Honda finally updated their site with the new Fit

"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve)
06/13/2014 at 18:45 • Filed to: None

It's gonna cost me $18,225 out the door for an EX 6-speed in Modern Steel Metallic, leaving me plenty of money for a set of Mugen MD8 wheels wrapped in Yokohama S-Drives, the J's Racing grille and possibly the Mugen suspension kit.

I'm much more excited than I probably should be, but it's my first new car in 10 years.

DISCUSSION (20)

Manuél Ferrari > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 18:46

How many used Miatas does that equal?

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Manuél Ferrari
06/13/2014 at 18:48

3/4ths of a new Miata.

Michael Ballaban > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 18:50

I was lucky enough to drive the Fit around for two days last month, and it really is a good, honest, fun little car. Congratulations!

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 18:56

Well, my girl drives a previous gen Honda Fit, and it's good!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Michael Ballaban
06/13/2014 at 19:04

I test drove one with the CVT a little over a week ago. Even with that awful transmission, it was fun. It is the rare car that manages to be both aiming above its class, equipment and fit and finish-wise without seeming pretentious. The engine, even if it's a low-revving (for Honda, at least) long-stroke unit and the tightness of the steering and chassis made it feel classic Honda, the kind of thing everybody seems to think they have forgotten about building. It's really, really clear that it's the most important model for Honda worldwide, since they really didn't fuck around with it.

I hate to admit it, since it's not the golden child of the sporty subcompact hatch, but I liked driving the one I did more than the Fiesta ST. It just felt better in every way. It was slower, without question, but it just didn't matter. Everything about it just felt right, precise, and well considered. The Fiesta felt like a bonkers bit of goofy fun, the Fit, even with the CVT, felt like an absolutely perfectly sorted machine. Something between a rollercoaster and a fine watch. The time I spent in the Fiesta left me feeling like it can only do fast. The Fit felt like it can do fun, if you wanted it to, but it was absolutely game for anything else. Hell, even the CVT was good, for what it was. It was the first CVT I've driven that didn't make me angry. It's almost good enough to say if it was the only transmission offered, I'd be fine with it.

The new Fit is the rare car that makes absolute sense in every single situation you could find yourself in. Honda did a great job.

It's not entertaining in the same way my current car, a 2004 xB is. My Scion is fun due to a combination of cost-saving simplicity, unusual seating position, absurdly long shift throws and total visibility in every direction. It's a Honda, in all the ways that made Honda great. Great engine, great chassis, and from what I've heard from those who have driven the 6-speed models, great transmission.

It's just a matter of waiting for the check from the sale of my grandfather's house to arrive before I can head down to the dealership and say "hey, next Modern Steel 6-speed EX is mine".

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
06/13/2014 at 19:07

I've driven every generation of Fit so far, and Honda sure knows what they're doing. They've all been great. Like, truly great. Great in a way you can't really argue with. The kind of great where if someone says "yeah, I drive a Fit", you can't really fault them for it.

ddavidn > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 19:07

Very good decision. I like racing these in Gran Turismo and definitely wouldn't turn one down. Especially with some nice suspensions.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > ddavidn
06/13/2014 at 19:09

They drive really, really well. Precise and competent in a way few cars are.

I really want to meet the people who drove them for the purposes of reviewing them and said the steering lacked feel and ask them if they are insane or paralyzed or what. The steering in these cars is fantastic.

ddavidn > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 19:13

Yeah, that's why I need to drive one. Because I can't imagine why the words precise and competent can go in the same paragraph as "Mustang" :\

PanchoVilleneuve ST > ddavidn
06/13/2014 at 19:14

"Mechanical" is the best way to describe it. It's a machine. It feels like a machine. It doesn't try to hide that fact.

It's a wonderful thing.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 19:17

Yeah. But still, my favourite was the first gen. Not sure about the new one.

ddavidn > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 19:17

Weird. I wouldn't think Mustang buyers would want that.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > ddavidn
06/13/2014 at 19:18

Well, they should!

dogisbadob > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 19:19

Mystic Yellow Pearl will be available this summer, which is the color I'd get. My second choice is Aegean Blue Metallic, followed by Passion Berry Pearl.

Yeah, I like teh fun colorz and not the same old boring shit like black, gray, white, and silver. Although green would be nice, too.

And why the fuck doesn't Honda let you get leather with the manual transmission? Is it really THAT HARD for them to offer? Whether it's the new Fit, the Civic, Accord, or whatever, Honda ALWAYS makes the EX-L automatic-only. WTF?

lonestranger > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
06/13/2014 at 19:24

The Fit is Go!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > dogisbadob
06/13/2014 at 19:27

I'm lucky, and I hate leather interiors, but I agree. It seems like a missed opportunity.

cabarne4 > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/13/2014 at 22:22

One serious question about the new Fit... The rear hatch seems more slopey than previous Fits. Does it sacrifice any rear cargo room for style? The first two Fits had an incredibly boxy back end that was super practical. If this one has been "rounded", I feel you'd lose a lot of usable space.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > cabarne4
06/13/2014 at 22:37

From what I can gather, it's a bit less with the rear seats up, but more with the rear seats down.

cabarne4 > PanchoVilleneuve ST
06/15/2014 at 08:56

Interesting... Yeah reading the stats, it seems Honda pushed the rear seats back like an inch, giving you more leg room, less headroom (because of the small slope of the roof), and less rear cargo room with the seats up. As long as it can still fit all my stuff, I'd be happy.

Might swing by a Honda dealer and poke around one. My only other consideration is satellite radio. I can't live without it, but don't want to have to pay for the most expensive car just to get it. #firstworldproblems

Synchromesh09876 > Michael Ballaban
06/15/2014 at 16:28

Glad to hear that. I drove the first gen and it was barely ok but at least it looked good. The second gen was average to drive but I absolutely hated the way it looked like a weird egg. Dashboard was gigantic too. Hopefully the new car is better in every way. Doesn't look bad anymore.