Var

You can get a base model civic dx for about 900 bucks more than a base fit.

From a performance and ownsership cost standpoint, which of these cars do you guys think is better?

Which has a better chassis? Which one has more aftermarket suspension options? Which one handles and accelerates better?

Here are some of the relevant comparisons. Feel free to add your thoughts and opinions. BTW, i don't care about looks of either car.

Civic 140hp, 128ftlb ----------- Fit 109hp, 105ftlb
MacStrut/Multilink ----------- Independant/Semi-Independant
curb weight 2586 -------------- curb weight 2432
wheelbase 104.3----------------wheelbase 96.5


one thing that confuses me. The civic dx doesn't have AC even as an option? Or is it worded a little tricky to say that there's no AC with the air filtration system?


edit: forgot to mention i'll probably be running RA1's and some decent suspension, either koni's and springs or coilovers and a rear swaybar. I love driving in the twisties

E-AT_me

what are your goals for the car? what are you going to do with it? if racing is involved, get an older hatch/coupe from the EK years. better suspension design. otherwise i'd say fit.

but honestly, they are two different cars. ones a coupe the other a hatchback. completely different suspensions and chassis. again, what do you want to do with it?

CivicWagonRUS

I agree with E-AT me. If you're planning on racing the car, why buy a new expensive car that is heavier, has an inferior (for racing) suspension design and is heavier?

The Fit is more efficient (around town especially), much more versatile, and arguably more fun to drive (quick steering ratio, small size). Power locks/windows/mirrors CD player, A/C are standard

The Civic drives better on the highway (more power, higher gearing, less affected by cross winds).


Modified by CivicWagonRUS at 9:24 AM 12/18/2007

opeth13

lol Var, I did a search on google for Fit verus Civic and this was like the 5th or 6th hit.

Var

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by E-AT_me &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what are your goals for the car? what are you going to do with it? if racing is involved, get an older hatch/coupe from the EK years. better suspension design. otherwise i'd say fit.

but honestly, they are two different cars. ones a coupe the other a hatchback. completely different suspensions and chassis. again, what do you want to do with it? </TD></TR></TABLE>


Quick history of my cars. Everything from a 1970 Chevelle, 89 5.0 mustang, 1986 Corolla ae86, 3 nissan 240sx, 2001 Z06, and i currently have a Yamaha R1 racebike and a Honda dirtbike.

This honda will not be for racing, but i will more than likely want to have small wheels so i can run RA1's for cheap and i'm gonna want some suspension.

The car will mainly be for commuting and driving in the twisties with an occasional track day here and there..nothing major. I have my motorcycle for trackdays and that already costs too much money, that's why i sold the vette.

So the questions still stand.

Which car has a better chassis, better suspension, better aftermarket support. I know there's a huge difference in wheelbase. Overall from a driving enthusiast standpoint, which car is a better platform?

eL

As someone who has owned an 06 Civic EX coupe and my current 07 Fit Sport, I can honestly say I enjoy driving the Fit much more.

As slow as the Fit is, it's just more enjoyable to drive. Also, the rear seats in the Civic coupe are for midgets

The Civic obviously has more horsepower and torque which is nice but for DD duties, the Fit is fine. The Fit also handles better IMO.

E-AT_me

honestly? not many people have focused attention at the new civics, and the fits have been out for a WHILE in japan, so they have more support. Spoon successfully races one.

i still think fit is better for "enthusiest" compared to a DX civic.

NW Classic Honda

Fit Civic

Var

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by E-AT_me &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honestly? not many people have focused attention at the new civics, and the fits have been out for a WHILE in japan, so they have more support. Spoon successfully races one.

i still think fit is better for "enthusiest" compared to a DX civic.</TD></TR></TABLE>

how come i can't even find Koni's for the fit? And only one type of coilover?

maybe i'm not searching the right websites.

accordselux

I personally am getting the Civic over the Fit (even though eL said not to!) because of the ACE frame. The Fit doesn't have that, and the ratings reflect this, and i've seen several wrecked Civics that look like a mess but the drivers walked away from.

