Fit or Civic?

[JimBow]

Okay, so this is kind of like comparing you to your older brother...but:

Which is more bang for your buck? The base model (with fog lights being the only add-on) 09 Civic, or the Fit with an automatic, fog lamps, and interior add-ons? The Fit is around 16,350 and the Civic is around 17,000. The Fit has an enormous amount of cargo room when configured right, and the Civic has better person hauling space. So, which one is the winner?

 

[mmack66]

Okay, so this is kind of like comparing you to your older brother...but:

Which is more bang for your buck? The base model (with fog lights being the only add-on) 09 Civic, or the Fit with an automatic, fog lamps, and interior add-ons? The Fit is around 16,350 and the Civic is around 17,000. The Fit has an enormous amount of cargo room when configured right, and the Civic has better person hauling space. So, which one is the winner?

I guess it depends on your needs. Which do you find yourself doing more of, hauling around a lot of people, or hauling around a lot of stuff?

 

[JimBow]

I guess it depends on your needs. Which do you find yourself doing more of, hauling around a lot of people, or hauling around a lot of stuff?

Well, that's the problem. I have a lot of Army junk I take with me to work everyday, but I also tend to have friends and coworkers ride with me on the weekends too.

 

[burnwood]

Hmmmm, I just prefer the Civic I guess. Can fit your buddies and the trunk should handle the stuff.

 

[Luc]

I guess it depends on your needs. Which do you find yourself doing more of, hauling around a lot of people, or hauling around a lot of stuff?

+1

It depends if you are doing longer distances or short distances (confort). How much stuff are you usually carrying. Some like to have half their belonging in the car and the rest in the house. I like having room in the car but I never fill it that much. If I have to pick, I take confort!

 

[Jethro1984]

Well I test drove a Fit just a few months ago and then I bought a used 08 VW Rabbit. The civic's are much better when they are fully loaded but I don't know what kind of budget you have and it was out of my price range as well with the options I wanted. There were a few things I didn't like about the Fit. The one I test drove had NO armrest for the driver, very annoying, and while it was a very fuel efficient engine, it sounded like I was drving a tin can with a lawn mower engine. Nice gas mileage but I wanted something I could DRIVE.

 

[ratcheer]

I completely agree with, "it depends on your needs". My wife has a Fit and loves it. She most enjoys the very small size. OTOH, I am not a very big guy (about 5' 10") and it is uncomfortable for me to drive very long. With the seat pushed all the way back, I still feel like my legs have to be slightly folded up.

The Civic costs more, but it is bigger and more comfortable. Honda claims it even gets better gas mileage, which throws me for a loop because the Fit is much lighter and has a smaller engine.

Tim

 

[garyg]

Not to hijack a Japanese v Japanese thread, but maybe try a Ford? Or GM from your government owned company? Or aren't those brands available where you are?

 

[mmack66]

Interior-wise, there isn't a whole lot of differences in dimensions. I guess it would depend on the difference between the trunk capacity of the civic vs. the cargo capacity behind the back seats in the Fit. I would personally go for the Fit due to the cargo area configuration choices. Good luck!

Here is a chart that compares the two:

http://automobiles.honda.com/tools/...=6&AICNum2=25344&Filter=&Photo=&Mode=&Change=

 

[JimBow]

Not to hijack a Japanese v Japanese thread, but maybe try a Ford? Or GM from your government owned company? Or aren't those brands available where you are?

Well, I've owned domestics my whole driving 'career(?)' and well, I've been more impressed with the quality of 'imports' these days....

BUT, as always, YMMV!

 

[JimBow]

I completely agree with, "it depends on your needs". My wife has a Fit and loves it. She most enjoys the very small size. OTOH, I am not a very big guy (about 5' 10") and it is uncomfortable for me to drive very long. With the seat pushed all the way back, I still feel like my legs have to be slightly folded up.

Okay, that was my fear. I'm about 6' 2" and that is a pretty big determining factor to me.

 

[Jethro1984]

If I remember correctly though the seat in the Fit (and maybe the Civic) is height adjustable so you could just lower it all the way down to the floor and probably be fine. The fit isn't as short as it looks, I think it's about the same as the Civic in terms of ground to frame height.

 

[mmack66]

Okay, that was my fear. I'm about 6' 2" and that is a pretty big determining factor to me.

In that case, judging by the specs from Honda, neither of those 2 vehicles would be ideal.

 

[garyg]

Ok, just thought you might try American, no offense intended

 

[wakeboarder4402]

I personally sold Hondas for over a year, and they are an amazing vehicle for the price. That being said I am 6'4" and will tell you right now that you will be happier with the civic. Trunk space is quite ample and if you need more when traveling by yourself you can fold the back seat down for even more room. The difference in gas milleage is negligible but the difference in power is quite noticeable. That's just my .02, good luck in your search.

 

[Kratos]

I'd go with the Civic if I were in your shoes. It's a better driver, and you have decent trunk space if you need it. A smaller(anemic) engine has to work harder than a larger one, which could be a factor in the mpg disparity.

As far as American vehicles go, I'd still say Japan has the edge in small cars. In a recent Indy racing series, they have gone 4 consecutive yrs without any engine failures at the start of the race. This was the first time in their history that happened. You know what the common factor was? All the cars were powered by Honda powerplants. That says more than any ad campaign ever will.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I went and looked at both of these and eventually decided to get a CR-V. Lots of room for gear, comfortable seating, nice ride. Plus a price I can live with.

 

[JimBow]

You guys are awesome. I've still got some time left before I'll be buying a car, but I'm definitely going to keep all this advice in mind when I go to test drive. THANKS!!

 

[Stubblefield]

Okay, that was my fear. I'm about 6' 2" and that is a pretty big determining factor to me.

Same here---the Fit didn't fit.

I'd say the Civic, Element, or CRV.

 

[guenron]

You could always try the Honda Elephant! Now that's got a trunk!!!