So I got hit and run on the right side of my car (passenger door smashed, wheel well damage, side airbag curtain deployed) in my 2009 Fit Sport with 90K miles.

Insurance company says, oh, $6800 to fix that and that totals your car, so we're sending you a check when you send us the title. I am not happy. I liked not having a car payment. I liked having a car I could give to my kid in a couple of years.

Looking at the new 2018 Fits, I'm ignoring the LX. I'm thinking Sport, but they put all the extra safety features in the EX and I really don't want a sunroof. And the extra features in the EX-L like leather and Navi are again stuff I don't really want.

I'm going to do some test drives in M/T and CVT to figure out if I really want to give up my M/T. I know at least the 6 M/T in top gear won't be turning 4k rpms at 70 mph.

Anyone know anything about the Honda Factory Performance Package?

I'm sad to see there isn't a Mugen Short M/T shifter like I had on my 2009.

 

Available in the US only. You can buy the whole package consisting of body work and suspension pieces, or you can buy the suspension (which is what I would like to get).


The drop is 10mm, and the spring rates are essentially doubled in the fronts, and almost 150% more in the rear.

 

Sadly, they kept the final drive and top gear ratio the same so no rpm reduction with the manual. Very poor decision is my opinion. The CVT turns much less rpm.

I'd either shop for a super clean '12-'13 or switch brands, but that's just me. We moved over to a Golf. There you can get relaxed high way driving, more power, and a manual. With the various GK issues I see on the boards, I'm not sure you give up much reliability. Time will tell.

 

unless youre going for cargo space, go check out the Golf as well. you might like it more and dont bs yourself about honda's reliablity being better cause its not.

i speak from experience.

watever you decide, GL and hope no more accidents!

 

Honda sensing is available in the sport, but only in CVT.

 

Oh, that's good to know. I really don't want to pay for an upgrade to orange highlighted wheels when the black ones would be just fine.

 

Ah, ok. so CVT is probably an option for me. Thanks!

 

Hmm. that's a very bad decision. i think Honda's concerned that the Fit would outdo the Civic in highway mileage.

Checking out a couple of the nationwide dealers, there are few 12/13s around, and low mileage versions are only a few thousand below list of a 2018. :-(

I rented a gulf maybe 5-6 years ago and hated it. It was more underpowered that my Fit, and literally got 23mpg on a highway trip of 400 miles.

Thanks for the observation.

 

I'm not familiar with the "Gulf," but the Golf's lowest power motor available is 180hp and it gets low 30's for fuel mileage. Real story is that it also has 70 lb/ft torque more and at a much lower rpm.

The performance difference between the Golf and Fit is monumentally in the Golf's favor.

 

That's what I found too when shopping for my 2015. The 2012-2014s were only a few thousand short of a brand new GK. I just bought new since I would have a new car with warranty.

Even though mine was built in 12/2014 in Mexico, it's been mechanically reliable. Don't get me wrong, I've had recalls and warranty repairs for q/c issues but it's otherwise never left me stranded.

I have the CVT and have been happy with the performance and mileage. I consistently get 40+ MPG, my best being 47 MPG for a tank. I personally wouldn't want those electronic safety minders, but to each their own

 

Yeah, Honda resale value makes purchasing used tough. There are much better deals out there on used cars.

An '18 Sport CVT seems like a fairly good choice overall.

I'm with 2Rismo2 on skipping the nannie's, but that's just me.

 

I know it's more, but have you considered the latest Civic HB? It's 180HP, the gearing on the 6MT is better and it's gets just as good gas mileage while being a larger vehicle. If it was around when I was shopping, I would have paid the extra for it. The Fit is OK, but I bet the Civic would be a more comfortable highway car.

 

Very good advice!

 

 

The nannies as you call them are safety features that insurance companies give discounts for, and have been recommended by two folks I know in the business.

I'm currently leaning towards a 2013 Sport (had my eyes on a 2013 sport/nav which was right by the hotel I was in last week, but it's already gone).

I'll also take a look at the Civic HB, but I'm not really fan of signing up for a car payment, especially when the list price for it is $4k more than the Fit.

 

I'm getting a Celestial Blue Metallic 2011 Fit Sport Auto w/Nav with 70k, all maintenance done at the dealership (owner started out as a Honda dealer employee and moved to another dealership).

I feel Mugen fitment in my future, given that it's on sale at Bernardi's....

 

Cool! Make sure you see valve adjustment in the maintenance records. It was due at 60k, but very few get it done.

My Mom has an '11 Sport auto that she bought new and it has been a perfect car. Literally zero problems. Not super comfy and not quiet inside (2012 was first year with additional sound insulation), but it's super reliable.

 

i had the 12 GE and it was still pretty noisy..