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Hatchbacks Honda Fit Addressing the Fit's shortcomings
209 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2008 at 8:44 PM
You are in the Honda Fit Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
Did Honda miss something?
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No armrest? No bodyside molding? No cargo cover? OK, so Honda omits the bodyside molding on many of it's cars, however, there is not even an optional accessory. No armrest and no cargo cover on a $16,500 subcompact is Honda being CHEAP.
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Replying to: moparbad (Apr 21, 2006 5:12 pm)
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Replying to: jpmccormac (Apr 22, 2006 5:09 am) |
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Just came from the dealership with my 2005 Mazda 3i to trade in as they had the Fit 5spd Meteor Silver I was looking for. Before seeing the internet manager, I decided to just sit in the Fit for a bit to get a true feel as a driver. Found a few issues I know I will be bothered with since I drive 600 miles a week. I'll list the cons first since this is what broke the deal for me. Cons: 1. No adjustable lower back support. I have a really bad lower back and the support is like sitting on a plane seat. I don't think I would like to compensate by buying those back pillows. The side support is great though, like recaro seats 2. No seat height adjustment. I'm not that tall and I felt I couldn't see over the hood. =) 2. No armrest/compartment. I actually tried to note how often I rest my arm on it and found when I'm stuck in traffic or cruising, I do. 3. No locking gas cap. I'm from NYC so I'm paranoid. 4. Cargo cover not standard. For a top of the line model? 5. No dead pedal. Again, I drive alot and this would help. Pros: 1. First class gauge cluster. I loved it! 2. Stereo is growing on me. Lights match gauge cluster which is great. Although for 200 watts, do you get bass with those speakers? 3. Finally figured out the Magic Seats after someone posted. You just lift up! 4. Of course, the gas mileage 5. Smooth 5spd shifter |
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Replying to: kagedude (Apr 22, 2006 8:54 am) I don't understand when people complain about things that "should" be included like a cargo cover and a locking gas cap, or similar complaints about other small items that can easily be added. In this case, for example, you can buy those things for $150. For the sake of argument, let's say the car was $150 more but included those things. The question is then, would you be happy? Or would you say that the car was now over-priced by $150? Personally, I've taken the cargo cover out of every car I've had that has come with one, I have no need for it, it just gets in my way. And I don't care about a locking gas cap. (And I drive in NYC!) So I don't care that these things aren't included, and would be glad to not have to pay for them. Not that I wouldn't have my own wish list. Unfortunately, the things I find lacking in the Fit aren't available as add-ons either. I like climate control, steering wheel stereo controls, stability control, traction control. I guess I'm a control freak! I wish it were possible to get a better stereo in the base (whether from Honda or aftermarket). Some fancy things like leather and sunroof probably are or will be available aftermarket, if one wants to splurge on an economy car. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have a trip computer that calculates current and average fuel economy. Not that it's essential, but I think it's something a Fit owner would appreciate! On the cars that have had them, I've always used the compass (which one can get separately), and more often than I care to admit, the "distance to empty." |
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Replying to: anotherscott (Apr 22, 2006 10:28 am)  I don't suppose you would have much use for security systems either. 
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Replying to: bodble2 (Apr 22, 2006 10:40 am) Locking fuel cap: The issues are vandalism and siphoning. In the first case, I don't park on the streets in bad areas (and if one must, I think one is more likely to suffer a keying or broken window than a contaminated gas tank, which requires preparation). And I just don't think siphoning is a real issue either. Again, I'm rarely in bad areas. But even then, gas siphoning is hard to do inconspicuously or quickly, and there's not much payoff for someone to do it. Since we're talking about being in New York, most people don't even have cars, they use the subways, so what would they even want with the gas? It's not like they can bring it to pawn shops or hawk 5-gallon cannisters out of their coats on street corners. If I hear news reports of a mad rash of siphoning, I may reconsider. And as long as you mentioned it, I don't really care about alarm systems either. At this point, when most people hear car alarms, they completely ignore them, and I'm sure the thieves know that too. So I don't know if they really do much good. And it's actually much harder to get into locked cars these days, by design, so that's good. And if the car is stolen, it will be replaced by insurance. And as I said, I generally travel in relatively safe areas anyway. But if someone sometimes keeps valuable things in the car unattended, then there would be some value to having an alarm which, if set off, will prompt the culprit to leave rather than linger. It looks like you can get some pretty cheap ones online, and you do get an insurance discount for having one, so... maybe. |
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No seat height adjustment: Neither of my last two Civics have had seat height adjustments. Makes no difference to me. But if you really need more height, buy memory foam wedge and put it under your rear. Not only will you gain height, but it will be very comfortable. No center armrest: My last Civic didn't have one either. Never even noticed. I guess someone will come up with something aftermarket if it really bothers you. No locking gas cap: It’s not needed. I posted about this earlier. Siphoning gas is a high risk / low reward activity. Why would any criminal bother? Similarly, if someone really wants to sugar your gas tank, a screwdriver and three seconds is all it would take to defeat a locking gas door—probably wouldn’t even leave a mark. Add another five seconds to defeat a locking gas cap. No cargo cover: Yes. An annoyance. But you can get one for 118.00 at College Hills Honda web site. And, No, you don’t need to be a mechanic to “install” it. You’ll be taking it in and out anyway when you carry cargo. No Fuel Consumption Calculator: Big deal. Here’s a course on driving to save gas. 1) Keep engine off. Biggest gas saver of all. 2) Accelerate very, very slowly always. 3) Shift before 2500 rpm. 4) Coast whenever possible. 5) Keep tires inflated properly. 6) Keep car maintained. 7) Get rid of the junk in yo trunk. Saves weight. No Rear discs: Okay. Now you’re talking. This would have been nice. It’s not a deal killer, but it would have been nice. Finally, the one and only semi-serious flaw I’ve found in my Fit: No 6th gear. It’s a shame, too, because I think that with a 6-speed transmission, the Fit would be the most awesome inexpensive, practical sports car ever made or shipped to the USA.
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Replying to: sd_driver (Apr 22, 2006 12:14 pm) 2. Purchase Memory Foam Wedge 3. Purchase locking gas cap from Honda. 4. Purchase Cargo Cover from Honda 5. Import armrest from Europe that is available for the Jazz. Uh...hold on...wait a minute...Why not just buy a Civic LX auto for $16,700 market price? Or Nissan Sentra 1.8 S SE with Rockford Fosgate 300W stereo with subwoofer, side airbags and ABS, Sunroof, Armrest, distance to empty display, outside air temp. display, mpg display, 8 way adjustable drivers seat, mudguards, bodyside moldings, floor mats and trunk mat, for $14,595. The Sentra is an outdated design soon to be replaced, however, being nickel and dime'd adding equipment after the sale that Honda neglected to include is not choice. At 40,000 units Honda will be have greater demand than supply for the Fit. If Honda imports the Fit at Civic levels they need to step it up a notch on the details. Fit is amazing in it's packaging of space. The magic seats are very impressive and Honda has created another example to it's competitors of "why didn't I think of that". |
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