Actually whyzor, I think you are in the majority. Most people would rather have a roomier inside with a smaller outside. Unless I can find a great deal on a mint '08 with low miles,I will get the '09, and just deal with the problem when it comes. So this is not a deal breaker for me, just a inconvenience. Since I plan to keep my Fit for 10 or 20 or more years, I may have to replace an engine someday. The original "dealbreaker" on the '09 for me, was when I thought the '09 didn't come with a spare tire. When I found out the American Fits had them I stopped worrying. I hate to say it, but I have a distrust for mechanics in general, unless I know them. I know there are a lot of good, honest ones out there. However, if I don't know them, I have no way of telling whether they are honest, good or both. No offense to any of you professional mechanics. The first time I took my Civic to a mech over 15 years ago, he tried to screw me. Luckily, I knew better than to pay him for a "engine flush" and other problems my car didn't have. I bought a factory service manual, did everything myself and never took a car back to another one.

 

Dude its a honda, if you maintain it right and it sounds like you will. It will last you at least 300,000 miles easy. Even then you probably won't have to replace the engine completely. Other than that what other problems does the GE have? None. It just sounds to me that you want a GD and are finding whatever reason you can to justify it. It seems like you've made up your mind already. Settle for the GD so you can make your 300,000 mile maintenance easier...