Faults:

Plug coils, stabilizer struts.

General Comments:

Honda makes great small cars. I bought mine used after having 280,000 miles on a Pontiac Vibe.

My first Honda was a used '75 Civic which was an oil burner, but still a fun car to drive. Since then I have usually owned Civics, a few Accords, a couple of Preludes, a Del Sol, a few CRX's, and a couple of Integras. My Fit reminds me of the first gen Civic, but better as it has the comfort amenities and is a much safer car to drive.

The CVT trans shifts like a normal automatic, which I like, as others I have tried are usually slow to respond when you need to accelerate right away. It is quick from a stop and a fun car to drive, especially once I put a set of Del Sol 14s and 185/60 tires on it. The smaller rims and wider tires lowered the center of gravity and now it handles like on rails all on the stock suspension with original struts and springs. The downside is it now scrapes on driveways, but I have always had lowered cars since I started driving since the 70's. With these rims and tires I took it on a trip and got my best gas mileage of 38 mpg; 32 combined driving.

I really like my Fit and do most maintenance myself on it. I like its simplicity and reliability. Forums and YouTube are a blessing to see how to work on it and find the fixes to issues. Like all other 1st gen Fits, it collects water when it rains. Luckily it hardly rains in LA.

Faults:

Replaced clutch and A/C north of 200k, a couple of coils, one valve adjust, rear shocks at 269k, alternator at 150k. Idler pulley at 269k.

General Comments:

Have run synthetic since new, going by the dash indicator. Barely burns any oil between changes and still runs like new. The car is basically a go-cart, a lot of fun with the manual. Not fast but fun like a sports car, and will run 80-90mph with ease. Haven't tested the top speed though.

It was my wife's car, and now I drive it. I'm amazed I fit in it being 6'3" and 350lb. Wouldn't want to take a long trip (can't stretch out) but fine for commuting. Not very good in rain or snow; just wants to spin the tires all the time. It will break traction in the rain in 2nd (yes good tires).

Faults:

Carpet getting torn up easily.

No other issues.

General Comments:

I get 26mpg with city driving, in the 30s with highway driving. If you are considering or own this car, fuel economy is probably important, and this car delivers.

The transmission is constantly upshifting like crazy, which probably hurts gas mileage, and the pedal is extremely sensitive, but it forces a lot of power out of the car, so acceleration is more than adequate, and substantially better than the xB or Versa.

It gets thrown around on bumpy roads, but it handles fine. The bodykit makes the car really low, and it will scape easier than most cars. It's terrible in the snow.

The seat is too low, doesn't go back far enough, is shaped well but very stiff, and the steering wheel is too far forward and doesn't telescope. Combined with the lacking footroom (especially for your left foot, there's no dead pedal) and an overly sensitive gas, which is too close to the brake, this car is extremely uncomfortable to drive especially if you're anywhere near 6 feet tall or more.

This car was a gift from my parents, and I'm stuck with it, but I would not have bought it new for comfort reasons alone. I drive with extra cushions, with my shoes off, using cruise control if I go long distances.

By contrast the rear seats are great, take 3 people easily and fold down to make the entire back flat. I can fit more crap in it than many SUVs.

The interior is all plastic, but it feels solid, the only really cheap part is the carpeting, which is tearing, especially on the drivers side above, and to the sides of the floormats.