Oh, yes! I forgot the test drive in the Xd. The Xd is what the Yaris should have been in the first place. Every option that I wanted comes standard and it has the room inside that the Yaris 3-5 doors variants do not. The dash is where it's supposed to be, too, and it's an easier to live with color. What I didn't like about the Xd is that, like the Yaris its based on, engine noise is unacceptable even at the dismally slow speeds the salsedroid wanted me to drive (based on her selection of the roads we used). Even then, I gave the Xd more consideration than the others until I found out that the 'trendy' car's price is FIXED, with no bargaining. The same features on a comparable Yaris were $2500 LESS, before we started dickering.

No.
Thanks.

I'll leave fixed price car shopping to those who can't figure out how to ask for a better price.

 

I've never considered any korean or american cars.
My original choice was Yaris but then when the new fit came out, with its superior safety and fun and room ratings, I couldn't have chosen anything other than 2010 FIT.

I was also thinking about a GOLF TDI and a manual civic, but they all use more gas and have other disadvantages.

Mini gets lots of nice reviewes but for the price and spotty reliability and expensive parts, I couldn't justify buying it.

Happy with the FIT.

 

Back in '08 there wasn't as many options in the econo hatchback field. I wasn't even looking to buy a new car. The whole thing started with seeing a used Mazda 5 Protege on a lot and still to this day find them to be a beautiful European looking hatch. But when I read user reports on the Mazda 5, there was a lot comments about the car having greater then normal tire wear. This was discouraging as I look at total cost of ownership for a vehicle, upfront cost, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Having previously owned a used CRX Si for 4 years, I knew how good Honda engineering was. The Honda Element was a dream car for me, but out of my price range. So I took a long hard look at the Fit and determined that with the magic seats, it would be well suited for my needs. The option for a paddle shifting 5 speed auto was icing on the cake. With the Sport auto option, I could have a car that gives me manual control, can be driven by anyone (amazing how many people in the US can't drive a manual) and has the potential to be easier to sell down the road.

So I went to one dealership, just to do a test drive. And before I knew it, haggled it down to a good price and later that day, walked out the door with a new Honda Fit Sport. I never even got around to test driving the competition. But from all my online research prior to stepping onto the dealers lot, I knew the Honda Fit was really the best choice for me.

The only other vehicle that would have given me pause on the Fit was the Nissan Cube as it appeared in Japan at the time. But alas, I was shopping a few years before it made its translation to the US.

 

Maybe it's just me, but even though the Fit's styling doesn't do much for me, although I like it in the color I selected, the Xd on the other hand is just plain hideous. The front end of it with its blunt snout makes me think somebody cared about the Xd's looks as much as the employees at McDonalds care about the taste of their Big Macs.

 

Had an Integra. When the Fit came out i was searching for a clean Type R. Less theft than the R. Ans less expensive.

 

I have to agree with you on that. I wonder how long it will be, if it hasn't happened already, that is, before someone makes an aftermarket front end for it...

 

I like to say that I have "bipolar car disorder."

My last vehicle was a 2004 Wrangler Unlimited... lifted. It was freaking awesome, but sucked gas (12-13 average MPG).

I have always also liked small cars, and really like the Yaris, but the existence of the honda fit ruled out the yaris (personal opinion of looks, general feel). I also considered the Versa and found compelling deals on them, but driving one nearly made me pass into a coma. The first time I sat in the honda fit I was impressed. I had a grin from ear to ear on the test drive. Paddle shifters? It is awesome. A tad more road noise, but it's about compromises at this price point.

I only have a couple hundred miles on my fit but here's my take on the competition:

1) Toyota Prius: Higher initial outlay and higher total cost of ownership (search for analysis of prius vs fit, etc)
2) Honda Fit - pro: awesome in general -cons:more expensive than others below, lots of engine/road noise
3) Nissan Versa- pro: quieter than competition, solid feel -Cons:boring, it's a nissan
4) Yaris- pro: none? -cons: has looks only a mother could love

 

I have a hard time imagining this as remotely plausible. Do you suffer some physical handicap that prevents using the accelerator?

From what I understand, the Fit gets similar MPG. There are plenty of reports of high MPG trips in the Fit. Remember, you have one single car. Not all cars get the same mileage, and not all driving conditions are equal. Consideration of basic statistics might help as well...

