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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 2 of 24

#7 of 237 Re: Civic 5 Door [dewaltdakota] by hungarian83

Apr 24, 2006 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: dewaltdakota (Apr 24, 2006 11:38 am)
I think the 6-speed MT from the Civic hatchback would be nice in the Fit/Jazz, but I am much happier that I have the Fit, and not the new Civic 5-door (I did like the 7th generation 5-door though).
 
I am also particularly happy I have the 1st generation Fit. It will be interesting to see how the 2nd generation will look, but I didn't want to take the chance.

#8 of 237 Comparison with Civic by bodble2

Apr 24, 2006 (2:43 pm)

As far as I know, this is not covered in one of the 1001 Fit sub-threads. I see the Fit being compared and cross-shopped with everything from Aveo to Mazda3 to Mini, but is the Civic a natural comparison also? Is anyone trying to decide between a Civic and a Fit? Their prices overlap. Aside from the hatch v. trunk issue, the Civic is almost as economical, offers slightly more passenger capacity, offers slightly more standard features, and I dare say, for most people in this segment, the 2 probably offer a similar driving experience. And brand and reliability considerations wouldn't even be issues to skew the comparison!

#9 of 237 Re: Comparison with Civic [bodble2] by bamacar

Apr 24, 2006 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Apr 24, 2006 2:43 pm)
Yes, I am comparing the Fit and Civic with the Mazda3i sedan still a possibility. To get the features I want, I am comparing the Fit Sport manual with the Civic EX manual Sedan. No price overlap between those models though. I also considered the base Mini, but questionable reliability and the closest dealer being 100 miles away eliminated it.

#10 of 237 Re: Comparison with Civic [bamacar] by bodble2

Apr 24, 2006 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: bamacar (Apr 24, 2006 3:37 pm)
Why not a Civic LX manual? Wouldn't that be closer to the Fit Sport in terms of equipment and price? In fact, in Canada there is a Civic DX-G model (no alloys) that would be less expensive than a Fit Sport.
 
FWIW, we've had our Mini for over 1 year now. Only "repair" required is a replace a burnt out interior dome light bulb! But of course, your mileage may vary.

#11 of 237 Re: Comparison with Civic [bodble2] by bamacar

Apr 24, 2006 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Apr 24, 2006 3:42 pm)
On the Civic, I want the alloy wheels, the better stereo with auxiliary input, the split fold rear seat, and the exterior temp indicator. I would rather not have the moonroof, but the headroom was ok when I test drove it. I am one of those who wants a small fun economical car, but I don't want to give up the amenities to which I am accustomed.

#12 of 237 Re: Comparison with Civic [bodble2] by micweb

Apr 24, 2006 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Apr 24, 2006 2:43 pm)
If Car & Driver magazine is right, in terms of handling and acceleration, the Fit is more of a budget Civic Si hatchback than a budget Civic. If ever a car could be divided between "young" and "old," it's got to be the Fit and the Civic. The Civic actually HAS an older demographic; yet to be determined for the Fit. If I didn't have a family now, I'd buy a Fit just for its handling. Handling on the level that C & D raved about is hard to find on ANY sub $30k car, much less an entry level from Honda.
 
That having been said, the Civic is the more "responsible" and certainly the more main-stream purchase.
 
Keep in mind the Scion xA (with a form-factor similar to the Fit) is NOT the success story of the Scion line - it's the quirky xB (box). The xA was expected to be 80% of sales, the xB 20%, and instead those numbers were reversed. Which points out that, traditionally, small conventional gas saving vehicles don't sell well (unless dirt cheap with an enormous dealer network, like the Chevy Aveo).
 
Since the Scion was introduced in 2004, we've had a real continuing gas crisis, but my guess is still that the Fit will be a low volume car for Honda compared to the Civic and Accord (even the Civic has been dropping off in sales prior to the '06 redesign). Honda's recent decision to re-allocate production from the Fit to the Civic for North America says a lot about their sales expectations for the Fit.

#13 of 237 Mid-week driving impressions by twok

Apr 27, 2006 (7:49 am)

For what it's worth: the first 300 miles traveled, a mix of mostly interstate driving, with 100-plus mile commutes (total), up steep hills and down narrow curving mountain roads, on city streets clogged with traffic and in tight parking garages, this (Sport AT) car is (in a word) fantastic overall: quiet, responsive, powerful enough, stable at 70-80 mph, effortless in turns at any speed, ergonomically comfortable and usefully designed for cargo, with a (for me) great sound system. Heat and AC have had a try-out as Mid-Atlantic region's wonderful spring weather has served up a need to test both; no complaints at all - much better than I'm used to on my older Toyotas. (It appears to have a larger cargo area than either my co-workers' 2004 Forester or 1998 CR-V). No mpg report yet, but first tank was definitely not on full when I picked it up, so I need to wait 'till the second fill-up. I like it so much, with gas prices sure to continue rising, I'm going to try to sell my wife on one. I would like to test-drive the manual, though, to have that to compare against. I wonder about the clutch/brake pedal spacing and engine noise at 75-80. Thanks again to all the diligent regular posters for helping me come to a decision on this car, which seems absolutely brilliant.

#14 of 237 Re: Mid-week driving impressions [twok] by growwise

Apr 27, 2006 (8:13 am)

Replying to: twok (Apr 27, 2006 7:49 am)
Brilliant alright... But what about the price? Isnt this creeping into Civic territory?

#15 of 237 Re: Mid-week driving impressions [growwise] by sd_driver

Apr 27, 2006 (8:35 am)

Replying to: growwise (Apr 27, 2006 8:13 am)
The Fit is not a cut-rate Civic. I think a Fit is worth 90-95% of a Civic price for a comparably equipped Fit. Throw in the new 1.7 liter V-TEC, and a few minor interior upgrades, and I think the Fit is worth the price of a Civic or more purely because of it's functionality with it's hatch and higher roof-line.

#16 of 237 Re: Mid-week driving impressions [growwise] by ephemere1

Apr 27, 2006 (8:41 am)

Replying to: growwise (Apr 27, 2006 8:13 am)
But what about the price? Isnt this creeping into Civic territory?
 
What are the advantages of the Civic over the Fit? It has better driver-side ergonomics (height-adjustable seat, telescopic steering wheel, arm rest, dead pedal). Anything else? The Fit seems more practical with its interior space and actually felt a bit roomier to me in the back seat for passengers. Yet the Civic is much more popular. Why? Is it style? I'm honestly curious because I'm considering both cars but don't understand what I'd be getting with the Civic over the Fit.

Messages Page 2 of 24

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