We're at 71,000 miles now on the 2009 Sport MT with Navi. It's been our cross country traveler (we are at least 100 miles from anywhere we'd like to go) and always loved the panoramic view and the fuel economy. Lately, though, the second set of tires is howling on the pavement, the seats feel uncomfortable, and the fuel economy, while still very good, is not much better than some much nicer cars.

We traded our 2003 Acura TL for a new Accord to use on our trips and I'm using the Fit for a daily driver. That Accord with the 4-cylinder and CVT gets great mileage and with the noise canceling system it sure is quiet.

I still like the Fit but it sure looks like there are some cars out there that could tempt me away from it. Our Fit has a lot of life left in it though. We keep our cars a long time—never less than ten years—but I drove a new Forester…

Talk me out of it.

Cheers

 

Well, inherently the Fit is an economy minded car. To get to it's low price point, it is not as full of amenities as lots of other cars that come in at a higher price point. Then again, the Fit has consistently won awards for it's low cost of ownership with the combination of great mileage and near zero maintenance outside of routine.

Second set of tires in 71K Miles? Not bad at ALL! If they are making noise... part of that may be that the 09-11 Fit's were a bit noisier. They did add additional sound proofing for 2012-2013. Then again, what tires did you choose? If you tried to stick to an OEM size... selection is relatively poor...

Seat comfort, I got nothing LOL But my idea of comfort is a racing bucket seat so that's a very subjective topic

 

I appreciate your thoughts. I understand the economy thing. That's what was attractive about the car when we bought it. It is such a useful car in so many ways. Still one of Car & Driver's 10 Best.

We replaced the original tires with OEM-sized Bridgestone Touranzas from Tire Rack. They transformed the car when they were new. Much quieter and the car needed much less attention in winter crosswinds. Now I see that the rear tires wear more quickly than the front, which is what happened with the originals. With the original tires the shop refused to rotate them anymore because at 35000 miles they were shot. Our driving is primarily on the interstates.

I suppose I should bite the bullet and try another set of tires but there is still plenty of tread on these.

The seats are a mystery to me. They didn't bother me so much before, but I think the padding might be wearing out or something. They were better than I expected when the car was new. Now, less so. Or, maybe my padding is wearing out.

Cheers.

 

I love my 09 SSM Fit.....anyone who knows me knows just how much time and care (and $$$) I put into it.

103k miles and it drives like a champ. Granted I've put 205 55 16, a progress rsb, and swifts (on top of the hid's, ambient lighting and more) but since day one I loved everything about this car and had high hopes for Honda going forward because if they could pull this off in this segment.....

guess I was wrong. With the exception of the acccord (which reminds me of the Hyundai Sonata before this current model) everything in its lineup is sad and reminds me of GM when they started churning out ugly cars in their Pontiac and Chevy lineup.

While I will drive this car for a while longer, I'm getting 25 mpg and when I rented a focus and an elantra for several weeks, performing the same driving (faster even) I was getting 30 (focus) and 27 (elantra). These are bigger cars in which I feel more comfortable, even though the elantra was a boring ride.....not so with the focus (sel).

So this brings me to the next gen fit, a car I will have to see in person to decide if Honda continues to get my money.

On the other hand the 2014 Mazda3 looks like checks off all the right boxes. The new soul and forte even look promising (features galore but shady reliability).

At this point a used focus titanium hatchback (no myford) might be the next step when I have to walk away from this one.

 

This would tempt me to get rid of my Fit in 2016:

The Japanese based automaker Toyota is planning to develop a new model, which will come as a hatchback with rear-wheel drive.

After the huge success of the Toyota GT 86, the car manufacturer is now looking into developing a similar model, which will be considered the little brother of the sports car. Rumors are saying that the company is planning to develop a brand new model which should hit the market over the following years. This new vehicle will come as a hatchback and it will have rear-wheel drive. If it makes its way onto the market indeed, it has a good chance of revolutionizing the B- or C-segment for hatchbacks (depending on its size).
The future rear-wheel drive Toyota hatchback will come with five doors and it should be a reimagined version of the Rush crossover, and it will eventually be the smaller brother of the GT 86. A four-wheel independent suspension will be used on the new model and it will get lowered ride height. Power shou come from a 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine, which should generate approximately 150 BHP (112 kW). Rumors are saying that the starting price of the RWD Toyota hatchback will be set at 20,000 USD. The model should hit the market in 2016.
Source: Motor Trend

 

What's your daily drive like?

