After getting into an accident a few months ago and having the insurance company consider my 2001 Hyundai Accent GLS a "total loss" (even though it was front-end cosmetic and the mechanical operation had been completely unaffected), I was granted an opportunity to justify a new car purchase.  I went over my budgets and income and had Capitol One approve me for an auto loan with a maximum value that would still leave me with affordable monthly car payments.  With only $18,600 available to spend, I had already narrowed down my choices pretty well.

After much consideration and research on key aspects, the Honda Fit Sport (manual) won out over the 2009 models of Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent, Ford Focus, Chevy Aveo, and Dodge Calibur for my pick of a new vehicle.


WHY SPORT OVER BASE?
At first, I really wanted to spend the least I could to get a great vehicle to meet my needs.  I had scoffed at the $1500 price difference between the base and sport models when I was simply browsing Honda's website.  But when I was at the table and ready to sign the final paperwork on a base model Fit with the dealership (Mel Rapton Honda in Sacramento, they're fantastic),  I was informed of the cost of installing the key-less entry system in the vehicle (since I wanted that cost a part of the loan) and backed out.  The dealership was already working with me on the price of the vehicle, so I did the mental math to compensate for the cost of installing the key-less entry and decided that I might as well upgrade to the Sport model.  A few hundred dollars difference was not that much and barely made a dent in what the monthly payments would be.  Besides, after spending hours there already it was priceless to see the look on the floor manager's face as I walked out of the room and said, "I changed my mind, sorry", while the salesman I had been working with maintained a solemn look to support the ruse.  Like from a cherry on top of a sundae, I couldn't help but smile to see the manager nearly skip across the floor when he found out I decided to get the Honda Fit Sport instead of the base model.

Here is the breakdown of what really mattered to me in the Sport model over the base:

Key-less Entry (~$400 to install on base):  I use this all the time.  I can unlock the vehicle to put groceries in the hatchback without having to fumble with a key-lock or trunk-release switch.  I have four year old twin daughters who want to open the doors themselves and climb into their car-seats.  I no longer have to worry about opening my driver door and unlocking the individual doors to let them in.  I especially don't have to hear, "NO, I want MY door opened first this time, she had it LAST time!!"  You can't put a price on harmony.

Cruise Control (unknown cost to install on base, if possible):  This is another feature I use all the time, for both city and highway driving.  I never had it on any previous vehicle I've owned, but for the five weeks I had to borrow the fiance's Mazda 3S I grew to appreciate it.  I use it to keep my speed (and gas usage) consistent, rest my foot for long trips, and to worry less about tickets.

Fog Lights (~$500+ to install on base):  I really didn't think that fog lights were that big of a deal, but the fiance had stressed to me that they seriously improve the car's visibility in the rain as well help to illuminate the road in foggy conditions.  I do turn them on in dreary weather, and I have noticed that other vehicles who do the same are easier to notice on the road.  And I do make trips from Sacramento to Fresno or Sonora, and I know that I've driven through fog in the past so fog lights aren't so bad.  They work well too.

USB Connector (~$200 to install on base):  I really didn't care about this at first, since all Fit models have the auxiliary input.  Once I started to use it, I found it handy to have my iPod charge while being plugged in, but the real value came from being able to control the iPod through the vehicle's audio panel.  I no longer have to hold a teeny MP3 player and sort through songs while driving, which can be considered unsafe (eyes on the road, not on the toy).  Since the Fit's audio panel is large, easy to read, and sits high on the dash, I can access the iPod just as easily as I would change radio stations.

In-cab Ceiling Light (~$100 to install on base):  I was really surprised that the base model didn't have a central ceiling light; I thought that all cars should have that as a standard.  Either way, I know I've used ceiling lights in the past and will again in the future.  It saves me from ever having to hear, "we need to see, and you spent all that money on a car and it doesn't even have a simple ceiling light for the back??"  But.. *shrug*

Here's all the other stuff the Sport offers over the base model that I didn't really care about:  16" alloy wheels (though they do look snazzy), 2 additional speakers, "upgraded" cloth interior, rear spoiler, "upgraded" leather-wrapped steering wheel, underbody kit, side mirrors same color as body, headlights have chrome instead of grey bezeling, and chrome exhaust finisher.

