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Long-Term Road Tests

2007 Honda Fit Sport

September 24, 2008

The Big List of Fuel Economy

gasstation pump numbers 555.jpg

I was thinking the other day (always a dangerous proposition, I know) and wondering how all the current (or really, really recently departed) Edmunds/Inside Line long-term vehicles stack up against each other in fuel economy, at least the fuel economy we've been recording during their time with us. So I made a list. For you and for me. In case we were both wondering.

The only current vehicles missing from my list are the Audi R8 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, and that's because no one has entered any fuel data into the tracking spreadsheet for those vehicles yet. The very top and the very bottom of the list aren't going to surprise anybody (I don't think), but the middle is kinda interesting. Seeing the Rondo and the WRX so close to each other made me raise my eyebrows. Ditto the Ford GT's spot above the Veracruz. Ready to check it all out? Follow the jump with me.

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July 14, 2008

2007 Honda Fit: Fit for a Dog

555 fit for a dog 2.jpg

Thanks to the unique folding properties of our 2007 Honda Fit Sport's rear seat, a trip to the groomer was easy for Rudie, our 80 lb. German Shepard mix. He came from a shelter, so the actual ingredients of the mix are anyone's guess. Rottie or Doberman are the two leading theories.

What isn't in doubt is the utter flexibility of the Fit's rear seat design. In addition to folding down the usual way to expand the volume when loaded from the hatch, the rear seat bottoms can be folded up against the seat backs to create a tall space suitable for a big dog, a bicycle or any other sort of tall, slender cargo. A big-screen, perhaps? Framed artworks? No problem. Simply load them from the curb via the rear door. 

The hidden secret that makes it work even better is an unusual gas tank location--under the front seats. This provides an ultra-low and ultra-flat load floor unlike any other.

Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 25,765 miles

July 9, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Fuel Economy Update

fit_fuel_economy.jpgGood gracious. The last time we posted fuel economy numbers for our spry little Honda Fit was last September. I guess we've had our hands full with other things and more other things since then. But gas mileage is the name of the game these days, so here's how we're doing.

Best tank: 40.1
Worst tank: 22.4
Lifetime average: 31.0

Discuss.

Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 26,545 miles

June 11, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Input = Output

Call me weird.

Ok, you can stop now.

Anyway, I like the car I'm driving to have controls with the weight and feedback proportionate to the car's performance potential and personality. Take the Fit, for example...

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June 10, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Surprisingly hard to shift smoothly

Sometimes I like to stir the pot with a controversial manual-shifter-related post. Today's bold claim: shifting our long-term Honda Fit smoothly is not the no-brainer it should be. I was trying to figure out exactly what the problem was while puttering around town last night, and I've concluded it's twofold: (1) the clutch's takeup point is narrow and abrupt (as opposed to the Lancer's, for example, which is extraordinarily forgiving), and (2) the Fit's emissions-control software causes the revs to "hang" for an extra beat or two while the clutch is depressed, so that if you're shifting quickly -- which the snick-snick shifter encourages you to do -- the revs may still be hanging when you've finished upshifting to the next gear, causing the car to lurch a bit.

Honda has historically made some of the best shifter/clutch combos in the business, so the Fit's awkwardness in this regard is a surprise...

But when I look at our roster of long-term manual-shift cars, the Fit's the only one on the list that I never feel entirely comfortable driving. Even the Ferrari's clutch is a cinch after a couple miles. In the Fit, though, I'm never quite sure whether my next shift will be a smooth one.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 25,609 miles

June 4, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Full-Throttle Eulogy

Here's what the driver's side floor mat in our long-term Honda Fit looks like every time I climb inside:

Notice that it's jammed up under the gas pedal which prevents one from achieving wide-open throttle -- a much-needed position in a car with only 109 horsepower. The red arrows show where the retaining clips which once held it in place used to reside. Good-bye full throttle. Rest in peace...

Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 25,430 miles.

May 27, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Simplicity Itself

Photo by Doug Lloyd

I have put many miles on our long-term Honda Fit, and I have to say, it's really quite an enjoyable little car. As a car fan and a fast, enthusiastic driver, I'd want something more powerful, quick and sporty, but that said, it's really such a pleasant little city car. What I think I like most about it is its utter simplicity and purity. While so many cars come loaded to the gills with gadgets and lights and beeps and cameras and traffic sensors and all kinds of, well, extra goodies (the dreaded iDrive comes to mind), this one's got a single-CD stereo, easily readable buttons and a great climate control system...

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May 21, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: The New Mule



Above, our Fit is patiently waiting for a photo shoot to wrap. It's been getting a lot of use as the photo mule these days. So why is that?

1. For some reason the Ford GT is never available...

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May 5, 2008

2007 Honda Fit: My Photo Sherpa



The Fit doesn't always get the respect it deserves. We might as well call it Rodney.

Well Rodney, my good friend, If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to do my job. With your seats folded flat I'm able to haul my gear around easily...

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April 28, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Supple Shifter


We've praised the Honda Fit's incredibly fluid shifter before, but for some reason, I was more aware of it than ever this weekend. Every shift was so light , so effortless. It honestly felt as if my hand was being guided by a chorus of incredibly attentive anime angels. When the temperature is as butt-scalding-hot as it was the weekend, the last thing you want to have to do is work too hard...

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April 14, 2008

What really fits in a 2007 Honda Fit Sport?

2007 Honda Fit Sport. Photo by Joanne Helperin

I took our 2007 Honda Fit Sport to the relatives' this weekend, where I was bestowed with a hand-me-down vanity set for my young daughter. The obvious question: Could I get it home in this tiny economy car?

Fortunately, the answer was yes, The vanity, which was about 17" deep and twice as high, fit nicely behind the second row of seats when turned on its side. The stool tucked in as well...