Based on other Hondas I've owned, maintenance should be pretty flat until 150K and then start to rise. There's a bit of a blip at 100K when it's time for a tune-up (valve adjustment, plugs: maybe $400 unless you diy).

Weighing the cost of a new car against maintenance of a used Fit, the Fit will come out ahead for ever. But the intangible costs (comfort) of keeping the Fit vs getting a new car are important. Not sure about the Fit's future trade-in value: that may take a dip with the 2014/15 Fits coming out. Now might be the time to trade.

 

Sounds like a great little car ... if it never snows where you live. I've resigned myself to never owning another RWD car since I've put down roots in the snow belt.

 

Is there any word on Honda redesigning the fit in 2014/15??? Dam I just bought my 2013 3 days ago!!

lol

 

Gladiator, there is a thread about the 2014/15 Fit line (several actually) if you click on the Home link. Ought to be fairly recently updated.

 

I too have an 09 Fit and had a 2nd 2010 sport until I was rear ended and it was totaled about 2 months ago.

Best cars I've ever owned.

However, I'm not going to talk you out of a Forester. I ordered the 2014 XT (with the turbo and direct fuel injection).

Great minds think alike???

 

I live in the country. It's a couple miles to the office but a 32-mile run to all of our sites. I have to do a lot of driving on rural roads in snowy and icy weather. Our TL was good for that but I traded it for the Accord and now the Fit will have to fill that bill.



This is our road from the end of our 500-foot driveway.



Our little Fit on a better winter day.

Most of our neighbors have monster four-wheel-drive pickups or large SUVs. They think I'm suicidal for driving the Fit in the winter but it does all right except for the low-hanging bumper in deep snow. Not much of a plow.

 

If I live in a area that had more snow I would consider the Impreza now that the mileage has improved that was the only reason I skipped over it.

 

The mileage has improved but at the cost of some performance however. Probably ok if you get manual trans. How much is the impreza, 130-140 hp? It's not exactly a race car. It's also considerably more expensive. I too looked long and hard at the preza because I live in Montreal and the snow clearing sux in my area.

The best investment for good winter driving are a nice set of winter tires. I got a set of Michelin Xice2 from tirerack for 66$ a tire. I looove winter driving! Handbrake turns, wahoooo!

Also, I'd get a set of winter rims if I were you. Like that you save your sport rims from nasty salt/corrosion, can change the tyres whenever you want and can opt for a smaller 14" wheel which makes for a larger tire and improved traction. Also, you get twice the longevity from running two sets of tires!

 

This thread is a little depressing to read for one that doesn't have a Fit, looking to purchase a used 08-09.

 

Foresters are made in Indiana, I think. Those cars including the Legacy have been prone to warranty repairs and not very reliable, so I heard. The Subary dealers in my area have terrible service too, so I am always put off even thinking about buying a Subaru.

I would check and think over those areas before buying a Forester.

 

I ruled out Subaru altogether because I don't need full-time 4wd -- it adds cost and complexity and subtracts fuel economy.

PS to monster8: if you think this thread is depressing, check out "What DON'T you like about your Fit?" :-)

 

I would not get depressed we are pretty much happy with our Fits when it comes down to a final comparison with other models they usually cannot match the reliability, fun to drive and cargo space of the Fit. Good luck on your search.

 

No, no, no. Not depressing. I drove ours 1000 miles this week. Just weighing the pros and cons. We have a brand new Accord. No one gives it a second look. Just yesterday a person was admiring our Fit (few out here in the country know what it is) and when she sat in it was blown away by the openness and the view. I'm just trying to figure out what the best plan is for us and using the wisdom of the crowd to do it.

Right now the mpg readout is at 39. Lots of good things to say about the Fit.

Cheers.

 

Ok cool! That sounds better! I think I have just been reading all positives for the car until I came across this thread and got a dose of reality. I still want a Fit as bad as before!

 

Mazda 3s might be coming with diesel later next year, getting amazing fuel economy.
New corollas looks nice. Older civics can be had for 17K. Lots of cars out there to challenge the fit.