There might have been more, but I stopped the salesman before he finished it all and told him that most of those other things were trivial to me.  Either way, I felt that the Honda Fit Sport was a smart upgrade from the base model, especially since the overall cost increase didn't really impact my monthly payments (maybe $1/mo. tops?).  It never hurts to ask if the dealership can help the price some.


GAS MILEAGE
I drive to make my tank last, and this has been a habit cultivated ever since I owned my first car.  I shift properly, coast at every opportunity I can (without obnoxiously slowing traffic, when applicable), and do my best to make the most of the car's kinetic energy to carry it as far as it can go before having to apply more gas (cruise control is pretty good at assisting this).  The Fit has a digital indicator which lets you know how your driving habits affect your mileage.  It resets whenever you reset the trip meter.  I have found that the MPG estimate is higher than what I am actually getting, but what I am actually getting is still better than what Honda's official numbers are.

When I refill the tank I never top-off; once the pump handle clicks I stop.  I think that I could squeeze another 0.2+ gallons of gas into the car if I push it, but that's not my habit.  Following are a few examples of my typical vehicle use.  These are real-life numbers that I recorded while driving until I had to refill my tank.  I have compared a few sets of data with only 1%-3% variation (error margins, slight inconsistencies, etc) in my numbers, so these are a good averages to go by.  Unfortunately, my drives [currently] only fall into these categories of city versus highway.  If I manage an 85%+ city trip I'll definitely update.

<=1% City 99% Highway:
I drove 339.6 miles until I had to refill gas (the light didn't turn on, but I guessed I had another 10 miles, eyeballing the needle position).  I filled the tank with 9.16 gallons, and the MPG estimate had displayed 42.0 MPG for the trip.  The math showed I was really getting 37.07 miles per gallon.  Honda's estimate for the Sport is 33 MPG for the highway.

5% City 95% Highway:
I drove 330 miles until the low-gas light turned on.  I reached a gas station at 345.8 miles and filled the tank with 9.62 gallons.  The MPG estimate displayed 40.5 for the trip, but the math showed I was really getting 35.94 miles per gallon.  Honda's estimate for the Sport is 33 MPG for the highway.

45% City 55% Highway:
I drove 303.4 miles until I had to refill gas (the light didn't turn on quite yet, but I could tell it was going to soon, maybe 15 more miles).  I filled the tank with 8.98 gallons, and the MPG estimate had displayed 37.5 MPG for the trip.  The math showed I was really getting 33.78 miles per gallon.  Honda's estimate for the Sport is 29 MPG for a 50/50 mix of highway and city.

I've found that no matter how my MPG starts off immediately after a full tank of gas [with a trip meter reset], it always falls to the same range by the time I need to gas up again.  For example, I filled my tank in Sonora and maintained a 65 MPG average as I exited the city (downhill) on the highway, heading towards San Andreas.  By the time I made by way west to highway 99, the estimate had dropped to 53 MPG.  By the time I had traveled north enough to reach Sacramento, the estimate showed 48.6 MPG, and I had driven 101.6 total miles so far.  This trip had a decent amount of downhill, some uphill, and both straight and curved roads through towns and on freeways.  The rest of the tank was used in a combination of city and highway that was too mixed up to measure like my previous examples, but the end result still stayed in the area that my driving habits dictate.

I'm still pleased with the MPG results.  My 2001 Hyundai Accent could only get about 290 miles before the light would turn on (and give me only 5-8 miles to find a station or be stuck).


INTERIOR
The seats are firm and snug, and despite not being plush they're good to sit in for long rides without feeling aches.  The contour of the front seats keeps passengers in, especially around tight corners, and the lumbar support really fits me well.  The front seats in the Honda Fit Sport are more natural to my body.  I can sit with my back and head flush with the seat and be in the perfect posture to see and drive.  With my old 2001 Hyundai Accent, there was no amount of adjusting that would really leave me completely comfortable in a good position.  The Fit's seats are good for a power-nap, but I wouldn't try to sleep in them.  You just don't get that cushy, luxury feel like with some other cars.  The cloth on the seats are thin (yes, even on the Sport model), and the cloth coverings on the ceiling and floors feel cheap.  So far, I've had zero passenger complaints about the comfort while riding in my Honda Fit.