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April 7, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: The Secret of Tiny Wheels

We are dope fiends for big wheels, aren't we?

It's the sidewall of the tires that we should be talking about, of course. Since big wheels simply make it possible to produce tires with narrower sidewalls, and that's the feature that delivers quicker steering response. But instead we're all over the wheels, equating bigger with better. When you look at design renderings for future concept cars, you can barely see any tire at all.

And yet the secret to the Honda Fit is its tiny wheels.

If you want real packaging efficiency with as much interior space as possible, it's a good idea to start with smaller wheels. Take a seat in the Honda Fit and you'll notice you're not swinging your legs around a giant wheel well in front of you, and there's plenty of room in the footwell to set up the pedals in a natural position...

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March 31, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: My Unlovely Honda Hump



I don’t know about you all, but I refuse to drive around by myself with the front passenger seat slid all the way forward. Whenever I see that someone’s left the seat that way, I compulsively slide it back so that it’s roughly parallel with the driver seat. So it was in our long-term Honda Fit when I brought it along to Joshua Tree National Park last week -- someone had left the passenger seat all the way up, so I promptly slid it back. Except this time I got a little more than I’d bargained for. “In the name of Soichiro Honda,” I exclaimed, “what…is…THAT!”

I’m taking suggestions. Meanwhile, browse onward for a few Joshua Tree pics. I averaged a little over 35 mpg for the trip, by the way -- mainly unimpeded highway driving, A/C blasting (to the extent that the Fit’s apathetic A/C can be said to blast), with some stop-and-go mixed in.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 23,283 miles

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March 20, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Boom-Boom



I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with our venerable long-term Fit recently, and I have to say I’m less than aurally impressed with its engine. While the Fit’s engine note has been lauded by at least one of my colleagues, I can’t find much to like about the 1.5-liter’s uncouth booming north of 4,000 rpm. Thing about the Fit is, you’ll be north of 4k rather frequently if you want to keep up with traffic, so you’re going to hear that strident soundtrack on the regular, like it or not. It doesn’t help that the emissions-friendly engine calibration has given our Fit an unfortunate (though not uncommon) case of hanging revs...

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March 18, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: A Fit(-and-finish) Haiku



Dash rattle so soon?
Coming from the center stack.
Japan-made. What gives?

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 22,509 miles

February 26, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport -- The Most Forgiving Manual

2007 Honda Fit Sport stick shift. Photo by Edmunds.com.

Everyone knows that some manual transmission vehicles are harder to drive than others. Being a Joni-come-lately to the stick shift world (I'm not a road test editor), I had to cut my teeth (and likely some of the gears' as well) in heavy rush hour traffic, on whatever random manual vehicle was occassionally available to me. I struggled with our VW and Audi...

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February 12, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Little, Big

I have been posting on the Driving Woman about my search for a fuel-efficient vehicle. The lease on my Volvo XC90 is up soon and we aren't planning on keeping it due to the 18 mpg it averages on my 105-mile round trip commute.

Mike and Mike, keepers of the cars, were kind enough to loan me the Honda Fit for the night so that I could get real mileage numbers for my commute. This can't be right, can it?..

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February 11, 2008

2007 Honda Fit: Favorited By Editor With Jet Lag



If I traveled internationally every week, our 2007 Honda Fit would be the car I'd leave at the airport. I mean the hatchback no disrespect when I say this, but I find it very easy and un-challenging to drive when I'm out of sorts (but still operating within the legal limits).

I don't think I've ever encountered a car that managed to convey such lightness through its steering, pedals and shifter while still feeling so direct during these interactions. Most subcompacts get the lightness bit of it, but fumble on the directness...

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February 4, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Where Does Your Foot Go?

I've driven our Honda Fit several times and each time I do I find another reason to like it, whether it's the surprising amount of room, the handling, or being able to find a parking spot virtually anywhere I always walk away with a new reason to like the car.  This time however I have a complaint. 

I took our Fit to Las Vegas this past weekend and noticed that there was something missing.  The Honda Fit Sport has no dead peddle for your left foot.   I have always driven our Fit around town and never noticed the lack of a dead peddle before but it became painfully obvious on a longer trip.  

I know the Honda Fit is supposed to be a budget friendly car, but it can’t cost too much more to add a place to rest your left foot.   I would rather pay a little more for the extra comfort on longer trips...</SP

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January 24, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Easy Driver

Photo by Caroline Pardilla

"I can tell everyone's annoyed that you know how to drive in the rain," my driving companion said as I scooted the recently repaired 2007 Honda Fit Sport around West L.A.'s slower moving traffic. I was enjoying the light shifter; flicking the stick with just two fingers. I especially liked how it was such a smooth transition between gears so that I didn't have to worry about jostling my passenger (memories driving my angry brother around in the Mini swimming in my head). And the clutch is easy on the legs, which I was particularly thankful for as I sat in rainy rush-hour traffic with L.A...

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January 22, 2008

2007 Honda FIt Sport: Transmisison Trouble Trumped!



It's done. Again. Finally.

After one failed attempt
, and 11 days out of service our Fit's finicky transmission is fixed. For good. We hope.

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January 7, 2008

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Honda's Minicar, Then and Now.

I haven't driven the Fit in quite some time, since before the transmission problem.  And it seems, the dealer's magic fluid fix didn't do the trick, either.  After hopping in and firing it up, it was reluctant to go into revo.  I didn't try to force it and after maybe four or five tries (employing the old tricks like moving the selector through the other gears and moving the car forward a few inches) it slid into reverse.  We're not going to let this slide and are planning another dealer visit soon, as we're looking to sell the car and want it in "no excuses" condition.