If the 09 Fit has the ACE frame and the horsepower bump actually improves acceleration a bit, I might change my mind, especially if a diesel is promised relatively soon after the gas release.

Var

don't hold your breath on the diesel.

Does the "ACE" frame (dunno what that is BTW) promote better rigity for handling or is it just for safety?

accordselux

http://www.honda.com/ace/

Just safety, I don't know about handling. It might suck on that front, if it's not as rigid.

dj_BUDDAH

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As someone who has owned an 06 Civic EX coupe and my current 07 Fit Sport, I can honestly say I enjoy driving the Fit much more.

As slow as the Fit is, it's just more enjoyable to drive. Also, the rear seats in the Civic coupe are for midgets

The Civic obviously has more horsepower and torque which is nice but for DD duties, the Fit is fine. The Fit also handles better IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>

true dat, i got all the J's racing "bars" in my car, nothing else yet, they are awsome for swinging the Fit through turns


remember wise man once say

"its not fun to drive a fast car slow, but a slow car fast"

Var

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dj_BUDDAH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

remember wise man once say

"its not fun to drive a fast car slow, but a slow car fast"


</TD></TR></TABLE>

i don't think Honda has any shortage of slow cars.

Just for a heads up ... I went to the Honda dealership a few hours ago and looked at sat in both cars.

The civic DX has no stereo or A/C. It looks absolutely hideous in base trim and i ruled it out. The fit looks like such a better buy .

I'm gonna research a little bit on the EK hatches and see what i can find. Thanks for all the input

E-AT_me

well, you hit that on the head. i'd look into an EK hatch if i were you, personally, you can pick up a b-swapped one for cheap cheap cheap now a days.

Iceycrx

Fit has more room and I think is better to drive for fun and all around life.

The HamsterBall

get a yaris, they're lighter 2300 lb ftw. + DOHC

naw naw jk. don't get one. they're pieces of ****. A/C takes forever to get cold on hot days.
And the front seats are discomforting.

Var

the yaris looks like someone puked on ****.

opeth13

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=724585

Most of the torn subframe issues seem to happen to EK's. How does the chassis rigidity of a stock EK compare to a stock Fit? I would imagine the Fit is far more rigid.

Iceycrx

I would assume it would be fine. I know of plenty of ppl who road race with the Fit and havent had issues.

eL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Var &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't hold your breath on the diesel.

Does the "ACE" frame (dunno what that is BTW) promote better rigity for handling or is it just for safety?</TD></TR></TABLE>

My 06 Civic EX coupe used to creak (noise) like all hell when going up driveways and most inclines if I was going up at an angle instead of straight. That chassis was not strong at all.

Never have that problem with the Fit. The only noise I hear now is the gas sloshing around

Var

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by opeth13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=724585

Most of the torn subframe issues seem to happen to EK's. How does the chassis rigidity of a stock EK compare to a stock Fit? I would imagine the Fit is far more rigid.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the way i like to drive, i'm afraid that would happen to me really quick. Every different angle seems to make the Fit look like a better buy than i previously thought.

opeth13 suggested the RSX but they are too portly and expensive. I'd rather have a used S2k for that weight and price.

opeth13

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My 06 Civic EX coupe used to creak (noise) like all hell when going up driveways and most inclines if I was going up at an angle instead of straight. That chassis was not strong at all.

Never have that problem with the Fit. The only noise I hear now is the gas sloshing around </TD></TR></TABLE>

Isn't the '06 Civic the same as the current civic platform out now, such as the Si? I can't believe its that weak. I've heard nothing but good things about the Fit chassis, I also have read that the RSX chassis is one of the most rigid honda has built.

Var

ya AFAIK the 06 is the same platform(first year)

E-AT_me

don't worry about rear subframe issues AS LONG AS you get a PROPER rear swaybar setup with a built in tie-bar, like an ASR system. my bro rocked a comptech bar on his EK CX hatch with ITR motor/brakes for 3 years without a single problem. it's when someone bolts up a huge bar without adding the additional bracing like the comptech or asr bars is when you have trouble.