The cupholders are actually pretty handy, and I like how the ones under the front panel are pushed back so the stickshift doesn't get in the way and bump them.  I've found the dash-mounted cupholders very useful while driving since I don't have to reach down past the gearstick to grab a drink.  It's in front of an air vent, so if your coffee is too hot you can open the vent and cool it down.  Otherwise, closing the vent prevents changing the liquid temperature of whatever is sitting there (I had someone complain about their cold coffee, and I told them that the vents aren't broken and they can be shut).

Despite having a clean interior layout, everything that is plastic feels very light and very cheap.  The color and style adds to the presentation, but I would wager that better plastics are used for $1000 & under PC laptops.  Don't drop the car.

The front cab is roomier than it looks from the outside.  I (at 5'11" 170lbs) don't feel cramped in by the window or roof.  There is ample elbow room for two passengers in the back seats.  Fitting three in the back makes it snug, but it's still not too bad.  Passengers in the back still have good leg/knee room, even with the front seats pushed all the way back (at least for people up to 6'3", since I don't have any friends taller than that).  No complaints yet.  The way the rear seats work give room to adjust for stiffness on long rides since feet can pull back as well as push forward.

The rear seats are amazing when it comes to cargo space.  It may seem trivial, but I can actually appreciate being able to flip up the rear seats to make room for plants from Home Depot, or hang my dry-cleaned suit perfectly.  The mechanics for putting the seats down or elevating the rear headrests require little force (two fingers to lift and push).  I love how the headrests don't need to be removed and the front seats don't need to be adjusted in order to set the rear seats down.

The hatchback area itself may be small compared to most trunks, but the versatility of the rear seats end up lending more cargo space with less size constraints than a trunk.  I've been able to stick a Townie bike (with the front wheel removed) and a bunch of fully-packed luggage in the backseat + hatchback area while going on a trip.  I've also been able to fit two stacks of plastic patio chairs in the back too.  And just this past week, I stuck a regular-sized, unboxed Kenmore clothes dryer in the back.  I would never have been able to hold any of those things with a trunk-equipped car (of similar size).  What's the secret?  A wide (and low) hatchback opening.  It's easy to load stuff into the Honda Fit - almost like toss'n'go.  Even though the rear seats and hatchback are great, it only really works if you don't have passengers (or car-seats + kids in my case).  Having the spare tire in its spot is absolutely mandatory unless you want to crush the flimsy carpet-board under the weight of a shopping trip.  Even so, the areas not directly supported by the spare tire look susceptible to crushing from unevenly-weighted cargo.

I really like the positioning of the audio and environment controls.  They are higher up on the dash so my eyes don't have to dart down too far.  In fact, I can keep my eyes on the road and use [some] peripheral vision to change things since the controls are big and spaced out well.  It only took about a week of practice fiddling with the controls before I felt I could manipulate them without really having to look.  The AC isn't as powerful as the one I had in my 2001 Hyundai Accent, so it takes a bit of cycling to drop the air temperature.  Once it's going it maintains decently (average), and the center vents direct air to my kids in the back without much complaint.

Sound system is just ok so long as you don't mess with the levels too much.  The Honda Fit Sport has 2 more speakers over the base model, but you can't really tell by listening.  Adjusting the bass more than +4 starts to make the deeper bass tones sound hollow and the upper bass tones sound toylike.  The midrange bass is actually decent (or marginally average), but is also susceptible to a blending type of hum.  The overall bass will start to sound more muffled than precise when the volume is increased past +15.  The treble adjustment is even worse.  Boosting the treble past +2 starts to make the consonants of vocals pierce with a shattering crackle.  Words are also punctuated with a sharp hiss for "s" sounds in words.  These effects become increasingly apparent when the volume is increased past +15, and on top of that the music starts to develop a fuzzy static that makes your songs sound like they were recorded through the air from a crappy speaker.  I've found that a volume level between +8 and +14 is good even for freeway driving.  It's just below the point where it starts to bring out the before-mentioned issues as well as warming hum over the music, making vocals and instrumentals blend in towards the ends.  Subtle or background instruments as well as precision and detail will be drowned out a bit.  I guarantee that the Kicker IK500 puts the vehicle's speaker system to shame.  Much shame.  The AM/FM reception is good - maybe not so better than other vehicles out and about but I have better reception and clarity than I did with my 2001 Hyundai Accent GLS.  Regardless, speakers are FAR better than no speakers, but the speakers in the Fit sound pretty generic to me.