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December 21, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: 20,000-mile Service

We just spent $607.23 to get our Fit back in working order. A standard 20,000-mile service cost us $143, with an additional $67 air filter and $120 cabin filter replacement at our request. The front rotors were also warped. To turn them down and replace the brake pads we spent another $265.

For those following the dirty transmission, the latest updates are now posted...

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December 13, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Dirty Transmission Fluid

The Honda service advisor called to say our 2007 Honda Fit Sport is nearly ready for pick-up. Seems its failure to go into reverse issue was caused by dirty transmisson fluid. The fluid was changed under warranty, and they're now addressing the warped brake rotors.

We'll post a full service report after the Fit returns to our garage...

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December 11, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: I Got Blisters On My Feet! Part 2



We dropped off our mono-course Fit at the dealership to take a look at the aforementioned reverse gear issue. The Service Advisor gave us a quizzical look.

He hopped in and tried to shift into reverse. He tried revving, engaging disengaging, the roll...

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December 10, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: I Got Blisters On My Feet!



I bit the bullet and jumped into the fray of holiday shopping this part weekend. I don't like the crowds, the idiotic debates over whether my sister would like a salad spinner or not and I really don't like traffic.

This hat trick of fun was compounded when I was in the parking lot of a local mall. I loaded my stuff into the cargo area, hopped in, started the car and put it into reverse...

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November 29, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Lightning for 5 Feet

That stunning power plant you see before you is the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine of the 2007 Honda Fit Sport. I'll wait a moment whilst you catch your collective breath.

I have driven this car many times, and I really like it. It's very inexpensive, it's nicely styled (actually, in my opinion, far more interesting looking than the 2009 restyle) and despite its diminutive size, surprisingly roomy and capacious inside...

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November 27, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: The Highway Man



Ah, the road trip.

My most recent road trip found me behind the wheel of our long term Honda Fit Sport. I'd like to share some discoveries I made about myself, gastronomic combinations and lastly, about the Fit itself.

Firstly, I discovered that I inexplicably know the lyrics to Fleetwood Mac's 'Fun'...

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November 5, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: The Elusive Brake Judder

A pulsation in the 2007 Honda Fit's brake pedal has been observed by some of our editors during its time with us. Last week I experienced it myself.

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October 18, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport -- Everything Where It Should Be

I've driven our long-term 2007 Honda Fit Sport many, many times, and I am growing increasingly enamored of it. Because it's just so incredibly well thought out. Is it fast or sexy or high-tech? Not really. But it knows exactly what it is and makes no pretensions otherwise...

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October 1, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Fit for Five

 

This past weekend was the last weekend of the Los Angeles County fair, so a few friends and I decided to take our 2007 Honda Fit and drive the hour out to the fair grounds.  By a few friends I mean myself plus four full size, adult passengers.  I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a tight fit, however the Fit handled it just fine.  What surprised me even more was that when merging onto the highway the Fit seemed to be unaffected by the full load.   I guess this little car has more to offer than I thought.

 

Seth Compton, Broadband Production Assistant

September 25, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Small and Friendly

Honda Fit

After having had the 2007 Honda Fit for a couple of days, I'm even more impressed with it than I was when we first added it to our fleet.

First of all, I love its dimensions. You kinda get it all with the Fit. I had to parallel-park in a spot so small it would have been a no-go for most cars; the Fit hustled its way in with a refreshing absence of drama...

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September 20, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: How We're Doing on Fuel Economy

2007 Honda Fit

I updated our fuel economy spreadsheet this morning, and through 17,198 miles, our manual-shift 2007 Honda Fit is averaging 30.7 mpg. Our best tank, recorded at 15,768 miles, is 38.5 mpg. Our worst tank, recorded at 2,259 miles, is 22.4 mpg. Undoubtedly, anyone living outside Southern California with more access to wide-open highways would do better than we have...

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September 7, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Not so Fit, needs a Workout

Our long-term 2007 Honda Fit Sport is still fun to drive, but there are two small issues to address. First, the information center is telling us that oil life is down to five percent (I actually saw it switch from 10 to five percent as I was driving it home). Second, it has a noticeable vibration through both the steering wheel and the floor, though it subsides somewhat after about 20 miles of driving. Not sure if it's wheel balance, tire cupping or something else...

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August 28, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Trappedway Friend

While stuck on the 10 trappedway (I feel that "freeway" is a misnomer here in the land of perpetual gridlock, aka L.A.) during my "drive" to work today, I noticed something about the Fit.  Or rather, almost didn't notice. 

Our Fit has a manual transmission but even in my aggravating, all-of-six-miles commute, I wasn't the slightest bit annoyed by it.   That's saying a lot when sometimes the drive home can take 45-50 minutes (by comparison, I used to run six miles in under 38 minutes) and you work the clutch about 1,000 times per 100 yards.  Both the clutch and gearshift have a light, precise feel that makes constant use a joy rather than a pain in the butt.  So even in L.A., I'd take the Fit with a manual gearbox and enjoy the additional performance and entertainment it provides (when you're not in traffic).  If that's not a ringing endorsement of a carmaker's manual tranny, then I don't know what is.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 16,981 miles.

 

 

August 23, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Slip 'n Slide

Ok, I've heard of cost cutting in cars. I once heard about a manufacturer who had the idea of trimming the wiring under a power seat to shave a few pennies, only to have it cost them hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs because the wires would pull out when the seat was put all the way back.

I think not having clips to hold the floor mat is another one of those bad ideas. I'll pay the extra buck or two to have it stay in place...

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August 20, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Looks Aren't Everything

Photo Courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

Sorry, I know this isn't a picture of our silver long-term 2007 Honda Fit but I left my digicam at home. Anyway, ever mistake the Fit for the Chevy Aveo hatchback? I do all the time, well, on the rare occasion that I spot an Aveo on the road. Sure, it only takes a second for me to realize my error but the fact that I pause at all says something to me. Of course the Fit appears to have more tone, looking like an Aveo that's spent too many hours at the gym. But its similarity was one of the reasons I wasn't keen on the Fit at first. It ain't exactly cute.

