As I wait for my fit and look at all the great photos, I suddenly realized that it won't be summer forever, and I'll need to be driving it in beaucoup snow (maybe around the time I finally get it ). Is the Sport really "lower" or does it just look that way? Should I get the base model instead? Would anyone be willing to go out and measure the clearance, I can't find it on the specs....Thanks!

 

Do you have an example of a low vehicale that is too low. How high do you need? If you get that much snow perhaps a suberue would be better. AWD but lower gas miles.
Personally I dont think the sport modle is more than two inches lower at the bumper and side trim compaired to the base modle. The Fit sport will gain to be Just a little taller because of the 15 inch rims. That I beleive will give you 1/2 inch more. Total difference is probly 1.5 inches between sport and fit. My base modle fit measures on the front bumper about 7 inches the side under the door 8 inches, the rear bumper 11 inch. I looked under the car and every thing is up very high at least relative to the over all trim. good luck

 

I live on a steep hill that ends suddenly. In the camry, I would hit bottom as I turn onto a main street. This would happen enough that I would wince at the intersection as I made the turn. I make that turn daily but has not happened at all with the fit (got the car May 26). May not be what you are looking for but this is impressive to me. I will measure the distance and get back to you.

 

The larger wheel does not mean a larger overall diameter. The tires used for the 15 inch rims are a little lower profile than the 14 inch ones. That way, the rolling diameter is still the same.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm not expecting it to be a 4x4, I think 7 inches would be ok most of the time. I got stuck trying to plow through uncleared roads a couple times last winter in my elderly toyota. Good point about the steep hill, I no longer have a tailpipe due to our steep driveway. Maybe I won't have to park on the street!

 

understood.

 

If you get on the Fit's American Honda website:
http://automobiles.honda.com/tools/b...odelName%3DFit
you can "toggle " back & forth between the base & sport in the various views & see the relative ground clearance differences. This may help in your decision-- good luck!

 

The fit side skirts dont go any lower than the frame rails so ground clearance is the same on the sides, the front lip I believe is lower on the base but not much and I dont think it is low at all, I am going to lower mine 1.6" or so and think it will still have plenty of clearance. But I drive a very low 240sx that doesnt scrape anywhere but I drive carefully.

 

ok, I measured - 7" in the front and 8" to the tip of the tailpipe in the back for the sport. It can snow about 6 1/2".

 

Thanks a lot everybody! I was worried I'd have to give up on my orange dream!

 

bumping up an old thread but i need some help, i don't understand how the fit can have a ride height of 7 inch's the CR-V has 7.3.... just wondering if someone can help, yes im a FIT noob

 

It's not that surprising that the CR-V has only slightly higher ground clearance when you consider that the CR-V is based upon a Honda Civic chassis. I'm new to this forum as well. I just purchased a used 2007 Honda Fit base with 15" alloys and 45,000 miles on it and am loving the car so far. It's very fun to drive and seems to have better ground clearance than my old Saab 900, which was great in the snow with snow tires on.

 

i just put the sport lips on my base fit. it doesn't really make the ground clearance any less. the front lip is a little lower, which could scrape if you go too fast in a steep driveway.

 

Gonna puRchasE a lowering kiT.., liKE 1.5 inchEs loweR.
I haTe thE fenDer gaP that's whY.
And it'll gonna giVe my Jazz a more aggressiVe and meaneR looK!..Hehehe

 

I called Honda -- manufacturer not dealer -- and they said the ground clearance for the 2009 Fit, both Basic and Sport models, was 4.3 inches, "loaded" (meaning if any people and/or cargo were in the car). I said that the Sport model appeared to have lower clearance, but they said the information applied to both models. Maybe they were referring to the vitals under the car, and not taking the front bumper into account.

 

Just because a car is low, doesn't mean it'll be bad in the snow. With good snow tires you can get away with a lot - I plowed many a road with my lowered Prelude. 10-14" deep on the untouched back roads, snow even coming up over the hood . . . fun stuff.

I drove all last winter with my stock Fit Sport no problems, and will be lowering it an inch to an inch and a half this week. I have no plans on raising it up for the winter.