Sorry to have to make a new thread, but anyhow, I went to the Richmond Auto Mall in BC to look at the Fit, look gorgeous in person.
But the salesperson says since the Fit is lightweight, it will be unstable and affected by winds and large trucks on the highway. How true is that? I might ocassionaly drive on highways.
I own a Fit and it is STABLE on the highway. I have had the car up to 80mph and it felt very stable. Don't forget the Fit is not that light a car (2432 to 2551 lbs) with pretty wide tires for such a small car. I haven't experienced any more trouble with large trucks and crosswinds with my Fit than with any other car I have owned.
I can't believe the sale person. That's pretty poor salemanship.
The salesperson says that the Fit is basically a city car and shouldn't go on highways. My dad is pretty much bought into it as well and thinks it's unsafe.
The salesperson tries to suggest me the Civic, which I really don't like.
I am trying to get response from Fit owners so that I can convince my dad that Fit is a safe car on highways.
I agree. The guy is just trying to get you to pay more. Your father should do research on his own instead of putting trust in a sales person.
Fit has 5 star safety rating. 6 Air bags. ABS/EBD. Look around the forum and you can find pictures of Fit crash testing. It's true that Fit is tuned for city, but that's engine/trans tuning not physical engineering.
Think of it this way. a 2500lb small car and a 3000lb large car means that the small car is more dense. In a crash density matters.
I have had a 1988 Civic Dx and I currently own a 1992 Civic Si. I have NEVER felt any problems with wind on the highway or any sensation of being blow around on the road by transport trucks. Keep in mind that the Fit weights even more than my Si. However, many automotive writers (and apparently some car salespeople) will speak incessantly about how unsafe and unstable smaller cars are on the highway. I think this is pure fallacy. Perhaps perpetrated to encourage people to buy into the notion that bigger cars are better. They are certainly more profitable.
You would fee the effect of crosswind, but it would have to be VERY strong. I used to feel it on an elevated tollway (in a honda city), in an area designated as a stong wind area. Under normal conditions I think you wouldn't have much trouble. Certainly not the the extent that it would make the car unsafe. I used to drive a 1500 pound mini in such areas without much problem (but that has a lower centre of gravity). Any concerns could be fixed with lowered springs and wider tyres/wheels.
When I test drove the Fit on a hwy a short while ago, I didn't notice any effects from wind. However, in a recent Toronto Star review, the reviewer did note some buffeting from crosswinds on the hwy, due to the Fit's height. He also recommended the Fit to be primarily a city car. He also said hwy noise seems high, which I have to concur from the test drive.
I've had a Fit some very high speeds under typhoon conditions when I lived in Okinawa, and that car didn't seem to care at all. It's an eerily stable car at any speed, but it does exhibit a startlingly quick initial turn-in response. The car loves to cut corners, but highway it just as comfortable.
The salesman wants to sell you a more expensive car... one that he's got LOTS of because AHM is making some 270K++ per year, while the Fit will only ship in under 60K this year and the profit is pretty thin.
Go drive the car. I've had Civics and Integras for eons... and I once put a CRX Si up to 120, the car felt a bit light, but it was NOT unstable at all. I've driven Civics, the early ones, that were something like 2200 lbs in horrendous conditions, wind, rain, trucks, etc... and never had problems with conditions.
In fact, the worst vehicle I ever drove for crosswinds was a rented late 90s Dodge Caravan. And one can attest that was a light vehicle. It was a heavy brick... yep, bad aerodynamics is what really causes wind problems, good aerodynamics ignore crosswinds.
Of course, my old '70 Datsun 510 was not good for crosswinds either, but that was an 1800 lb four door box.
Don't let fictions and lies color your judgment or your father's, the Fit is not a light car, it has better aerodynamics than my old Civics and has a full set of airbags.
Me thinks the only airbag you gotta watch out for is THAT salesman.
rayli wrote: Thanks for the response!
The salesperson says that the Fit is basically a city car and shouldn't go on highways. My dad is pretty much bought into it as well and thinks it's unsafe.
The salesperson tries to suggest me the Civic, which I really don't like.
I am trying to get response from Fit owners so that I can convince my dad that Fit is a safe car on highways.
Oh, I forgot... the 95 GSR was stable to red line, about 137mph indicated. And it only weighted about 2600 lbs or so. 2800 lbs perhaps.. Of course, that was done strictly for research under controlled conditions, you understand?
