CTC Review: 2009 Honda Fit

[Jaeger]

Times sure are a'changin' when 15" wheels are "shamefully tiny" on a subcompact econohatch.

Oh - and Sir Osis nailed the whole drum brake thing.

Jaeger

[carcrazy]

Don't know what you guys do with your tires; the Kumho's that came with my Accent are very acceptable. Not a single problem in three years summer and winter 50,000km.

I use them for the first 2.5 years. I got both my cars in spring so I drove them for 3 summers and 2 winters. Mazda's Toyo tires were done just under 50K (not even good for summer). Outlander's Yokohama served me 2 summers and 2 winters so far and they are good for at least another summer. I'm planning to replace them the coming fall. I wouldn't adventure to drive them another winter I guess, although they still have enough meat at this point, but by the fall they should be done (safety wise). Most likely getting another set of Nokians. The ones I have on the Mazda served me pretty well so far.
None of the cars I own required immediate tire replacement due to performance issues.

[Stuff]

How high off the ground is the hatch in this picture? Seems like it raises up a long ways.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/images.php?info=2009%20Honda%20Fit%20Sport&src=http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2009/images/honda/2009_honda_fit/09fit_jb_06-5317.jpg

[hoss]

I am looking at both the Fit and Matrix.  Honda has some really nice cash backs right now (if you drive a Honda and want a stick).  The Fit comes in a far bit cheaper then the Matrix.  (Fit LX vs. Matrix base with Touring package). 

I just drove them both, the Fit is the "Swiss Army Knife" of cars, it's fun with amazing room inside the dash is really cool, and the radio nice.  I find the seat comfortable and my legs don't hit the dash (I'm 6'5" but my legs are short)  My legs do hit the cup holder in the front.  The rear seat is good, I could sit in it.  High RPM on Highway like Hondas/Integras of old (a concern for me). While we were there, we also drove the Civic because it is a good deal right now. (same deals plus .9%), the Civic is a better deal.  Larger quieter, better ride.  Nice interior not clever but nice.  I would not buy the Civic, I fit in the driver's seat, but I could not get comfortable in the passengers seat..  Low roof hard for an old guy like me to get in.  Not a hatch.

Now for the Matrix, it sort of like oatmeat, really practical, reliable, good gas use, but few people really love it. The exterior does try too hard, and the interior does have a lot of painted plastic.  But I know people who have Matrixs and they just go on forever. I still have not made the choice, the Matrix seems to be more rugged then the Fit.  But Honda has managed to build a small inexpensive (sort of) car which people don't feel cheap driving.  One of the car magazines said it best "people drive the Fit because they want to, not because they can't afford anything else".

[hoss]

How high off the ground is the hatch in this picture? Seems like it raises up a long ways.

I'm 6'5" and I can almost walk under it,  I can't do that in the Touring.

[The Mighty Duck]

I would not buy the Civic, I fit in the driver's seat, but I could not get comfortable in the passengers seat..  Low roof hard for an old guy like me to get in.  Not a hatch.

I agree.  I love the current Civic, but the coupe is very nice looking but not practical enough and the sedan is more practical (still no hatchback, though!) but not nearly as nice to look at.

I really wish Honda offered a four-door Civic hatch on this side of the pond - it would be the best of both worlds.  However, the Fit is an excellent vehicle and fills the gap reasonably well...  I wouldn't mind an upgraded version with the Civic's bigger engine, though (if only for a little more grunt and lower revs at speed).

[Rupert]

Perhaps cars should be designed by Average city/town fuel ecconomy. Set a limit for each size sector and this has to be held or not allowed to sell. If a bigger engine can achieve the rating with more HP OK. Otherwise the scene will deteriorate into power races again. Did I say again...maybe the races have not gone anywhere.
The Soul has a 2 litre engine offering which appears to be new. Wish the adds would not poke an over emphasized blunt nose out of my morning paper. The new Fit is begining to take the lead.
Just reading todays report and the dash layout on the Fit looks nice to me. The rotating control knobs seem handy and easy to memorize. Don't know about the front window though; the pillars seem to impose or maybe this is due to the camera.
Wheel sizes have a lot to do with what the stylists foist on the public I think. My old Sable only had 15" wheels and I think that the base models had 14". They all seemed ok back then. Bigger wheels (less rubber) means a harsher ride which is already a challenge when designing a small vehicle.
I have a vehicle of this size and I nust say that it is a pleasure to do ones daily chores in. Light to handle and a snap to park...often in places that boats won't Fit.

[Jaeger]

Glad to hear that you didn't fing the Fit to be a letdown in proximity to some pricier iron.

I agree with you about the interior ergonomics and dash layout.  Nobody is going to confuse the material quality with a Lexus, but the layout is clean and functional and all the controls are a snap to use. Regrettably, this is not something that can be said of all of Honda's recent offerings.  The HVAC controls are a model of the virtue of simplicity.  Large grippy knobs that are easily grasped with a gloved hand and a layout that won't require some quality time spent perusing the owner's manual.

Don't know about the front window though; the pillars seem to impose or maybe this is due to the camera.

It's the photo - those little front windows really boost outward visibility in a big way.

Jaeger

[dutch]

" I find the seat comfortable and my legs don't hit the dash (I'm 6'5" but my legs are short)  My legs do hit the cup holder in the front."

