New Fit Sport pwns Versa, Rio5, etc. in Car and Driver $15,000 Shootout

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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$15K ?! Shouldn't these be selling for more like $11-$12K? I can get a nice used 2002-2003 Accord with under 40K miles for that kind of money, and I'd rather have the Accord, frankly...
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Fit Sport.
 
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Ahh, I see. I guess $13.9K is swallowed a bit more easily, but a Cobalt starts at $13.5...
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Does the Cobalt have A/C, power-locks/windows/mirrors, 6 airbags, EBD and ABS standard?

(incidently, some of these aren't standard on our base model, but you guys have more luck...)
 
FPS_nOOb
I know it's a light car but that doesn't seem right somehow... :odd:
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It does seem overly quick, but keep in mind a Mini Cooper also does 0-60 in about 9 seconds with very similar power and weight figures.
 
Carl.
Does the Cobalt have A/C, power-locks/windows/mirrors, 6 airbags, EBD and ABS standard?

(incidently, some of these aren't standard on our base model, but you guys have more luck...)
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With the power everything package, ABS, cruise, and head curtain airbags it comes to a MSRP of $14,090, destination and all.

The Cobalt is a bigger car, too...

Now I'm not saying the Honda is not worth $14K, it may be, but I think they are taking a bit more of a profit than they need to...
 
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With the power everything package, ABS, cruise, and head curtain airbags it comes to a MSRP of $14,090, destination and all.

The Cobalt is a bigger car, too...

Now I'm not saying the Honda is not worth $14K, it may be, but I think they are taking a bit more of a profit than they need to...
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Wow, I wonder why anyone would buy the base Cobalt if the price difference is so low...

The Cobalt is bigger, but I don't think it actually has more room inside, especially for cargo. I'm sure it's a better highway cruiser, while the Fit is the (nearly) perfect car for city driving...

I do agree about the used Accord being much more attractive, but then again, I love the confort of a warranty, even with an Honda. And there's mileage, too. Not sure what I would pick, really.
 
No offense, but ride for ride, the Fit is a better car in my opinion.
Better looking and from the reviews, more reliable and better performing with a firmer, sportier ride.
Honda knows how to build a FF car, and they do it well. GM has a lot to learn from them if they want to crawl their way out of financial doom.
 
If you were in the Fit's market, why would you consider an Accord?

If anything, you could wait for the Fit to become used. They'll be dirt-cheap, I bet.
 
Well for $15K out the door, you really cannot complain much. Yes, you can start cheaper with the regular-grade Fit, but it wont handle as well, and comes with a few less options standard. IMO, the combination of low price, high fuel efficency, and the three year warranty make the Fit an ideal entry car for most first-time car buyers.

...They mention the fact that the Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Civic, etc. could all be in this comparison, in base form, but for the equipment options they were looking for, prices generally soared above $18K. They also will not get the same gas mileage (but close, a Cobalt LS Sedan is on record as producing 34 MPG), and IMO, arent nearly as much fun to drive.

Therefore the dilema that many people find themselves in is presented; Is it better to buy new at $15K in a smaller car, or go upscale with a used $15K model with more miles and possibly without a warranty?

IMO: I'm tempted to go for the new Fit, but, it would always be nice to have a newer Jetta GLS 1.8T Wagon.
 
Im on crystal mixed with some heroin. :rolleyes:

No, seriously, you cant say Fit looks better than this
00.honda.accord.r34.jpg

00.honda.accord.f34.jpg
 
FPS_nOOb
I know it's a light car but that doesn't seem right somehow... :odd:
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Ev0
It does seem overly quick, but keep in mind a Mini Cooper also does 0-60 in about 9 seconds with very similar power and weight figures.
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And to back that up:
http://asia.vtec.net/Reviews/JazzVtec/index.html

Note: his 8.7 and 8.8 second runs (0-60 mph on the box) were done with the excellent CVT you guys ought to be getting instead of the conventional AT.
In full CVT mode, though (not 7-speed mode), some people are getting 10-11 second times.

