No longer the right "Fit" for me

"Upshift" (Upshift) 01/17/2014 at 19:09 • Filed to: Honda, Fit, Compact, Sub, Subcompact, Manual, Transmission, Fun, New, trade, upgrade

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And so approaches the end of a 9 month relationship with my Honda fit. Warning, rant ahead!

Why, you ask? Because it's the wrong fit (get it?) for me and my personal needs. I loved it at first! It was fun in the city, fuel efficient and incredibly roomy and versatile!

However, I used that versatility only once and the positives(for me) stopped there. It's too underpowered to be a useful highway and winding country road cruiser (Speed limits on said country roads are 55 and 62 on the highway) as it struggles up steep grades even with a downshift and is utterly useless for passing safely on those single lane country roads if you get stuck behind a snail. The brakes are, to be kind, the opposite of confidence inspiring. Did I mention the engine drone at 110kmh/70mph?

Road comfort over our great Canadian rough pavement is total crap even when compared to the rest of it's subcompact stablemates. It seriously makes my Mustang with upgraded sway bars feel cushy over broken asphalt! The rock hard poorly supportive seats don't help and get my 26 year young back cramped up after 30-40 minutes of driving only.

The worst offender: The driving position. The high-up, non height-adjustable chair/SUV like driving position means my right foot is at an odd and straining angle to hold the throttle at a steady speed for more than 30 minutes (Like going to my girlfriend's family camper about 87 miles away, which is done on country roads with lots of twisties and traffic which makes using the cruise control impossible) a very very painful ordeal for my ankle and knee. It's too high up and, when taking into account the proper position to properly depress the clutch, too close to get a comfortable angle for my legs. And, at 5'10", I don't consider myself short.

Oh and, the heater is total garbage and absolutely useless once the thermometer dips under -20C/-4F. I once had it on at full blast on my drive to work when it was a little colder than those values and, despite warming it up for 10 minutes beforehand, I was still freezing in my car after 30 minutes of driving. By far the weakest heater I have ever experienced.

About a month ago, I drove my girlfriend's brand spankin' new 2013 Honda Civic - with a 5 speed stick because she's awesome - for a total of 120 miles in two days and it was a total revelation: The new crop of compacts are pretty amazing and a huge step up from my fit in quality, comfort and refinement to the point where they feel more upscale than they really are. I was comfortable for the entire trip with zero issues with a perfect driving position and supportive seats, the ride with the IRS was supple and forgiving without being sloppy, the brakes were worry free and the seemingly meager 140HP was adequate for highway cruising and passing. This experience made me start yearning for an upgrade, though I resisted the thought at first.

Then, a little over a week ago, I started browsing the online configurator for a manufacturer to check out their latest compact offering and was blown away by what I could of had for not much more money had I gone that route. I started to want one badly. I first started checking out this model online because of it's solid reputation for fun, I then took the time to check out comparison reviews and videos to weigh it up against it's competitors and compile that with my own first hand experiencing seeing and driving some of these models, mixed with some of my friend's own testimonials about their own compacts, and stuck with that first model in mind.

Saturday, I went to the dealership to get a quote on the car and my trade-in for fun. Advised the saleslady that, truthfully, I needed the right deal and the right no-charge included accessories(remote starter, 3M clear bra, top brand winter tires) to truly be swayed, and so we discussed a preliminary deal. I walked away after agreeing to come back the following Tuesday for a proper test drive, since it was close to closing anyways and I had other plans, before talking any potential serious negotiations.

In the meantime, I ran my numbers to make sure the financial picture was Kosher. Realized I worry too much.

Then on Tuesday, I go for a test drive, fall in love with the driving dynamics and the amazing interior and start negotiating. Got an okay price for my trade-in(car was involved in a fender bender two weeks after I took ownership of it but the biggest casualty was my 8 years of driving pride) and MSRP for the new model itself, but got the clear-bra, remote starter and Bridgestone Blizzak tires included at no cost plus got steelies and weathertech floor mats included at a greatly reduced price. I find I could have been more pushy and felt a bit soft but the saleslady admitted that she hopped she wouldn't get too many customers like me in the future. Signed the deal and was approved for financing, the car came in today and will be ready on Tuesday. Needless to say, I am excited and impatient!

I'll let you guys guess what the new car will be. Hint: It's currently considered the best compact you can buy according to many publications and has won at least one buff book's annual award. It will also be Red, because fun.