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August 15, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Beep Worse Than Its Bite

Photo by Caroline Pardilla

Yesterday as I was driving our sporty, little 2007 Honda Fit through Beverly Hills, the Range Rover driver in front of me decided he wanted to turn left but didn't get all the way into the left-turn lane. Rather, he straddled the solid white line. Naturally, I honked at him to let him know that he still had some ways to go before he was out of the way of the drivers behind him. But instead of the helpful meeep I expected, the Fit emitted a pretty loud honnnk...

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August 13, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Do I Fit in the Fit?

Honda Fit -- Photo by James Riswick

I have tried my best to avoid driving the Fit home at night. I love the little Honda -- it's a blast to drive and is a marvel of packaging -- but based on past experiences I ironically just don't fit in the Fit. Knowing that I didn't have to amass great distances this weekend, I grabbed the key to see if a little more seat time would change my impression. While it still doesn't provide nearly enough 6-foot-3-friendly space, it was a little better than I remembered it...

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August 6, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Creature of the night

Fit Gauges - photo by Warren Clarke
During the daytime, the Fit's interior gets the job done. Exceedingly simple lines, with enough hard plastic to craft a line of children's toys, but all in all, not too shabby for an economy-priced subcompact.

However, the Fit's interior really shines at night. The darkness swallows all the less-than-ideal aspects of the car's cabin...

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July 25, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Absence makes the heart grow fonder

2007 Honda Fit Sport steering wheel - E. Riches

I got into the Fit last night after its month-long vacation in Fresno, and I realized I'd missed our subcompact while it was away. This is no great revelation coming from a Fit supporter, but there are certain details in this entry-level Honda that you won't find in other cars in this class.

For instance, the way the steering wheel fits in your hands is as pleasing as in cars costing tens of thousands of dollars more...

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July 23, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: MPG and impressions

2007 Honda Fit -- Scott Jacobs

As of today, our 2007 Honda Fit Sport is averaging 31.3 mpg. Its best lifetime fill-ups so far are in the 36-to-37 mpg range while the worst drop into the high 20s. We still have three months to go on our one-year test but the Fit will certainly end up as being one of the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid cars we've ever had in our long-term fleet.

I've had the luxury of spending the past month driving the Fit and I'll be a little sad to return into the normal long-term rotation later this week...

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July 16, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Business Class

2007 Honda Fit -- Brent Romans, doing his best CEO impersonation

In a variety of earlier posts, we've written highly about the Honda Fit's versatile seat configurations. One can fold the 60/40-split rear seat completely flat, for instance, or raise the rear seat cushions to create a taller area for carrying bulky items.

Well, here's another neat trick: If you move the front seats all the way forward and then fully recline their seatbacks, the seatbacks touch flush with the rear seat cushions to create a rear-seat recliner. Unless your inseam goes past 50 inches, you'll have plenty of legroom...

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July 10, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Branding at its best

I've really enjoyed driving our Honda Fit the past few weeks. Things like the smooth-sliding shifter, sporty handling and smartly designed interior instantly remind me of other small Hondas I've owned or driven. Like BMW, Honda is a master at maintaining certain attributes across product lineups and timelines. There's even the familiar "d-d-d-dit" Morse code "H" sound when the key is left in the ignition...

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July 2, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: AAC? You might be SOL

2007 Honda Fit -- Brent Romans

Most new 2007 and 2008 vehicles have in-dash CD players that can play unprotected digital music files. Though this feature might seem inconsequential if a vehicle has an auxiliary input jack (as our Honda Fit does), it can be refreshing to not have to worry about theft or potential safety issues. Playing a CD's digital audio files allows title and track info to be displayed on the head unit and also allows the use of steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

There's a problem, though...

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June 25, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Seat comfort and brakes

2007 Honda Fit -- Scott JacobsA couple of our editors have commented previously about the relative lack of seat comfort in our Honda Fit. And it's true that without a telescoping steering wheel, the Fit can make one feel like he's driving a car originally meant for the Japanese market. (Erm, which it is...) Still, on a recent four-hour drive, I found the Fit pretty agreeable. Actual seat comfort for my body size (5'-10" and skinny) is quite good in my opinion...

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June 18, 2007

Honda Fit: Slip sliding away

File this under "Small peeves big enough to blog about":  Our Fit has floor mats that don't like to stay in place.  Taking a closer look, I noticed the two holes in the mat and thought "Oh, just like my friends '03 Miata, these holes must lock onto a couple of hooks in the carpet. 

Only problem is, there are no hooks.  Holes in the mats, but no hooks to secure them to the carpet.  Turns out there are supposed to be hooks included with the mats, that you install yourself.  We don't have them so we called the local Honda dealer who informed us we can order them and that that the instructions to install them are four pages long. 

Of course, this raises a few questions: 1) Why weren't the hooks installed by the dealer?  2) If it's a DIY deal, why didn't we get the hooks?  When we get to the bottom of this, we'll be sure to let you know.  BTW, anybody out there in blogger land experience this too?

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 14,753 miles.

 

 

June 11, 2007

Honda Fit: Quantifying the Fun Factor


When a discount rack car gets waves of raves for being fun to drive -- like it has here -- the rationale is usually that the car "feels more than the sum of its parts" or "bonds with its driver" or some other fuzzy esoteric emotional deal.  It can't be about the numbers.  Never.  Well, except maybe one.

