I have been lurking on this and other Fit forums ever since my first test drive of a 2008 Sport manual. Loved the shifter, steering ,handling and flexible utility. Really liked the straight forward, intuitive dash...hated the exterior styling.

Having looked at all sorts of cars since, from GTI's, Mazda 3's, even Smart cars, I keep coming back to the Fit.

Problem is, while I actually like the 2009 exterior styling [at least compared to the 2008], I just can't get past the jumbled abomination of a dash.As I would be spending 99% of my time behind the wheel, this is a serious consideration.

If the Fit still had a semblance of the old dash, Honda would have my check now.

I'm hoping changes are coming in the near future so I can trade my current Transportation Appliance for some fun....

 

I wouldn't count on any major changes in the dash design for next year. I agree with your objections- I owned a well customized '07 Sport and liked the cabin features and the "magic seats". When it was totaled 9 months ago, I was paid $2K more in the insurance settlement than I had paid for the car new.

I couldn't find anything with comparable gas mileage, interior space and utility, and agility on the road. I didn't like the exterior of the '09, but it didn't drive me away in disgust, and the interior is more comfortable than the '07, so I bought the '09 Fit Sport. While I don't regret it, I really do dislike the huge picnic table of a dash, don't much like the stereo , and I really don't need cup holders right in front of the A/C outlets. All in all, I can put up with my dislikes- it's OK. I just wish that I had been able to find a new '08 Fit on some dealer's inventory when I needed the replacement car, but that was not possible.

 

You're probably right about the dash...guess not enough buyers are bothered by it.

Another issue I had not considered was the short MT gearing. Reminds me of my '84 GTI...just screamed at highway speeds. Used up alternators and water pumps from all the high RPM, and was seriously burning oil at 70K miles.

I'll wait to see if Honda addresses this with a 6 speed, or at least a taller ratio 5th gear. Makes no sense that the AT, with the same engine, can run 800 RPM lower at 70mph. If the MT starts to lug...downshift! That's what you bought it for!

Perhaps we'll see a real Sport [Si?] edition down the road, or maybe punch it out a bit to 1.6L.

Looks like I'm stuck with the White Transportation Appliance for a while...

 

The low gearing has been a complaint about the M/T for almost 3 years on "the Other Fit Forums". I'm glad that I got the A/T in '06 and '09.

 

As far as the low gearing goes, I am currently in PA and a lot of the hills here are pretty intense, I don't know if the fit would have the muscle to get up some of them comfortably without the lower gearing that it has. I can see why it can be an annoyance to some that maybe are not used to it, or maybe don't really need it though.

 

Yeah, hills are not an issue here in FL. I think the highest point in the state is Space Mountain or some such at Disney. Low gearing here is only an endless drone through flat, boring scenery.

I'm not familiar with the AT, but assuming it has higher gearing and a lock-up torque converter in 5th, it would have to still have to downshift in auto mode or you would have to do a downshift in paddle mode to pull the gear. The manual is such an enjoyable piece that a downshift to 4th or 3rd is just part of the fun.

In any case, as I am not [yet?] an owner, I'll defer to you who have empirical experience with the Fit, and quit my whining.....

 

As previously stated, I have the A/T. I live in the coastal mountains of Central CA. All of the A/T gears are different from the M/T, and there is plenty of muscle in the A/T whether letting the trans. do its own shifting in D or S, or shifting yourself with the paddles. The extra bonus with the A/T is the higher 5th. gear- low noise at high speeds, and better fuel economy.

If you buy a Fit, you won't have much to whine about.

 

I just picked me up a 07 5-speed base model. I am so hooked. One test drive was all it took. Coming off a 00 civic ex I was pleasantly shocked by how much I enjoyed the ride and overall build of the Fit. It is a very good purchase and even better when you can get one for a killer deal like I did. Thank you locals whom can't drive standard. LoL.

 

And that's why you don't compare VWs to Hondas...go take an ITR for a ride...I had one. It has even higher RPM cruising speeds. You see them last 200k without any problems.

Don't apply VW problems to Honda. That would be like saying "My chrysler blew *****, and the engine blew up at 100k....so my honda will blow up at 100k."