Have you actually driven a Fit?

Ahh. So do you mean going up hill you could not accelerate quickly? This is different than driving 65 because the car can't handle 75 up hill, which is clearly not the case.

 

I was making the supreme sacrifice of going from a manual to an AT to keep the wife happy (she's worth keeping happy). The paddle shifters on the Fit Sport were a big plus as a result, along with the cargo configurability. Two other big factors were ergonomics (anything without a telescoping steering wheel was at major disadvantage), and low (quiet) RPMs at highway cruising speed. Yaris, XD, Rio 5, Versa, Mazda 3 dropped out early due to cargo room. Vibe/Matrix was pretty good but just boring without paddle shifters. Soul was too buzzy at highway speed and didn't have telescoping wheel. Subaru and VW were too low MPG and too high $$$. Aveo was never considered due to its low ratings. Elantra Touring was the best competitor, great value but no paddle shifters. I might have gone with the Elantra T, but based on MPG the Fit got me an extra $1000 cash-for-clunker money making it the better value. I'm glad - I really wanted those paddle shifters (they're great for downshifting) and overall I think the Fit is the best car, highest quality and most fun.

 

How about this? Take your FIT to the grapevine and see if you can hold 75 MPH going up the hill. The car was struggling and no amount of pedal control is going to help you when the car doesn't have the power. The AT downshifted to third (4K - 5K RPM) trying to maintain the speed but it just got slower.

32 MPG is what the FIT is rated at on the highway, so in regards to GAS mileage - it seems spot on. I guess, the problem is I was expecting the new FED gas mileage numbers to be a bit underated like in the past. Doesn't seem to be the case.

Yes, for about 1926 miles and going. Who the hell threw sand in your Vagina? Or are you just a Forum THUG Fit Owner who loves his car too much and throws a hissy-FIT when someone else has a different point of view?



Go to the I-5, climb the grapevine, press the accelerator, and try to get up to 75mph and hold it. When you run into some traffic and have to slow down slighty, try accelerating again to said speed and then get back to me.

 

the Fit over the Yaris any day for me. my friend was considering other cars besides the Fit, but felt that Honda had his heart. haha. he knew to get the car once he did a professional inspection by aim mobile. they found that the car was in "immaculate" condition (it really wasn't that old anyways) so he got it. has been loving it ever since.

 

Well for me it was down to the Bugatti Veyron, or a used Hummer H1 (custom painted pink!) But, I chose the Fit because of the magic seats! ROFL I drove a base Fit manual and never considered another car, told the salesman that the next one off the truck was mine (as long as it wasn't black, or white) They got me a VBP Sport and I haven't stopped loving it since.

 

• 1985 Toyota 4runner
• 2005 Volvo S40
• 2007 Toyota Yaris hatch

There are elements I miss of each vehicle. I miss the 85 4runner the most, heated seats of the volvo, peppiness of the yaris. When my daughter was born, I spent about a week getting here in and out of the backseat of the 2 door yaris and that was it. The fit had been on radar since 2007 and I knew they had overhauled the body style for 2009.

Went to the dealership on a Saturday morning to test drive. Looked at the GD3, looked at the GE8, test drove the GE8 and was sold. The magic seats, larger interior, flush rear headrests, more aggressive look, USB link (even thought I replaced the stereo with a touchscreen pioneer unit) and paddle shifters all led me to pick the GE8 over the hampster styling of the GD3. And now... I LOVE IT!

 

I considered a Yaris. I didn't buy one. The magic seat and low floor pan is worth any more paid for a Fit. You think I am crazy but here are the actual cars I was looking into.

 

My list: Fit, Versa, Yaris, Matrix, Suzuki SX4

I was a long time SUV driver and wanted the same versatility and cargo capabilities in a car that my SUV always provided for me so a hatchback was a must. I obviously went with the Fit and it's basically a mini SUV. I can haul everything my old SUV can but have the added benefits of driving fun, gas mileage, etc. My thoughts on the other cars and why I ultimately went with the Fit...

Toyota Matrix: It out priced itself from the start. I kept looking for reasons why it would cost more than the Fit and I couldn't find any. All the major car reviewers weren't overly impressed either.

