The car i am buying next week.

[Starfirebird]

This is the car i will be buying next week.I've got a Black one on order and it should be here by next week.

I did some shopping around and looked at a Ford Fiesta,Toyota Matrix,Hyundai Veloster and a Mazda 2.

The Ford Fiesta has transmission problems,which i don't want to get into again.My Saturn Ion caused me headaches in this region.

The Toyota Matrix is nice,but doesn't have the room i will need and had a poor fuel economy.

The Hyundai Veloster is sharp as a tack,but i don't know much about Hyundai and since this i a newer model there are bound to be problems.

The Mazda 2 isn't quite reliable in the Transmission market as well which turned me away.

After doing all this car shopping i believe i'm getting the best bang for my buck as you would say.The Honda Fit ranks best in it's class.I've been talking to people who own hondas and they say i've made a good choice and will not regret it.I've also watched some reviews online and they speak pretty highly of the car.

What do you guys think?It's a pretty sweet little hatchback if you ask me.It kinda reminds me of the older Civic Type R hatchbacks in a way.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Both the Fiesta and Mazda2's "transmission issues" are isolated to the automatic (in Mazda's case) and dual-clutch (in Ford's case) transmissions.

Solution? Buy a manual.

That said, I did take a Fit with the 5-speed manual for a quick thrash a few days ago (brand new but with 17x miles on it) and it seemed pretty decent to drive. Not blazingly quick but it felt properly good when beating on it and generally cheeky. So not a bad choice, just don't know if discounting the competition for problems with the automatics was being particularly fair.

 

[Starfirebird]

Both the Fiesta and Mazda2's "transmission issues" are isolated to the automatic (in Mazda's case) and dual-clutch (in Ford's case) transmissions.

Solution? Buy a manual.

That said, I did take a Fit with the 5-speed manual for a quick thrash a few days ago (brand new but with 17x miles on it) and it seemed pretty decent to drive. Not blazingly quick but it felt properly good when beating on it and generally cheeky. So not a bad choice, just don't know if discounting the competition for problems with the automatics was being particularly fair.

Well it is fair in my case.

My choice of car would be fitted with the Automatic transmission so when i found out the problems of those two vehicles transmissions i scratched them off the list.

The Honda Fit Sport has a 5-Speed Automatic Transmission with Dual-Mode Paddle Shifters.I thought this was a neat little feature that i could mess with on the backroads around here when i get off the highway.

I can hear Jeremy Clarkson in the back of my head.Flappy paddle gearbox?That's rubbish

 

[JCE]

So you didn't pick the Hyundai because you assume it might have problems? Taking your assumption out of the picture I bet it drove and felt better than the Fit. You yourself said it was as sharp as a tack.

 

[Keef]

The Fit is the best car in the segment. Period. The only thing it doesn't do well is go fast, but it's still fun and the 35+ mpg makes up for it big time.

 

[Grayfox]

Nice, now you will need a body kit, rims and a good HID kit(if you can get a projector housing).

Then it will look sweet in my view.

Plus the Fit/Jazz is made by Honda so you will have very little or no issues with it.

Did you get any extra warrenty?

 

[Kent]

Cool car, Im a fan of the fit and if you get the time to learn more about it you might be surprised. Spoon sports owner (forget his name) says the fit was built with touring car features like a centrally located gas tank all the way at the bottom of the car. He was a major fan and I believe vtec club vol 8 by best motoring was the source for this... Might be worth checking out. Then again, just seeing the race with a k20 equipped fit is all the reason I needed for watching BM do testing with a fit.
Congrats and enjoy!

 

[Starfirebird]

So you didn't pick the Hyundai because you assume it might have problems? Taking your assumption out of the picture I bet it drove and felt better than the Fit. You yourself said it was as sharp as a tack.

It was a nice ride.The power to weight ratio is considered really good and the power it puts down for how heavy it is(2850lbs) surprised me.It felt planted the whole time i drove it.Plus it's suspension is just a tad bit stiffer than the Fit Sport.

The Fit is the best car in the segment. Period. The only thing it doesn't do well is go fast, but it's still fun and the 35+ mpg makes up for it big time.

