Fit in Sport Compact Car magazine
#1
05-09-2006, 09:00 AM
Fit in Sport Compact Car magazine
Y'all should grab a copy of the June '06 edition of Sport Compact Car magazine as it reviews the 2007 Honda Fit and then some...
Perhaps the most intriguing was a tiny bit in the "Rumors & Lies" column on page 42... "There's a rumor that Honda is working on a revived CRX to be based on the chassis of the dinky Fit five-door. Um, okay..."
The 2nd gen CRX was one of the coolest Hondas ever. I vote "yea".
The edition also has two feature articles on the Fit. A review by editor James Tate in which he voices his own well thought-out opinion, followed by a track test comparison of the Spoon Sports/Opak Racing 2003 Fit against the new 2007 model. (FaceYogurt posted an entry on the Spoon Sports Fit here as well...)
Perhaps the most intriguing was a tiny bit in the "Rumors & Lies" column on page 42... "There's a rumor that Honda is working on a revived CRX to be based on the chassis of the dinky Fit five-door. Um, okay..."
The 2nd gen CRX was one of the coolest Hondas ever. I vote "yea".
The edition also has two feature articles on the Fit. A review by editor James Tate in which he voices his own well thought-out opinion, followed by a track test comparison of the Spoon Sports/Opak Racing 2003 Fit against the new 2007 model. (FaceYogurt posted an entry on the Spoon Sports Fit here as well...)
#2
05-09-2006, 09:16 AM
More articles mentioning Fit
In case you get any grief about not buying "American":
p {line-height: 18px;}
This is a printer friendly version of an article from The Detroit News
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
Back
Chrysler looks at building cars abroad
Group investigates outsourcing production of subcompact to be sold in America and overseas.
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
May 5, 2006
DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group is in talks with other automakers about contracting out production of a subcompact car which Chrysler would sell domestically as well as overseas.
The trade publication Automotive News reported on its Web site Thursday that Chrysler was considering such a deal with Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co., whose president is visiting Detroit this week.
Chrysler would not comment on the report or identify its potential partners. "We're negotiating with a couple of companies from a couple of countries," said Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines.
Chery already has plans to export cars to the United States as part of a venture formed with entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin.
No Chinese-built cars have been sold yet in the United States, and the subject is sensitive. A year ago, DaimlerChrysler board member Ruediger Grube sparked an uproar when he said the company might make a small car in China for the U.S. market.
The company played down his comments, saying there were no plans to sell such a car in the U.S. market.
But U.S. and European automakers are increasingly relying on low-cost imports to compete in small car segments.
"There's no way to make B-Class vehicles either in North America or western Europe and still make money," said Jim Hossack, a consultant at AutoPacific Inc.
DaimlerChrysler's minicar brand "Smart tried hard and proved definitively that it can't be done," he said. The stylish Smart cars, built in The Netherlands and France, have been losing money since the brand's 1998 launch.
Chrysler wants to add a subcompact to its U.S. lineup -- a car smaller than the Dodge Caliber -- but can't produce one at a low enough cost to generate a profit.
Vines said the idea was to forge an accord with a company which already builds subcompacts in large volumes and could turn out a few more for Chrysler.
He said the car would not necessarily be built in a developing country, but that is increasingly the case for small cars.
Japanese subcompacts such as the Honda Fit are built in Asia and imported to the United States.
Honda exports a Chinese-built Fit to western Europe, but not to the United States. The Fit sold in the U.S. market is built in Japan.
Still, auto experts believe it's a question of when, not if, Chinese cars will be available in the United States.
"At one time, we thought Japanese cars wouldn't be accepted," Hossack said. "At one time, we thought Korean cars wouldn't be accepted."
Many U.S. auto executives believe the only way to prepare for competition against China's carmakers is to establish their own low-cost production and export operations in China.
You can reach Christine Tierney at (313) 222-1463 or ctierney@detnews.com.
if (!window.print) { document.write('
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
'); } else { window.print(); }
HERE'S ONE ON FIT AND COMPETITORS:
[May 05, 2006]
Subcompacts put amenities at top of list
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) CHICAGO _ Subcompact cars debuting this year at Honda, Nissan and Toyota are the lowest-priced models for their brands, but that doesn't mean they're stripped-down econoboxes.
The Honda Fit is the best-equipped of the bunch, coming with standard power windows, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; side-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes and a 120-watt audio system with a CD player. The Fit, a four-door hatchback, starts at $13,850.
Ten years ago, Honda's least-expensive model was the Civic CX two-door hatchback, starting at $10,350, but that car lacked air conditioning and a stereo, which were dealer-installed options. Power windows, locks and mirrors and ABS weren't available. The CX hatchback with the standard manual transmission also had manual steering.
Nissan's Versa hatchback, which goes on sale in early summer, will have standard air conditioning, side and side-curtain air bags and an audio system with a CD player.
