5th Mar 2007, 19:03

Yet another thread that's gone to %&#@. Who's uncle was it that has a Dodge Omni with 406,000 flawless miles? Can I play too? My uncle has a Ford Escort with 900,000 miles on it, and it has the original tires on it. I also have seen an assembly plant once, so I definitely know more about automobile engines than a mechanic with two and a half decades of experience.

O.k., back to the Honda Fit. I'm reading here because I want one. First off, how can you go wrong with a Honda 4-cylinder? Not to mention this thing gets around 38-40 m.p.g. once properly broken in.

And, how cool is the configuration of the seats? Many times I've been camping, and been cold or wet, and tried to sleep in the cab of whatever truck I had, or cramped across the seats in a car. With this thing, you can stretch out like you're lying in your bed at home!

I also test drove and can't wait to own one. Some people hate the "go-cart" small car experience, but I can't get enough. I enjoy that feeling when you take a long trip, and it feels like you've stolen a go-cart from some amusement park and you're driving illegally on the road.

Got to have the standard shift, though; there's no other way to go.

I'm anxious to post a review once I have mine for awhile.

5th Mar 2007, 21:03

Um, this "car monkey" is the same one that thinks all engines are alike and that Hondas aren't sophisticated.

I'll believe the young kid.

6th Mar 2007, 09:55

Well, the only thing that I would disagree with the mechanic about is that Ford 4-cylinders are close to or as good as Honda or Toyota engines. No way. People just haven't gotten the same length of service out of the Ford engines as the Honda's in the past 30 years. You couldn't run an Escort at 5 grand all over the place like you can a Civic and expect the Ford engine to hold together; it won't; or at least not nearly as long as the Honda.

6th Mar 2007, 19:49

I think the Fit is going to be one of Honda's classics like the CRX, which I stated earlier, and I'm hoping to own one soon, they're practically perfect.

I only have one question, or complaint: why not put a 6 speed transmission in it, like Nissan did with the Versa? I understand that with 109 h.p. that 6th gear would barely be adequate for level ground, but still, I know that I would use it. What about long downhills on the highways? Let the engine rest a little with this cruising gear. You can't just shift into neutral down a hill and then shift into gear again at the bottom, it's no good for any transmission because the lubricant drains down when it's not in motion. No good to shift back into gear at 60 m.p.h. I know that this is something that Honda doesn't have yet (do they?), but it seems that it's time for it. I travel highways quite a bit, and this is the ONLY reason that I'm even considering the Versa; a fine car in it's own right, but I want a Fit! One more gear would be like the icing on the cake.

7th Mar 2007, 08:02

Sixth gear really doesn't give you anything more in the Fit or any subcompact. I have a friend with a 6 speed Matrix and he doesn't notice any benefits over the five speed vehicle he owned before.

It totally agree with you on the CRX bit. I just wish the Fit had the Civic (140 hp) engine. Then it would be perfect.

Getting one soon, although I refuse to be gouged by a dealer (one San Diego dealer wants $3,000 over list!) so will wait until more come over.

7th Mar 2007, 15:47

Just what makes an engine sophisticated anyway? Did it graduate from Harvard? Has it been taught proper etiquette by it's nanny? Does it eat at expensive french restaurants? Is it by any chance the CEO of the company who built it? Pretty big accomplishments for a hunk of metal and rubber.

9th Mar 2007, 08:56

Yeah, I'm not driving one right now either because of the dealership's greed. You can't blame them, though, business is business, and if they can get what they're asking, so be it. They're selling like crazy, and no one has a gun to their head when they sign the papers. But, like you say, I'm also going to wait until the price is where I want to see it. I'm kind of curious also about why they didn't put the 140 hp motor in myself. I don't even think there's a difference in gas mileage between the 2; if so maybe 1 or 2 mpg. But, the one I test drove did just fine with 109 (no rhyme intended). Has anyone reading this had ANY mechanical or fit & finish issues at all? I have yet to hear of one single instance where anyone complained about ANYTHING with these cars.

9th Mar 2007, 11:41

Sophisticated is the wrong word. "Precisely built" is a better description; I've seen Chevy repair manuals that give a sloppy mechanic too much variance when it comes down to hundredths or thousandths of an inch; clearances and tolerances and such. For the same repair, a Honda manual will I believe most often give you ONE number. Basically telling you, 'If it's not 4 thousandths of an inch (or whatever) ; it's not right, don't put it together any other way'. This way, when the engine is properly designed and built, and racks up 175,000 miles, it can loosen up a little and still not be blowing smoke and burning a quart of oil a week. A motor built any other way might not make it that far at all.

10th Mar 2007, 16:07

Actually the 140 hp motor gets 2 mpg better on the highway and the same as the 109 in the city with the automatic transmission and the same on both city and highway with the manual and that's in a heavier civic. The reason for this is that the 140 hp is not stressed as much as the 109 and therefore doesn't need to rev as high or downshift as much. The 109 in the fit is revving about 3000 rpm @65 whereas the 140 in the civic is only at 2100 and would rev even lower in the fit which would probably bring the highway gas mileage close to 45 MPG on the EPA estimates. But if they did that then no one would be buying the civic anymore because the fit would be cheaper, faster, just as comfortable, have better gas mileage, and have the cool reconfigurable interior.