This guy uses a GTECH box. He notes that the tires are a major factor in the good times he gets... does the US spec come on Bridgestones, too?

Just proves Honda knows how to get a ridiculously underpowered car to hook up... :lol:

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On the Accord vs. Fit question, they're not in the same class... people who'd buy a Fit new are those looking for something small, zippy, and fuel-efficient... not exactly what you get from a secondhand mid-sizer. And on that point, the Fit actually has more head and legroom than the old Accord... if a tad (tad being six inches or so) less elbow room.
 
Niky: The article, nor information posted on Edmunds notes what brand of tires are on the Fit Sport. Information given is that they ride on 15" Alloys, with 195/55HR15... The H-rating could account for some of the sportiness, as I belive the rest of the competition makes it by on standard R-rated tires.

As far as the difference between the CVT and Automatic transmissions go, I have not herd how much the auto will effect performance. As expected, fuel mileage falls off slightly, but it seems as though only a fraction of performance would be lost.
 
GT4_Rule
Simple.

Accord looks much, much better than the Fit, especially the generation before this current one.
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I really can't believe how myopic you are. Honestly. All you seem to care for is looks. Anyway, to answer my own question: Nobody in the market for a compact hatchback is going to opt for a sedan.

The Fit is a handsome car, in my opinion, anyway.
 
Omnis
I really can't believe how myopic you are. Honestly. All you seem to care for is looks. Anyway, to answer my own question: Nobody in the market for a compact hatchback is going to opt for a sedan.
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But lots of college graduates with $15K and looking for a reliable, comfortable car for their commute would be better served by the Accord than the Fit.

Yet I am stunned by the number of people with this exact situation who instead opt for the smallish new car over the much nicer used one...
 
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Yet I am stunned by the number of people with this exact situation who instead opt for the smallish new car over the much nicer used one...
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The FIT is a good size for what I want to do... an Accord is just too big to me. I won't get anything bigger than a small sedan. I like an xB better because it's bigger so I can put my MTB in it.
 
Omnis
I really can't believe how myopic you are. Honestly. All you seem to care for is looks. Anyway, to answer my own question: Nobody in the market for a compact hatchback is going to opt for a sedan.

The Fit is a handsome car, in my opinion, anyway.
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Holy shoit, didnt you read what I said??????? :rolleyes: Jesus Christ, man, I said that I didnt mean to cause some argument, over at the M45 vs. STS argument that I had with you, didnt I?? :odd: You must be blind or else you would have noticed that I said I did NOT want to cause an argument!!!

Styling is just individual's tastes. Just because I said STS looks much better than M45's rear doesnt mean you have to resort to put-downs.

Im a 15 yr old soon in market to look for an affordable ride, and I would get the Accord instead of Fit, no questions asked. Its matter of what you like and dislike, as said above. Get over it, ok? Dont make a great deal out of what others believe in.
 
I would love a used Accord, one right before the minor change, but this Fit Sport is too much. Has OK looks, very practical, excellent fuel economy, and now probably nice handling as well. It's definitely on top of my list again!

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Yet I am stunned by the number of people with this exact situation who instead opt for the smallish new car over the much nicer used one...
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I had a '98 Accord. One of my favorite cars in the world, but by the time I traded it in( :D ), at least two door lock actuators, one seat belt, clutch, O2 sensor were gone/going out. Timing belt was coming up as well. Used cars aren't always great. I think it's case by case.
 
skip0110
But lots of college graduates with $15K and looking for a reliable, comfortable car for their commute would be better served by the Accord than the Fit.

Yet I am stunned by the number of people with this exact situation who instead opt for the smallish new car over the much nicer used one...
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I think its going to depend greatly on what you are looking for in a new car. Obviously the Accord is going to have a much more comfortable ride, and generally be a bit more civilized when going around town. But, the younger folks want something more exciting, something that matches their style, and they are probably more likely to go after the new Fit if their financial situation suits that. The combination of better fuel economy, similar (to better) performance, better hauling abilities, a new three-year warranty, and up-to-date safety equipment are all HUGE pluses in this situation.

