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Hatchbacks Honda Fit Article Comments - 2009 Honda Fit First Drive / Full Test
556 messages, Last post on Feb 05, 2009 at 1:45 PM
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First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit - Inside the Fit's cabin, it's apparent that quality levels are up, with improved plastics, more supportive seats and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Meanwhile, a new dashboard layout looks softer, reflecting a special effort by stylists to appeal to women. (more)
2009 Honda Fit Sport Full Test - Bottom Line: If only every sequel were so good. It's as if Honda used our long-term test blog about the 2007 Fit as a road map for the 2009 model's improvements. (more)
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I just replaced an '04 Prius with an '09 Fit Sport MT and have zero regrets so far. Can't speak to mileage in detail yet as I have only put about 170 miles on the Fit, but the calculated mpg is currently running at 41.7 (35 psi front, 35 psi rear, 10% ethanol blend, all suburbilishis driving - 0 to 60 to 0 to 60 to 0 to 60, ran the idle learn procedure ala Kip et al. immediately after getting it home). Since my lifetime actual mileage on my Prius is 45 mpg for the exact same route and driver, I consider the switch out of the hybrid back into a gas-only model to be a either a minor setback or even a tactical victory. Handling is night and day in favor of the Fit. The ride is vastly more connected to the road, cornering is flatter, and the steering crisp and precise. Steering the Prius was like sailing a yacht - every nub in the road made it wander and wallow around - and there was significant play. Were it not for the fact that my wife drives an '05 Prius that exhibits the exact same attributes, I'd claim that the lack of responsiveness in the Prius was a bug instead of a feature. Reviews have placed the Fit's ride on the bumpy side, but I've been pleasantly surprised as how smooth and even it is - certainly never jarring. On the other hand, secondary roads in SoCal are usually pretty good compared to, say, weather-beaten roads in the Mid-West.
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Replying to: tonyspumoni (Nov 26, 2008 8:24 pm)
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Replying to: widetrack2000 (Nov 27, 2008 2:10 am)
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Replying to: toronado455 (Nov 27, 2008 11:31 am) Having the family in the car has neither noticeably improved or worsened the ride, though to be quite fair, the car has yet to see a pothole or those ridges that arise across Wisconsin roads in the spring after the thaw. I like the ride, which is very similar to, say, a late 80's Civic hatchback when new. My guess would be that over smooth pavement the ride will feel smooth and light and only show its low-end qualities on rough surfaces.
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Replying to: tonyspumoni (Nov 27, 2008 1:38 pm) It's interesting to compare the 09 Fit to the late 80's Civic, since the new Fit is almost identical to the 1988-91 Civic Wagon in several key dimensions. And perhaps it's a fairer comparison to make than to compare it to a Prius. I really see the Prius as in a class by itself; it's bigger than a compact, but it's not really big enough to be considered a true midsize (except by certain EPA criteria), yet it rides more like a midsize than a compact. I think it would be really novel if one of the major car reviewers, be it Edmunds, Consumer Reports, or whoever, published their findings in such a way that would make it easier to make direct comparisons, not just between cars currently on the market, but between current generations and earlier generations. I'd really love to see a head-to-head comparison of a 2009 Fit and a 1988 Civic Wagon! 
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Replying to: toronado455 (Nov 28, 2008 12:40 am) 1.5L 16v 92hp 27/33 (under new EPA regs) ~2,200 lbs 2009 Honda Fit Base, 5MT 1.5L 16v iVtec 118hp 27/33 (under same EPA regs as above) ~2,500 lbs
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Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 28, 2008 9:36 am) Nice stats. Fascinating isn't it? Here's a few others: 1988-91 Honda Civic Wagon Length:162 Wheelbase:98 Width:66 Height:56 2009 Honda Fit Length:162 Wheelbase:98 Width:67 Height:60 (inches rounded to nearest whole inch) Though, what I'd really like to compare would be the ride/handling. |
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Replying to: widetrack2000 (Oct 17, 2008 10:20 am)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Oct 13, 2008 2:15 pm)  50%. I know the oil will last a long time, but what about the oil filter? I've heard that the filters don't usually last as long as the oil, unless you have Mobil-one filter (which I heard lasts about 10K miles!) So when should I change my oil filter?
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Replying to: daze (Jan 18, 2009 4:34 pm) They weren't for me and I didn't hear back from that member again so I can't vouch for the quality but a good rule of thumb with products like these is to wait until a company like College Hills Honda for example starts stocking them if they haven't already; that way at least you'll know the quality's there, otherwise make sure the guys on Ebay have a return policy just in case. Take care! |
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