Paddles will stay if you're in S mode.

The 2012 bumper and the wheels are kinda growing on me.

 

Get the alignment checked. If the Honda dealer says it drives just fine without putting it on the rack, take it to an independent specialist. Bring the report back to the dealer (assuming it shows a corrected out-of-alignment condition).

I didn't do this (the dealer said "it's fine" when I complained). Just had new tires and alignment done @30Kmiles and it tracks dramatically better now. OK maybe the tires helped.

 

In August I was looking for a MT Fit in Michigan, too, but somehow couldn't locate the one you ended up buying. Our dealer was looking throughout the midwest and couldn't come up with a 'll Fit Sport MT. They ended up refunding our money. Now we have an Elantra from Montgomery AL.
The Tsunami really did make it hard to buy the Fit.

 

I was looking for a brand new 2011 Sport in TW with MT also and I actually spent the week on the internet and then just decided to say screw it and just hit all the dealers to look for myself. NO ONE had that combo in stock or any MT for that matter. They kept trying to sale me the 2012 model, but I didn't want it since you can't add the MUGEN lip to that bumper so I passed. In the end I found exactly what I wanted, but it was a 2010 certified used with only 6k miles on it.

 

One thing to note: many dealers have more items on the internet than are on the lot. The manufacturer can add them as long as they are en route.

 

Sometimes the dealers don't even have it on their own networks, before providing a list to sites like cars.com.

I found my Fit off cars.com (just listed within 24 hours), but when I called the dealer, they didn't have it on their systems. They told me it can happen when the car is en-route. I went to the dealer that weekend, did the paper work, and got my car the next weekend.

edit: this of course was before the whole earthquake disaster in Japan.

 

I found my 2012 Si on cars.com... actually went to the dealer before they had it, and they thought all incoming ones were already destined to buyers. Few days later, I get a call that they did get a car in (the exact one I saw), and that it was available... was there within an hour or two later, worked out numbers and took it home that night.

Only thing that didn't work out was that they prepped the car so it ended up with a bit of extras tagged on, but I got a good trade-in on the Fit to offset that... the salesman I worked with had no idea it was incoming, he just saw it when they actually pulled it into the showroom, and quickly called me.

Having owned the auto GE8... I wonder how things would have turned out if I had gotten the MT instead. Certainly everything I've seen here points to the MT Fit being a whole lot more fun. The lack of a 6th gear (thus high highway RPMs) is the only drawback on an MT Fit that I can see over the auto.

 

Found my MT on cars.com as well and it was in-stock at the dealer. They also had another one in stock which wasnt on cars.com or on the lot but just got off the truck and sitting at the indoor facility awaiting PDI. It definitely helps to live in a large metro area with high volume dealerships.

 

There is real, solid demand for MT Fits among the motorhome gentry, who tell great stories around the fire about how great a dinghy ("toad") it is. The weight is unmatched. It's higher than some cars and easier on senior citizens to get in. It will have a strong and loyal following there for a long time.

 

I sure haven't found any around here, the few Fits available are all automatics. I wonder if they are even making MT's yet this season for the US market? I may have to break down and order one.

 

So where are you located? I know of a new 2011 MR for sale at a dealer, here in NH. I'm waiting for a 2012. 2011 Honda Fit Sport For Sale - 671200 | Salem NH | Serving Boston, Manchester, & Nashua

 

Thanks, eagle, but I am just a little far away...all the way across the country in Seattle, WA! Haha.

So sounds like you went ahead and ordered your 2012? Maybe I will do that soon.

 

Haha, it could be a nice break in drive haha!

 

Yeah, now that you mention it....tempting! Hahaha. But kidding aside, I too am set on a 2012.