Hello all,

First post here but I've been lurking and searching since last week when I bought my gray Honda 2012 Base.

I'm pretty happy with my car and I hope I can get some answers or links to my questions...

1. I really loved the interior of the new Fiat. That retro dashboard was so cool. Searching here I came across various dash kits. I never knew these things existed. I was looking at the Remin brand. If you installed such a kit, how did you feel afterwards? How about much later? Still happy? In general, do they stay on well? How about scratches? I assume taking them off would be very hard? I might order some samples to see which one matches my gray exterior the best.

2. And recommended fog light brands for a Base? Pain to install?

3. There was a button on the left side for stability/slippage, etc. You can turn that on and off? When would you?

3. This is the smallest car I've ever owned, how do people improve the ride? I'm really feeling every bump in the road. Better shocks?

4. What's a nice spoiler for the Base? Nothing crazy like those drag racing wings.. small... like the Sport version.

5. I liked the European grill insert option on the Ford Fiesta. I looked for such a thing for the fit but all I find are metal/chrome/mesh type grills. Aything available?

6. Anyone with light eyelids? How do you feel about that look? It makes the car more unique without spending too much I think. Stay with same color as exterior (gray) or go for black?

Thanks

Carlos

p.s. I saw an ancient thread here for a Fit meet up in CT. Any of this members still around?

 

Congrats on your new Fit and welcome
The Fit is sprung pretty stiff from the factory and I actually welcomed this.

It helps with handling but can be a little ruff on some roads/streets

upgrading tires can help some but you will never get a plush ride.

I'm more into performance and handling so can't help with much else but I'm sure you will find plenty info here.

 

Welcome to the family!

 

1. Can't answer I don't have any experience with it.

2. Personally I would stick with OE. Pain to install depends on your level of handiness. Personally for me it would be easy.

3. I assume you're referring to VSA? I don't have it, but personally I would turn it off while trying to accelerate on slippery surfaces, such as snow. Or if you have an auto, I would turn it off if I needed to drive it in the air while on a lift. I assume it's similar to traction control as much as it is a stability control.

3. If you already feel like you're feeling every bump, I'm not sure what to recommend. Do air rides give a softer more gental ride? I would suggest coilovers, but the majority of the time, coilovers tend to be stiffer so you'll actually get a bit harsher ride. I would highly recommend swift springs though. In my opinion, they make your car feel......firmer.

4. Sounds like you like the sport spoiler, so I'm going to recommend that. Or the OEM style JDP spoiler. Same design, just slightly longer.

5. No clue.

6. Again I have no comment on this topic. Bottom line is cosmetic choices are ultimately yours, but since you asked for opinions. I say go for black.

 

Let me try!

1. I really loved the interior of the new Fiat. That retro dashboard was so cool. Searching here I came across various dash kits.
What has caught your eye so far? Can you share? I can't picture what a dash kit would look like or how it would end up looking even remotely like a Fiat

2. And recommended fog light brands for a Base? Pain to install?
The Honda ones would be my go-to - because they come with detailed instructions for the dealer to use. You can also find youtube tutorials for a lot of things like this.

3. There was a button on the left side for stability/slippage, etc. You can turn that on and off? When would you?
Rarely. If you are in the snow/ice the stability control may cut power rather than letting the wheels spin, in some cases it might help to turn it off if you get stuck. Just make sure to turn it back on again! Aside from this the only time is for, like, track use (ha!)

3. This is the smallest car I've ever owned, how do people improve the ride? I'm really feeling every bump in the road. Better shocks?
So you may be bowled over to know that the Base already IS the comfortable model. The Sport is supposedly slightly worse. The issue comes from having a short wheelbase and a simple rear suspension. The best advice I can give probably would be to check your tire pressure and lower it a few PSI if you can. Minor impact to fuel economy but can definitely be worth it. Later you can get a different tire brand. All of these are very incremental changes (unless the dealer left your tires overinflated, in which case, you'll notice a huge change from setting it properly). Aside from that it could be a fool's errand to change up springs/shocks, but, you could try especially if anyone can share specific advice. Usually people want a firmer ride for "handling purposes" so it can be frustrating to try and go the other way.

4. What's a nice spoiler for the Base? Nothing crazy like those drag racing wings.. small... like the Sport version.
Uh ... the Sport version :P I haven't see a lot of spoilers for the car to be honest. Nothing that looked good.

I had nothing for 5-6 sorry

 

Thanks for input guys. I just finished installing the leather steering wheel cover. Can't wait to try it out.

Weather permitting, I'll try installing the mud flaps tomorrow.

I also installed the weather tech mats. At first I thought the logo was positioned so you could read it. 'It doesn't fit I screamed!' But the logo goes to the side of the car... fit nice and snug!

p.s. If anyone needs help with Japanese instructions from some product they bought, let me know. I lived in Japan for 16 years

Carlos

 

I can help with #3

VSA.

I would turn it off if I was stuck in a lot of snow and I was trying to get myself out!

Some guys on here leave it off all the time because they can drive their car better than what Honda has programmed the car to do in slippery conditions or hard driving in turns.

I always leave it on because I usually need it when I am tired or I have a lapse in judgment in the quality of the road and it has save my ass on many occasions driving many different cars over the years. It only comes on when the car senses an emergency.

Remember that ABS and VSA are two different things and act in two different ways. Google it if you are not sure how it all works.


Every bump?

Try beefier tires with less air in them. Some brands advertize a better ride.