The official revelation will surely come next week! If I don't crack in the comments below beforehand.

texasfordfan > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:13

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I am going to guess Mazda 3.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:14

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best compact or subcompact?

ddavidn > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:16

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Fiesta.

dogisbadob > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:17

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Remember that Canadian-market Fits are made in China. That might be part of the problem; they wouldn't dare attempt that shit down here.

Another problem with the Fit is no sunroof available, which will finally be fixed next year with the new generation that will finally offer one.

Pretty much every car in that class will be slow to you, except maybe the turbo Sonic with more torque, something Honda has never been good at.

I do have a hard time with the 115 hp or so in the Fit not being enough, as I've driven older Civics with only 106 hp and was fine at any speed that's legal in either country.

My guess for best compact: the Focus, even though those compact cars are more accurately called midsize.

Upshift > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/17/2014 at 19:17

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Compact!

Upshift > ddavidn 01/17/2014 at 19:19

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Fiesta ST would of been nice but I have my sports car already and wanted to move up from a subcompact into a compact.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:22

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mazda 3 or hyundai elantra

ddavidn > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:26

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Mazda3, Focus, Golf...

Upshift > dogisbadob 01/17/2014 at 19:30

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The fit is a good bit heavier than those old civics and, though I can't speak for old Honda powerbands, the fit's power is pretty much non-existant south of 4500RPM and that engine doesn't really enjoy being revved to oblivion. And with the way Canadians drive in my area, I feel like an obstacle. I don't want another 300hp car either, but the available power in the current crop of compacts strikes a nice balance. No sunroof is only one of the MANY features it's competitors have that the fit is missing, but not one I myself really want. The Turbo Sonic pretty much dies starting in 3rd gear because of the super tall gearing which just kills any torque advantage it has over the rest of it's class. I've tried one and it was pretty sad. None of the subcompacts really appeal to me overall. It still remains a crappy winter vehicle. The old 2001 civic I had for 5 months prior that was on the verge of death had a far superior heater, that's sad.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:32

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Initially I thought Focus ST but I'm thinking the new Mazda 3.

Aaron James > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:37

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All that and you don't even tell us what it is. Good insight into the Fit though, I've been halfheartedly looking at them lately for their good MPG but I just can't see myself in something that is dangerously underpowered. So adding the revelation of a harsh ride makes it a super easy decision.

Upshift > Aaron James 01/17/2014 at 19:43

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Don't get me wrong, it's a fine and fun car if you don't live in an arctic climate half of the year and if you only do city driving. It's peppy and a riot in urban, low-speed settings. But it falls on it's face as soon as you hit a highway.

Upshift > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:46

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You guys are scary good at guessing! Final hint: It's the most popular theory so far!

Aaron James > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 19:49

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Yeah see that's what kills it for me. I can handle driving an underpowered car but it has to be comfortable on the highway if I'm going to sacrifice the power. I basically want something that floats down the highway like my grandma's old Lincoln, Handles corners like a go-kart, accelerates like a space shuttle, and gets the gas mileage of a moped. Needless to say, I'm still looking.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 20:08

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I had a 2010 Fit for a few years and sold it for my wife's 328i.

I loved it for NY. Small, cheap, easy to park, and I didn't care too much if it got dinged or dirty. But once we got out to LA again, my wife couldn't handle driving it to and from work anymore. It was noisy, didn't handle highway speeds well, and just felt like a poor fit.

So we got a 328i instead. Go figure.

dogisbadob > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 20:17

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What a shame about the heater thing, and I didn't know that about the Sonic. Thanks for the reply!

Jonee > Aaron James 01/17/2014 at 20:44

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117HP (130 in the new one) should not be "dangerously underpowered" if you know how to drive. My Fiesta is 120 and I've never wanted more at least from a safety standpoint. Heck, my Le Car is around 70 horsepower and I take it on L.A. freeways all the time because I know what I'm doing in it The Fit is nicely balanced, handles well, and goes just fine when you step on the gas. It's small so it's not like you're trying to move a barge around.

Jonee > Aaron James 01/17/2014 at 20:45

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Focus ST pretty much covers all that.

Jonee > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/17/2014 at 20:46

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Ford's ST cousins.

