I'm a lover of manual transmissions, however my husband and I are torn on the fact I can't get leather with a 6spd.

He would rather me get the EX-L (heated seats in winter up here is quite nice) but I really want 6spd.

So I have a few questions (we don't have any up here yet for me to test drive).

- How is the CVT for get-up-a-go driving; example: speeding up to overtake or merge into traffic
- How is the CVT for spirited driving when it involves turns and hills (or both at the same time) where in a manual it would involve possibly dropping gears to keep up a good speed
- Is it only paddle shifters or is tiptronic w/ the shifter knob available also?

 

I have the CVT, from a dead stop it certainly will win no races but from a rolling speed I find it to be pretty responsive. As for spirited driving at any time you can use the paddle shifters to create a downshift so to speak. Just pull the downshift paddle and it reacts right away, if you do not follow with another paddle input it goes back to standard automatic drive. You can up or downshift at anytime while in drive just like if you had the shifter in the S mode. Only difference is after a few seconds it cancels out the manual input. Hope that makes sense.

 

As you contemplate your preferred course of action, here's another suggestion.

Get the EX 6-sp. Then add Clazzio leathers with heated seat package!!! Problem solved. BTW, from the posts of FF's who have Clazzio's in their GD's & GE's, the installation is simple and has an OEM look.

 

If I wanted an MT I wouldn't get a CVT for leather seats... that's kind of silly reasoning. Like ROTTBOY said the seats are much more easily fixed than the transmission.

 

My other thought was waiting to source out a wrecked EX-L (locally if possible) and snagging the seats that way. I've never owned an automatic so it would be weird for me.

 

That's where I am at but I told him I'd asked for input on the CVT.

 

Tend to agree. Have been a stick guy for countless decades. Don't mind autos but just want that extra kick in power. Have been loving my GD but its been always in the back of my mind that I should've gotten the 5-spd.
Alas, it was all due to timing as the selling dealer only had GD A/T's left for the special pricing I got back in '08.

With the GK being such a new model, am confident you eventually will find wrecked seat parts but to maintain consistency, you would have to purchase the whole leather interior including the frame for F & R. One thing I'm certain of is that wreckers won't sell you just the seats without the frame. That may end up to be pricier than expected. Clazzio's are like $600 for a full set F&R. You can then source the heated seats for the front from Ebay for less than $100 with switches. More food for thought.

Am hoping your will "stick to the stick". Your helping extend a dying art of driving.

 

To the OPs original question. I have not yet driven the new Fit in either manual or CVT configuration, but I believe that you can expect the CVT equipped Fit it be significantly quicker and more responsive than the old automatic. For several reasons. First the greater power of the new engine. Second the higher efficiency of the CVT in keeping the Engine torque optimized under hard acceleration. And finally the reports of those on this board and other reviews that all have stated that the regular acceleration of the CVT fit is more than adequate.

So I would not be concerned about the ability of the car to merge into traffic or be responsive to sharp throttle inputs. Now, will a CVT match a manual in acceleration and fuel economy? Those are questions yet to be sorted out and so far we have too little information and real work driving experience to draw any conclusions.

 

a k, if you wanted "spirited" driving, get the 6MT. I've been daily driving a Civc HX CVT since '97, and though I'm sure they're more advanced by now, IMO they are adequate, but certainly NOT spirited!

 

Once the rpm gets up it takes a half second or so and the tranny responds by pulling pretty nice. Not like a manual in first gear by any means but I find it more than adequate. but if you are a manual person yiu may be disappointed and especially if you already have doubts. Always go with your gut feeling I say !