2008 Honda Fit -- Opinions

[Siaharok]

Hello everyone,

My first post here. I've enjoyed reading this forum, but I haven't seen too many opinions on the Honda Fit. I'm thinking of buying one. I've never bought a new car before, and it feels a bit weird, but here are my main reasons.

• I don't have time to search for the perfect used car.
• I really want a station wagon.
• I like the look of the Fit.
• I want the best FE I can get.

I'm in the process of opening a new business. I live in a medium-small city, and people tend to know what you drive. In that regard, I feel that driving a nice-looking car is good business. I'm currently driving a beater, and it doesn't help my image or my business. A newer used car would probably look okay, but then I'd have to find the perfect one, which isn't easy.

The Honda Fit seems like a logical choice. From what I've read, people seem to get the 28/34 mpg up considerably higher, even without serious hypermiling. Does anyone here have any experience? Any idea what kind of mileage can I expect with mild hypermiling? Any thoughts on my choice?

Thank in advance,
Siaharok

[Daox]

Welcome to the site Siaharok. The Fit is a great car. I've heard of more than a few owners getting 50+ and some are almost getting 55. Of course this is a bit more than mild hypermiling. Doing the mild stuff you would probably be in the low 40s I would think.

[SVOboy]

Welcome to ecomodder! I like the car, well made, has been around for many many years (not in the US).

[digitaldissent]

all depends what you want, it is definitely more plush than the Yaris but heavier and the power to weigh ratio compared to the Yaris hurts it on FE and speed.

The wagon part is nice; a friend of mine has one. I have both the sedan and hatch Yaris. The hatch is pretty small...

based on about the same commute(we live close and work together) he gets low 30s in the Fit and I get low 40s.

The Fit also has side impact airbags and antilock brakes standard, the Yaris does not. I rented the Versa for about 3 weeks, lots more power but mileage sucked

I am an environmentally minded revolutionary...I went for FE and Toyota reliability, the Yaris is cheaper too

[cfg83]

Siaharok -

Welcome to EM! The only real shortcoming of the Fit is that I think we expected even better MPG from the Honda than we got. Then again, we didn't get all the engine options that the Fit (aka the Honda Jazz) has in other countries.

If it helps your business to drive a mini-wagon with an American nameplate, the Pontiac Vibe is a good choice. It's a Toyota Matrix under the skin, which means it's a Toyota Corolla drivetrain. Here is a review of it by RH77 :

2008 Pontiac Vibe (Record Results)
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ults-1212.html

If you pick the Fit then I think you will be fine. It's the Swiss-Army-Knife of mini-wagons. Here are some cubic feet capacity comparisons between the Fit and the Vibe :

Honda Fit Specifications
http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/specifications.aspx

Cargo Volume (cu. ft., seat up/down) 21.3 / 41.9
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.) 90

2009 Pontiac Vibe
http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009...fications.html

Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 49.4 and all seats in place (cu ft): 20.1
Interior volume (cu ft): 91.4

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

If I had to buy a car today, it would be a Honda Fit. The back seat and the resulting storage is amazing -- it is a Tardis if there ever was one.

If I could wait a bit, I'd like the 2009 Fit even more -- especially the hybrid model that they have promised.

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Siaharok -

Welcome to EM! The only real shortcoming of the Fit is that I think we expected even better MPG from the Honda than we got. Then again, we didn't get all the engine options that the Fit (aka the Honda Jazz) has in other countries.

If it helps your business to drive a mini-wagon with an American nameplate, the Pontiac Vibe is a good choice. It's a Toyota Matrix under the skin, which means it's a Toyota Corolla drivetrain. Here is a review of it by RH77 :

2008 Pontiac Vibe (Record Results)
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ults-1212.html

If you pick the Fit then I think you will be fine. It's the Swiss-Army-Knife of mini-wagons. Here are some cubic feet capacity comparisons between the Fit and the Vibe :

Honda Fit Specifications
http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/specifications.aspx


2009 Pontiac Vibe
http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009...fications.html


CarloSW2

^^I agree with everything he said.^^

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The Vibe is a re-badged Toyota Matrix -- isn't it a bit heavier and have a bigger displacement engine than the Fit?

[carbonbuilder]

Love my Fit! Have an automatic that has gotten up to 43 mpg and averages 40. Two other people have them at my place of employment, both of them are sticks. One owner who drives with a bit of a lead foot gets 36-37 mpg. The other owner who drives more conservatively is getting 43-45 mpg.

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

The Vibe is a re-badged Toyota Matrix -- isn't it a bit heavier and have a bigger displacement engine than the Fit?

Probably, but the issue at hand was the American nameplate/badge.