Try this: 12.8:1.  That's the Honda Fit's steering ratio -- meaning one full 360-degree spin of the Fit's steering wheel pivots the front tires 28.1 degrees.  In English, that's cat-quick response, and it's what makes the Fit lunge at a new heading whenever your hand moves one micron.  I'm not sure a car with a 96.5-inch wheelbase needs such amplified alertness, though I suppose it works.

But geez, what a contrast to the past.  As a co-owner of a 2000 Accord, I can attest to that car's lumbering response.  Surely, those of you with pre-2001 Civics whose steering wheels have 3.6 turns of play know the feeling too.  Heck, the Acura NSX had an 18.6:1 ratio!  By comparison, a car like the Fit represents a leap of the quantum variety.

Any opinions on Honda's newfound hyperactivity?  Is faster better, or is enough enough?

Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 14,600 miles

June 7, 2007

Honda Fit's Aural Connection

I have put in a lot of seat time in our long-term Honda Fit Sport and I'm a big fan of it. As a city car. I think it's absolutely perfect for the city. Zippy, quick, very compact, easy to park, great turning radius, carries a lot of stuff...

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May 30, 2007

2007 Honda Fit: Splitting Eights and Double Down


For the long weekend I took the Fit out to meet up with some friends in Vegas for a bachelor party. Vegas, baby! As the lone driver of the group of friends, the Fits primary use besides getting me out there was an airport shuttle. I made two trips, the first time to pick up two guys and the second time to pick up three...

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May 25, 2007

Honda Fit Goes to Oregon, Part Two

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

Although the Honda Fit's thinly padded driver seat challenged my pain thresholds (especially on the 15-hour drive home from Oregon), I don't regret choosing it for my five-day road trip. The hatchback's size was incredibly convenient for maneuvering around cities I wasn't familiar with. Basically, I could park it anywhere. Plus, its diminutive size made it more endearing. During my overnight stay in Alturas, CA, where everybody drives diesel 3/4-ton pickups, I parked it right below my room at the Super 8 so I could keep an eye on it. It was the automotive equivalent of a toddler.

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

And I did get good fuel economy. The Fit returned 34.2 mpg over 2,260 miles; its lifetime average is 30.7 mpg. My best tank, 37.4 mpg, came while traveling south on I-5 through southern Oregon and northern California (lots of downhill grades, lower speed limits, ample state trooper coverage). My worst tank was 29.3 mpg.

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May 24, 2007

Honda Fit Goes to Oregon, Part One

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

Earlier this week I took our long-term Honda Fit on a long-haul getaway to the Oregon coast, specifically Cape Perpetua, south of Yachats. Partly, I chose the Fit because I wanted something small, spunky and manual-shift to drive. And partly, I wanted a bit of a challenge -- 2,300 miles in a subcompact.

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May 17, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: 10,000-mile Service

Our Fit is back from Honda of Santa Monica following its 10k mile maintenance. Service comprised of a tire rotation, tire pressure check, engine oil and filter change, fluid top-off, and standard visual inspections of brakes and moving parts.

We spent $165.37 for the complete service. Labor alone was $135. Had I done this at home on my own Fit I'm fairly confident the work could be completed in under an hour - - with a sandwich break in the middle...

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2007 Honda Fit Sport: Additional Mystery Service?

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
So I dropped off the Fit at Honda of Santa Monica today because the yellow wrench light appeared, and the guy there said that judging from the mileage it would actually get the 10,000-mile service not the 15,000-mile one that the Edmunds Maintenance Guide suggested. OK, that's fine. But when I got back to the office and looked at the work order, it said the preliminary estimate is $165, not $77 (as the guide noted). Apparently in addition to the 10,000-mile service, I was getting fixed up with 32 fluid ounces of something called ZMax "for new and used car improved break-in improved performance." Wha?

Mike, the Vehicle Testing Assistant, called the garage right away to make sure they took that off and reiterated that we just want the suggested manufacturer service maintenance and the guy said that he took it off...

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May 16, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: The Fit Is No Go

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
As I drove into the garage today I noticed that the little yellow wrench (aka "Service Soon") light came on near the fuel gauge. It had come on once before at about 5,000 miles. Now hitting past the 10,500 mark, I guess the Fit wants us to take it again. What a helpful and nonthreatening way to let you know...

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May 7, 2007

Honda Fit Sport -- Anti-Theft Foolishness

If any of you lovely readers attended the Brad Mehldau concert at Pepperdine this weekend, and heard the announcement regarding the car with its lights on in the parking lot, uh, that was me. D'OH!

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May 3, 2007

Honda Fit: Small Begets Small

I try to make a habit of crawling around the engine bays of new cars. Never know what you new doohicky you might find. Plus, they're a whole lot cleaner under there than crusty old cars. It dawned on me that I've never seen the Fit's engine bay. If you're so inclined, or as much of a geek as I, join me as we explore the tidy heart of this little runabout.

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April 30, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Concert on Wheels

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
Since I skipped out on going to Coachella, the annual two-day concert in the desert, this weekend, I contented myself by making a Coachella playlist consisting of songs from the concert performers -- i.e. Rage Against the Machine, Amy Winehouse, Bjork. Fortunately I had the fun city car, our long-termer Honda Fit Sport for this weekend. So I plugged in my iPod via the car's aux input and enjoyed my own Coachella concert as I zipped around L.A...

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April 25, 2007

Honda Fit: All in the family


Entry-level Hondas and entry-level Acuras may play in different leagues, but anyone who's driven the late, great RSX will have fond flashbacks after a spin in the Fit.  Its engine feels like a 1.5-liter chip off the 2.0-liter block, boasting the same invigorating soundtrack and feeling equally at home revving at redline.  The shifter's got the same tightness, the same pinpoint precision, and begs the same question of whether this could be the best manual on the market.  Together, the two add up to score big points in powertrain nirvana.

