior quality in a car of this size (i said size not class) is the VW rabbit/golf.

personally, if you hate the heavy steering in your accord, you will love the fits. i LOVE the steering feel of the GE, even more than my GD, which is still quite good.

granted, if i was you, i would be buying a GTI....better plastics than your accord, decent prices since the new one is coming out, still have the pampered/comfort factor AND the fun factor, and plenty of speed. granted you wont get the same mileage as in the fit, but not nearly as bad as your accord.

wooo! i'm getting off topic. personally if you value any type of 'fun to drive' sentiments, you should get the fit and call it a day.