At the risk of sounding like the grumpy old man of the neighborhood I'd just like to say I don't get a lot of the modifications done to The Fit.

Please don't get me wrong. Hobby, obsession or just what you want to do...enjoy.

But having hung around this forum for a while now, I will just admit while I witness a lot of modification I don't "get" most of them.

You've got people ripping out as much as they can from their Fit's to make them as light as possible. Feather light and fast?

You've got people adding as much sound deadening materials as possible. Tank heavy but quiet?

Lowering them until they smash ants in passing?

JDM modifications? If you are born and living in the US, what is the appeal or advantage of wanting a Fit that looks like a Japanese Domestic Version? Do people in Japan modify their Fits to look like USDM Fit? I'm sorry but I just don't really get it.

Really, I'm not hating. While an expense, it's a harmless enough hobby.

I suppose I'm a pair of white shorts and a dirty lawn chair away from becoming that old man.

I've got a 2010 Sport. I think it's a pretty good looking automobile as it is, stock. Personally? I haven't seen any exterior modification that made me feel like I HAD to do it, or it made the Fit look that much better.

But carry on...It's kind of fun to see what you crazy Fit kids will do next....just stay offa my lawn!

 

Enthusiasts; autocross, drag (I guess), etc.

The fit is pretty loud stock. I don't mind it, but some people like it riding like a Caddy.

This goes two ways; style and performance.

Again, style.

I'm sure you've been into a fad or two in your lifetime.

 

Compare the JDM cars to the USDM cars the JDM styling is much better because the laws here in the states make the company's beef up the bumpers and all. We get the shitty end of the stick when it comes to the modeling of the cars JDM looks the best.

 

That's fine. I did not mean to upset people that want to do whatever to their automobiles.

But honestly? I see little difference in a lot of the styling changes. Often it's just the subtle shape of something, or the shape and "tint" of a particular light...doesn't seem worth it to me...but if you like it? Go Ahead.

 

Some people are into it others not I don't feel like the car is mine untell I have changed and customized my stuff lol for me I mod for my personality and gas milige I'm getting 40-45 mpg

 

I mod my car because I am a enthusiast. The comparison to a home can be made as well. People decorate, build, modify their homes to suit them and to what they like.. This is how I feel about cars.

 

Bitter old man FTW!! I am right there with you, but I just shrug my shoulders now and go with the flow.

It's a hobby, it's about enthusiasm, it's about image, it's about being "cool", it's about being and feeling young.

I can't talk smack because I remember being nuts about different hobbies growing up. Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Surfing. I'd get nuts about the type of wax I'd buy, what wheels were on my skateboard, which snowboard had better "flex". And yes I was snowboarding up at Snow Summit when we were outnumbered by skiers 10 to 1. So much so that we went at night so we don't get laughed at. (or beat up by people and their ski poles)

Live and let live, just make sure not to f up the lawn on my garden, or I will personally beat you down with my walker. I'll also laugh at you when you get busted for stupidity, only because that used to be me.

 

I can understand the OP because my thinking today is the same. However, I am a fossil but I do remember the days of my youth when I was into lead, shackles, chopped Lincoln fender skirts, full hub caps and Carson tops. I guess it's an age thing. The only sad thing I can think of about mods is it will usually lower the value of your car by the cost of you mod. Spend mega bucks on a new set of wheels and that's about how much less your car would be worth if you sold it. Not always but most often.

 

By the way, besides my opinon above...I'd say I have to agree with you in general. It seems to be a trend or way of operating for Japanese car manufacturers. Case in point, The Scion Xb, which arrived in very much it's original clean, efficient...boxy...Asian, European style. But once it hit America's shores it didn't last long in it's original form, it very quickly got the beefed up bumpers and American weight gain.

Which form you prefer is still opinion, but I agree that it happens.

I like both generation of The Fit. (I hear there is Feuding? Why can't we all just get along?) but I do worry about them "Beefing Up" The Fit too much. I like it the way it is, small enough...large enough...IMO but I am afraid Honda will slowly keep enlarging The Fit. Seems to be in the Japanese marketing psyche that Americans want everything "Supersized".

 

Hey it's a fun little car to personalize. Can't wait to get my compact air horn next week. and I'm 62. K_C

 

I've been enjoying the slew of reflective threads lately on what it means to be an enthusiast. I have nothing to add to that really.

One response I have to the JDM bumper question is that, in my opinion, cars from Japan and Europe with the shorter bumpers in their respective markets, are closer than their usdm equivalents to the intended design.

 

I guess I agree with you except for the wheel analogy. Wheels are easily replaced. It's the other mods (engine, body/suspension work, custom upholstery) that are more permanent that may bring down the value of the car or "drive away" a potential buyer.

Just my .02

 

Your not saying (like all my neighbors) this is too much? hahahahah

 

Too funny fitchet, make that 2 lawn chairs and I'll join ya!
Cept MzFiT weighs in @ 2890lbs she maybe a little on the portly side but all of the finest China has to offer

 

Now THAT is JDM Yo! ROFL Taste comes in more sizes and shapes and colors than we can concieve of. Our diversity is what makes this board so much fun to visit, you have a broad slice of America sharing their views and knowledge about the car we all love. FF FTMFW

 

haha it's just different strokes for different folks. and yes, in japan some people do modify their cars to be like their USDM counterparts. and yes, there are people in japan asking why ppl would wanna make their cars USDM. it's like fashion sir. why buy designer shit when you can buy tshirts from the supermarket haha. it's not hard to understand at all.

 

That's a "tad" much, I'd say.

 

I like to improve a car to perform better than it does in stock mode and though my car doesn't look stock on the outside... It isn't because I want it to look other than it would as it came from the factory but the performance springs with a slight drop, 9 1/2 pound wheels and hood louvers are performance modifications, the tinted windows help lower interior temperature by shading the interior as do vent visors that also function in allowing the windows to be partially lowered to comfortably ventilate the car.... Everything else I have done to the car has been under the hood where I have spent right at 5 grand except for the chrome exhaust tip.... People have always done things to cars that are stylish and fashionable at the time they do them but for the most part end up being a flash in the pan fad. Performance, dependability, comfort, versatility,handling and good fuel mileage are things that are never dated and never go out of style....

 

I kind of get where the OP is coming from.

Believe me i GET modding cars, as i am a mod-a-holic, and JDM WHORE, but what i don't really understand is dropping all this cash on exterior mods, making a car seem fast, when it is dog-shit slow..lol

Do i think these cars look cool as hell, when done right? YES. I mean i would be lying, if i said i wasn't already looking at things to do on the exterior.

BUT! i also feel like if you are going as far as to spend 1/2 the price of the car, in exterior mods, you need to build a complete car, and make this thing move, turn, stop..

Now interior mods(headunit, speakers, etc) i get, because it is something that will directly effect your driving pleasure, and experience.

 

Ahmen brother - it's always has and always will be the way we are with our cars. A true passion. If you must judge , well it's what ever you feel - just be careful, because it is some ones passion you're commenting on - but then again every one doesn't get first prize. Respect the dude for doing it - he cares enough to. Not your taste, don't do that then. I certainly would park next to any mod-head and know I'm not going to collect a dink in the side of ny ride.
K_C_