Of course, the RSX's rack-and-pinion steering felt nicer, its fiercer VTEC kick would give the Fit a much-needed second wind (with 109 horsepower, is there even a first?), and the Fit's torsion beam thwacking makes a guy wish for the wishbones in that Acura's suspension.  But at 15 grand and change, the Fit is forgiven.

Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 9,535 miles

April 24, 2007

Honda Fit: Stuck in second place


In keeping with the spirit of Earth Day weekend, I embarked on my Honda Fit road trip determined to burn 20-plus gallons of petroleum into the atmosphere as gradually as possible.  I followed all the rules: no passengers, A/C off, light right foot, all upshifts by 2,500 RPM, cruise control locked and loaded at every possible moment.  Hey, nothing beats a stingy, stickshift, subcompact-sized Honda nailed to the freeway by a geeky anti-fun driver, right?

Well, on the two tanks that were entirely mine, I scored 33 and 34 MPG.  From a macro perspective that's great, and better than almost any car you can name.  Unfortunately, the exception happens to be archrival Toyota Yaris, in which I scored 35 and 38 under similar conditions -- and that was with an efficiency-killing automatic.

Why the easy victory?  We're dealing with two 1.5-liter engines here (smallest in any car today) and pretty close gearing.  Could the culprit be the Fit's extra 183 extra pounds?  Its 3.3 inches of excess height?  Tire choice and/or high rolling resistance?  At least one thing's for sure: on a certain steep downhill stretch I've taken dozens of times, most cars accelerate on their own well into the 80 MPH range; some exceed 90.  The Fit maxed out at 77.

Whatever the cause, the effect is clear: the Fit must make peace with being the second-most frugal non-hybrid, gas-powered automobile of 2007.

Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 9,535 miles

April 16, 2007

Honda Fit Goes on a Road Trip

2007 Honda Fit - Erin Riches

Although I've written frequently about the virtues of our 2007 Honda Fit, this past weekend was my first opportunity to take a real road trip in the car -- about 700 miles total.

I'd been worried that the car's less than ideal driving position would make for an uncomfortable trip, but this turned out not to be such a big deal. The driver seat is nicely shaped and the cushioning held up for the first 3-4 hours; after that, the seat-bottom support began to wear thin. Ride quality was excellent for a subcompact, though, and unlike some other Hondas I've driven, road noise is well controlled...

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April 11, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Mystery Scratches

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
Someone pointed this out to me since I hadn't noticed it on my own and didn't see any blog posts about it, but it seems the Fit has another boo-boo. This time on its rear driver-side bumper. From the location of the damage, it doesn't look like another car could have done it since it's located so low on the bumper and there aren't any dents, just these scratches. Maybe a very mean bush?

Production Editor Caroline Pardilla

April 4, 2007

Honda Fit Sport -- National Character

I have driven the Honda Fit Sport many times and I have nothing but praise for it. It's a fantastic city car, carries everything I need to haul due to its fold-flat seats, is quick, parks easily, has great sight lines and incredibly easy-to-use and intuitive controls. And it's cheap.

But to be honest, I also REALLY like the way it looks...

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March 29, 2007

Honda Fit Meets Scooby Doo's Velma -- in piñata form

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

Any doubts I had about whether the cartoony Honda Fit would get along with my neighbors were put to rest this morning. We ran into Velma on the way out of the driveway. She was all done up in paper mâche, and didn't say much, but behind that blank smile, I just know there's love and understanding for small, funky hatchbacks.

Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor, 7,781 miles

March 28, 2007

Honda Fit: Lefty-Centric Seat-Track Adjuster

2007 Honda Fit driver seat

Whenever I get into our Honda Fit, I always reach in the wrong place to move the seat on its track. Most cars with manual fore/aft adjustment either locate the lever on the lower right side of the seat, or they have a bar that goes all the way across. On the Fit, there's just a small lever on the left side. This would be great if I was left-handed but I'm not...

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March 26, 2007

Honda Fit: fill 'er up

I noticed the Fit's fuel gauge heading towards 'E' last night. Sure enough, the orange 'low fuel' light flicked on during this morning's commute.

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March 21, 2007

Honda Fit Gauges: Nice touch in a subcompact

2007 Honda Fit gauges - Erin Riches

Since when did the gauges in subcompact cars get so pretty? Not only are our long-term Honda Fit's gauges large, legible and illuminated in a lovely bright blue, they're recessed in their own individual binnacles -- not an ergonomic benefit per se, but certainly an aesthetic one.

To me, these gauges go a long way toward making the economy-biased Fit enjoyable to drive. One of the reasons I dislike my stepfather's '92 Civic VX hatchback, for instance, is the fact that its instruments are lit by a single tiny bulb with the luminosity of a xmas light -- makes the car feel dank and spooky at night...

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March 13, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Trading Some Paint

It was me. I did it.

It's a small scratch on the passenger side mirror. Not much, but I'm still embarassed...

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March 8, 2007

Honda Fit Sport: Sticks Are for Kids...

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
...of course I mean that in a good way. I know the Honda Fit Sport is available in automatic (with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles nonetheless), but I can't imagine that would be as much fun to drive as the stick-shift model. Something about zooming around traffic and flicking the gearshift to get that boost to pass that makes this little econocar go-kartlike. Sure it has just 109 horsepower and five gears to run through, but here it's not about the speed but about the zip...

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March 5, 2007

Honda Fit: Seating Position

Among the many user friendly features of the Honda Fit is its seats.  Thanks to what car designers call a "high hip point" (which means the seat cushion is rather high), it's easy to slide into the Fit, whether you're getting into one of the front or rear seats.  Another benefit of the higher seating position is the better view outward it allows.  Visibility out over the small hood and out to the sides is excellent and an asset when dealing with the cut and thrust of city driving.

