Why I Did Not Buy a FIT
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 266
From: Manassas, VA
Originally Posted by anniefit
I am 5'2" and I find the FIT incredibly comfortable and intuitive. My husband is a big guy - 6'2" and 235 pounds and he loves how spacious and functional the FIT is. The nose drops off on the CIVIC and on the PRIUS and on many 2006 cars designed for now. The cost of the FIT makes it a great car for those of us who want to have form follow function. Hybrids are great if you are doing city mileage but for those of us who live in rural areas, the mileage in real life is not maximized.
I love the expansive windshield on the FIT, the fact that you sit high in the car and have good visibility. The logic of this car in terms of functional space and easy of maneuverability is complemented by the intuitive dash layout, sweet seats and great stereo . The FIT is a joy to drive and you can't get that from just sitting in the car. A 1/4 of a mile down the road and everything from head to toe feels happy!
I know finding one to test drive is difficult because of high demand but I would suggest that people at least try it because it is actual experience that will tell you if it is a fit for you or not. I have driven plenty of cars with seat adjusters that still made me feel like I was afloat on a barge.
Small and tall, we bonded with this car immediately. The other day I parked in front of my post office and when I came out, I could not see my car there were so many people swarming around it.
Try driving it and you will have a totally different perspective.
Anniefit
Silver Storm Sport AT - 236 miles
I love the expansive windshield on the FIT, the fact that you sit high in the car and have good visibility. The logic of this car in terms of functional space and easy of maneuverability is complemented by the intuitive dash layout, sweet seats and great stereo . The FIT is a joy to drive and you can't get that from just sitting in the car. A 1/4 of a mile down the road and everything from head to toe feels happy!
I know finding one to test drive is difficult because of high demand but I would suggest that people at least try it because it is actual experience that will tell you if it is a fit for you or not. I have driven plenty of cars with seat adjusters that still made me feel like I was afloat on a barge.
Small and tall, we bonded with this car immediately. The other day I parked in front of my post office and when I came out, I could not see my car there were so many people swarming around it.
Try driving it and you will have a totally different perspective.
Anniefit
Silver Storm Sport AT - 236 miles
I couldn't agree with you more. The Fit is way better visibility wise than my Civic. Sitting up higher, I feel more in control of the car. I still can't get over how huge it is on the inside. I haven't really used the magic seats yet, but I know they will come in handy. Lastly, like you said, the Fit just makes me happy. I just smile when I see it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 32
From: Woodbridge,VA
Originally Posted by switchbrdopr
I've never driven a car with a height adjustment, so I guess I can't say it's an issue for me. I have had three Hondas and seeing over the steering wheel or the front of the car has never been a problem for me. (I'm 4' 11") I just make sure I leave plenty of distance between my car and the one in front of me. I have never encountered a problem parking either. I am considering removing the headrests from the back seats for better visibility.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 266
From: Manassas, VA
Originally Posted by Moonchild
I'm 5"1 and did remove the rear headrests for the same reason. We are very alike I"m coming to find out. Was already home from Manassas yesterday when I read your post bit I'll be looking for you. Now if we both have a lot of gray hair and the same color FITS we may get mistaken for the other
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,208
From: Quebec, Canada
... i test drove the matrix which i promptly crossed off my list due to high noise level and a nasty blind spot.
Originally Posted by moonhunt18
instead of the fit i bought a dodge caliber.
I wouldn't think so.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 158
From: DC Metro Area
I'm not sure I'd want to see the hood.
In all the other cars I've owned, seating position is always really low, so if you can see any of the hood, it's at a very extreme angle. I mean, some have pop-up lights (S13, FC3S), and I can obviously see those when up, but I'm not like....looking down at the hood. That sounds SUV-ish, I'm not sure why you'd want to do that.
And with the Fit, I mean it's not like you're going to misjudge anything about where the car ends, it's a tiny front-end anyway. If it was like a Caddy Series 62 or something and you couldn't see 5" of hoot, that'd be one thing, but on the fit? Meh.