These are basically real-owners experiences for you to consider. Of course it's best to test drive the car on the highway if you are able to.
Firstly, please do bear in mind that the Civic is definitely going to be more stable than the Fit on the highway. It is after all a 'higher end' car. But what we are interested in is not which car is 'more stable', rather on the absolute sense, how stable and safe the Fit/Jazz is. Remember, my experiences are with the JDM/Asian Fit/Jazz which weighs around 1065kg or approx 2340lb 'only'.
I have owned my Jazz VTEC for around 2 years now. I have taken it up to 190kph (~118mph) without any feeling of floatiness or unstability. In fact the car felt safely planted on the road and really the only thing preventing me from continuing to gas it is a reminder that I am being stupid (going so fast on the public road in any car is stupid). I have driven many times on what you guys would call "out of town" trips, around 100mph one-way. At speed limits (110 - 120kph or around 70-75mph) and the Jazz VTEC felt very stable, safe and indeed comfortable. I was able to take the drive (100mph) for a wedding dinner, have the dinner, then drive the 100mph back without any feeling of tiredness. If the car is unstable or feelings unsafe, I most definitely would've been dead tired because I would have to be on my nerves throughout the journey because Malaysians in generaly speeds on the highway (I had to continuously cut out of the middle lane to overtake cars going at 80kph in a 110kph zone and then be sharp enough to cut back in to avoid hindering the incoming missles travelling at 150-160kph or 100mph). I have also taken the City (sedan version of the Jazz) i-DSI, with a full load of 5 adults, trunk-full of luggage (really filled to the brim) on a 150miles journey through the highways and up a mountain resort, without strain and with good comfort (noone complained of tiredness after the trip, we had a nice dinner when we reached home).
For longer journeys, I have friends who regularly drive up from Singapore which is located over 350km or around 220miles away through purely highway travel. Some of them averages 150-160kph for the trip (especially the heavily modified ones) and one friend of mine regular does this - wakes up early, drive up to the speedshop for some mods, then have lunch and drive back in the evening. No problems for him.
So in this case, my personal suggestion would be for you to test drive the Fit on the highways, together with your father, to really evaluate the opinions of the salesman. Remember the Fit will not be able to offer Civic level kind of performance on the highway not I have been overtaken or overtook heavy vehicles countless times and also driven over stretches of 'killer roads' with heavy cross-wind warnings and the Jazz have always felt more than stable enough. Actually unless you are being overtaken by a huge trailer or driving with a killer cross-wind, chances are you probably won't feel anything in the Jazz. In fact, the kind of heavy vehicles or crosswinds that will cause a reaction in the Jazz (or Fit), in my experience, will also cause some reaction in the Civic or even the Accord as well.
What about the performance when it's got a full load (passengers and cargo) and you're climbing up a hill? Does the Fit still have teh juice?
I test drove the car, and while I understand we're talking 109hp here, but it didnt' seem to have a very torquey feel. First gear was okay, but 2nd gear kinda let me down, and that was on a flat city road, so I'm curious to know what the experiences have been going up hill with a full Fit.
I have had several highway trip with my Fit loaded half full of kitchen cabinents (around ~300lbs worth) with A/C on and had to climb several fair sized hills. I have not felt the car to be underpowered. I do agree that 2nd seem to be slow, but I have found that this is more to do with a slow downshift. But if you quickly step on the gas the shift happens more rapidly and the car holds the gear longer. Makes for a huge difference. Just this weekend, I did that and my car shot from around 35-40mph to 80 in very very fast pace, scared myself a bit actually. Of course, if you have the paddle shifter you could just downshift manually and bang, off you go.
For that unfortunately you'll have to depend on when Jeff can come out with a proper review. The Fit/Jazz/City I have been driving are equipped with the CVT which can more or less change gear ratios on the spot to accomodate for most sane road/highway conditions.
Neverthless you might still be interested to know that I have gone up the 'standard' mountain resorts (~5,000m high) which many here uses as 'the test' for engine torque and have done so with a full load of 5 adults and a trunkfull of luggage (and a full tank of fuel), in an 88ps City i-DSI and I didn't even have to switch to S-mode, nor even had to WOT to overtake slower vehicles. The only cavert is that this is with a CVT (I didn't try the 7speed mode).