Versa prices haven't been announced, but Nissan says the base price will be around $12,000.
Nissan's least-expensive model in 1996 was the Sentra, which started at $11,499. But to get power steering, air conditioning and a stereo required stepping up to the $13,529 XE version. Want power windows and locks? Turn to the GXE, which started at $14,459.
Another difference: The 2007 Versa rides on standard 15-inch diameter tires and the base 1996 Sentra had 13-inch tires.
Versa marketing manager Joe Samfilippo says price is important in the subcompact segment, but buyers of all ages want more than basic transportation.
"We just don't feel as though a vehicle with less standard equipment is in demand right now," he said.
Young buyers are a key target for the Versa, and Samfilippo says many have "stepped over" the subcompact segment and bought used cars because of their amenities.
On the Toyota Yaris, base price $10,950, air conditioning is standard, but power locks, windows and mirrors and an audio system with a CD player and MP3 capability are optional. They come in a package that costs $1,290 on the Yaris hatchback and $1,785 on the sedan.
That is in contrast to Toyota's Scion brand, which aims at young buyers and makes those features standard.
Toyota spokesman Sam Butto says Yaris targets budget-minded shoppers of all ages.
"It's more of an economy car for people who are looking for the least-expensive vehicle they can get with great gas mileage," he said.
John Wolkonowicz, a senior ****yst with industry forecaster Global Insight, says the presence of fully equipped Scion vehicles in the same showroom lets Toyota position the Yaris as a lower-priced alternative.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, referring to the car Yaris replaces.
On the other hand, Wolkonowicz says the Fit clearly aims at Generation Y, generally considered those born after 1980.
"You have to make the vehicle very appealing for them, because they have a lot of other choices, including used cars," he said. "Generation Y pretty much wants it all."
Toyota's entry model in 1996 was the two-door Tercel CE, with a base price of $10,348. Features such as air conditioning, power steering and a rear defogger that were optional then are standard on Yaris.
___
(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.
Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) - All rights reserved
p {line-height: 18px;}
This is a printer friendly version of an article from The Detroit News
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
Back
Group investigates outsourcing production of subcompact to be sold in America and overseas.
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
May 5, 2006
DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group is in talks with other automakers about contracting out production of a subcompact car which Chrysler would sell domestically as well as overseas.
The trade publication Automotive News reported on its Web site Thursday that Chrysler was considering such a deal with Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co., whose president is visiting Detroit this week.
Chrysler would not comment on the report or identify its potential partners. "We're negotiating with a couple of companies from a couple of countries," said Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines.
Chery already has plans to export cars to the United States as part of a venture formed with entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin.
No Chinese-built cars have been sold yet in the United States, and the subject is sensitive. A year ago, DaimlerChrysler board member Ruediger Grube sparked an uproar when he said the company might make a small car in China for the U.S. market.
The company played down his comments, saying there were no plans to sell such a car in the U.S. market.
But U.S. and European automakers are increasingly relying on low-cost imports to compete in small car segments.
"There's no way to make B-Class vehicles either in North America or western Europe and still make money," said Jim Hossack, a consultant at AutoPacific Inc.
DaimlerChrysler's minicar brand "Smart tried hard and proved definitively that it can't be done," he said. The stylish Smart cars, built in The Netherlands and France, have been losing money since the brand's 1998 launch.
Chrysler wants to add a subcompact to its U.S. lineup -- a car smaller than the Dodge Caliber -- but can't produce one at a low enough cost to generate a profit.
Vines said the idea was to forge an accord with a company which already builds subcompacts in large volumes and could turn out a few more for Chrysler.
He said the car would not necessarily be built in a developing country, but that is increasingly the case for small cars.
Japanese subcompacts such as the Honda Fit are built in Asia and imported to the United States.
Honda exports a Chinese-built Fit to western Europe, but not to the United States. The Fit sold in the U.S. market is built in Japan.
Still, auto experts believe it's a question of when, not if, Chinese cars will be available in the United States.
"At one time, we thought Japanese cars wouldn't be accepted," Hossack said. "At one time, we thought Korean cars wouldn't be accepted."
Many U.S. auto executives believe the only way to prepare for competition against China's carmakers is to establish their own low-cost production and export operations in China.
You can reach Christine Tierney at (313) 222-1463 or ctierney@detnews.com.
if (!window.print) { document.write('
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
'); } else { window.print(); }
HERE'S ONE ON FIT AND COMPETITORS:
[May 05, 2006]
Subcompacts put amenities at top of list
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) CHICAGO _ Subcompact cars debuting this year at Honda, Nissan and Toyota are the lowest-priced models for their brands, but that doesn't mean they're stripped-down econoboxes.
