Quote:
Originally Posted by ElVee
First of all, nice job on your Fit, and super thanks for sharing. I've seen this thread before, but never really digested it much. Until...
So, this week I got my '03 Mitsu Eclipse GTS looked at as it's been having some issues. Unfortunately, I'm looking at about a $2000 bill for some work, and that just doesn't make any sense. The Eclipse is my winter/storm/beater DD and I've owned it since new in '02.
So now I'm in the market for a replacement and have started looking around used and eventually got into looking at new leases on something like a Fit and got really interested. So I remembered this thread so came back here and am starting off my research on whether this will work or not for me. Any time I see a Fit, I pretty much say to myself that it's a nice looking subcompact hatch for people who want that. I'vealso lived next to a girl who had one, and I really liked the look (sort of a dark blue/black color).
I'm eyeballing a manual Fit Sport, color undetermined. I don't know how to drive manual, and a lease would let me do so on someone else's risk. The lease is cheap, and I'd probably have a buy-out option at the end if I end up really liking the car. So far, finding a manual version is pretty hard compared to all the autos, but an auto with paddles is not the end of the world.
I live in the midwest, so really snow is the biggest deal for my winter DD, and looking up other reviews, seems dedicated snow tires+wheels sounds perfectly doable, as long as I'm not lowering it and dropping the clearance.
Otherwise, small vehicle with good gas mileage, surprising cargo space, ability to handle winter, and a relatively cheap monthly cost on a lease has me kinda excited/interested in it. It's a bit of a bonus to know the car can still be fun to drive. (Note: I'm not so dense to not have fun in a small, "underpowered" car that you can toss around; I'll take a Miata over something more powerful than my Z most any day!) And I don't have to dive into the used car market and roll the dice on replacing a car with some big maintenance issues with another car with some big maintenance issues.
Anyway, thought I'd share, and say hi!
|
Awesome, sounds like you are definitely on the right path.
Couple of things I would consider. Try to buy it instead of leasing it, I think once you own the car it will really grow on you and the great combination of practicality and fun to drive factor combined with great MPG's and ridiculous amount of storage space is hard to beat. If you can get it pre-owned that would even be better since the Fit has been known to be pretty bulletproof in terms of overall reliability.
I drive a 2010, not much real difference between the 2009-2010 GE8's vs the 2012-2013 GE8's except that the availability of aftermarket aero parts is less with the 2012-2013.
Colorwise, I would stick with white or a shade of silver. Keep away from the red since it is notoriously difficult to take care of.
Transmission wise, the AT in the Fit is very responsive and the steering wheel mounted shift paddles in the Sport models are surprisingly quick shifting.
Power-wise, I have always thought that it was more than enough considering how small the car is. Adding a set of lightweight wheels and a good set of tires will go a long way with this car and the handling is where it really shines.
Winter-weather wise, I know of tons of members from the Fit forum who use their car year round and just run a set of winter wheels and tires without issue at all.
A couple of other things to consider from my research of other vehicles:
The Nissan Note is a great car as well and very similar in overall package to the Fit but you will have a harder time finding one used so you will end up having to settle for buying one New. My other serious option was the Juke but I was trying to hold out for the Juke NISMO which would have been alot more than I paid for my car.
My suggestion is to go out and test drive the car and see if you like it.