In all the other cars I've owned, seating position is always really low, so if you can see any of the hood, it's at a very extreme angle. I mean, some have pop-up lights (S13, FC3S), and I can obviously see those when up, but I'm not like....looking down at the hood. That sounds SUV-ish, I'm not sure why you'd want to do that.
And with the Fit, I mean it's not like you're going to misjudge anything about where the car ends, it's a tiny front-end anyway. If it was like a Caddy Series 62 or something and you couldn't see 5" of hoot, that'd be one thing, but on the fit? Meh.
Funny thing about the missing temp gauge... the US manual at one point says, "When the temp gauge reaches 1/4 the scale..." (The section about prepping the car for smogging if the battery has been disconnected recently.)
New Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 15
From: Braintree
Originally Posted by jpmccormac
Just an FYI if you're shopping for a FIT, keep this in mind.
I liked most everything about the FIT, but...... when my wife, who is 5'1" tall, got behind the wheel she said, "I can't raise the seat height, and I can't see the front of the car." I'm 5'11" and I had to agree with her; the seat adjustment was poor and we crossed the FIT off our list of possible new cars.
Other niggly items that bothered me:
No temp. gauge;
No center arm rest;
Mats and cargo cover optional at premium price;
No dead pedal (minor detail).
I liked most everything about the FIT, but...... when my wife, who is 5'1" tall, got behind the wheel she said, "I can't raise the seat height, and I can't see the front of the car." I'm 5'11" and I had to agree with her; the seat adjustment was poor and we crossed the FIT off our list of possible new cars.
Other niggly items that bothered me:
No temp. gauge;
No center arm rest;
Mats and cargo cover optional at premium price;
No dead pedal (minor detail).
You are looking for a temp gauge in a entry level econo box?
Strange
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 71
From: USA
See the front of the Car?? can anyone see the front of the Fit when driving it? I don't think anyone can see the front of the car no matter how tall they are. I park in a pretty tight garage and don't have a problem not being able to see the front of the car. Just whip it in there, and let the peices fall where they may.............so far no pieces
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Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58
From: USA
5'11" - I pulled the rear headrests early on in learning the car. Much better visibility. I don't have rear passengers often. Bagged 'em, sealed them and put them with the spare.... Makes the Magic rear seats work easier, also.
Someone that spends his life on FitFreak.net
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,110
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Few Hondas and Acuras built from the 1990s up have a fully visible hood. This is ideal, so you see the road in front of the car, not 15' from the car.
And the Fit is a premium econo box.
And the Fit is a premium econo box.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 29
From: rohnert park ca
Originally Posted by Virtual
Is the Dodge Caliber quieter than a Toyota Matrix?
I wouldn't think so.
I wouldn't think so.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 484
From: Massachusetts, USA
I'm 5'8", and my wife is 5', and neither of us felt small in the car. In fact, when sitting in traffic with Dodge Rams and Chevy Suburbans all around, we feel pretty comfortable. It's only when you see it from the outside that you realize just how small it is.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 38
From: B.C. -CANADA-
Originally Posted by jpmccormac
Just an FYI if you're shopping for a FIT, keep this in mind.
I liked most everything about the FIT, but...... when my wife, who is 5'1" tall, got behind the wheel she said, "I can't raise the seat height, and I can't see the front of the car." I'm 5'11" and I had to agree with her; the seat adjustment was poor and we crossed the FIT off our list of possible new cars.
Other niggly items that bothered me:
No temp. gauge;
No center arm rest;
Mats and cargo cover optional at premium price;
No dead pedal (minor detail).
I liked most everything about the FIT, but...... when my wife, who is 5'1" tall, got behind the wheel she said, "I can't raise the seat height, and I can't see the front of the car." I'm 5'11" and I had to agree with her; the seat adjustment was poor and we crossed the FIT off our list of possible new cars.
Other niggly items that bothered me:
No temp. gauge;
No center arm rest;
Mats and cargo cover optional at premium price;
No dead pedal (minor detail).
Those are minor things to complain about.Its the drive/dynamic/fuel consumption/reliability/resale should be the focus not little things you would probably look at once in a blue moon.
