Bobzilla wrote: Honda's never really been a leader in bringing new tech to market. They've always been more of a "lets LET someone else figure it out and then after the bugs are gone we'll do it too." type of car company.
That's pretty much all Japanese automakers. (Well, with one notable exception)
so ANYWAYS! I have always wanted to DD a Fit Sport, possible to get low 40's MPG and i think they look awesome lowered with some rims, they just need boost... how are they on the autox
Honda has a history of trickling down tech from it's racing programs and bringing new tech to market. The aforementioned NSX (first all aluminum monocoque, proprietary VTEC), the Prelude 4ws (worlds first mechanical 4 wheel steering available in a mass production car), the first fuel efficient 4 stroke outboard motor, the first electric variable gear ratio steering. I haven't been into bikes for a while, but there's probably a couple of "firsts" there as well.
At the time, (late 80's early 90's) I think Mitsubishi was the only other Japanese company that was truly being innovative, mass production wise (VR4/awd, 4ws, active aero etc).
The potential challenge(s) with a Fit Si is that by the time that it would get here, the car will have 'evolved' to the size of a Civic.
tjbell wrote: so ANYWAYS! I have always wanted to DD a Fit Sport, possible to get low 40's MPG and i think they look awesome lowered with some rims, they just need boost... how are they on the autox
I'm not sure how that would be possible to achieve while not being a moving roadblock. I would love boost in a fit.
I'm thinking that milage in the 40's would be tough … my Mom has a 2013 Fit (bought new) base model …and the best I can get is low to mid 30's ( 33 - 36) … the best Mom can get is mid to upper 20's .. but she does use the accelerator like an on/off switch .. but at 90 yrO she doesn't drive it much anymore (disclaimer: it is an automatic… I think I could do a bit better if it were a manual)
wvumtnbkr wrote:Datsun310Guy wrote: In reply to Jarod: x2 As I drive my 2011 Accord 5-speed I think this all the time. How about a light weight Accord Si with more 4-cylinder hp and a better suspension and exhaust.Mazda 6?
I am considering this car when my Accord cannot fit into our sales car program (Mar, 2017)
I think Honda is still a bit tied up with this:
There is a Fit RS in Japan, but I think it's more of an appearance package.
A stock Fit Sport is a lively ride, although the next generation is alleged to be much softer-sprung. Probably too many US-market complaints about it being too harsh. 
Looking back on the late-80s to early 2000s glory days of Honda is a bummer because they've lost their spirit of greatness.
I've logged about 1000 miles in my sister's Fit Sport. Granted, it's not a manual which would have helped my opinion of it, but even with, I don't think I'd like it. It's a neat appliance and drives reasonably well. But... it's slow, doesn't handle as great as I expected it to after everything I've heard about them, mileage I got on a trip to NY and back in it was about 32 and at highway speeds, watch out if it's windy. It was moved around so much in the wind, I'd bet I'd feel it if the guy in the lane next to me farted.
Great use of space, easy to park, pretty good fuel mileage. That's about all I liked about it.
I've just met with Honda Performance Development out in California----- don't worry--- Honda hasn't forgotten about the enthusiast. You know, you can buy HPD parts from the factory to hop-up your existing car. (ala Ford Racing's program)
http://hpd.honda.com/street-performance/
HPD will also be introducing a few things at SEMA that will interest you guys......seriously!
I see avg mpg 31 on my 2013 Fit Sport MT. I wind it out to 4k rpm just to get up to speed. It's the most fun cheap/comfy new car, but not my ideal DD. I thought I could beat the EPA estimates, but not in this area doing my particular commute. If it had power like a B13 SE-R I would like it a lot more.
31? Holy crap! I'm averaging that out of my much heavier "big block" car!
Advan046 wrote: I think Honda is still a bit tied up with this:
Now that's a Honda I'd buy!
clutchsmoke wrote: I see avg mpg 31 on my 2013 Fit Sport MT. I wind it out to 4k rpm just to get up to speed. It's the most fun cheap/comfy new car, but not my ideal DD. I thought I could beat the EPA estimates, but not in this area doing my particular commute. If it had power like a B13 SE-R I would like it a lot more.
FWIW, in the warm months, my wife gets 36-38 out of her AT 2010 Sport. Dips to 32-33 in the winter.
Semi-related rant:
The '15 Fit finally gets a six-speed manual. But did they put the extra gear at the top, to relax the highway revs?
Nooooooooooo... they stuck the extra gear somewhere in the middle, so you can still run at 4000RPM on the highway.
FAIL.
I average 35 city to 41 highway MPG in my '09 Fit base model. For what it is worth.
With taller snow tires on my 5 speed manual '07 Fit Sport I routinely see close to 40 MPG when I drive for mileage. When I drive aggressively, I get 35+. On my lower profile summer tires, I'm closer to 31. I'm always aggressive in the summer.
Oh, by the way. American Honda, you suck. The new Fit and the new Accord are unavailable with factory installed satellite radio when you get a manual transmission. WTF is that all about? And you limit the Accord to two lousy colors with the stick? So you really don't want enthusiasts to buy or recommend your cars any longer?
