Long-Term Road Tests
2007 Honda Fit Sport
July 14, 2008
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
- Permalink | Comments (22)
- Posted by: Dan Edmunds July 14, 2008, 6:00 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
July 9, 2008
Good 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
- Permalink | Comments (31)
-
- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon July 9, 2008, 12:35 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
June 11, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (1)
-
- Posted by: Kurt Niebuhr June 11, 2008, 2:31 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
June 10, 2008
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
- Permalink | Comments (11)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue June 10, 2008, 4:16 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
June 4, 2008
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.
- Permalink | Comments (23)
-
- Posted by: Dark Helmet June 4, 2008, 5:25 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
May 27, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd May 27, 2008, 3:45 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
May 21, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Kurt Niebuhr May 21, 2008, 11:00 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
May 5, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (9)
-
- Posted by: May 5, 2008, 3:01 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
April 28, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Warren Clarke April 28, 2008, 2:25 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
April 14, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (5)
-
- Posted by: Joanne Helperin April 14, 2008, 10:35 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
April 7, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (23)
-
- Posted by: April 7, 2008, 6:44 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
March 31, 2008
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
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (44)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue March 31, 2008, 4:45 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
March 20, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (20)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue March 20, 2008, 2:22 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
March 18, 2008
Dash rattle so soon?
Coming from the center stack.
Japan-made. What gives?
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 22,509 miles
- Permalink | Comments (32)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue March 18, 2008, 10:07 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
February 26, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (22)
-
- Posted by: Joanne Helperin February 26, 2008, 4:18 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
February 12, 2008
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?..
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Michelle Magoffin February 12, 2008, 4:12 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
February 11, 2008
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Erin Riches February 11, 2008, 3:07 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
February 4, 2008
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
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: scompton February 4, 2008, 2:29 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
January 24, 2008
"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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (21)
-
- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla January 24, 2008, 1:35 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
January 22, 2008
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.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (40)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath January 22, 2008, 4:57 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
January 7, 2008
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.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: johnnyturbo January 7, 2008, 2:26 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
December 21, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: December 21, 2007, 1:50 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
December 13, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (46)
-
- Posted by: Kelly Toepke December 13, 2007, 2:54 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
December 11, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (26)
-
- Posted by: December 11, 2007, 11:08 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
December 10, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (23)
-
- Posted by: December 10, 2007, 12:20 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
November 29, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (26)
-
- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd November 29, 2007, 12:34 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
November 27, 2007
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'...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Kurt Niebuhr November 27, 2007, 11:44 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
November 5, 2007
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.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (16)
-
- Posted by: Jay Kavanagh November 5, 2007, 12:47 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
October 18, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (12)
-
- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd October 18, 2007, 11:47 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
October 1, 2007
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
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: scompton October 1, 2007, 6:16 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
September 25, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (6)
-
- Posted by: Warren Clarke September 25, 2007, 1:26 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
September 20, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Erin Riches September 20, 2007, 11:23 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
September 7, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Karl Brauer September 7, 2007, 10:18 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 28, 2007
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.
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: johnnyturbo August 28, 2007, 9:36 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 23, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (10)
-
- Posted by: August 23, 2007, 4:43 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 20, 2007
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.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (11)
-
- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla August 20, 2007, 12:21 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 15, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (10)
-
- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla August 15, 2007, 5:28 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 13, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (9)
-
- Posted by: JRiz August 13, 2007, 5:21 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
August 6, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Warren Clarke August 6, 2007, 12:11 PM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
July 25, 2007
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...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Erin Riches July 25, 2007, 10:16 AM
- Categories: 2007 Honda Fit Sport
July 23, 2007
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...