16th Mar 2007, 17:58

"Those that blow up their Civics should know that they do require maintenance"

Problem is I lemon lawed my Civic at 6k miles so I never even quite had the chance to abuse it. And FYI the GM LS2 6.0 liter V-8 needs no more maintenance than your average Honda 4 banger, and can still get 25+ mpg on the highway while still delivering 400 horsepower when called upon.

16th Mar 2007, 21:36

Our vehicles are all maintained exactly the same. The imports broke down WAYYYY more often (and SOONER) than the domestics. Gee, I guess they were just too "sophisticated" for their own good.

17th Mar 2007, 18:26

So judging by what you say, the Honda Fit's engine and the Buick's engine are made on different planets. The truth of the matter is that if you call the electronics sophisticated, you are calling them overly complicated and finicky, which when summed up in a word, comes out to be BAD.

18th Mar 2007, 10:04

18:26 thinks we are living in 1975.

Sorry, but EVERY modern engine has electronics and lots of them. It is required BY LAW in America among other countries.

You obviously have not looked under the hood of any car for at least a generation. Suggest you start. You'll be amazed at the level of sophistication.

19th Mar 2007, 16:13

Actually I know I'm living in 2007, and I know that there are lots of complex electronics in every car now, but answer me this. Are the electronics part of the engine, or are they just part of what makes it work? I'm talking about the build of the motor alone, not anything attached or otherwise related to it. You can still take just about any engine, pull all the electronics and fuel injection systems off of it, and still run it with a carburetor in their place, not that I think cars should be built that way or anything, but it just goes to show that all the electronics and the like are separate from the engine.

20th Mar 2007, 08:43

SO 16:13's latest argument is that all engines are the same and we really haven't made any progress since the Model T other than "add ons".

I'm sure BMW, Honda, Ferrari and the rest would totally agree. NOT.

20th Mar 2007, 16:13

I'm really curious about where you will take a Honda Fit camping! The parking lot at your apartment? The back yard when the kids have a sleepover? Surely no place accessible by a road with any rut deeper than 2 inches. Now the Fit is being billed as an SUV? These statements just get more incredulous with every day. Next someone will say that the Fit converts into a canoe for whitewater rafting and has hovercraft capability. Talk about starry-eyed.

21st Mar 2007, 12:35

16:13; Where I camp has lakeside parking.

It doesn't matter what you drive, you'll get to where I park, then you walk 100 yards to the site.

Like I said, I've been there before and been caught in the rain with a sub-par tent, and had to sleep in my vehicle. The Fit will be great, because I'll be able to stretch out in it as the seats fold down completely flat, and you have almost 8 feet of length to lie in.

Also, it has plenty of room inside to haul all my gear where it will stay warm and dry, unlike the bed of my truck, as I don't want to spend $1200 on a truck cap.

Great car for a long trip, fun car to buzz around town in, fantastic gas mileage, and above all; it's a Honda. No wonder they can't make them fast enough. I can't even find one to test drive again.

22nd Mar 2007, 17:23

"and above all; it's a Honda."

Yeah and?

23rd Mar 2007, 05:18

17:23; If you have to ask, you'll never know.

24th Mar 2007, 15:22

"If you have to ask, you'll never know."

I've owned a honda before and found it to be fairly unremarkable so I guess I never will know.

25th Mar 2007, 07:04

Oh, geez, you think Honda is the only car with on-board diagnostics?? Give me a break. That has been standard on virtually every new car since the '90's.

25th Mar 2007, 09:04

You need to explain what you mean by "unremarkable". Hondas used to be fun cars to drive, but then they veered towards more American in driving - floaty and not fun.

Now Honda is bringing excitement back with the Fit and the upcoming Accord coupe.

26th Mar 2007, 15:55

Well I briefly had a 2006 Honda Civic LX Coupe and in no way was it fun to drive, nor was it comfortable. It was just your basic economy car i.e. totally unremarkable in all aspects.

And how can the Fit be fun to drive with 109 HP? It could handle better than an F1 car and it still wouldn't be fun to drive with such little power, but it basically handles like any other FWD box class vehicle.

The Accord Coupe could be interesting though, but Honda will have to step up the power to about 270 or more HP, and use RWD or AWD to be competitive and truly fun to drive.

30th Mar 2007, 12:54

I have owned my FIT for over a month now and am so very pleased. I have filled the tank at least 10 times and have not dropped below 38MPG. One take got 41.2MPG!!! My driving is 50/50 city/hwy and I guess I drive 'normally' - rarely exceeding 75MPH - mostly 55-65MPH. This car has absolutely no problem keeping up in traffic. The car has a good 'feel' to it and is very much fun to drive (SPORT/AT). There are so many 'extras' on the car for the money... I shopped around prior to buying and the Fit, while a bit more expensive than other cars in its class, was still the best of the lot in my opinion.

I would recommend this auto to anyone - highly. I do love this car.

30th Mar 2007, 15:56

Sorry, but you are talking separate vehicles. The Civic is designed for comfort, the Fit is designed for fun.

Horsepower is not the end all/be all definition of fun. I had an 89 Civic Si with 108 hp and that car was a blast. There are legions of CRX fans who would kill for a 108 hp CRX because of its amazing road abilities.

The Fit is an incredible car.

30th Mar 2007, 18:22

I guess since my 2002 Ford Explorer has OBDII, you're saying that the 4.0 L SOHC V-6 is equally as sophisticated as the Honda Fit? Okay, but personally I like my Ford better.

31st Mar 2007, 08:50

As usual, you are distorting the argument. The claim by an alleged mechanic was that there was no such thing as a sophisticated engine.

And why would you like a vehicle that is more likely to kill or injure your occupants more than any other vehicle on the road?

Thanks, but I'll take the safe, economical, and blast to drive Civic - the car that drives passed both gas stations and hospitals, unlike the Explorer.

31st Mar 2007, 10:01

Hondaphiles need to read something besides Honda dealer brochures. There is NOTHING remarkable about the Civic OR the Fit. Both are bare-bones basic transportation appliances that are slow, uncomfortable and boring. To call a Fit "fun" is like calling Pee Wee Herman a body-builder.

31st Mar 2007, 21:03

You cannot compare a Ford Explorer to the Fit...The Explorer is a heavy weight truck with unresponsive engines. The Fit while not a slugger is a go kart that is fun to drive. This is my opinion and I do favor my 1994 Accord 5-speed with 255,000 miles