I loved ours, but yeah, 50 extra hp would've made it much more fun. I've never driven a stock car that had more crisp steering feel/response.
There is a supercharger kit. And a lot of guys are swapping the 1st gens. There's a guy who works for Balanced Performance and runs at AMP with an H22(?) shoe-horned into a 1g. It is not slow.
Best fuel economy I ever saw was 35mpg. As others have mentioned, you're pinging along around 4k rpm in 5th gear at 75-80mph.
gamby wrote: There is a Fit RS in Japan, but I think it's more of an appearance package. .... Looking back on the late-80s to early 2000s glory days of Honda is a bummer because they've lost their spirit of greatness.
The RS gets rear disks at least.
I love the '10 Fit I got a couple months back. My E36 M3 has only made it out of the garage about 8 times since July. I spent a couple grand in wheels/tires/suspension on top of the purchase price that I'd probably want to do to an SI version anyhow. It's got great steering without any dead zone on center, and it's narrow and light. You can cover ground very quickly without being stupid. It's everything I liked about hondas and vws in the 80s/90s.
I just got back from a 1,900 mile trip up to the tip of the upper peninsula with the wife, two kids, and backpacking+car camping gear for a week. The car was awesome. Averaged 35 mpg on the trip, and more like 37 on the 2-lane roads, and that was with me driving it pretty hard.
Raised up on the coilovers, I went down some pretty nasty 'seasonal' roads with deep ruts and water. It took a little over 2 hours to go 16 miles on one of 'em. I caught and passed a half dozen SUVs and nobody caught me. The look on the faces of some of those drivers was priceless. On some challenging mountain roads (narrow, broken pavement, damp, humpy) I couldn't have gone anywhere near as fast in my bimmer. Also the first time I've had it on smooth, twisty gravel roads and the thing was glorious. Always a little flick away from oversteer. The car is a hoot.
Anyhow, Honda has definitely lots its way on a lot of their recent cars, but the Fit ain't one of 'em. I had an '02 Civic SI and it was fine, but never spoke to me. Not much character. The Fit is feels much better. Another 50 hp would be cool, but that 115 hp gets used really well.
In reply to EvanR:
Are you for real? That was one of the big things it needed badly and they couldn't get it right. When I had my 07 Sport. I just got used to 4k spinning around 85 mph on the highway.
I averaged 32-38 mpg in mine. I was usually at 35 mpg for most tanks regardless of town or highway driving. FWIW, an aftermarket rear sway bar really helps it handle better. I miss the gas mileage and great handling but the Mazda 5 is a good trade off for space and room for 5 mpg less.
I had an 07 Fit sport AT. It seemed especially sensitive to driving technique, much moreso than any other car I've owned. If I just mashed my foot to the floor every time, I would keep up with traffic (finally) and see sub 30mpg. On the other hand I did several stints between Dallas and Austin, put cruise control on at 65mph and it returned 39mpg.
It's one of the few cars I regret selling.
SWMBO loves her new to her 08 FIT base 5spd. The only option I wish it had is cruise. Otherwise I look forward to inheriting this one when she replaces it in 5 years. Right now I have to make due with her hand me down 2000 civic ex with autotragic.
ppdd wrote:gamby wrote: There is a Fit RS in Japan, but I think it's more of an appearance package. .... Looking back on the late-80s to early 2000s glory days of Honda is a bummer because they've lost their spirit of greatness.The RS gets rear disks at least. I **love** the '10 Fit I got a couple months back. My E36 M3 has only made it out of the garage about 8 times since July. I spent a couple grand in wheels/tires/suspension on top of the purchase price that I'd probably want to do to an SI version anyhow. It's got great steering without *any* dead zone on center, and it's narrow and light. You can cover ground very quickly without being stupid. It's everything I liked about hondas and vws in the 80s/90s. I just got back from a 1,900 mile trip up to the tip of the upper peninsula with the wife, two kids, and backpacking+car camping gear for a week. The car was awesome. Averaged 35 mpg on the trip, and more like 37 on the 2-lane roads, and that was with me driving it pretty hard. Raised up on the coilovers, I went down some pretty nasty 'seasonal' roads with deep ruts and water. It took a little over 2 hours to go 16 miles on one of 'em. I caught and passed a half dozen SUVs and nobody caught me. The look on the faces of some of those drivers was priceless. On some challenging mountain roads (narrow, broken pavement, damp, humpy) I couldn't have gone anywhere near as fast in my bimmer. Also the first time I've had it on smooth, twisty gravel roads and the thing was glorious. Always a little flick away from oversteer. The car is a hoot. Anyhow, Honda has definitely lots its way on a lot of their recent cars, but the Fit ain't one of 'em. I had an '02 Civic SI and it was fine, but never spoke to me. Not much character. The Fit is feels much better. Another 50 hp would be cool, but that 115 hp gets used really well.
A couple of years ago, we took my wife's 2010 Sport (on winter tires) from RI to CT in a decent snowstorm. It was a beast and I was also getting quite self-righteous about the SUVs in the median. 
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