Fit is a poor handler
#61
02-24-2011, 08:02 AM
[quote=cr4zy3lgato;964653]@xSimply: i'm impressed you've been able to do something with the dunlops... i think they are junk even for summer...
I've been able to get through snow pretty good if I take it easy, I think when I moved from a Honda with a limited slip diff and wider tires to the Fit's setup I just assumed I would have way less traction. The truth is I won't get to see the Fit's handling in a better light until it's warmer out and I get these Dunlops off.
I've been able to get through snow pretty good if I take it easy, I think when I moved from a Honda with a limited slip diff and wider tires to the Fit's setup I just assumed I would have way less traction. The truth is I won't get to see the Fit's handling in a better light until it's warmer out and I get these Dunlops off.
#62
02-24-2011, 08:16 AM
To All: I really don't care what you say. Yes of course, I'm a horrible driver. Just believe what you want to believe, this thread was a long time in coming. The criticisms I've made are reproducible. Go ahead and take your fit onto a gravel road and see for yourself. note: that's not a dirt road.
especially those of us that live in more 'rural' areas.If you wanted to drive fast on gravel roads, why did you get a car that was basically designed for a city environment? I think if I lived out where my wife is from (ie the sticks in Illinois) I'd probably have an AWD vehicle, maybe an Evo or WRX if it was going to be a car. Most likely though, I'd have an SUV with AWD if I was going to drive on gravel year round.
I've driven my Fit on plenty of gravel roads and never had a problem. Snow covered, soggy, dry, whatever the conditions, I just take my time and am cautious. But then again, sometimes there are conditions where you do need to drive fast - like making it through a soft spot in the gravel from a weeks worth of rain - still, no problems. I've had my old Ford Ranger stuck more times up there than my Fit.
Last edited by BVictor; 02-24-2011 at 08:18 AM.
#63
02-24-2011, 08:37 AM
!! Well after reading more about this last night I was itching to test this myself. I didn't want to push it so I went about half as fast (50mph) on the deserted and snake-like road leading to my workplace. Thankfully the pavement was a slick so it made things easy for me, and after hitting a couple corners I was able to achieve lift off over steer. It worked best for me in a higher gear with a quick increase of the steering wheel angle right before I cut the throttle.I know this happened a few times when I'd go out in my DSM and fool around in the snow but I didn't know how it exactly worked or that it even had a name. It is something to try even just to experience the technique if you haven't, I do recommend slicker conditions so that it's easier for you and easier on your car.
#64
02-24-2011, 03:01 PM
![Lyon[Nightroad]'s Avatar](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/customavatars/avatar31469_2.gif){kind=avatar}
Yep you are infallible and there is no amount of schooling or experience that might make you a better driver. 
Every time I go to any track I have come away knowing more than I did going in. Be it the quarter-mile or a road course, like Road America. You can apply what you learn to street driving in any conditions.
You don't have to be a horrible driver to improve in some capacity. I never actually called you a horrible driver, the term I used was "driver mod."
There are some cars that are ACTUALLY challenging to drive, even when you are on dry tarmac. Like an AMG Black Series or 997 GT2 with the TCS off and the boost turned up. Or a TT LS7.. or a Viper.
The Fit is not so tough.
On gravel at high speed you just have to basically throw the cars mass where you want it to go. Ask the Scandinavians how they do it
Every time I go to any track I have come away knowing more than I did going in. Be it the quarter-mile or a road course, like Road America. You can apply what you learn to street driving in any conditions.
You don't have to be a horrible driver to improve in some capacity. I never actually called you a horrible driver, the term I used was "driver mod."
There are some cars that are ACTUALLY challenging to drive, even when you are on dry tarmac. Like an AMG Black Series or 997 GT2 with the TCS off and the boost turned up. Or a TT LS7.. or a Viper.
The Fit is not so tough.
On gravel at high speed you just have to basically throw the cars mass where you want it to go. Ask the Scandinavians how they do it
#65
02-24-2011, 03:07 PM
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 4,428
Not to derail the thread but it's funny you bring up the amg black. We actually won't insure the vehicle because, literally, so many rich pricks buy the car and crash it because they can't drive worth a damn. The accident rates for the vehicle are simply unbelievable, our official stance is that if you buy one, you will crash it. Now mind you I can insure a lamborghini gallardo but not even half of the amg models, what does that say about the average person who buys one.
After having driven one on a cool, damp day I can confirm they are very "lively" so that does not surprise me in the least. The tires that come from the factory are meant for dry hot days after you've had a warm up lap.. Mercedes sends a letter to all the owners as a warning, if that tells you how little faith MB has in the people who buy them, and it is only available with an auto trans for this reason
The Gallardo is an AWD Audi in lingerie, IMHO. So I would expect them, even the LP-560, is probably pretty tame in comparison. I did like the Top Gear where they pit a Gallardo against the famously easy to pilot Evo9, and showed that corners Jeremy was comfortable entering at 60-70 in the Lambo he would enter sideways at 110 in the Evo, so it is still a bit of a handful considering how heavy the Lambo is.
Last edited by DiamondStarMonsters; 02-24-2011 at 03:11 PM.
#67
02-26-2011, 01:24 PM
Crosswinds affect the car for sure, but I can tell you this, add some 1" wider wheels and 205/50's and you'll have NO MORE issues
I've been on The Tail of the Dragon and the car just carved up that road with NO problem, so I have to disagree 1000000000%
I've been on The Tail of the Dragon and the car just carved up that road with NO problem, so I have to disagree 1000000000%
#69
02-26-2011, 08:35 PM
I just have to say MY Fit is extremely stable at speeds over 1200mph even over icebergs and the Antarctic. I can even set the cruise control, climb out on the roof, and control my steering by manipulating the aerodynamics through hanging on the antenna in the contrails. Snow drifts are tough, though, when I hit them my car will literally turn inside out, throw me back into the driver's seat and the speed change is so severe it affects global climate due to the butterfly effect.
