General Comments:
What can I say? This has been a fantastic car. It drives well, costs practically nothing to own, and holds its value well.
Steering is light and very accurate with loads of feedback. Can get a little imprecise on long highway trips.
Brakes have a very well balanced feel, and are quiet with low dust.
The shifts are short and the gears have a precise mechanical feel. Clutch takeout is a little tricky with the electronic throttle.
Handling is very good, although there is too much body roll to be considered as a true sporting car. Most people would consider the ride as firm, but not harsh.
The engine can get a little noisy, but it's very smooth. It only has about 4.5 horsepower (okay, a few more than that). The point is, you won't win any drag races; but it's quick enough for the average person.
I have averaged 30-31 mpg's in nearly pure city driving. Highway is 34-37, depending on how many people are in the car. Yes, the extra weight will make a big impact.
Interior space is simply excellent for a car of this size. My 6'4" father in law said he was very comfortable in the backseat during a relatively short trip. With half of the backseat folded, I can fit 3 mountain bikes upright with front wheels removed, 3 people and all our gear. That was a huge selling point for me with the car. I'm 5'11" and I am plenty comfortable. It really is amazing how much stuff this car will hold with the seats up or down.
Here's my wish list if Honda were asking: different seat material (attracts lint like crazy), better carpeting, dead pedal, arm rest, less body roll, stronger AC for 100*+ days, 6th gear, iPod controls through the stereo. Nothing major, just minor stuff you notice after 30k miles.
I would recommend this car for anyone who needs a fun to drive, spacious hatchback and doesn't want to pay a whole lot of money. It might cost you more than say a Kia upfront, but the lower service costs and LOW depreciation more than make up for it in the long run.
3rd Jan 2011, 19:51
Nice to hear that even without airbags, the little Fit held up enough to keep your injuries minor. This is a common problem with small cars, though, not just the Fit. The airbag sensors are lower to the ground, so a vehicle riding higher than the Fit (particularly vans, trucks, and SUVs) has a good chance of not setting off the airbag. Unfortunate that people around here think they need those trucks to be safe, bigger isn't smarter.