Well,

First post here. Pulled the trigger tonite on a 13' White Sport AT today. I just liked this little car, but for some reason I kept thinking I should have taken a Civic for the same money (and its better EPA fuel rating). However, my preference for the more upright driving position and hatchback body won out.

Anyone have similar decision problems. After a slew on coupes and sedans over the years this is my first hatch since 88'. Hoping fuel mileage keeps up with some of the figures posted here, and I will be fine.

I traded out of a 15mpg AWD SUV and am still getting used to a "small" car, but the first trip to the pump made me think I made a good decision.

Blake

Now time for a few mods to make it my own.

 

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new ride! Forget second-guessing. It'll give you insomnia if not ulcers. Enjoy your new ride. I'm sure each stop at the pump will put a smile on your face!

 

I have never been in a Civic so would not know.

 

I REALLY like the Civics also and thought about getting the sedan version. I think for me was that the Fit was more practical for me since I need the 50 square ft of cargo room while the Civic has more bells and whistles that I didn't need. Both are good cars, but keep in mind that the Fit has won a ton of awards recently so be proud that you own one.

 

I never looked at the Civics because I wanted a hatchback. But I was looking at the GTI and Focus ST (not sure this will be out until Oct 2012) was second guessing myself until I figure $8k more each and premium gas. Like the Mazda3 but rear seating, cargo room, center console and the smile I would wait for the redsign.

One thing to consider is that the 2013 Civic is to be redesign or refined which will be release this fall quoted

"The criticism fell on receptive ears. John Mendel, head of American Honda, acknowledged the missteps in the Civic's quality late last year. Honda says the Civic now has "interior and exterior refinements" for 2013."

 

now if they drop a civic hatchback...about the size of the elantra gt...I would definately consider it.

Love the fit but wish it had a few more inches of width. I see others on the road and we all seem a bit narrow. a bit more width would allow the inclusion of a real center console which could hold more that a few packs of gum. It would also make the car even more of a beast handling wise.

Of course it could also use a bump to 129hp at least (keeping it out of civic territory while giving it a needed boost) and maybe another gear in the AT (get rid of the paddle shifters - I prefer popping the gear shift to the right then pushing up or down)

 

If Honda remade the Civic hatch I, too, would trade out as well. Otherwise I'm happy with the Fit for its affordable price tag

 

Some people, for example my brother, simply want a sedan. There's no discussion. He would buy a Civic. I think most people make their decision based on this. Some people think that sedans have more prestige. Other people think people who buy sedans are small-minded. You gotta make your own decision.

Aside from that, the Civic will be greatly improved next year; even if I thought the current one was competitive (I don't) I would wait for that. The Fit will get a big redesign but it's looking like not until the 2014 model (release early 2013). We're hearing rumors of a 120hp engine or so, with better fuel economy (direct injection accounting for this), mated to a CVT if you want the auto option.

 

The new engine should be 127 hp and 111 lbs of torque based on Autoweek. In the UK they still have the Honda Civic Hatch with the same Magic seats as the fit.

 

Today I drove it 100 miles of so, after a fuel up from 1/2 tank I could only get 20.00 of fuel in it. That kind of sold me. The ride home and a bit of city driving ended with 37mpg on the mpg meter. Not sure how accurate the dash meter is, but it beats 15.5 on my old Saab.

The only concern I had was tracking on the interstate. It seemed real twitchy and needed constant correction. Is was a little windy, but I was surprised that it was moving around as much as it did. Guess this is normal?


I would certainly prefer a Civic hatch if one was ever release in the US, but I wouldn't hold my breath. The USA is sedan land.

 

My was twitchy the first time I drove it on a windy day. Since then I installed Eibach springs seems not be as twitchy. Next I will install a progress rsb and getting rear Koni shocks next month.

 

Hi, welcome,

Like you I was having trouble deciding between the Fit and the new Mazda CX-5. It came down to the CX-5 being a brand new design and the base model with the stick that I wanted was really stripped down. In a few years if they offer a diesel CX-5 with the stick I will probably trade in the Fit for it.

