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Honda Fit vs Honda Civic - READ ONLY

237 messages,  Last post on Oct 29, 2008 at 3:15 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 24 of 25

#225 of 237 Fit Reservations by clewis3

Apr 20, 2008 (2:39 pm)

I was on this forum a month or so ago gathering information to help me in deciding whether or not I would be happy with a Honda Fit. I wanted to summarize my research and purchase experience in case it is of value to anyone else and to thank all the contributors to this forum whose postings helped me directly or indirectly with my decision.
 
I fell in love with the Fit because of its wonderful interior versatility and its small car advantages of good mpg and reasonable purchase price. In the past I have generally bought used cars unless a tremendous new car deal was available. I needed to switch from my current 2000 5 speed Saturn (30-40mpg) to an automatic of some sort because of a hip problem.
 
I thought the Fit was perfect for my needs but had two reservations: 1) I needed cruise control but could only get it in the Sport model which had trim and extras I really didn’t want 2) I thought both Fit models appeared to have low bodies that might be problematic in the mud season driving here in Vermont…deep muddy ruts on the dirt roads and some pretty good sized potholes on all roads
 
In researching on this forum I began to see another potential problem and that was inconsistent mpg that are being reported on the Fit. I knew that the most important factor for me in my new car (besides reasonable comfort and safety) was economy… I want my vehicle to be as inexpensive as possible to maintain and drive.
 
I continued to explore these three questions and got the following impressions: 1) Probably a good aftermarket cruise control can be installed on the base model by Yipes Stripes, etc for about $500-600. Or there is a Toyota dealer in Canada who will do it at the Toyota shop (though they subcontract it out to other mechanics). The cruise control requires an extra stalk on the steering column.
 
2) I found occasional complaints in the forums about scraping bottom going over bumps but most people weren’t overly concerned about it. One Vermont driver I spoke to in a parking lot here said she had actually gotten hung up on some rocks and mud in her Fit on a rutted dirt road.
 
3) Good mpg on the Fit just didn’t seem as likely with the Fit as with a few other vehicles. I know that for me, personally, economy is more important than driving enjoyment and if I spent the relatively large sum (for me) to buy this car, it would be really frustrating if I had to work and research ways of getting my car into the 30-40mpg range.
 
4) On the good side, I found a dealer in Danbury, Connecticut who had a lot of Fits available and good prices. That was nice, because our Vermont dealers get only one or two a month and they are usually pre-sold.
 
Anyway, my final decision was to go for a used Civic. My budget was about $15,000. I found a 2005 Civic LX with 32,000 miles. Lease trade-in from the dealer and all the maintenance had been done there. I bought it for $12,700 ($13650 “out the door”) with 2 warranties; Honda Certified Warranty for 12 months and powertrain warranty for 7 years/100,000 miles. Two weeks into it I am happy with my decision. The first tank of gas gave me about 31 mpg in my around town driving. I haven’t yet done any highway to know how it goes but am hopeful it will be as good as the old Saturn… at around 40mpg.

#226 of 237 Re: trying to decide btwn a fit or a civic.... [greytail] by bobw3

Apr 21, 2008 (9:18 am)

Replying to: greytail (Apr 16, 2008 12:29 pm)
Are the Fit and Civic treated to the same driving conditions, or is one getting more highway time than the other?

#227 of 237 Re: Fit Reservations [clewis3] by bobw3

Apr 21, 2008 (9:19 am)

Replying to: clewis3 (Apr 20, 2008 2:39 pm)
Keep us posted on your MPG.
 
If I didn't need the interior space/versatility of the Fit, I might have gone for the Civic (although I'd probably buy a Corolla over a Civic), but the versatility of the Fit far outweighs the potential better MPG of the Civic. We're a family of 4 (3 yr old and 5 month old) and it's much easier getting the kids in/out of the Fit because it's higher up. The cargo space behind the 2nd row holds a lot, plus there is space under the 2nd row for the diaper bags, toys, paper towels, and all of the other kid stuff. All of this far outweighs the potential MPG improvement of the Civic. Emphasis on the word "potential" since most people seem to be getting mpg in the 30s for both the Fit and the Civic. That's what I'm averaging.
 
But if the car is just to be used by one or two people and you don't need any more interior cargo space that what's offered by the Civic's small trunk, then I'd go for the Civic or Corolla.

#228 of 237 Re: trying to decide btwn a fit or a civic.... [bobw3] by greytail

Apr 21, 2008 (8:08 pm)

Replying to: bobw3 (Apr 21, 2008 9:18 am)
Yes bought them the same day both with less than 4 miles on them. Drove them on the same road home, at the same speed. Since we have gotten them home drive them on same roads and conditions. My wife is a lead foot and I try to cheat for my little fit. But she is getting about 8 MPG better than me on her Civic.

#229 of 237 Re: trying to decide btwn a fit or a civic.... [greytail] by bobw3

Apr 22, 2008 (7:14 am)

Replying to: greytail (Apr 21, 2008 8:08 pm)
Okay, I was just wondering if the Civic was being driven more on the highway since buying it, but it sounds like they're both getting the same amount of highway/city miles. And I guess they're both manual or both autos?

#230 of 237 Re: trying to decide btwn a fit or a civic.... [bobw3] by greytail

Apr 22, 2008 (8:39 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Apr 22, 2008 7:14 am)
Autos

#231 of 237 Looking for Advice by clarksteryn

Apr 27, 2008 (4:00 am)

I currently own a 2008 Fit M/T Sport and I am getting gas mileage on the upper end for the Fit (no problems there). But I have read and heard so much about global warming and climate change that it really makes me want to do more, and get better mileage with my current car than I am getting right now. I have highly considered trading the Fit in for a Civic Hybrid; I wouldn't buy the Prius, I am too loyal to Honda to go over to the darkside. My question, is it worth it? Should I take the financial hit if wanting to do more is that important? Will I really make that much difference by driving the HCH?
 
Any advice would be appreciated.
Richard

#232 of 237 Re: Looking for Advice [clarksteryn] by backy

Apr 27, 2008 (9:59 am)

Replying to: clarksteryn (Apr 27, 2008 4:00 am)
Consider also the environmental impact of making a new car, in this case the Civic Hybrid. Maybe it would be lower impact overall to keep your Fit as long as possible, keep it in tune, and drive it as economically (and as little) as possible.

#233 of 237 Re: Looking for Advice [backy] by bobw3

Apr 28, 2008 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: backy (Apr 27, 2008 9:59 am)
I agree with backy...now if you're going from a 10 year old SUV that would be a different story...

#234 of 237 Re: Looking for Advice [clarksteryn] by mcmanus

Apr 29, 2008 (3:08 am)

Replying to: clarksteryn (Apr 27, 2008 4:00 am)
I appreciate your environmental concerns and congratulate you on your earth smart purchase of a Fit. Honestly if you want to minimize your carbon (and all other footprints) the best steps you can take is to not have kids, don't base your lifestyle (travel/consumption/home) on travel by fossil fuel, and educate others.
 
The earth cannot sustain the open pit mining, manufacturing processing, or recycling impacts of enough batteries to power anything close to a significant number of cars in the world. IME it doesn't make sense to haul heavy, bulky batteries in a vehicle anyway.
 
Long before I'd invest in a hybrid (especially from what you're driving now), I'd look into conserving energy at home and then look into solar, wind, or geothermal powering of your home.

Messages Page 24 of 25

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