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2009 Honda Fit - READ ONLY

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What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Concept Cars, Future Vehicle, Hatchback

Messages Page 7 of 10

#59 of 98 NA Premier by kalvord

Mar 12, 2008 (2:34 pm)

Does anyone know the exact date that the NA Fit will be released? I am gathering sometime between the 19th & 21st.
 
Assuming my guess is nearly accurate, will any details or additional photos be released prior to the premier date, or is this now on lockdown?

#60 of 98 Re: NA Premier [kalvord] by tiff_c

Mar 13, 2008 (8:12 am)

Replying to: kalvord (Mar 12, 2008 2:34 pm)
Does anyone know the exact date that the NA Fit will be released? I am gathering sometime between the 19th & 21st.
 
Last I've heard was that it will not be released until after the New York Auto show. So that's next week, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to show up in showrooms for a while after the show.
I doubt there is a moratorium on pictures since so many are floating around, but the magazines have likely tested the car but cannot print anything until after the New York show.
The car becomes official in my opinion when Honda puts it up on their website under cars you can buy and lists all the specs.
My concern is the drivers seat height adjustment, but my wife is loving her Civic which I am also driving and I doubt I could pry it away from her with a Fit even the new Fit.

#61 of 98 Re: NA Premier [tiff_c] by jacksan1

Mar 13, 2008 (8:22 am)

Replying to: tiff_c (Mar 13, 2008 8:12 am)
Although I would not classify them as "reliable," some sources are talking about the fall 2008 release for the all-new Fit in North America. The New York Auto Show is the model debut, but that is not necessarily the same as commercial release. I am sure we will know more about the exact release schedule when the show opens.

#62 of 98 Re: NA Premier [jacksan1] by tiff_c

Mar 13, 2008 (8:26 am)

Replying to: jacksan1 (Mar 13, 2008 8:22 am)
Although I would not classify them as "reliable," some sources are talking about the fall 2008 release for the all-new Fit in North America. The New York Auto Show is the model debut, but that is not necessarily the same as commercial release. I am sure we will know more about the exact release schedule when the show opens.
 
Rumor was the Fit would be released in the Spring after the NY show. But I've also heard August and also early 2009. I think it's safe to say that it's anyones' guess as to when the car will be in the showrooms for purchase. I certainly have no idea.
I'd like to see a diesel Fit or the AWD Fit here but sadly that won't happen.
If they made a diesel Fit I would go right down and buy one today even with diesel costing 60 cents more a gallon than regular!

#63 of 98 Re: NA Premier [tiff_c] by jacksan1

Mar 13, 2008 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Mar 13, 2008 8:26 am)
Yesterday I was chatting with a Honda salesman in our neighborhood dealership, and I mentioned to him that in Japan you can get an AWD Fit. He exlaimed, "Why don't they let us sell THOSE?" What I said as a theory is that AWD for a car like Fit would likely raise the price point to such an extent that it would end up competing with higher-end (translation: bigger) cars, albeit without AWD. In Japan, that's not much of an issue because lots of people want smaller cars, period, and would not want anything bigger than the Fit.
 
Honda is developing a small diesel right now. Whether or not it gets on a Fit is a question mark, and even if it did, would it show up in North America? Only time will tell, I suppose.

#64 of 98 Re: NA Premier [jacksan1] by tiff_c

Mar 13, 2008 (5:31 pm)

Replying to: jacksan1 (Mar 13, 2008 4:56 pm)
Yesterday I was chatting with a Honda salesman in our neighborhood dealership, and I mentioned to him that in Japan you can get an AWD Fit. He exclaimed, "Why don't they let us sell THOSE?" What I said as a theory is that AWD for a car like Fit would likely raise the price point to such an extent that it would end up competing with higher-end (translation: bigger) cars, albeit without AWD.
 