Yes that 35+ miles per gallon figure caught my eye as well.I travel the backroads when i go on long trips so speed isn't an issue with me.Backroads love this car

Nice, now you will need a body kit, rims and a good HID kit(if you can get a projector housing).

Then it will look sweet in my view.

Plus the Fit/Jazz is made by Honda so you will have very little or no issues with it.

Did you get any extra warrenty?

I have adding extra things to the car on my to do list,but i'm not 100% sure as to what to get.I may wait a year or two before i get into that sorta thing.

The Fit Sport's body kit isn't exactly too shabby in my eyes.It has the Fog lights,a good looking front and rear bumber,a nice looking sideskirt,spoiler and a polished exhaust tip.

I did get an extra warranty.I got the 7 year 100,000 mile warranty.It pretty much covers everything from the front bumper to the rear.The only time i drive far is on my vacations so i don't see myself going over 100,000 miles in 7 years.The car i have now is almost 8 years old and i have 79,850 miles on it.

Cool car, Im a fan of the fit and if you get the time to learn more about it you might be surprised. Spoon sports owner (forget his name) says the fit was built with touring car features like a centrally located gas tank all the way at the bottom of the car. He was a major fan and I believe vtec club vol 8 by best motoring was the source for this... Might be worth checking out. Then again, just seeing the race with a k20 equipped fit is all the reason I needed for watching BM do testing with a fit.
Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks man.

I did my homework on this car and i do believe i will be pleased in the long run.Everyone i've talked to say they love their hondas.4 people i spoke to have over 200,000 miles on their car and one owner had over 275,000 miles and it was still going.I'm a first time Honda buyer as well so i'm pretty excited about getting a car i can rely on.

 

[PureAwesomeness]

My wife has a Mazda 2/ Demio and it is a riot to drive. I can't drive it for longer than 30 minutes though - gives me a headache and backache. Guess I've grown accustomed to the pampering that my Infiniti gives me.

 

[CMvan46]

The Fit is the best car in the segment. Period. The only thing it doesn't do well is go fast, but it's still fun and the 35+ mpg makes up for it big time.

Agreed. Nice little car and extremely reliable.

 

[Starfirebird]

My wife has a Mazda 2/ Demio and it is a riot to drive. I can't drive it for longer than 30 minutes though - gives me a headache and backache. Guess I've grown accustomed to the pampering that my Infiniti gives me.

I used to have a car like that.

I owned a Nissan Altima and man was that thing comfortable.I just wished someone wouldn't have side swiped me as i would probably still be driving that car today.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I like the old body style Fit more. This one is just...blah. With that said, a Mazda 2 with a 5-Speed would have been my choice.

Edit: Any reason you didn't look at the Versa?

 

[Kent]

I like the old body style Fit more. This one is just...blah. With that said, a Mazda 2 with a 5-Speed would have been my choice.

Edit: Any reason you didn't look at the Versa?

I disagree, from an art pov, the current fit is much more sharp and aggressive. But to each their own right? No accounting for taste!

Btw, I loved my Honda for the short time I had it. The fit should priovide that light feel and sharp handling that few others can while staying in the comfy dd role. Too bad they never did a true fit si/ type r, k20 swaps into the fit are awesome.

Btw dont rice out and mod, the money on real mods would be enough to put you near the civic si and you dont wanna be that guy riding around in a fit tuned to be slower and just as expensive as another Honda from the factory. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Starfirebird]

I like the old body style Fit more. This one is just...blah. With that said, a Mazda 2 with a 5-Speed would have been my choice.

Edit: Any reason you didn't look at the Versa?

Well i looked at one(had good reviews),but didn't test it.I just couldn't see myself driving in a car that looked like that.(no offense)

I disagree, from an art pov, the current fit is much more sharp and aggressive. But to each their own right? No accounting for taste!

Btw, I loved my Honda for the short time I had it. The fit should priovide that light feel and sharp handling that few others can while staying in the comfy dd role. Too bad they never did a true fit si/ type r, k20 swaps into the fit are awesome.

