Almost a year ago, back in June of 2006, I set out on a journey for a new vehicle. This is when I discovered the Honda Fit. For me it was an immediate decision that I had to have one. My local dealership had 3; none of which met my requirements. They are all Sports; 2 were black and 1 was red.

I had my heart set on a Vivd Blue Peal Fit. It didn't really matter if it was Base or Sport at the time. Well, low and behold there were no blue ones to be found anywhere near by. So, I decided I'd settle for my next favorite, Storm Silver Metallic. 2 days later I was sitting in the finance office signing papers for my new 2007 SSM Fit base. I was happy as can be!

Now, around 9 months later, opportunity finally came knocking at my door. My sister wanted me to go to the Honda dealer with her so she could check out a possible red civic coupe. Upon walking the dealership lot we came across, you guessed it, a Vivid Blue Pearl Fit Sport (MT). The stuff everyone seems to be after these days. It seems as though I felt compelled just to ask what kind of deal I could possible make. After all, my car wasn't even 1 year old yet.

I'll make this long story very short and just a couple days after seeing it I am now the proud owner of a 2007 VBP Fit Sport MT. And I must say, it is a completely different driving experience.

The biggest difference is the only direct link between you and the road. That would be the tires. Having the 15" alloys and slightly larger contact patch make all the difference in the world. The car feels 150% more stable in cornering than my base model did. And the larger and heavier shift **** makes for more precise shifting. And these are just my immediate findings after the first night of driving.

As time progresses I am going to document the similarities and differences I notice. This should be the ultimate comparison for anyone interested.

Oh, and I also have the inside scoop on the up-and-coming Mugen Si. Looks like I'll be getting a test drive as soon as it hits my dealer's floor.

 

I always wanted to know if there was any difference between the two but I didn't think there would be anyone crazy enough to actually own both of them in such a short period of time

 

my thoughts exactly. True Fit fan

 

did you lose money in the process? i only ask because my automatic sport is starting to get to me and i just want to bite the bullet and trade for a manual if i can find one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't think there would be anyone crazy enough to actually own both of them in such a short period of time </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's me.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 07ssmfit916 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you lose money in the process?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not as much as I thought. I did have to carry over $2500 negative equity onto this new one. But, for me, it's money well spent. This is what I wanted from the start.

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

Nothing less.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SuzukaBlueAP2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Not as much as I thought. I did have to carry over $2500 negative equity onto this new one. But, for me, it's money well spent. This is what I wanted from the start.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I carried over $1000 from my 06 Civic... never looked back

 

Carried over 4k from a shitty-*** Ford Ranger , but i put 3k down to negate it a little ...

 

Just a few photos...it's been raining like hell here lately so it's dirty already.

 

Don't make me come over there and take off your pin stripe and front plate mount!

 

mwahahahaha

I removed that front plate right after I took those pics, actually. I asked the dealership to do it, but they forgot.

The pin strip is actually growing on me...which is odd because I never liked them on anything. I'll give it a week or so. If I still like it after that then I'll leave it. If not, off with its head!

 

You bastard, you got the color I wanted.

Congrats. Now you don't have to constantly upgrade to Sport stuff. Time to upgrade it in other ways.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sharkytm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You bastard, you got the color I wanted.

Congrats. Now you don't have to constantly upgrade to Sport stuff. Time to upgrade it in other ways. </TD></TR></TABLE>

hahah Yup!

I hear Jackson Racing is close to finishing the supercharger kits.

 

anyone looking for a NHBP factory wing??? si vende

 

I've considered trading my AT for a MT. Then again...I've also thought about trading for something faster eventually. I really do miss my old STi sometimes. I get my next raise in about a year and that should be pretty good.

 

Are the shift ***** different? I know the steering wheel on the Sport is a lot nicer, but I had no idea the shifter was different. I've only seen a few photos of the Base interior, could you tell me if the Base steering wheel feels anywhere as good as the one on the Sport?

 

The steering wheels are different. The Sport model steering wheel is an ergonomic wheel. It is shaped and notched, so to speak, for maximum comfort while driving.

It is also wrapped with a very soft leather.

The Base models steering wheel is not wrapped in leather and has a rough texture. (not necessarily a bad thing). And it also does not have the indentations for ergonomics.

As far as the shift **** is concerned, they are also different. You see the picture of my Sport **** here in this thread. I am trying to find a good picture of the base model's.

The Sport shift **** is larger in diameter and feels a bit heavier. As far as the actual shifter itself, I don't believe there to be any difference.

 

^Thanks man

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SuzukaBlueAP2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The biggest difference is the only direct link between you and the road. That would be the tires. Having the 15" alloys and slightly larger contact patch make all the difference in the world. The car feels 150% more stable in cornering than my base model did.</TD></TR></TABLE>

at high speeds, does it feel more stable when dealing with cross winds and passing trucks? i'm wondering if there is any function to the lower body pieces other than looking cool. my parents are looking into getting a fit and i want to convince them to get a sport.

 

Nice, I want one as a daily

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dc24me &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

at high speeds, does it feel more stable when dealing with cross winds and passing trucks? i'm wondering if there is any function to the lower body pieces other than looking cool. my parents are looking into getting a fit and i want to convince them to get a sport.

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

You know, this is one of the things I was actually very interested to find out, but I haven't been on the highway yet in the new Fit to test. LOL

I'll get out there soon...

 

Well, I still cannot locate a picture of the shift **** like I had on my Base model for comparison.

But, I did took the fit down an 8 mile stretch of highway during a windy day to see how it was compared to my Base. Much to my surprise I think the aero parts actually help.

In the base model as soon as I crept above the 65MPH mark winds significantly battered my car from side-to-side. If I was behind a tractor trailer combo I didn't really notice any adverse effects.

Now, in the Sport, those crosswinds across the highway had less of an effect on my car. I'm not saying it completely stopped, but I didn't have to catch the car from drifting away from a huge gust of wind.

Some folks may think this is all in my head, and truthfully I have no scientific data to confirm my findings. But, what I do know from this experience and past experiences with small aero parts, they DO make a noticeable difference at pretty much at speed above 50 mph.