Toyota Yaris: I gave this car serious consideration. It had a low price but once you start adding options (power windows anyone?) the price really starts to add up. It also felt really small compared to the Fit. The interior felt super cheap compared to the Fit and I couldn't get used to the center console. I also preferred a four door and Yaris wasn't very helpful here. If it was considerably less than a Fit, I would consider. It wasn't so I didn't.

Suzuki SX4: This car really had me interested because of how SUV-like it was to me. The AWD was also a very nice selling point for me. What wasn't was the sticker price and the gas mileage. I was really expecting more out of the gas mileage here, very disappointing.

Nissan Versa: A lot like the Yaris in the sense that when you start adding basic features that you feel a new car should have, the price really starts to add up. The looks and the gas mileage just didn't compare to the Fit.

 

Since the car was to be for my wife, and we have a very long 1/4 mile dirt drive that has a slight up slope near the house I had a couple cars in mind.

Suzuki SX4 was first on the list. The idea of on demand small 4wd 4 door hatch was very interesting. The reliability is very good, supposed to be reasonably fun to drive, optional heated seat/navi package. Lots of good stuff to recommend it. The problem was interior space and fuel mileage. The back seat does not fold flat like the Fit and on the forums folks who have the SX4 were reporting 25 - 30 mpg. 30 was ok, but 25 was not gonna do it.
We wanted to haul 2 dog crates to go to shows and the Suzi was just not going to Fit.

I considered the Soul, because I think it looks pretty cool when you put some fatties on it. The wife hated the looks. Fuel mileage reports of about 25 were not going to do it for me.

Drove past the Honda dealer and they had a sign on the last 09 Fit they had saying managers special. I stopped and looked at it, sent a email and got a quote on it. Did not like the price so I called the owner, who then contacted the sales manager, who then contacted the salesman. I then went back and drove it, talked to the sales manager, and got what I thought was a good price for a 09 Sport w/navi and 5 spd. It was really the 5 speed that was causing them problems getting rid of it. The sales manager told me that people who want the navi usually want the auto trans. I bit the bullet on the 4wd aspect as we have a Subie and 4wd truck we can use when it snows.


Surprised the wife the day after xmas with her new car. Now she loves her Fit. So much that we ordered vanity plates that say FITZ2VZ. We have Vizsla's.

 

didn't seriously consider anything else... the Fit had everything i was looking for:

usable space, attractive styling (in my opinon, at least compared to other cars in its class like the Scions and Souls of the world), fuel efficient, affordable, and fun to drive.

prior to my Accord, every car i had ever owned had been a Toyota pick up -- 83' pick-up, 95' 4x4 pick-up lifted on 33", 99' Tacoma 4x4... they were great, reliable cars but not necessarily fun to drive unless you off-roaded them and while i needed space, didn't need a truck bed per se. the Accord was fine performance wise, relatively luxurious, comfortable, relatively sporty (barely)... but became boring to drive, which i suppose it was going to cus its, well, an Accord, after all.

sports cars (Porsche, Nizzan 370z, etc...) were out cus i golf and needed something that could fit 2 people + 2 golf bags comfortably (the Porsche can do it but if you've ever owned a Porsche the maintenance is not cheap and even they get old as a daily driver)... i stated why no truck. im single & early 30's so don't ask me about SUV's or vans please. thought about cars like an Imprezza or Mazdaspeed 3 but they were never really in the picture moreso because the cargo issue. yes i know i couldve gotten a bike rack for any and all of the cars im listing, but i guess thats what intrigued me about the Fit, i dont have to!

yes the lack of acceleration and top end passing speed are negatives but nearly every car has a compromise in some form or fashion and in this case, i was willing to forgive speed in the name of efficiency.

 

I wasn't even thinking about a new car until I read two articles about it....It took me two months to find one with manual transmission and the one I bought was the first one I had ever seen. I got it July 14 2006 and I am the only person that has ever put a wrench on it.

 

Welcome to TW M/T club. I got exactly the same set up as you.

 

Have had my '10 Fit Sport AT for about 2 weeks now. Looked at or drove: the Insight, Yaris, Matrix, Xd, Golf TDI, and even briefly the Accent. The only one I gave serious consideration to was the Golf. I really liked this car as well but really couldn't justify the extra $4-5K and was too wary of its reliability. Drove the Fit for the 3rd time after the Golf and the research was over.