The Honda Fit is the best-equipped of the bunch, coming with standard power windows, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; side-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes and a 120-watt audio system with a CD player. The Fit, a four-door hatchback, starts at $13,850.
Ten years ago, Honda's least-expensive model was the Civic CX two-door hatchback, starting at $10,350, but that car lacked air conditioning and a stereo, which were dealer-installed options. Power windows, locks and mirrors and ABS weren't available. The CX hatchback with the standard manual transmission also had manual steering.
Nissan's Versa hatchback, which goes on sale in early summer, will have standard air conditioning, side and side-curtain air bags and an audio system with a CD player.
Versa prices haven't been announced, but Nissan says the base price will be around $12,000.
Nissan's least-expensive model in 1996 was the Sentra, which started at $11,499. But to get power steering, air conditioning and a stereo required stepping up to the $13,529 XE version. Want power windows and locks? Turn to the GXE, which started at $14,459.
Another difference: The 2007 Versa rides on standard 15-inch diameter tires and the base 1996 Sentra had 13-inch tires.
Versa marketing manager Joe Samfilippo says price is important in the subcompact segment, but buyers of all ages want more than basic transportation.
"We just don't feel as though a vehicle with less standard equipment is in demand right now," he said.
Young buyers are a key target for the Versa, and Samfilippo says many have "stepped over" the subcompact segment and bought used cars because of their amenities.
On the Toyota Yaris, base price $10,950, air conditioning is standard, but power locks, windows and mirrors and an audio system with a CD player and MP3 capability are optional. They come in a package that costs $1,290 on the Yaris hatchback and $1,785 on the sedan.
That is in contrast to Toyota's Scion brand, which aims at young buyers and makes those features standard.
Toyota spokesman Sam Butto says Yaris targets budget-minded shoppers of all ages.
"It's more of an economy car for people who are looking for the least-expensive vehicle they can get with great gas mileage," he said.
John Wolkonowicz, a senior ****yst with industry forecaster Global Insight, says the presence of fully equipped Scion vehicles in the same showroom lets Toyota position the Yaris as a lower-priced alternative.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, referring to the car Yaris replaces.
On the other hand, Wolkonowicz says the Fit clearly aims at Generation Y, generally considered those born after 1980.
"You have to make the vehicle very appealing for them, because they have a lot of other choices, including used cars," he said. "Generation Y pretty much wants it all."
Toyota's entry model in 1996 was the two-door Tercel CE, with a base price of $10,348. Features such as air conditioning, power steering and a rear defogger that were optional then are standard on Yaris.
___
(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.
Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) - All rights reserved
#3
05-09-2006, 09:17 AM
Another article on the Fit and its competitors
[May 05, 2006]
Subcompacts put amenities at top of list
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) CHICAGO _ Subcompact cars debuting this year at Honda, Nissan and Toyota are the lowest-priced models for their brands, but that doesn't mean they're stripped-down econoboxes.
The Honda Fit is the best-equipped of the bunch, coming with standard power windows, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; side-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes and a 120-watt audio system with a CD player. The Fit, a four-door hatchback, starts at $13,850.
Ten years ago, Honda's least-expensive model was the Civic CX two-door hatchback, starting at $10,350, but that car lacked air conditioning and a stereo, which were dealer-installed options. Power windows, locks and mirrors and ABS weren't available. The CX hatchback with the standard manual transmission also had manual steering.
Nissan's Versa hatchback, which goes on sale in early summer, will have standard air conditioning, side and side-curtain air bags and an audio system with a CD player.
Versa prices haven't been announced, but Nissan says the base price will be around $12,000.
Nissan's least-expensive model in 1996 was the Sentra, which started at $11,499. But to get power steering, air conditioning and a stereo required stepping up to the $13,529 XE version. Want power windows and locks? Turn to the GXE, which started at $14,459.
Another difference: The 2007 Versa rides on standard 15-inch diameter tires and the base 1996 Sentra had 13-inch tires.
Versa marketing manager Joe Samfilippo says price is important in the subcompact segment, but buyers of all ages want more than basic transportation.
"We just don't feel as though a vehicle with less standard equipment is in demand right now," he said.
Young buyers are a key target for the Versa, and Samfilippo says many have "stepped over" the subcompact segment and bought used cars because of their amenities.
On the Toyota Yaris, base price $10,950, air conditioning is standard, but power locks, windows and mirrors and an audio system with a CD player and MP3 capability are optional. They come in a package that costs $1,290 on the Yaris hatchback and $1,785 on the sedan.
That is in contrast to Toyota's Scion brand, which aims at young buyers and makes those features standard.
Toyota spokesman Sam Butto says Yaris targets budget-minded shoppers of all ages.
"It's more of an economy car for people who are looking for the least-expensive vehicle they can get with great gas mileage," he said.