Btw dont rice out and mod, the money on real mods would be enough to put you near the civic si and you dont wanna be that guy riding around in a fit tuned to be slower and just as expensive as another Honda from the factory. Just my humble opinion.

That fit is pretty sweet looking.

I'm not going to go all out crazy on it.If i do anything i'll just put an exhaust on and put an intake on it.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Well i looked at one(had good reviews),but didn't test it.I just couldn't see myself driving in a car that looked like that.(no offense)

You can make almost anything look good with some work.

 

[Keef]

Edit: Any reason you didn't look at the Versa?

Which one, the hatch or the new one? At one point Nissan were giving hatchbacks away for free if you bought a Titan. I guess that's one way to sell a piece of crap.

I wasn't aware they were selling the new one yet.

So far I've had time in the 500, Fiesta, 2, Fit, and probably something else I can't remember. The Fiat had a lovely leather interior but besides that the Fit was by far the best car of the bunch. The Fiesta and 2 both felt like rental cars. The 500 felt tiny and rather useless, and expensive.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'd definitely have picked the Fit over the Versa. The Versa is a depressing bit of kit. Lowest common denominator stuff.

 

[CodeRedR51]

The Fiesta and 2 both felt like rental cars.

I test drove a 2 Sport 5-Speed and didn't get that impression at all. Haven't driven the Fiesta.

The new Versa Sedan should be hitting the market any time, I have been seeing commercials for it.

I'd definitely have picked the Fit over the Versa. The Versa is a depressing bit of kit. Lowest common denominator stuff.

They start at $10k USD for a reason.

Edit: Good luck finding one for $10k on a dealer lot though, they option them out to around $16k usually then add all of their unnecessary dealer crap.

 

[ozyran]

The Ford Fiesta has transmission problems,which i don't want to get into again.My Saturn Ion caused me headaches in this region.

1 year, 15,500 miles on my Fiesta with the dual-clutch automatic transmission, no issues, no seizing, no nothing. Managed to get an overall best of 44 mpg so far, average stays right around 38-40 mpg depending on driving.

Being a member of Fiesta Faction I've seen a few of the reports, but if it happens, then it's quickly taken care of under warranty by Ford. They simply remove the old one, box it up, ship it back to R&D, and you get a new transmission.


However, that said, I (briefly) had a 2007 Fit Sport and loved driving it; I imagine you'll enjoy the 2012 Fit even more so. Good luck assaulting a beach head with Royal Marines though...

 

[eSZee]

I has a 2010 fit and other than lack of power, it's a great car, though I doubt you'll be using the paddles as often as you think. I only use them to slow down for lights/turns.
You'll love it.

 

[JCE]

It was a nice ride.The power to weight ratio is considered really good and the power it puts down for how heavy it is(2850lbs) surprised me.It felt planted the whole time i drove it.Plus it's suspension is just a tad bit stiffer than the Fit Sport.

So...where are the bad points? Sounds like the Hyundai is better. Especially when you consider Hyundai's are no slouch on the reliability and warranty departments.

Just for people who do not know what Hyundai we're talking about:

How is ^ that not a better car all around? Just sayin'...

Still, at least you went with something practical, economical and good resale value. It's just slow as balls and boring to look at.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I looked at one of those at the dealership the other day. Pretty cool in person. I would like to say those headlights are a touch on the huge side.

 

[R1ch85]

Good cars the Jazz/Fit. My mum has had 3 of them she loves them that much!

 

[Rotary Junkie]

So far I've had time in the 500, Fiesta, 2, Fit, and probably something else I can't remember. The Fiat had a lovely leather interior but besides that the Fit was by far the best car of the bunch. The Fiesta and 2 both felt like rental cars. The 500 felt tiny and rather useless, and expensive.

I've driven (as mentioned) the Fit and the 500... Honestly, I can't think of anything that the Fit didn't do better than the 500. It sounded better, felt better, was more comfortable, and was more practical.

Haven't touched the 2 or Fiesta though as nobody buys Fiestas here (resulting in stealerships never having one) and the Mazda stealership is somewhere I don't plan to touch until the SkyActiv powered 3 shows up.


@Starfirebird: Why the automatic though? Is it a case of not wanting a manual or being unwilling to learn how to drive one?

