Why in the world did they decide on drum brakes for the rear? Even a Toyota Yaris has rear discs....

I mean saving costs is one thing but being cheap is another.

 

It's a non-factor in practical terms.

The front brakes are doing 90% of the speed retardation, so yes they have to be discs because they have to vent out the heat. The rears don't really do much, so they don't have to deal with a lot of heat - ergo the decision to go drums.

If anything, rear drum brake shoes last a LONG time. I can't remember having ever replaced mine, not that I need it.

I remember someone else who used to post here before my two-year hiatus from FF, and he was a real disc brake snob...

 

I am surprise the Yaris is rear disc my 2006 Corolla S was rear drum brakes.

 

Most Yarii don't have rear discs. It's an option. Only to please people who think it's important. Toyota had rear knuckles lying around that fit properly already; if they didn't they would not offer the option.

On a car this light, the rear brakes do little work. And I suspect it's no trouble to lock up the tires, meaning that more braking power isn't going to add anything ...

 

I guess I can look at it that way. Drums just seem so 1970's.

 

It is kind of like would I notice the difference with rear disc or a 6 speed versus a five speed manual. Since that is the way the car came I really could not compare it. I guess if you compare it to a European Fit that comes with rear disc for stopping distance.

 

It doesn't matter. Drums don't look as good as disks, but the Fit isn't a good looking car to begin with.

Functionally, drums are more than adequate.

 

Yup yup yup... with the Fit anyway... Non-issue for me...

 

Agreed.

Probably every Fit in the US has ABS...but mine doesn't - that just how it was sold here in 2005. So trust me when I tell you guys that when the brakes are cold, they are very easy to lock up and it's tough to find their threshold without practice...and be thankful for your ABS. I think it's one feature all Fits should definitely have, even more so than rear disc brakes.

Rear discs are bling, nothing more. Heck, Spoon campaigned a GD with rear drums in an endurance race - if it's good enough for them it should be plenty for us street-driving mortals.

 

Drum brakes are good in terms of their features and working. Drum brakes are using mostly in all type of car brands, these are cheap and better in performance.

 

to be cheap isto save money which in return makes profit! lol
But hey, It's A FIT no need for disks lol =)

 

I have discs in the rear.
Sorry, but mine are from the far east and in Europe the Fit has disc brakes all around too. Guess Honda just doesn't think Americans know how to drive. At least let Honda know so maybe the 2014's will have them.

 

Look at from the economic point of view. If Honda put in rear Discs, the cost goes up, in turn the price will have to go up. Some people will then complain about the price being high and the car should be cheaper, etc. Honda did their homework and decided what goes in the package and the price point. I think they did a great job, it is a good balance as is.

 

Incorrect. For those of us who have manufactered both disc and drum brakes the cost differential is more in favor of discs than drums. Espedcally in assembly.
Those suppliers of drums can offer competitive prices only because the manufacturing lines are long paid for. When upgrading time comes they convert to discs.

 

Does that cost factor still hold true for the rear of the car, where there needs to be a parking/handbrake mechanism too? It's often done by embedding a small drum brake in the hat section of the disc. If you're putting a drum mechanism there for parking, why not make it big enough to use with the main system too & eliminate the disc?