John Wolkonowicz, a senior ****yst with industry forecaster Global Insight, says the presence of fully equipped Scion vehicles in the same showroom lets Toyota position the Yaris as a lower-priced alternative.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, referring to the car Yaris replaces.
On the other hand, Wolkonowicz says the Fit clearly aims at Generation Y, generally considered those born after 1980.
"You have to make the vehicle very appealing for them, because they have a lot of other choices, including used cars," he said. "Generation Y pretty much wants it all."
Toyota's entry model in 1996 was the two-door Tercel CE, with a base price of $10,348. Features such as air conditioning, power steering and a rear defogger that were optional then are standard on Yaris.
___
(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.
Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) - All rights reserved
[May 05, 2006]
Subcompacts put amenities at top of list
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) CHICAGO _ Subcompact cars debuting this year at Honda, Nissan and Toyota are the lowest-priced models for their brands, but that doesn't mean they're stripped-down econoboxes.
The Honda Fit is the best-equipped of the bunch, coming with standard power windows, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; side-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes and a 120-watt audio system with a CD player. The Fit, a four-door hatchback, starts at $13,850.
Ten years ago, Honda's least-expensive model was the Civic CX two-door hatchback, starting at $10,350, but that car lacked air conditioning and a stereo, which were dealer-installed options. Power windows, locks and mirrors and ABS weren't available. The CX hatchback with the standard manual transmission also had manual steering.
Nissan's Versa hatchback, which goes on sale in early summer, will have standard air conditioning, side and side-curtain air bags and an audio system with a CD player.
Versa prices haven't been announced, but Nissan says the base price will be around $12,000.
Nissan's least-expensive model in 1996 was the Sentra, which started at $11,499. But to get power steering, air conditioning and a stereo required stepping up to the $13,529 XE version. Want power windows and locks? Turn to the GXE, which started at $14,459.
Another difference: The 2007 Versa rides on standard 15-inch diameter tires and the base 1996 Sentra had 13-inch tires.
Versa marketing manager Joe Samfilippo says price is important in the subcompact segment, but buyers of all ages want more than basic transportation.
"We just don't feel as though a vehicle with less standard equipment is in demand right now," he said.
Young buyers are a key target for the Versa, and Samfilippo says many have "stepped over" the subcompact segment and bought used cars because of their amenities.
On the Toyota Yaris, base price $10,950, air conditioning is standard, but power locks, windows and mirrors and an audio system with a CD player and MP3 capability are optional. They come in a package that costs $1,290 on the Yaris hatchback and $1,785 on the sedan.
That is in contrast to Toyota's Scion brand, which aims at young buyers and makes those features standard.
Toyota spokesman Sam Butto says Yaris targets budget-minded shoppers of all ages.
"It's more of an economy car for people who are looking for the least-expensive vehicle they can get with great gas mileage," he said.
John Wolkonowicz, a senior ****yst with industry forecaster Global Insight, says the presence of fully equipped Scion vehicles in the same showroom lets Toyota position the Yaris as a lower-priced alternative.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, referring to the car Yaris replaces.
On the other hand, Wolkonowicz says the Fit clearly aims at Generation Y, generally considered those born after 1980.
"You have to make the vehicle very appealing for them, because they have a lot of other choices, including used cars," he said. "Generation Y pretty much wants it all."
Toyota's entry model in 1996 was the two-door Tercel CE, with a base price of $10,348. Features such as air conditioning, power steering and a rear defogger that were optional then are standard on Yaris.
___
(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.
Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Copyright 2006 Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) - All rights reserved
#4
05-09-2006, 10:34 AM
Sport compact car also drove and reviewed the Spoon fit. I just picked up the mag last night. They dynoed the stock NA fit and it put down about 95 hp. The spoon fit only dynoed at about 90 with quite a bit less torque through the middle of the powerband. Boy, that car is pretty weak, powerwise. They went on to comment on that endurance race where they beat the stock nsx. They said that the car had the slowest lap times of any in the field, but the car averaged an amazing 20 mpg!!! It was double the closest competitor!!! The article was very insightful.
#5
05-09-2006, 02:26 PM
Avid FitFreak Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Middletown/Front Royal, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,491
Wte?
#10
05-09-2006, 11:34 PM
"John Wolkonowicz, a senior ****yst with industry forecaster Global Insight, says the presence of fully equipped Scion vehicles in the same showroom lets Toyota position the Yaris as a lower-priced alternative.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, "
WHAAA???? Most seniors on a fixed income drive the Mercury Grand Marquis.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone over age 60 in an Echo.
"It's the entry-level Toyota, and most of the sales will be to fixed-income seniors, just like the Echo," he said, "
WHAAA???? Most seniors on a fixed income drive the Mercury Grand Marquis.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone over age 60 in an Echo.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FaceYogurt
General Fit Talk
21
03-18-2008 11:47 PM