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
#70
02-27-2011, 06:20 AM
I am sorry, but honestly if you think that Honda Fit handles like a "crazed mule" maybe you should look at you driving behavior. I drove my Fit in the snow and it handled much better than a lot of cars out on the road.
#71
02-27-2011, 10:30 AM
I just have to say MY Fit is extremely stable at speeds over 1200mph even over icebergs and the Antarctic. I can even set the cruise control, climb out on the roof, and control my steering by manipulating the aerodynamics through hanging on the antenna in the contrails. Snow drifts are tough, though, when I hit them my car will literally turn inside out, throw me back into the driver's seat and the speed change is so severe it affects global climate due to the butterfly effect.
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
#73
02-27-2011, 03:29 PM
It takes a lot to scare me in bad weather, but I had my Fit for 2 days and it scared the crap out of me. The car felt like it was a tilt-a-whirl at adventureland.
I did the 2-sandbag mod, and then it was much much better. I was once again confident to blast past slowbies doing 65 on snow and ice. Spinning all the way into the other lane, before getting enough traction to high tail it around.
If you want a write up on this mod, I would be more than happy to provide one.
I did the 2-sandbag mod, and then it was much much better. I was once again confident to blast past slowbies doing 65 on snow and ice. Spinning all the way into the other lane, before getting enough traction to high tail it around.
If you want a write up on this mod, I would be more than happy to provide one.
#75
02-27-2011, 05:29 PM
Sorry I have to say this. Let me qualify my statement by saying I drive my fit every day, it is the most useful vehicle for me and can not be replaced by any other in terms of economy and cargo space. However it handles like crap. At low speeds it isn't a problem. I can e-brake like it's no ones business and flip it around on the street or in the parking lot. The problem comes when dealing with ice / snow or gravel. If there is any cross wind on the highway and the roads are somewhat icy, I can literally feel the vehicle sliding out from underneath me. I sit there doing 90km while minivan moms pass me at 110. I would consider my risk threshold to be higher than most, yet here I am in the slow lane because I know my fit cannot keep up.
I have owned 2 different 88-89 preludes previously, and I used to do 120km through snow drifts on the highway, you could hit them with a thump and the snow would fly up all around you, slow down 10-15 and keep going. With my Fit I am afraid to even drive over an icy patch since the vehicle starts slipping sideways immediately. Anyone have grid roads near where they live? (That means gravel roads, like in the country). I encourage you to take your fit out and see how fast you can drive without the vehicle skating from side to side like crazy. I can get to about 90km. In my prelude I used to pass at 130. Is it my imagination? The vehicle just "feels" like it's sliding but actually isn't? In a single road trip I hit the ditch 3 times at 80km, 70km, and 50km respectively. Managed to get out just fine, but what the H? Why does this thing handle like a crazed mule?
I have owned 2 different 88-89 preludes previously, and I used to do 120km through snow drifts on the highway, you could hit them with a thump and the snow would fly up all around you, slow down 10-15 and keep going. With my Fit I am afraid to even drive over an icy patch since the vehicle starts slipping sideways immediately. Anyone have grid roads near where they live? (That means gravel roads, like in the country). I encourage you to take your fit out and see how fast you can drive without the vehicle skating from side to side like crazy. I can get to about 90km. In my prelude I used to pass at 130. Is it my imagination? The vehicle just "feels" like it's sliding but actually isn't? In a single road trip I hit the ditch 3 times at 80km, 70km, and 50km respectively. Managed to get out just fine, but what the H? Why does this thing handle like a crazed mule?
First, are your suspension settings, shocks, and tire pressures to specs ? And two the poster asking if you are on the crappy stock tires knows that poor tiresare a definite problem. Third, you do realize that less weight means snow humps will easily deflect a Fit. Poor supension setup, even, and especially, one bad shock and poor tires will make a squirrel out of anything.
Last edited by mahout; 02-27-2011 at 05:34 PM.
#76
02-27-2011, 06:53 PM
I just have to say MY Fit is extremely stable at speeds over 1200mph even over icebergs and the Antarctic. I can even set the cruise control, climb out on the roof, and control my steering by manipulating the aerodynamics through hanging on the antenna in the contrails. Snow drifts are tough, though, when I hit them my car will literally turn inside out, throw me back into the driver's seat and the speed change is so severe it affects global climate due to the butterfly effect.
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
Maybe you aren't going fast enough to engage the aerodynamics; really get that throttle into it, once you get past about 300kmh the claws just pop out and ice grip triples. In the manual, forget the page...
good thing i did'nt have a coffee too spill... my laptop would be soaked!
#77
02-27-2011, 07:02 PM
I know I posted with sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek, but have you checked your alignment? You state that you went into the ditch three times just the other day, if your toe is way out your tires are truly sliding anytime your car is moving, it just becomes really bad when on low traction surfaces. I'd get that checked, the prior poster also right about shocks and struts.
Also, the prelude was a double wishbone suspension both front and rear, with a much lower center of gravity and a better weight distibution. The lighter weight Fit is tall and nose-heavy with McStruts up front and a twist beam backend.
Just my two cents, minus taxes.
Also, the prelude was a double wishbone suspension both front and rear, with a much lower center of gravity and a better weight distibution. The lighter weight Fit is tall and nose-heavy with McStruts up front and a twist beam backend.
Just my two cents, minus taxes.
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