Well it was a rather snowy day here in Winterpeg, so I stopped by one of the Honda stores. As I sd before, the Fit looks small in the parking lot. Must admit it is a little bit better in the showroom. However no room for my legs!!! I'm 6'3 and must have REALLY long legs..... The Hyundai is starting to look pretty good.

[Blueprint]

Damn someone noticed!  I forgot last night

If that 3-series was that memorable, please leave it in my driveway for, ahem, a few days 

[wing]

I have confirmed, no more paddle shifters for Canada.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

" I find the seat comfortable and my legs don't hit the dash (I'm 6'5" but my legs are short)  My legs do hit the cup holder in the front."

Well it was a rather snowy day here in Winterpeg, so I stopped by one of the Honda stores. As I sd before, the Fit looks small in the parking lot. Must admit it is a little bit better in the showroom. However no room for my legs!!! I'm 6'3 and must have REALLY long legs..... The Hyundai is starting to look pretty good.

If you're really long legged, the Elantra Touring isn't bad. Not perfect, but acceptable. I find the seat cushion a little flat, but better than in other Hyundais like Santa Fe. There are a few other compact cars with good leg room but the Rabbit/Jetta betters them all.

[MKII]

Wing, you mention the Sport adds front and rear stablizer bars. So the DX and LX do not have front stablizers?
And the DX has 2 speakers?

[dutch]

If you're really long legged, the Elantra Touring isn't bad. Not perfect, but acceptable. I find the seat cushion a little flat, but better than in other Hyundais like Santa Fe. There are a few other compact cars with good leg room but the Rabbit/Jetta betters them all.

Thanks sirAQUA - never thought of the Rabbit. My first car was a 1977 Rabbit - you would think I would have thought of it too.....   

[hoss]

O.K. people had me worried I might have been caught up in the speed of the Fit and missed my legs hitting the dash, so on my way home I sat in a Fit and for good measure went across the road and sat a Elantra Touring.  The Fit "fits" fine and I like the quality/layout of the dash better every time I see it.  Because of the way I sit in a car (old knee injuries)I do hit the front drink holders a bit with my calf.

I glad  I sat in the Touring, (I was questioning my choice not to buy it because they don't make anything in Canada).  I had missed something, even with the seat as low as possible I was ducking to look out the windsheild.  The visors where in my line of sight. The seat really are hard and flat.

[wing]

Wing, you mention the Sport adds front and rear stablizer bars. So the DX and LX do not have front stablizers?
And the DX has 2 speakers?

Sorry, DX and LX get front bar, Sport gets front and rear bar -- the spec sheet is worded weird.

That is correct on the speakers, DX - 2 speakers, LX - 4 speakers, Sport - 6 speakers.

[Shnak]

I can't believe they still make cars with only 2 speakers... even my 8 year old base base base Accent comes with 4 of them! At least the Fit does come with 6 air bags across the board (5 more than my Accent! )

[Honda Owner]

My Fit DX went straight from the dealer to the KAL Tire near my house and had an handsome set of 15" alloy wheel with Michelin Aquatred P195/55-15 tires fitted. The best $1200 I ever spent and the Eco rebate paid most of it. The stock speakers got traded out for four MTX Thunderdomes in Bellingham for a total installed price of CDN$165. They are good enough to shake the mirrors on rock songs. With no PST it is, in my opinion, well worth it. This is a Hodna, not a Hyundai. Want to pay less? Don't buy a Honda. Besides, you will get it back at resale time.

[Shnak]

This is a Hodna, not a Hyundai. Want to pay less? Don't buy a Honda. Besides, you will get it back at resale time.

I'm not exactly sure why you made this into a Hyundai vs Honda debate... all I was pointing out that it's ridiculous that a vehicle comes with 2 speakers, absolutely ridiculous. Honda, like Toyota, sometimes takes advantage of its reputation and cuts corners because they know they'll still sell their vehicles... in a way, that's taking advantage of its customers. As a consummer, I'd much rather be taking advantage of my car manufacturer.

[Jaeger]

This is a Hodna, not a Hyundai. Want to pay less? Don't buy a Honda. Besides, you will get it back at resale time.

I'm not exactly sure why you made this into a Hyundai vs Honda debate... all I was pointing out that it's ridiculous that a vehicle comes with 2 speakers, absolutely ridiculous. Honda, like Toyota, sometimes takes advantage of its reputation and cuts corners because they know they'll still sell their vehicles... in a way, that's taking advantage of its customers. As a consummer, I'd much rather be taking advantage of my car manufacturer.

The suggestion that Honda is in some way taking advantage of its customers in the base Fit model borders on the absurd.  No, check that, it warmly embraces the absurd and gives it a big sloppy kiss.  C'mon man - in the base model of ANY car things are going to be pared down - you think consumers don't know that?  And don't you think consumers bear some obligation to inform themselves of what they are buying?  If a consumer decides he will take less content in a Honda based on their deserved reputation for solid reliability and strong resale, how has he been taken advantage of, exactly? 

Newer manufacturers, or manufacturers trying to make inroads into a new segment are always going to give more content for less money - they HAVE to in order to gain market share.  That doesn't mean that the established players are taking advantage of their customers.  Please.

And the resale value issue, while not determinative on its own, is certainly a valid consideration in the assessment of value - unless you are one of the very few that buy a new car and keep it until it disintegrates.  I don't pretend to be able to see the future, by I think it a fairly safe bet that a 5 or 6 year old Honda will sell more readily and for more money than a comparable 5 or 6 year old Kia.  And I'd bet the difference will far exceed the cost of a couple speakers.

Jaeger.