However, I realize that the USDM Fit/Jazz has either 5MT which to me should be more than adequate and a 5AT which I have absolutely no experience with. So unfortunately I regret I do not have any real life experience to share with you.
I can certainly say after driving a number of highway trips (3 round trips from Nashville to Chattanooga, 133 miles; 1 round trip from Nashville to Knoxville, 180 miles) I'm very comfortable with the Fit on the highway.
Both of those trips include plenty of tractor trailer rigs driving around me in addition to steep grades, both up and down. The engine noise hasn't bothered me and the general road noise has been quieter than I'm used to.
As for speed on the highway, I'd say my brand new speeding ticket can attest for that. I hopped four lanes, from the left to the right and was clocked in the middle at 86mph. Needless to say, I was being a bit of jackass and I deserved it, but it sure did feel comfortable!
When I ordered my Fit Sport (manual), I test drove a Fit Sport (auto) and it was very stable on the freeway - then again I only drove on the freeway for 5 minutes :)
When I had a roof rack on my old Civic, turbulence from tractor trailers with box trailers would make it shimmy at freeway speeds. I noticed the same thing yesterday driving the rental van I was using. The extra height of the Fit may have the same effect as the roof rack. If so, just back off another hundred feet and it goes away.
We have had our FIT S Automatic since June 6, and have had it on two trips to the southern Oregon Coast from the Porland Metreo area. It is a combination of freeway and two lane highway and this car is amazing. The southern Oregon Coast was very windy, but the FIT felt like it was on a rail. I experienced more wind stability problems in our old Mercedes ML320 than in this car. I started to cringe at the first fully loaded log truck that approached us on the two lane highway from Drain to Reedsport along the Umqua River, but the anticipation was in vain. Once again, handling was tight and no wind effect from the passing truck. I think that the salesman has never driven this car, or as others have suggested, the Civic is easier to get and has a higher profit built into it. Do NOT pay more than MSRP.
One more supporting statement.
I had my Fit Sport A/T on the highway (I-90) just two days ago. I took the car up to 90mph in the rain and the car felt rock solid. I actually wasn't gunning for that speed. I could not detect any difference in driving feel from 75mph on and wasn't watching the speedo and low and behold got to 90. Since it felt good at that speed, I stayed there for about 10 miles on the road. BTW, the rpm at that speed is somewhere between 3000 and 3500, the needle is about a third of above 3000 mark. Pretty amazing.
rayli wrote: But the salesperson says since the Fit is lightweight, it will be unstable and affected by winds and large trucks on the highway. How true is that? I might ocassionaly drive on highways.
Thanks!
He is correct. My old Civic was 2600 lbs and I had to grip my wheel tight whenever passing a 18 wheeler. You'll feel the effect.
But his true motive is getting you into a higher margin car. Truth be told, both Civic and Fit is only a few grand off each other depending on packages. But margin is way higher on locally made Civic vs Japanese made Fit. Hence his suggestion.
Try it out. As most say, it should be ok 99% of the time.
I agree with TonyE when he says that weight (lightweight in this case) has nothing to do with high-speed stability. I had a '94 Integra GS-R that I took up to 141mph indicated and it was completely stable. I had complete confidence at that speed, just as I did at 70mph.
You know those really lightweight F1 cars? How unstable are they at speed, huh?
Weight is only one factor in high-speed stability. Suspension, tires and aerodynamics are all just as important.
I'll give you my story. I have a 91 CRX. 2100 lbs. 175/70-13 economy tires. When I first bought it in 2001, I wanted to see what it would do. I got it up to about 110mph, and then backed off. It felt very unstable at that speed.
However, after upgrading the suspension with stiffer springs and a lower stance, and swapping out the wheels and tires for 195/50-15's, most of that went away. It felt ok at 115mph, but I didn't want to go any faster.
Then I addressed the aerodynamics with a stock front lip from an Si, and a JDM SiR rear wing. These changes are only noticeable at 95+ mph. It now feels completely solid and confident at 125mph, though I've never gone higher than that. (It needs more power :P )
I agree: this salesman is trying to put you in a Civic!
I test drove a Fit a while ago, in town and on the highway. It is more than adequate on the highway and feels like a (very) happy puppy in town :-)
Test drive one yourself (preferably a 5MT Sport ;-) and I bet the salesman will need a grinder to wipe the stupid grin off your face - Yes, the Fit is about as much fun you can get with your clothes on.
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