| shellebelle |
Hoping to replace my aging Civic sometime early next year and I'm giving the '09 Fit serious thought. I thought I'd ask you guys since you're usually pretty savvy with this kind of stuff.
There's the old mantra of not buying a first model year car, but I might not be in a position to hold out for the '10s. I don't know if I want to do another summer with no a/c, and my Civic is just getting old. Plus, my job requires some errand running and I'd like to show up at print vendors in something nicer than a 13 year old Civic.
What are the general thoughts on it? The size/functional stuff are a good fit for me so no worries there--I'm mostly concerned with the reliability factor of a first year model. Can anyone share some insight? Are they already out in Japan (and thus any issues are being addressed?).
And, has anyone heard any rumors about whether they'll be a hot ticket (aka wait list) item?
In a perfect world, I'd have my IS250 and would be done with it, lol. |
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| jl_ss |
| The fit has been around since 2001 - it's first year here was the redesigned 2007. CR only has reliability data for the 2007 model year and it's all solid red dots, except for squeaks and rattles which gets a half red dot. Safety data is posted below. People are buying Fits/Civics/Corollas instead of paying a premium and waiting for hybrid models. Edmunds shows that the fit is currently selling at invoice because of that, but there is only a $530 difference between MSRP and invoice. |
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| shellebelle |
Thanks for the info--very helpful!
Every new Honda I've been in squeeks and rattles so I just accept it as the way it is. Good incentive to turn the iPod up :) |
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| whizmo |
All the advanced press says it's going to be solid improvement to an already fine small car. It would be my pick in this size class, although I'd certainly drive the Versa and Yaris too. And one size class up, there are three VERY good cars: Civic, Mazda 3, and Rabbit. And if you drive a lot of miles, I'd think about the new Jetta TDI which should be good for another 10 mpg over the Fit, although the economics are going to be about the same as long as diesel prices stay well over gas.
You're always better off getting further down the production run of a heavily revised model, but it is a revised - not a completely new - model and some things like the engine basics are well proven. If you need the car around the time it appears, I'd risk it.
Given the small car demand, you probably need to get some deposits down now and I wouldn't have expectations of doing any better than MSRP. You may have to do some traveling to get an MSRP deal.
- Mark |
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| humanoid |
| The Fit or the Yaris would both be excellent choices. |
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| xGS |
quote:
Originally posted by humanoid
The Fit or the Yaris would both be excellent choices.
Have you driven a Yaris?
That center-mounted instrument cluster would give me fits.
Try working with your monitor offset so that its left edge lines up with the right edge of your keyboard. |
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| shellebelle |
Yeah, I couldn't do the center guage cluster.
For the Versa--judging by the disparity between the Sentra and Altimas I've driven, there's no base of reference, lol. And it's one ugly car. |
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| rlapid |
quote:
Originally posted by xGS
Have you driven a Yaris?
That center-mounted instrument cluster would give me fits.
Try working with your monitor offset so that its left edge lines up with the right edge of your keyboard.
i've driven a yaris on a couple long-distance trips, and the center-mounted gauges didn't bother me as much as i thought they would. basically, instead of glancing downward for a sec to see how fast you're going, you look to the right. the speedo is large and digital, making it quite easy to read. |
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| iglesias |
quote:
Originally posted by shellebelle
Thanks for the info--very helpful!
Every new Honda I've been in squeeks and rattles so I just accept it as the way it is. Good incentive to turn the iPod up :)
Not every new Honda you've been in sqeeked and rattled... :) |
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| shellebelle |
quote:
Originally posted by iglesias
Not every new Honda you've been in sqeeked and rattled... :)
You're just deaf. |
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| iivtecracerii |
the 09 fit is a redesign, but it will already have been on sale in japan for a year...so it wont technically be a first year car.
not sure if there will be a waiting list, but civics and fits are in high demand right now. |
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| KarenCaren |
Last week I saw a Honda Fit park a long the road. Well I would prefer to have the Fit rather than the Honda Jazz. just my 2 cents
________________
Blog to read: Autopartswarehouse.com |
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| iivtecracerii |
quote:
Originally posted by KarenCaren
Last week I saw a Honda Fit park a long the road. Well I would prefer to have the Fit rather than the Honda Jazz. just my 2 cents
:confused: the fit and jazz are the same car. |
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| CalPi |
| Actualy they arent, The Jazz Has a diffrent name than the Fit :2: |
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| rlapid |
quote:
Originally posted by CalPi
Actualy they arent, The Jazz Has a diffrent name than the Fit :2:
the Jazz is also right-hand drive, iirc. :2: |
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| dgipalo |
quote:
Originally posted by shellebelle
Hoping to replace my aging Civic sometime early next year and I'm giving the '09 Fit serious thought. I thought I'd ask you guys since you're usually pretty savvy with this kind of stuff.
There's the old mantra of not buying a first model year car, but I might not be in a position to hold out for the '10s. I don't know if I want to do another summer with no a/c, and my Civic is just getting old. Plus, my job requires some errand running and I'd like to show up at print vendors in something nicer than a 13 year old Civic.