Yeah I feel the same twitchyness at highway speed but only with strong winds. The Fit steering I think is really precise, small corrections and inputs are noticeable, it doesn't have slop. You will get used to it quickly.

 

The twitchy will go away with milage. Windy interstates are interesting within the first 5k or so

 

The civic is nice, but the fit is far more versatile. Just wish for a wee bit more power..

 

Honda said the new Honda Jazz will be release in 2013

Quote: On a more global note, Ito said that Honda will roll out an all-new replacement for the Fit, also known as the Jazz in Europe, in 2013. Within two years after the initial market presentation, the Japanese automaker will launch a small SUV model based on the underpinnings of the new Fit/Jazz as well as a replacement for the related City small sedan.
In North America, Honda will begin producing the Fit and a derivative model (most likely the aforementioned small SUV) at its new plant in Mexico that will become operational in spring 2014. http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09...ivic-type.html

Honda Media Newsroom - Headlines - Summary of CEO Speech on September 21, 2012

 

GTI and ST: I was making the same comparison last year! That $8,000 difference is huge when you compare it to non-automotive purchases.

In my case, I drove a 2002 Civic Si hatchback for ten years (almost to the day) before trading it in for a 2012 Fit Sport with a manual transmission. When it came time to shop for a new car (thanks to our first child) my wife and I agreed that we would first test drive the Fit, and if we didn't like it then we would consider the GTI. Even though we both found the Fit to be a bit "cheaper" on the inside than my Si, my wife observed that the $8,000 difference is a two-week vacation to Japan, or a three-week vacation to France, or almost two years worth of Roth IRA contributions.

I enjoy driving our Fit, and I'm relieved that we made the right financial decision for our family. Yet, the recent Car and Driver issue containing the centerfold article on the Ford Focus ST still remains on our coffee table. I read the article to our daughter when trying to lull her to sleep, then do some daydreaming of my own.

 

I am hoping the Fiesta ST comes to the USA encouraging subcompact hot hatches. I would think the Fiesta ST with a shorter wheel base would out handle the Focus ST in the corners might not on the straight aways.

 

i had the previous gen civic sedan EX before getting the GD 5yrs ago. it was comfy but had quality problems. needed to be at the dealer for an entire week within 1k miles.

i also thought it was a pretty boring car... ended up getting the Fit Sport within 3yrs with the civic. not a bad decision, but the 08 Fit had terrible seating position so i sold it when it hit 30K miles last year.

bought the '12 MT 2 months ago and im happy with it. cheap, reliable, good mpg, comical styling, and pretty quick, fun to drive. i bought this car cash as my beater so everything was just right, including reliability, comical styling, and price. i didnt feel like spending more money on a MS3 or GTI... they didn't wow me. the GTI definitely had a nicer interior, but considering reliablity, mpg, kinda ugly styling, only moderate performance (at least for me), i didnt feel like spending more $ on it. the MS3 was quick, but had no wow factor, ugly face, mpg is terrible too.

GE is great in every way imho. i also looked at focus, fiesta, sonic, etc. meh.

 

When I bought my 2012 Fit Sport A/T my second choice was a Mazda 3, which I liked a little more in several different areas. The things that caused me to choose the Fit were:

- Back seat of Mazda 3 was no where near as roomy as the Fit and I have a 3 year old, so needed to easily fit in a car seat
- Reliability. I just felt that the Honda would have better reliability.

-Dustin

 

I use to buy more expensive used cars like Lexus, BMW, etc there is a reason expensive used cars are cheap no warranty high maintenance cost. Finally started buying new cars again but just can not go over $20k in my mind. I brought my wife's Camry list at $29k but in my mind I think it is great I can still get a new car for under $20k. My first new car was a 85 Celica GT 105hp and 2,471 curb weight for $12,500 in 1985. My 2012 Honda Fit Sport 117 hp and 2,540 curb weight for $17,397.