Used Civic or new Fit?

That's a deal breaker.

 

The Scion xB might only be able to get 28mpg (in real world
driving...which is not surprising cause Toyota fuel consumption
estimate are always on the optomistic side, which isn't the case with
Honda), but if that rear bench is able to come off the xB, we're
looking at some serious cargo capacity. I doubt any other vehicle in
N.A would be able to handle that much cargo and still be able to return
small car economy. It's a shame that they don't sell them here in
Toronto. I bet the independent delivery drivers in Toronto alone would
snatch up the first 1000.

Pars

 

I believe you've got a 5spd manual in you 98 CX Hatch as do I in my 98
DX Hatch. It's strange that you'd need 4th to maintain 100mph. If I'm
going up a hill and fighting the wind, I might need 4th to maintain
100mph, otherwise, I'm cruising in fifth. Since we both have the same
tranny, the only mechanical difference would be AC which my car does
not have. Another thing is the timing, perhaps my engine is running a
little too lean since I have to put premium gas in for the summer to
avoid pinging. Also,the lifetime worth of mobel-1 one probably doesn't
hurt, and my engine is still runing with all its original components
(except, rad, spark plug, air filter, timining belt and water pump, all
the rest of the stuff under the hood has 285,000km on them). Concerning
fuel consumption, since I'm rolling along on the fat 5th gear, there's
not much difference between 85mph and 100mph (assuming no significant
head wind). So at 100mph cruising, I can get about 550km from a tank
(about 29mpg), in the summer.

btw, All 98 models Hatch were built in Canada (at the Alliston plant in
Ontario), but it's still this side of the sea.

Pars

 

I finally got to take the Fit a for test drive. In fact, I drove both a
5spd and a manual back to back. Unfortunatly, My test drive in the 5spd
was cut short and I never got to take either car on the highway. I
believe the highway cruising ability will be the clincher (assuming
cargo capacity is not an issue) when deciding between a Civic and the
Fit.

I came to shocking realization when test driving both the Fit manual
and automatic transmission. I actually liked the automatic Fit better
then the manual! which is absurd since I'm a die-hard manual junky.
With the manual transmission the Fit feels cheap, but with the
automatic Fit, it felt like a more substantial and better geared car.

Also, the Fit's manual shifter is too far down for my reach, and
lowering the seat (if that type of ajustment was possible) would
mess-up the panoramic view. Even if the car was mated to a more robust
tranny and engine, I would still be an awkward reach for the shifter.
The fact the steering wheel is too far away doesn't realy bother me,
since it works for my lax one arm curising technic and the 9/3 position
is only used when needed. Now, the perfect Fit would be one that packed
the Civic 1.8L engine (or similiar), some weight saving technics such
as aluminum hood to compensate for the heavier engine, the on-dash
shifter like the one on the old 05 Civic Si(R) and a telescopic
steering wheel. It's too bad that I'm such a die hard manual driver,
cause current Automatic Fit would have made for a great replacement for
my old Civic Hatch.

Pars

 

ive seen em in use as courier vehicles, mobile repair vehicles, and cabs.

 

yeah- the A/C was blasting

yup, and they did a fine job!

 

Pars,
You might try taking a test drive in one of the Civic models to determine
if the gear shift is in a better location. I read a review of the Fit in
several different car magazines. They said the sound level inside the car
was normal at the low and medium speed (less than 55 mph). However, when
they they took it up to over 70 mph--the testers stated that the sound
level in the Fit was really loud--much louder than in an Accord or Civic.
I believe the reason is because the Fit is much less aerodynamic than the
Accord or Civic. I should note that the standard Fit does not come with a
cruise control. The engine in the Civic is much more powerful than the
engine in the Fit. The main advantage of the Fit would be the cargo space
and great gas mileage.
Jason

 

The 15" wheels are alloys; the 14" are steel. Also, the Sport has fog
lights as standard equipment. These are $330 on the base model. I agree
that the lack of cruise on the base model is a deal breaker for me. I
won't buy the extra body cladding on the sport model. It screams "I'm
fast" (even though it's not) and I just don't like the idea of carrying
around the extra weight, although it's not much.

So, could the cruise control be easily added to the base model? I doubt
it. Keep in mind that I'm a mechanical illiterate and live in Colorado
(not So Cal) where there is no such thing as real auto service AFAICT.