What are the general thoughts on it? The size/functional stuff are a good fit for me so no worries there--I'm mostly concerned with the reliability factor of a first year model. Can anyone share some insight? Are they already out in Japan (and thus any issues are being addressed?).
And, has anyone heard any rumors about whether they'll be a hot ticket (aka wait list) item?
In a perfect world, I'd have my IS250 and would be done with it, lol.
If FYR is a concern, get an '08, although they're selling quite well and great deals will be hard to come by. Fit inventory has been quite low; the sales are supply constrained.
TOV (Temple of VTEC) has had some write-ups on it, largely positive. Given the market direction, looks like the right car at the right time. As such, availability is likely to be even more constrained. |
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| KarenCaren |
quote:
Originally posted by iivtecracerii
:confused: the fit and jazz are the same car.
Ohh sorry for my mistake. I thought Fit have a different engine than the jazz.
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Must Read: Autopartswarehouse.com blog |
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| rocky |
Here is some info on the Jazz
Not that the US spec 09 Fit will not look the same as the ROW versions due to a longer nose-
2009 European Honda Jazz -- Nice improvements with a disappointment.
Honda's all-new Jazz 5-door hatchback achieves class leading interior space but more importantly, significantly improved fuel economy with the HCH-II’s 1.4-litre with i-SHIFT and an available 1.2-litre iDSI.
The new Jazz retains the concepts of the previous Jazz with its center fuel tank layout and Magic Seats giving it a world beating interior flexibility. With theses best features retained, the new Jazz brings change to every area, raising the bar even further and promising to expand on its success in the super-mini segment. The previous generation was given more than fifty awards and has sold over two million around the world since its 2001 launch. Expect the second generation to do even better.
A slightly larger, ‘cab forward' style body brings better visibility and an even more spacious interior to the benefit of rear seat passengers with more legroom. The Magic Seats now drop down in one easy action and their versatility is now complemented by a new Double-Trunk feature in the luggage bay.
Safety
Safety upgrades in the second generation Jazz includes the recently introduced Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, active front seat head restraints and VSA. Larger wheels, revised suspension and a longer wheelbase/wider track bring greater agility while enhancing ride comfort. And new 89 HP, 1.2-litre and 99 HP 1.4-litre i-VTEC engines deliver better performance characteristics while boosting fuel economy to exceptional levels – 46.1 mpgUS (5-speed MT) and 46.1/44.4 mpgUS (6-speed DSG/5-speed MT) combined, respectively.
Greater economy and lower emission from two new engines
New, more powerful gasoline engines, capable of outstanding economy, are designed to appeal to customers who might be downsizing as well as those looking to achieve fuel economy comparable to diesel powered models. Adopting Honda's VTEC technology (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control), the new 1.2 and 1.4-litre four-cylinder engines are connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or, on 1.4 models, Honda's i-SHIFT 6-speed automated manual transmission which includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
A new SIL (Shift Indicator Light) fitted to manual models, similar to that found on the new Accord, provides a visual prompt of the best gear shift points to maximize fuel economy.
The bad news… 5-speed manual transmission
The 1.2 and 1.4-litre models are equipped with an evolution of the previous 5-speed manual transmission with gear ratios optimized for a more sporty driving experience while ensuring mediocre fuel economy. Maybe someday Honda will get it but as of this writing, they are completely lost with fuel costs in Europe approaching and in some cases breaching $10.00 per gallon USD :(
i-SHIFT (6-speed automated manual transmission)
As well as a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 1.4-litre engine can be teamed up with Honda's latest i-SHIFT transmission. The first time a 6-speed automated manual transmission has been offered in this vehicle class, the gearbox offers better fuel economy than is possible with either a true automatic or a CVT (continuously variable transmission).
The unit is a development of the system first fitted to the Civic, with improvements made including; reduced gear change times, smoother shifts and more intelligent automatic mode shift logic.
Cab forward styling with increased dimensions
Overall height remains the same, but the length and wheelbase of the new Jazz are up by 2 inches. It is also slightly wider - by ¾ of an inch. All aid in increased handling stability. Despite the increased wheelbase, the turning diameter is still just 32.1 ft.
Safer ACE body structure
Even more efficient safety performance results from the introduction of the ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure, a concept that is being progressively rolled out across the Honda range. Its structure, in particular a front polygonal main frame, helps to reduce the negative effect of misalignment between vehicles of different sizes and construction and multiple energy absorbing pathways disperse impact energy to prevent cabin deformation.
Standard on all models are dual front and side airbags, full length side curtain airbags and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions, those in the front with dual-stage pretensioners. The front passenger airbag can also be deactivated to allow a rear facing child seat to be fitted to the front seat and for the first time Jazz is equipped with seatbelt reminders for both the front and rear seats. Front seats are also fitted with active headrests to minimize the potential for whiplash injuries.
Larger cabin with even better functionality
The interior layout of the new Jazz allows rear seat passengers an extra 1.4 inches of knee room, while the distance between front and rear passengers is up by 1.2 inches. The slightly wider body also means shoulder room increases by 1.7inches the front and rear.
Reduced width A-pillars, a larger windscreen and quarter windows three times the size of those in the previous model allows greater visibility. |
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