DRIVING / HANDLING
Window visibility is fantastic, especially when looking over your shoulder.  There is definitely an open feel due to the large windows (tall roof) and the extra, un-opening ones.  The responsive handling on the Honda Fit Sport is nimble and awesome on corners and curves.  I've taken some tight turns [faster than I should have] and was quite impressed.  You can't even tell that the Honda Fit has power steering since the turning is so fluid and you don't hear any steering motors either.  The turn radius is excellent, so I can still make tight u-turns and trick 3-point turns like with my old Hyundai.  The steering wheel simply has a great feel to it.

The shocks/suspension lets you feel the wear & tear of the roads as vibrations in the car.  Even though the handling is great and the Fit sticks to the driving surface (even around corners), I was a little disappointed since my 2001 Hyundai Accent GLS felt much the same in terms of bumpiness.  It's not bad.. but there is obvious room for improvement.  Considering the amount I spent, I would have expected a smoother ride.  But the upside is that the road noise is diminished/limited/muffled inside the Honda Fit Sport, even at higher (65+) speeds.  My 2001 Hyundai Accent was certainly louder in the cab on the freeway and it wasn't as easy to maintain phone conversations or listen to the generic sound system.  Highway wind noise isn't a big deal on the Fit since it slips through the air rather keen.

The acceleration is very good from 0-45 MPH, but it lessens as you hit 50+.  The Fit certainly feels it's better-suited for all-around driving with the way it's so quick off the line.  If you're going to race (or go faster, quicker), you'll be upset with the freeway results.  It's definitely less quick with additional passenger weight or when going uphill.  The 60+ acceleration does seem consistent though, so passing other vehicles is pretty good; better than competitors.  The car can climb (or at least maintain speed) without stressing the engine.  When I'm climbing a hill and I have to downshift to 4th, the transition is smooth and the shifting doesn't over-RPM the engine and make it whine like it did with my 2001 Hyundai Accent GLS (manual).  It's strange, since the Honda Fit Sport feels like it lacks power but doesn't.  I can say that the acceleration is better than my old car, and the Honda Fit feels more consistent and steady overall.  The engine is more buzzy than throaty (1.5L engine for ya), but since the cabin is pretty well insulated from sound and the engine runs smooth, the noise isn't so noticeable.

The acceleration "BRAKE CHECK!!"  Ahem.  The acceleration power is equally matched by the sharp braking power of the Fit (better at lower speeds than higher).  Thankfully, I can harass my friends and passengers without worry since the seats of the Fit are spongy, the seatbelts work, and since the Honda Fit models are top-rated for safety.  I haven't really evaluated the stock tires and compared them to others, but I can say that the tires on the Sport have handled all of this year's wet & stormy conditions with confidence.  The braking power and tire quality is much better compared to my last vehicle.

The manual shifting is smooth and easy.  I also dig the shifter.  It only requires short pushes on the stick and transitions up/down the gears well.  The clutch pedal only needs light presses too.  I did notice that the Honda Fit doesn't like speed-shifting (the RPMs hang a bit unless you really finesse the pedals), but it's still pretty eager so long as you give it that one casual second, especially at lower gears.


SAFETY & MAINTENANCE / QUALITY
Safety and quality were two major aspects I considered when narrowing my choices of a vehicle to purchase.  I had searched the web and read numerous comments on how Consumer Reports had rated the Honda Fit #1 (or at least in the top 5 or something) for crash tests.  I've referenced a few other links that helped my decision:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=593
The website of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed how the 2009 Honda Fit has the best front, side, and rear crash protection.  The Totota Yaris has only marginal rear crash protection.  The Hyundai Accent did only marginally well for side impacts and poorly for rear impact protection.  The Nissan Versa was on par with Toyota, trading better rear impact protection for slightly less side impact protection.  Either way, Honda beat everyone else out.

http://www.safercar.gov/
Safercar.gov supported the safety ratings from iihs.org, but not in as much detail.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Honda/Fit/2008/Hatchback/ratings
I checked out JDPower's website to give me information about the quality of vehicles.  Even though the information was for the 2008 model, I expected that the 2009 Honda Fit would have at least the same mechanical quality (if not better).  I was impressed with the findings.  Aside from regular maintenance, I never had to bring my 2001 Hyundai Accent in for any mechanical repairs over the 8 years of ownership.  I never had the check engine light go off either.  I expect Honda to do even better (so long as it doesn't get wrecked!).