Andy

 

I have no complaints about the 06 Civic manual transmissions but the
driver seat is too narrow for my back. After test drive in the 06 Civic
Coupe, it was a welcome change to get back into my 98 Hatch. Granted,
the seats in the 06 Civic are excellent for a smaller client, but
they're not designed for an XXL guy.

An interesting side note regarding seats, the Acura CSX, which is a
re-bagged Civic, but packs the RSX's 2.0L engine (and only sells in
Canada), has excellent seats for my size. If I were to get a new Civic,
I would have to get it in the form of an Acura. A nice option in the
CSX is the leather upgrade. In fact, I'd say the CSX with the leather
option, has an interior that looks more luxurious then the Acura TSX.

Aside from the small seats and the need to get the much higher priced
Acura to get the right seating configuration; the death blow, that
caused me to pass on the Civic is the lack of Cargo capacity. I need a
Hatch and there is no longer any Civic Hatch for 06 (unless you live in
Europe).

The seats on the 07 Fit suited me fine. It also has a very nice view of
the road and the nimble handling characteristic that's similar to the
old double-wishbone Civic. The 06 Civic has very sharp and responsive
steering, but lacks the nimble feel that can only be had from a
lightweight car.

Pars

 

The Fit has a five-year old engine while the new Civic's 1.8 litre is a
brand new design and, Honda claims, 6% more efficient than previous engines.

I don't think MPG is a good reason to buy a Fit (or a Yaris, for that matter
-- the Corolla get within 1 MPG of the Yaris, also a car that's been around
for a while, esp. that 1.5 VVTi engine, which is left over from the ECHO).

Andy

 

But what if you want cargo hauling capacity?

I cant fit a TV in box from best Buy in back of Corolla
sedan

See what I mean?

 

Yup. I was just saying that, if you are buying a Fit for the higher
mileage, you might be disappointed. But I don't think anyone will be
disappointed with that huge interior.

For myself, I'll take the 31 more horsepower and the 180 more pounds
of mass in the Civic. For me, it's a better compromise. I only buy
one TV every 10 years or so. The MPG difference is small; the HP
difference is not.

Andy

 

Pars,
You are wise to make sure the vehicle that you buy is perfect for you. You
should also test drive vehicles made by other car companies that you
trust.
For example, the economobile that came in second in the Car and Driver
comparison test was the Nissan Versa 1.8SL. I don't know much about that
company. I hated the Toyota economobile since the gauge cluster is mounted
in the center of the dashboard. The Acura car that you mentioned would
be my choice. The only draw-back would be the excessive price of Acura
vehicles.
Jason

 

I see

Good logic

 

then theres the matrix, which starts abouve 16k, IIRC. the scion xA is a
couple grand cheaper.

 

i checked out the costco website for their auto buyers program. the
yaris and scion are listed, the fit isnt.

comparably equipped, the 3dr yaris and 4dr xA are :

invoice msrp
xA 12,680 13,320 ($640 margin)
yaris 12,126 12,970 ($844 margin)

of course, i dont think i could get close to invoice for the xA, due to
scions "pure pricing"

and yes- the yaris can be had even cheaper, but in order to be
comparable, i had to add the 15" wheel package and power package for the
mirrors/windows/locks. all standard on the scions

if youre willing to forgo these "luxuries", the yaris is $10,950

 

True, since I didn't like the Fit's manual transmission setup, I should
take the Versa for a test spin, but it'll depend the on incentives
Nissan is offering before I jump ship and try another brand.

Pars

 

Did you know that the Yaris has a center mounted gauge cluster? That would
be a deal breaker for me since I have always had vehicles that had the
gauge cluster in front of me. One poster said that it was easy for him to
adjust to looking at a center mounted gauge cluster. The yaris came in
FORTH place in the comparison test in Car and Driver. The Fit came in
first place and the Nissan Versa 1.8SL came in second place.
Jason

 

Yep looking at both of them as well

But... and you will think I'm crazy.... but want a
vehicle I can sleep in the back of stretched out

I'm 5'11" tall man

Can any of vehicles listed do that?

 

What about that Toyota Scion that looks like a Box? It's my guess that if
you put the back seat down or removed it--that you could sleep in the
back. You may have to get a mini-van.
Jason