Typical of a Honda, the Fit provides plenty of cubbies.  The open slot next to the parking brake is ideal for my wallet (I stopped leaving it in my back pocket when I started having lower back trouble).

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 5,850 miles.

 

  

February 26, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Lessons in Lightness

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

With a 2,471-lb curb weight spec for a manual-shift Honda Fit Sport, it shouldn't come as a surprise that our long-term car imparts a lightweight, unencumbered feel when you drive it. Over the weekend, though, I realized how Honda designers took care to ensure that this sensation comes across in virtually every detail. The doors, for instance, are super light, and thanks to their two detents, there's no chance of them whapping back on you in a tight parking lot.

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February 23, 2007

Honda Fit: Scheduled Service

I am an idiot. I know, I know, I hear you're howls of protest but let me convince you - no, really you need convincing.

I just spent more money on one compact disc than it cost to service the Honda Fit. It's a long story but let's just say I wasn't intending to "win" the auction and now my Pay Pal account is $45 lighter...

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February 21, 2007

I can't believe it FIT!

   I used the long-term Honda Fit for some heaving lifting duty yesterday. I knew I had one large package and several smaller boxes to move, but figured it would simply be a great way to test out the Fit's versatility. Well, it was. When I finally saw the box in question my first thought was, "I think I over-estimated the Fit's functionality." But then I folded the second-row seats into the floor and reclined the front passenger seat all-the-way back (it won't fold all-the-way forward like in a PT Cruiser). With that configuration the box fit -- barely.

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February 20, 2007

Fit Sport: The Honda That Zigs

Last weekend I spent a few days driving our long-term Toyota FJ Cruiser up in the mountains. Absolutely perfect for the job. Strong, torquey engine, big size, thick tires, lots of ground clearance. Perfect for the big country, the America of pick-ups and 4WD, of mountains and four-season weather...

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February 13, 2007

Honda Fit indifferent to flogging

 My heavy foot wasn't enough to dislodge the Fit's average fuel economy out of the low 30s. At its most recent fillup, it averaged 32 mpg for a tank driven entirely in my care.

That's pretty impressive, and there's no doubt it can do better if driven with economy in mind. I tend to drive "spirited-ly," so for me, 32 mpg may well be the highest fuel economy I've ever registered in a car...

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February 8, 2007

Honda Fit: I simply don't fit

Even though the following is lame, I just have to purge it from my brain: I'm unfit for the Fit. Why? I don't fit. And I'm tried of it.

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February 1, 2007

Honda Fit: Ultimate Space Efficiency

We all know that the Fit is perhaps the most entertaining econobox out there in terms of driving dynamics.  But equally impressive is its ease of use for carrying bulky items.  Fold the rear seats down and there's 42 cubic feet of cargo space available, about average for the class.  But unlike some small cars where the folded seatbacks angle upward, the Fit's cargo bay floor is nearly perfectly flat when in max hauling mode, making it easier to slide heavy items in from the rear hatch or side door openings.  

Another small but appreciated detail is the recessed grab handle to pull the hatch down, something that cost like $5 to incorporate into the car, but something not all budget hatchbacks have.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 4,318 miles.

 

January 29, 2007

Honda Fit: Big on Simplicity

There's a lot to be said for simplicity, especially when you're talking car audio controls. I recently spent time in our Mercedes-Benz R500 long-termer. I was trying to change channels on the radio, and for one dark moment (or two) I thought I was going to have to haul out the owner's manual. The owner's manual is great for discovering little secrets in your car's bag of tricks, but if you feel the need to use it for something as basic as changing channels on your car's radio, I don't think the car's designers have properly done their job...

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January 22, 2007

2007 Honda Fit's Little Annoyances

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
I was going to write yet another post about how much I like the Fit and how it's perfect for someone like me -- a single, city dweller -- but figure you've heard that all before so I'll just list off some small issues I encountered with Honda's little five-door when I had it this weekend...even though I still enjoyed driving it around. Mind you, I'm not just complaining for the sake of complaining. If these things annoyed me, they could annoy some small-car shopper out there.

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January 16, 2007

Honda Fit -- Through Thick and Thin

I love the Honda Fit. As I've said before, it's quick, kinda cool looking, carries plenty of gear via its fold-flat seats, and sporty. And cheap. Everything it sets out to do...

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January 9, 2007

Honda Fit: Zip & Go = Fun in the City

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
Yesterday I wrote about how I had such a jerky ride in the Miata and wondered if that was due to my long break from driving stick. But last night when I took the Fit home I had a different experience. In the Honda, my unfamiliarity with stick wasn't really an issue as the clutch was easier to work. I felt confident dancing around slower-moving cars with the Honda's quick shifter and light clutch...

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January 2, 2007

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Pound for pound, the most practical car in our fleet

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

Laundry and a major cleanup project in my apartment took up much of the holiday weekend. Mundane stuff, sure, but my days weren't at all unpleasant and our Honda Fit had a lot to do with that. With few exceptions, this is the perfect city car for me. Not only does it fit anywhere I care to park it, it has rear seats that can fold down or up -- and this makes all the difference...

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December 28, 2006

Honda Fit: Winter Winds Bat It Around Like a Cat Toy

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

I've written about how adroitly our long-term Honda Fit handles when picking through city traffic, but last night, high crosswinds on the I-5 and 405 freeways made it feel more like the budget subcompact it is.

With its lightweight body (about 2,500 lbs) and tall, flat exterior panels, the Fit was an easy target for what must have been 40-mph gusts. Reduced speed and considerable steering correction were necessary to keep it from wandering into other lanes.

Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor, 3,750 miles

December 20, 2006

Fit Grumble: Poor Driving Position

2007 Honda Fit steering wheel and driver seat - Erin Riches

OK, here's the one thing I really don't like about our Honda Fit (and you're sure to hear this from other editors as well): The steering wheel is mounted very close to the dash and it doesn't telescope. For someone like me, who's of average height (5-foot-10), this means you either need collapsible legs or super stretchy arms to find a comfortable driving position. Which is to say I've never found a truly comfortable driving position in the Fit.

Of course, the Fit occupies a price-sensitive part of the market, so I've tried to think of what other amenities I'd be willing to give up to get a telescoping steering wheel...

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December 19, 2006

Bemoaning the 2007 Honda Fit's MPG

Last night I drove the Fit home and then back to work again. Since I own my own Fit I was interested to see if the mileage was comparable. In my Fit, driven mostly by my wife in an around-town setting, we get about 26 mpg -- a far cry from the 33 mpg the EPA estimates for city mileage. My commute in the Edmunds.com Fit was about 62 miles and it had 71 miles on it when I filled it up due to some around town driving...

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December 18, 2006

Honda Fit - The Anti-SUV

I have had the altogether pleasant opportunity to drive our 2007 Honda Fit Sport the last few days.  The Fit is classified as a subcompact, which in real-world terms, means really really really small. Lilliputian, if you will. But inside it's actually quite large. I'm a big fella, 6'1 and about 205 pounds, and I had plenty of room and GOBS of headroom as well...

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December 8, 2006

Fit Fixed

The crying and gnashing of teeth -- not to mention the harsh accusations -- can cease now. The Fit is Fixed. I picked up our 2007 Honda Fit Sport from Burke Auto Body in Long Beach, California, and you can never tell it got hit. All's right with the world again...

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December 5, 2006

Honda Fit - Tighten the Fuel Cap, or Else

Starting up the Honda Fit this morning I am greeted with a "check fuel cap" warning on the IP. I get out of the car to check it out and sure enough, its not screwed on tight - - guess that means the warning did its job. Only setback now is that the light keeps flashing even though the problem is fixed.

The owner's manual says "it will take several days of normal driving for the vehicle to turn the warning off." That's a lot of help. I have to press the select/reset button every time I start the car to make it go away until the car decides it's ready to reset...

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December 1, 2006

2007 Honda Fit: I Like Your Personality

2007 Honda Fit Sport - Erin Riches

I've been driving our Fit Sport for the last several days, and we're getting along great. This car drives like it's half a class above the other subcompacts (Versa, Yaris, Rio5 and Aveo), and the way it moves through traffic reminds me of an '02-'06 Mini Cooper. No question, the Honda lacks the Mini's sharp responses, but I had a lot of fun with it as I sped up LA's 110 freeway (which gets twisty as you near Pasadena). The Fit gets around turns with little body roll and provides unexpectedly good feedback to its driver. And it manages to do this without ruining the ride quality -- impressive for a car with a pretty basic suspension design...

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November 29, 2006

Long-Term Fit Gets Hit

2007 Honda Fit Sport right rear bumper - Erin Riches

Our long-term Honda Fit received its first battle scars in the war called Driving in LA. This morning as I was turning right into a Chevron station, a BMW 5 Series sedan ('97-'03 generation) nipped our hatchback's right rear corner. Mr. Bimmer was making a right on red from the side street adjacent to the gas station and evidently was in too much of a hurry to wait for the Fit to complete the turn...

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2007 Honda Fit: Parking Valets Take Advantage of its Small Dimensions

2007 Honda Fit valet parked - Erin Riches

On my way into the unveiling of the 2008 Buick Enclave last night, I left our long-term Honda Fit in the care of the parking valets at Art Center. When I returned for it, I spotted it here wedged between a couple of news vans and an old Explorer. Evidently, it's not just the Fit owner who reaps the benefits of the car's small size.

Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor

November 28, 2006

Fit Beauty is in the Details

The Fit is full of compromises - it needs more power, lacks even basic features like a sun visor mirror and can be noisy on the highway. But Fit owners will likely NOT feel short changed as the car is full of little details that give the clear impression that the Fit is something special. The Sport's stereo is impressive for the price, the blue gauges add an upscale flair and little things like the dot over the "i" in Fit help the car to ditch a low buck image.

Plus, after a long holiday weekend of errand running and shopping I used a little more than half a tank of gas...

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November 22, 2006

Not "Fit" for LA Freeways

It's been a long time since I've reached for the A/C button hoping to get just a wee bit more power by turning it off but that's exactly how I felt today as I tried to make the carpool lane before the double yellow lines kicked in. Sure I could just cross anyway like everyone else but that's just plain wrong and we all know it. I could also wind the little Fit up to redline in hopes of gaining a little extra grunt but OOOhhhh the racket. The Fit's a great city car though...

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November 21, 2006

2007 Honda Fit Sport: Winning Over the Claustrophobic

Photo by Caroline Pardilla
I really liked this car, surprisingly enough. I thought it was going to be claustrophobic since it looks so small from the outside and that the materials would be cheapy but I was pleasantly surprised. The materials are actually a better quality than what one would expect from a $15K car. Love that leather-wrapped steering wheel...

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November 17, 2006

Honda Fit: Catch that wiener

This morning I'm driving to work in our long-term Honda Fit, listening to Rush and minding my own business when out of no-where the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile blew my doors off. The big bad wiener on wheels went by so fast it almost sucked the little Fit right off the road. Next time I run into that weiner I hope I'm driving something with a little more guts. The Fit might be fuel efficient, but it's no hot dog, er, I mean hot rod...

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November 13, 2006

They all Fit

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to let one of my large friends drive our long-term Honda Fit around a parking lot. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but this particular friend is 6'6" tall and the Fit is a subcompact. It was an opportunity for humor, or so I thought.

Not so...

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