Aaron James > Jonee 01/17/2014 at 21:23

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I've never driven one so I don't know. My first car was an 86 Toyota Celica with 98 horsepower and an automatic. I never considered it dangerously underpowered as it could keep up with traffic and merge or pass just fine. I've been driving for over 20 years so I think I have a pretty good grasp on the concept by now, thanks for your concern though. If I misinterpreted your meaning behind that than I apologize.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > Upshift 01/17/2014 at 21:37

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Mazda 3. Not only my guess but my choice as well.

Jonee > Aaron James 01/17/2014 at 22:27

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I was making no judgement on your skill, I was just saying that 120 horsepower shouldn't be dangerously underpowered in any car that size unless you don't know what you're doing.

Upshift > Jonee 01/19/2014 at 16:13

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Here's the thing: 117 may not seem to be dangerously underpowered but the things to keep in mind are not only torque but also overall powerband. Combine this along with the way our local roads are designed and the way people drive and yes it is underpowered. I don't live in the prairies with lots of flatlands, great long distance visibility and loooong passing zones with drivers who drive at reasonable speeds all the time. I live in the canadian shield with lots of hills and mountains and roads that twist and turn that are fun to drive but lead to really short passing zones and lots of trees blocking the view across the next corner to see if there will be any incoming traffic on the single lane country roads with a 55mph limit. Seeing as I frequent these roads very often and that traffic is all over the place in terms of speed, I do need to do occasionnal passes. The fit is terribly ill-suited for this task and I do downshift from 5-th to 3rd with some proper rev-matching and give her all she's got. Did I mention the super steep hills that require me to bury the throttle in 3rd at 55mph just to maintain speed? I don't need to have 300+hp like in the mustang necessarily but a little more than what the fit has to offer is nice. And the 117hp figure is just a part of the story, that figure is pretty much just the peak and it wouldn't be nearly that high if it weren't for the 6200rpm V-TEC(Yeah it's pretty high considering the peak HP and redline both arrive at 6500). So even with a 5-3 downshift I'm still not really into any usable powerband because that powerband is only 300rpm long, the other 6200rpm are pure economy. The short gearing helps for city driving where wind resistance and actual speed are low but once you're at highway speeds that powerband really hurts. Your judgements on skill would be totally relevant if I always kept it in high gear but I don't consider myself to be an idiot.

Upshift > Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark 01/19/2014 at 16:17

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Yup. The fit is excellent for large metropolitan residents like Montreal, Toronto, NY and stuff. But you need something different for geographies that promote longer distances and higher speeds.

Upshift > Jonee 01/19/2014 at 16:18

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The ST is nice but I already have a 2012 Mustang V6 and only really want to have one "real" sport's car. And the damn thing's are retardedly expensive in Canada.

Jonee > Upshift 01/19/2014 at 16:23

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Ok. You may live in a locality where that car is not enough. But, for the majority of folks, 117HP in a small car is not underpowered. I had no trouble in a Fiesta in the mountains of Colorado all last summer which is why I chose that car, but your area must have different terrain and roads as well as the power sucking that high altitude can have on an engine. The other guy said he didn't want something "dangerously underpowered" which the Fit is not. Except in certain circumstances, of course, but that's one of the reasons why autos come in such variety.

Upshift > Jonee 01/19/2014 at 16:44

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I wholeheartedly agree with your statement. The fit is in no way a bad or terrible car and it has more than enough power for most people and in straight freeways it's power isn't an issue since you have more than one lane in your direction to use anyways. It's also perfect for city driving because of the short gearing and fuel economy. But for my needs it's just the wrong car. Plus that heater.. gahhh. Keep in mind that I have to live with this car only without my mustang as an alternative for 5 months a year. You bet I want a car that I absolutely love in that case. I love the variety of cars and the fit is perfect for a lot of people, I'm just not one of them.

Upshift > Upshift 01/19/2014 at 16:46

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To everyone who guessed Mazda3: you guessed correctly! Canadian market GS(midrange) with the 2.0L skyactiv engine, 6 speed manual transmission, convenience package and all wrapped in a nice shade of Soul Red.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > Upshift 01/20/2014 at 13:33

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Pretty much.

I would still have mine if we hadn't left NY, but in LA I was much happier having a 328i and an MX-5. Because Miata.

ukulalien > Upshift 01/25/2014 at 11:50

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I've put almost 140,000 miles on my '08 Fit. Lots of interstate driving but mostly in the southeast US. Very pleased overall but I agree on how noisy it is at highway speeds. It's pretty punishing. Still, a great value and incredibly reliable. Nothing done to it except battery and tires. I plan on keeping it until at least 200,000.