The information I researched from those websites combined with what I read while perusing forums here and there, I quickly eliminated Ford, Chevy, and Dodge out of the running against Honda.  The Focus may have almost the same safety rating as Honda, but it trades mechanical quality for greater performance.  The Aveo was mediocre [at best] for safety and mechanical quality.  The Calibur did well for safety (except the rear crash protection), but the sticker price should have been low - not the mechanical quality.

I've driven some powerful cars so I know the thrill, but right now I'd still take fuel economy, safety, and reliability over more muscle.  I haven't had a single issue with the Honda Fit Sport yet, and I don't expect to anytime soon.  I'll be willing to test my vehicle's safety if I get enough 3rd-party funding.

Under the Hood
I normally do my own tune-ups on vehicles: filters, spark plugs, oil, battery, fluids, etc.  I opened up the hood and was amazed that the engine was not only compact, but all of the areas an owner or service technician would need to access were easy to get to.  It wasn't just that they were in plain sight, but those areas were unobstructed with ample hand room.  Tire changes are standard (I did it just for kicks).


DRAWBACKS / IRRITATIONS
The sun visors still leave gaps (about the size of your palm if you hold it up) in the front since they're too short horizontally.  Your eyes will get blasted if the sun is resting on the horizon just right - don't count on the black dot pattern at the top of the windshield to save you.  The visors also don't swing to the sides 100%, and they also don't extend far enough on the sides to block all the sun unless you lean forward.  Wear sunglasses.

The audio panel doesn't offer any text scrolling for connected USB devices, so your artists, albums, and titles will get cut off after 15 characters.  It does have text scrolling for radio stations that support such information in the broadcast.

The inside of the car gets hot fast, and it doesn't cool down as quickly as I'd like in the summer.  My 2001 Hyundai Accent had a more powerful AC system by a wide margin.  Big windows plus a black interior simply draws that heat in.  A sun visor is recommended unless you like to burn your hands on the wheel.

The bottom of the front bumper hangs low, so when I'm backing out of a sloped driveway (just a light slope too) it will scrape the ground a bit.  This happens even when it's just me in the car and can still happen even if I'm going slowly as to make it not scrape.  It hasn't done any damage aside from leaving cosmetic marks [where you can't see it unless you're on the ground and looking] and it really depends on the curve at the bottom of the driveway, BUT sharper slopes or curves might be something to pay attention to.

Only the driver's door unlocks once the car is stopped and turned off.  I've had complaints (jealousy) from passengers that theirs also doesn't automatically unlock, and that the lock has an unusual shape.

The bottom glovebox has a small maw and shallow jaw, so you can't really feed it much.

No sunroof? C'mon!

I had to pay extra for the hatch cover?  Weak.  Speaking of which, it's also made of the same cloth and material that makes up the floorboard of the hatch storage area.


OVERALL
I have yet to be disappointed with my decision.  I have peace of mind with regards to safety and mechanical quality/reliability.  The MPG I get is outstanding and the window size combined with the interior design really give the feeling of openness and visibility.  So long as I don't have any backseat passengers, the cargo storage is roomy and versatile.  And to top it all off, it is still very fun to drive and is an excellent all-around vehicle.

Sure, aspects of the interior do feel cheap, but I'll take a cheap interior if the car will last 10+ years versus a luxury interior that is like lipstick for mechanical repairs just waiting to happen.

I feel like I can take this vehicle almost anywhere for an adventure.

Is the Honda Fit more expensive than what competitors have available?  When you consider all aspects, features, and reputation before reducing the values to a per-month cost?  Not really.  It's definitely my vehicle for 2009.
Amount Paid (US$): 18,400
Condition: New
Model Year: 2009
Model and Options: Honda Fit Sport (manual)