 

[eSZee]

So...where are the bad points? Sounds like the Hyundai is better. Especially when you consider Hyundai's are no slouch on the reliability and warranty departments.

The 10 year powertrain warranty is why we got a hyundai. It was great, except nothing ever went wrong with the engine or trans. Almost everything else, yes, powertrain no.
It really is an advertising gimmick, I guess peace of mind too, not much else. 85% of the cars made will be just fine if you change the fluids regularly and don't mess up like an idiot. The other 15% will go on you pretty quickly and will still be covered under a normal 60k mile powertrain warranty.

 

[Starfirebird]

1 year, 15,500 miles on my Fiesta with the dual-clutch automatic transmission, no issues, no seizing, no nothing. Managed to get an overall best of 44 mpg so far, average stays right around 38-40 mpg depending on driving.

Being a member of Fiesta Faction I've seen a few of the reports, but if it happens, then it's quickly taken care of under warranty by Ford. They simply remove the old one, box it up, ship it back to R&D, and you get a new transmission.


However, that said, I (briefly) had a 2007 Fit Sport and loved driving it; I imagine you'll enjoy the 2012 Fit even more so. Good luck assaulting a beach head with Royal Marines though...

On my old car(Saturn Ion) i had to put 3 Transmissions in the car and it's starting to sound weird again so i'm getting rid of it.

The first 2 happened under warranty,but the 3rd one i had to pay 3,500 dollars and the dealership split the payment.

So anytime i hear anything about transmission trouble i just stay away from just to be on the safe side.

So...where are the bad points? Sounds like the Hyundai is better. Especially when you consider Hyundai's are no slouch on the reliability and warranty departments.

Just for people who do not know what Hyundai we're talking about:

How is ^ that not a better car all around? Just sayin'...

Still, at least you went with something practical, economical and good resale value. It's just slow as balls and boring to look at.

The car looks great and feels great,but this got me into trouble 8 years ago.I don't know much about the car other than what i've said how it feels and looks.I have no idea what is going to happen in the long run as i plan on keeping my new car for a long time.

8 years ago i went into Toyota,Honda and Saturn.I was young and stupid at the time and bought the Saturn over a Civic and a Carolla.8 years and 3 transmissions later i own a piece of crap.So since i don't know much about the Hyundai i had to scratch it off the list.

I've driven (as mentioned) the Fit and the 500... Honestly, I can't think of anything that the Fit didn't do better than the 500. It sounded better, felt better, was more comfortable, and was more practical.

Haven't touched the 2 or Fiesta though as nobody buys Fiestas here (resulting in stealerships never having one) and the Mazda stealership is somewhere I don't plan to touch until the SkyActiv powered 3 shows up.


@Starfirebird: Why the automatic though? Is it a case of not wanting a manual or being unwilling to learn how to drive one?

I would rather not have a manual.I'm just so wore out after work i want to get in, start the car and drive home with two hands on the wheel.

 

[eSZee]

I'm not going to go all out crazy on it.If i do anything i'll just put an exhaust on and put an intake on it.

Just put on a set of sway bars, tint and maybe smaller wheels to further increase the MPG.

 

[Starfirebird]

Just put on a set of sway bars, tint and maybe smaller wheels to further increase the MPG.

The The Fit sport has a Stabilizer Bar in the front and rear.21.0mm in the front and 17.0mm in the rear.So that part is covered 👍

 

[eSZee]

The The Fit sport has a Stabilizer Bar in the front and rear.21.0mm in the front and 17.0mm in the rear.So that part is covered 👍

It has them, yes, I see them every few weeks, but beefier ones would help with the body roll. The car has a bit of body roll.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Fit is the best car in the segment. Period. The only thing it doesn't do well is go fast, but it's still fun and the 35+ mpg makes up for it big time.

PROBLEM?


This car is pretty clear evidence that GM knows what's going on. I much prefer it to the Fiesta and Fit (well, unless its the older and generally more-awesome Fit Sport), the price isn't bad, the power is right where it needs to be, and no one can really complain about 40 MPG.

But what do I know? I AM LE CRAZY.