CD Article: 2009 Honda Fit LX

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


If there was an award for the "Cleverest car of 2009", it would probably go to the redesigned 2009 Honda Fit, opines Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson. "It really is amazing that there is so much room in such a small car."
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[Schmengie]

This is a great little car and it'll sell like cocaine at a Hell's Angels convention, but I wouldn't buy one. I just can't stand to look at that dashboard with it's swoops, swirls, creases and various bits and pieces that look like they were stuck on as afterthoughts. The Fit displays Honda's typically great engineering and quality construction, but the interior's design is too disjointed and busy to appeal to me, ingenious as it is. Too bad.

[rrocket]

^^^^You're just a hater because it's a more interesting interior than the Versa.....

[Schmengie]

^^^^You're just a hater because it's a more interesting interior than the Versa.....

I don't hate the Fit - I happen not to like the way the dash and door panels look, that's all. How does that make me a 'hater'? 

[rrocket]

It was a joke dude....(see the smiley face??)

[Schmengie]

It was a joke dude....(see the smiley face??)

Oh, I get it.....

[Honda Owner]

I own a 2008 Fit and I was interested in driving the new model. First impression was the old model had much better materials than the new one, especially the dash. Second was that although the new motor has more power (at higher RPMs, I might add) it is not noticeable because the new car is heavier.

The biggest difference is the character of the car. My 2008 is always telling me, "beat me, whip me, fling me into that next corner, find a gap in traffic and gun it!" while the new model does not. Sure, it is still zippy but nowhere near the go cart experience the '08 is. That said the 2009 rides a whole lot better.

But I missed the boy racer aspect of the old model. Few cheap cars are as much to fun to drive as a previous generation Fit. The only small car that I have ever driven I liked as much as my 2008 Fit was the first generation VW Golf/Rabbit.

In the end, the Fit has grown up a lot and I am sure Honda will sell a bleep-load of them.

But I am glad I have a 2008 DX (sans a/c and 50kg) with aftermarket 15" alloys, Michelin tires and kick ass (also after market speakers to go with the 160 watt stereo.

[tpl]

Mrs tpl is very fond of her 2007 Fit and by the time she is ready to buy a new one we'll probably be looking at the Mark 4 Fit    ( with her low mileage it will probably be the Mark 6 before it wears out)

They do seem to have fixed all the annoyances of the Mark 1

[Greg B.]

It's probably the best choice out there for those who choose to drive a penalty box basic runabout. It has the versatility and utility that most of its competition cannot match. Would I pay $20K out the door for one? No, because I don't want a car that bouncy, buzzy and uncomfortable. But for those who don't mind that sort of thing it makes infinitely more sense than alternatives like the Smart Fortwo, and the cult will ensure that resale remains high. The real question I have about it is whether the versatility it offers is worth the premium Honda charges over the competition, even though you will get part of that back at trade-in time..

[wing]

Wow that new fit is uglier than the old it seems...

[Jaeger]

Well, my wife liked it so much, she just bought one.  Hopefully delivered tomorrow. I thoroughly applaud her choice. To my mind, this vehicle represents Honda being Honda - and succeeding spectacularly.  Fun, practical, fun, economical and fun.  She is replacing her '01 Civic and gave a close look to the current model, but simply liked the Fit a lot more.  That is cost a lot less was a welcome bonus.

I have to think there was a problem with the gearbox in the test vehicle, because I would put this unit among the very best I have ever driven.  I do wish they had added a 6th forward gear, but Honda seems mired in a "5 is plenty, thank you" mind set.  Witness the retro-tech 5 speed auto on the al new TL, in a category when competitors are already providing 7 and 8 speeds.  Then again, I seem to recall that back in the day they hung on to 4 speed autos longer than most.  But I digress...

The Fit will sell like hotcakes - and not just because of the relatively low price point.

"bouncy, buzzy and uncomfortable"?  As compared to what - a Toyota Avalon? Sounds like someone who has not actually driven the vehicle.  That simply does not remotely comport with my experience on two extensive test drives over mixed pavement surfaces, highway and city.

Jaeger

[tortoise]

8.9 L/100 km?  Something must be wrong with the car or the calculations. 

[libraman]

"At freeway speeds, the engine revs about 3,000 r.p.m. at 100 km/h in fifth gear, the same as last year - that's a bit high."

I thought for the 2008 model they changed the gearing to allow for lower rpm and better fuel economy in the manual. Curious that they didn't maintain that difference in the makeover.

[Honda Owner]

No, because I don't want a car that bouncy, buzzy and uncomfortable

Have you actually ever driven a Fit, Greg? Your description of said automobile does not match my ownership experience. The seats are very comfortable and the engine as smooth as any four cylinder I have ever driven.

[Jem_hadar]

Great, very detailed review! Loved all the little points you hit on with the Fit. ^5
One of my favourite reviews I've read in a while on this site.

The new FIt is a fantastic vehecile -- fixed all the dislikes I had of the last gen model and added in new features that I really wish my Yaris had too! 

Honda has an eff'n great product here!

[tpl]

No, because I don't want a car that bouncy, buzzy and uncomfortable

Have you actually ever driven a Fit, Greg? Your description of said automobile does not match my ownership experience. The seats are very comfortable and the engine as smooth as any four cylinder I have ever driven.

I find our FIT is comfortable enough for me. I don't even have trouble with the lack of a left foot rest as some on the Forum have had.
Not at all buzzy, not as smooth as the 2.0 in the GTI but then the GTI has two balance shafts. A sixth gear in the transmission would do no harm but it works fine at 3200 rpm at 120 km/h.
The Fit suspension work well enough for the roads I drive on.


I wonder what Greg drives that is so comfortable,non-buzzy and non-bouncy? 

[The Mighty Duck]

My experience with the last-gen reminded me of a terrier.  Very eager, very fun, and always ready to go.  I look forward to driving the new one - from the sounds of it, it kept all the good and corrected a lot of the little complaints people had.

Nice review.

[Honda Owner]

Alas, the terrier side of the Fit is gone in the 2009.

[Jaeger]

Alas, the terrier side of the Fit is gone in the 2009.

I very much disagree.  It may be less of a terrier than the old model, but it's still in the terrier class.  It's just not constantly yapping and straining at the leash.  An adult terrier, rather than a terrier puppy.

Jaeger

[Seafoam]

No, because I don't want a car that bouncy, buzzy and uncomfortable

Have you actually ever driven a Fit, Greg? Your description of said automobile does not match my ownership experience. The seats are very comfortable and the engine as smooth as any four cylinder I have ever driven.

I find our FIT is comfortable enough for me. I don't even have trouble with the lack of a left foot rest as some on the Forum have had.
Not at all buzzy, not as smooth as the 2.0 in the GTI but then the GTI has two balance shafts. A sixth gear in the transmission would do no harm but it works fine at 3200 rpm at 120 km/h.
The Fit suspension work well enough for the roads I drive on.


I wonder what Greg drives that is so comfortable,non-buzzy and non-bouncy? 

Probably an "Oldsmobuick "of some sort. Most of his posts are negative and especially  towards asian cars. My guess is a GM car of some sort.
He is part of the GM cult.