Yes possibly but it doesn't have to be that way. I mean yes the AWD system would suck up at least 10% of the fuel economy and they might need a bigger engine as well like a turbo (cheap power) as running 4 wheels instead of 2 (but technically 1) but what a great car and they sure could sell them AWD Fit with a diesel option. They'd sell in the snow states like mine for certain!
As it is people boost up the power now as it is.
But AWD well it would be a wild ride if done right.
Honda is very conservative so it probably won't happen here but it would be great if they did sell them. Suzuki had a winner with their Swift Sport, what a FUN car to drive but not available in the US!
I drove one and it's a great little car and could put some kick into Suzuki but no chance of that and a FWD car that can drift I mean it's a great little car. Sadly we won't get that either.
Honda has stated on the record that they will use small cars for hybrids and large cars and trucks for diesel. i hope they change their mind.
Hyundai has a 1.5L CRDi in the Matrix as it's known outside the US. But it's turbo is a slow spooling one and it drives horribly like stretching out a rubber band then then letting it go. I didn't care for it, it also looked like a turtle.
But I'd consider buying one if the price was right.
The Fit could really become as big as the Civic and the Accord if Honda would allow it.

#65 of 98 Some new information on the Honda websites by bparker5

Mar 19, 2008 (10:35 pm)

Some new information today on the 2009 Fit at these links.
 
http://automobiles.honda.com/2009%2Dfit/
 
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/877/releases/4444
 
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/877/releases/4421
 
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/875/photos

#66 of 98 Re: NA Premier [jacksan1] (tiff_c) by hpmctorque

Mar 20, 2008 (4:45 am)

Wouldn't a Fit with snow/winter tires meet your traction needs? In addition to enhanced "go" traction, snow tires shorten stopping distances and improve directional stability, something AWD doesn't do. Sure, AWD outperforms FWD with all-season tires in acceleration on slick surfaces, but my point is that FWD with snows might be sufficient, and wouldn't exact the cost, weight, and fuel penalties associated with AWD. Also, if the going really gets rough, chains can be mounted on snow tires.

#67 of 98 Re: NA Premier [jacksan1] (tiff_c) [hpmctorque] by tiff_c

Mar 20, 2008 (5:27 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Mar 20, 2008 4:45 am)
Wouldn't a Fit with snow/winter tires meet your traction needs? In addition to enhanced "go" traction, snow tires shorten stopping distances and improve directional stability, something AWD doesn't do. Sure, AWD outperforms FWD with all-season tires in acceleration on slick surfaces, but my point is that FWD with snows might be sufficient, and wouldn't exact the cost, weight, and fuel penalties associated with AWD. Also, if the going really gets rough, chains can be mounted on snow tires.
 
I guess it would depend on where you live. I drive a 2008 Civic Si with traction control running Nokian WRG2 snowflake rated all season tires. The only all season tire made with a snowflake rating.
Now I have also driven the Fit up here and you can get by with snow tire IF they plowed the road, which they usually don't do very often as I am in the boonies and there just aren't that many people compared to the city.
So they sell a lot of Subaru's up here. But in town with plowed roads you will find that a Prius will have no problem or any other car and most don't even bother with snow tires. You at minimum need snow tires if you want to get to my house due to unplowed roads. Once plowed it's ok. Last storm they didn't plow at all and it was a nightmare getting around. Yes Nokian RSi's would be better or any real snow tire but when the roads dry out you get that squirmy driving on jello feeling that all real snow tires give you.
Doesn't matter what FWD or RWD car you own. It really is the tires.
For example I saw the new STi yesterday and the dealer will not allow it outside as there was an inch of snow on the ground and with it's summer tires it would have a tough time in the snow, or so he said.
AWD is good for unplowed roads like we have all to often. On plowed and sanded roads, the Nokians are amazing, but chains.... useless to put them on considering the hassle and chains allow you to go 5-10 mph Max and you'd have SUV's and trucks smashing into you as they barrel down the back roads at above normal speeds.
I did check out these and they are an option to chains but seem like less of a hassle.
http://www.spikes-spiders.com/
An AWD Fit would sell really well in the snowbelt states.

#68 of 98 Re: NA Premier [jacksan1] (tiff_c) [hpmctorque] by tiff_c

Mar 20, 2008 (5:28 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Mar 20, 2008 4:45 am)
Wouldn't a Fit with snow/winter tires meet your traction needs?
 
I use snowflake rated tires now, see my reply to the other post for a more detailed explanation.

Messages Page 7 of 10

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