1st Apr 2007, 08:51

Sorry, but I test drove the Fit long before I ever saw a brochure. It was vastly superior to anything offered by the domestics and is what a pocket rocket used to be - small engine and great handling.

You'll also have to explain how the Fit is barebones given it has power windows, door locks, mirrors, an MP3 stereo, and lots of other features not found on the base models of both the Aveo and the Cobalt to name a few.

1st Apr 2007, 11:59

"As usual, you are distorting the argument. "

Nope. The claim was that the Honda engine must be more sophisticated than domestic vehicles because it has OBDII. So you're admitting that is not the case, now?

1st Apr 2007, 12:02

"You cannot compare a Ford Explorer to the Fit..."

You are correct. The Explorer is meant for a different purpose, and is far superior to the Fit for that purpose. However, there was no direct comparison between an Explorer and Fit, only the statement of fact that the Explorer also has OBDII, in response to the comment that suggested only Honda had OBDII.

1st Apr 2007, 12:04

"This is my opinion and I do favor my 1994 Accord 5-speed with 255,000 miles"

That's great, your Accord has almost as many miles as my Dodge.

1st Apr 2007, 13:05

Until the Civic is hit by an Explorer, in which case it's the Explorer that will be driving away while the Civic is hauled to the junkyard and you are driven to the hospital. Safe? Uh-huh, sure.

Want to talk about passing gas stations? I'll even give you a break and compare my older 2002 to brand new 2007 Honda and Toyota.

Ford Explorer (6 cyl) : 17 city/23 hwy mpg (this is what I get in mine)

Honda's truck-based 4WD SUV: oops, they don't have one! Sorry! Let's pretend it's the CRV (4 cyl) : 17 city/24 hwy mpg.

Honda's (again let's pretend it's an SUV) Pilot (6 cyl) : 17 city/22 hwy mpg.

Toyota 4Runner (6 cyl) : 17 city/21 hwy mpg.

Toyota FJ Cruiser (6 cyl) : 17 city/21 hwy mpg.

Toyota Highlander (6 cyl) : also not a real 4WD, 18 city/24 hwy mpg.

Toyota Landcruiser (8 cyl) : 13 city/17 hwy mpg.

Toyota Sequoia (8 cyl) : 15 city/18 hwy.

Oh yes, clearly the Explorer is sooOOOooo much more of a gas guzzler compared to any Toyota or Honda that even remotely claims to be a 4WD SUV--NOT! The Explorer beats the pants off the mileage of the Landcruiser and Sequoia, the only vehicles even close to the same size as the Explorer. Not only that, but the Explorer gets comparable mileage to the Toyota and Honda 4-cylinders, and BEATS the Toyota and Honda 6-cylinders. So, you were saying about gas stations?

1st Apr 2007, 13:12

"Toyota Landcruiser (8 cyl) : 13 city/17 hwy mpg.

Toyota Sequoia (8 cyl) : 15 city/18 hwy"

Toyota is really pathetic. Hell, my +20-year-old V-8 Dodge truck gets better than that, and that's with a carburetor! What's all this talk about Toyota quality and efficiency, when their 2007 models can't even beat an old, high-mileage American V-8?

1st Apr 2007, 17:39

And the commenter needs to stop reading the auto section in the Detroit paper. The Fit has been on the road for five years now and is just as fresh today as it was back in 2002. These cars lead the pack right now when hansomely packaged.

1st Apr 2007, 19:50

"Thanks, but I'll take the safe, economical, and blast to drive Civic"

Safe... fairly, economical... very, blast to drive... nope even the SI isn't a "blast" to drive. The regular civic is about as humdrum as it gets other than it's good looks and the SI is enjoyable to drive and balances economy and sport fairly well, but it's by no means a blast to drive. To get a blast out of a Honda you need to look towards the s2000 which is not safe or economical, but it is a blast to drive.

2nd Apr 2007, 07:58

You obviously have a very very different definition of "blast" than I do. Mine does not include raw speed, but HANDLING, and the Fit certainly qualifies. Just ask Car and Driver.

2nd Apr 2007, 14:19

Yeah, your 20 year old Dodge gets better mileage than that. Give me a break. Look up EPA ratings for Dodge and for Toyota. Dodge doesn't even make cars that approach the kind of fuel efficiency that Toyota's hybrids and non-hybrid compact cars get. They never did.

2nd Apr 2007, 17:36

13:05 Google searching EPA ratings clearly show the FACTS: an '02 Explorer, when it was BRAND NEW got 15 city/20 highway!

That's WORSE than every import you named, other than the Landcruiser and the Sequoia, which, as you stated ARE V8'S!!

Oh, but YOUR Explorer, after 6 years (over life expectancy for a Ford engine) gets BETTER mileage than all of these. This is too funny.

Oh, and by the way, I guess you left out the Highlander hybrid, that gets 32/27. But in YOUR bizarro world, does that mean that your Exploder gets better mileage than that, too?

2nd Apr 2007, 17:58

You know your Explorer is getting 17/23 on your driving standards... and the Dodge Truck, etc. If you actually drove those Toyota's or Honda's like you did your Explorer you would get even better mileage. My 94 Accord is only supposed to get 32 miles per gallon, but I can really push it to get 41. As for the Civic owner needing to get transported to the hospital I do not believe it. For one, the Explorer would roll over on its right side. If you actually look at crash data on NHTSA you will see that the Civic is tested on the sides and front with a barrier that represents a truck size object and it does just fine. It helps to have the ACE structure system. Guys I know its hard to see Toyota and Honda blowing Ford and GM into the dust, but whining won't do anything about it.

2nd Apr 2007, 19:08

Yeah, Car and Driver said the fit handles very well for an ECONOMY car, but if you look at the skidpad and handling characteristics, you'll see it's a far cry from many sport oriented family sedans, never mind sports cars. And if your definition of "blast" doesn't include speed, handling, and RWD or AWD, you need to find a new word because you need a well rounded and capable vehicle to really have fun on your favorite empty road.

3rd Apr 2007, 07:27

"If you actually drove those Toyota's or Honda's like you did your Explorer you would get even better mileage."

Really? Strange, then, that everybody complains how they can never achieve the EPA mileage posted. I guess your Honda Accord must have one of the defective odometers that makes it look as though you get huge mpg.

3rd Apr 2007, 11:28

Wow, all these comparisons of high gas mileage. Can't wait until gas hits $4/gallon this summer (it's already $3.50/gallon here) and see how much you're bragging.

For me, I'll take the Fit and average 33 mpg.

3rd Apr 2007, 11:35

Oh, then you'll have to explain how the "lowly" Fit beat a Ferrari through Car and Driver's slalom test.

Funny that.

3rd Apr 2007, 11:37

Sorry, but if you actually read my post I said my definition INCLUDED handling and not raw horsepower.

I've owned AWD, FWD, and RWD cars, and virtually all were great to drive. Each had its own fun characteristics since I don't buy boring cars. The Fit, which I took on an extremely windy test drive through endless switchbacks, fit my definition perfectly.