I don't know if you have had any up-close and personal time with the Fit as of yet, but I think you would be surprised by the fit and finish of what would otherwise be a penalty-box type car. My time with a preproduction US-spec model at the '06 Chicago Auto Show impressed me, and IMO, the Fit looked better than the current Accord and Civic both inside and out. The interior seemed to be almost as big as that of my '96 Jetta, and went far beyond the interior quality of the new Civic in almost every way. Add to that the rather sleek European design, and Honda has a winner on their hands.

This 19 y.o. college freshmen would love to have a Fit. The extra cargo space over my Jetta would be nice in the warmer months to hold my bicycle, carry friends around, and other crap to the weekend Lake Michigan trips. Its not going to do it any better than a bigger car, because obviously the bigger car is bigger, but the Fit would be able to do it better because of it's design.

I'm sure they could get similar ammounts of utility at a similar price from, say, an MKIV Golf TDI. But the lack of overall sporty performance, marginally better fuel economy, and presumable lack of a warranty are all big turnoffs. Yes, the Golf may be a "reliable, comfortable car for their commute," but at the same price, the Fit is a far better deal by days end.
 
I'd agree that the Fit is going to sell like hotcakes. And, unfortunately, I'm commenting without having been around one yet. I'll check one out the next time I'm at the Honda dealer, though.

It does offer excellent economy, but given the size of American roads and the cars on them, an Accord is plenty maneuverable and would make for a more stress-free commute with it's better highway tracking. And the Accord is a plenty nimble and fun car, as well.

The hauling capacity is good, but I think lots of people undervalue the room (and security!) of a trunk.

There are lots of valid reasons to buy a Fit (amd people in this thread have named many good ones), but I think they will sell on image mostly, which is a pity because a lot of poele would be better served by an Accord. dont forget there are such things as Honda Certified Used cars which come with a warranty, too!
 
GT4_Rule
Holy shoit, didnt you read what I said??????? :rolleyes: Jesus Christ, man, I said that I didnt mean to cause some argument, over at the M45 vs. STS argument that I had with you, didnt I?? :odd: You must be blind or else you would have noticed that I said I did NOT want to cause an argument!!!

Styling is just individual's tastes. Just because I said STS looks much better than M45's rear doesnt mean you have to resort to put-downs.

Im a 15 yr old soon in market to look for an affordable ride, and I would get the Accord instead of Fit, no questions asked. Its matter of what you like and dislike, as said above. Get over it, ok? Dont make a great deal out of what others believe in.
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You, therefore, are not in the market for a car like the Fit. I don't know why you're making such a huge deal out of things. If you didn't mean to cause an argument, then why post such irrelevance? All I did in the other thread was defend the M45 by saying it is the better overall car considering price and performance after someone chose the STS above it. I'm just bringing factual suggestions, not insipid instigation.

Relax, home boy. ;)
 
Omnis
You, therefore, are not in the market for a car like the Fit. I don't know why you're making such a huge deal out of things. If you didn't mean to cause an argument, then why post such irrelevance? All I did was defend the M45 by saying it is the better overall car considering price and performance after someone chose the STS above it. I'm just bringing factual suggestions, not insipid instigation.

Relax, home boy. ;)
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Lets keep it simple.

Who mentioned the M45 and STS in a Honda Fit thread first?
 
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The hauling capacity is good, but I think lots of people undervalue the room (and security!) of a trunk.
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So true. I have so much stuff stored in my trunk, including 4 basketballs! If I get a Fit, I would look into one of those security shades(pull-out ones) for the luggage area.
 
GT4_Rule
Lets keep it simple.

Who mentioned the M45 and STS in a Honda Fit thread first?
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You did.

Haha. Anyway, your over-prioritizing of aesthetic value carries over.
 

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