Cheers and good luck on your dream car.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 421
From: VA (just west of Richmond)
Originally Posted by fit_ness
5'11" - I pulled the rear headrests early on in learning the car. Much better visibility. I don't have rear passengers often. Bagged 'em, sealed them and put them with the spare.... Makes the Magic rear seats work easier, also.
Oh, and my 5'4" wife sits in the driver's seat with it almost in the fully rearmost position... but it puts her at armslength to the steering wheel. My neice then informed us that the "proper driving position" is no longer 10 and 2, but 4 and 8, which is a better position for reducing both arm fatigue and air bag issues (in the event of an accident). She lowered her hands, and "voila!" all is well.
After driving my Fit for six days, I got back into my pickup truck, and felt my steering wheel was under my chin. Definitely a weird feeling now, to sit much closer to the wheel.
Last edited by DewaltDakota; May 7, 2006 at 10:38 PM.
New Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8
From: Northern California
"My rear headrests (don't forget the middle one, too!) are removed and bagged up, sitting in the car parts bin in the garage. It definitely makes it easier to see behind you, as well as allows you to drop the seats into utility mode, without having to first slide the front seats forward."
Wow, what a cool idea! I rarely have back seat passengers and when I do, I have plenty of time to reconfigure the headrests to accomodate them. I also find that I am sitting much further back driving this car and feel comfortable at that even though I am only 5'2" tall. I love the added visibility out the rear window.
The suggestion about dropping one's hands to the four and eight position is great. I tried it and felt more at ease immediately. This position alligns your hands with the paddles which are really the cherry on the Sport FIT AT hot fudge Honda sundae.
Wow, what a cool idea! I rarely have back seat passengers and when I do, I have plenty of time to reconfigure the headrests to accomodate them. I also find that I am sitting much further back driving this car and feel comfortable at that even though I am only 5'2" tall. I love the added visibility out the rear window.
The suggestion about dropping one's hands to the four and eight position is great. I tried it and felt more at ease immediately. This position alligns your hands with the paddles which are really the cherry on the Sport FIT AT hot fudge Honda sundae.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
From: The OC, USA
Give the hood issue a rest. It's always gonna be there. It's not going to run off and hide somewhere else. It's got one of the shortest over hangs. What's important is the amount of ground you can see for those tight manuvers. Looking at the same spot while driving gives you way too much information to process, with that ground rush effect.
Now the steering wheel and seat position that's legit. A driver comfort factor that can't be adjusted by changing driver behavior.
Also, 10 & 2 position is hell on your arms when that airbag deploys. I usually drive at 9 & 3. I can see why they tell you to drive at 8 & 4 to minimize burns from the airbag. And remember to take your foot off the brake right before you hit something solid to minimize the chance of a broken foot! =P
Now the steering wheel and seat position that's legit. A driver comfort factor that can't be adjusted by changing driver behavior.
Also, 10 & 2 position is hell on your arms when that airbag deploys. I usually drive at 9 & 3. I can see why they tell you to drive at 8 & 4 to minimize burns from the airbag. And remember to take your foot off the brake right before you hit something solid to minimize the chance of a broken foot! =P
Last edited by moeye; May 8, 2006 at 12:23 AM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
From: Austin, TX
I tend to drive at 9&3 in the city and 7&5 while cruising. I haven't adjusted the steering wheel at all...where it's currently at, I can see the gauges perfectly.
I will probably pull the headrests too and just keep one in the car. I rarely ever have someone in the backseat, and if so, it's usually just one other person.
I haven't adjusted the steering wheel at all...where it's currently at, I can see the gauges perfectly.I will probably pull the headrests too and just keep one in the car. I rarely ever have someone in the backseat, and if so, it's usually just one other person.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 45
From: Washington, D.C.
My wife has a short torso and long legs. She had problems with the seat height. I added a small cushion which raised her sitting position about two inches. That did the trick. The cushion also has a lumbar back support which she also wanted. As for seeing the front of the car. That can only be done by pressing your nose against the inside of the windshield.