Any Honda Fit/Civic owners? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

milkbone

05-14-2008, 06:14 PM

I've had two Honda Civics, one was my first car back in 98 I had for 2 years, then my current 2002 Civic EX 4-door, I bought it new and it now has over 102,000 miles on it and I still love it! It has run great for me, all I ever do is change the oil on time, new tires, new brakes, 2 batteries, and flushed and replaced all the fluids when I hit 100,000, and it runs like a Champ. I know someone who got a Fit about a year and half ago, and they just love the gas mileage. I plan to stay in the Honda "family" when I do get a new vehicle too.

Hope this helps.

milkbone

05-14-2008, 06:15 PM

The Toyota Prius is a good deal too, get about 42 mpg.

bike4ever

05-14-2008, 06:40 PM

I just traded in my '03 CRV for an '08 Fit. I was able to get great trade in, and I was totally wanting the better gas mileage. With three active boys, I am always having to run short errands around town. I also have loved the Fit since it came out. Finally, I see this as a new beginning in my life since I'm starting over with my divorce.

I have 240 miles on my Fit. My first tank of gas only got 25 mpg; however, I figure that has to do with my quick foot on the fast acceleration. I'm having too much fun with this car.

My bike fits inside fine. I will be putting a Yakima rack on tomorrow.

Triskeliongirl

05-14-2008, 06:46 PM

Wow, I just bought a 2008 FIT and I just love it. I haven't put one of those fork mounts in yet, but I have a friend with one who gets his bike inside fine. It has great cargo room, great gas mileage (my ins. agent that recommended it to me has been averaging 38 on hers). It is ranked quite high at USNews and World Report (great reviews here on all cars by the way: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Small-Cars/
. I preferred it to the civic for cargo room and price, as the mileage is similar on both.

I read that the 2008 are made in Japan and the same as those intended for the asian and european markets (called jazz there). The 2009 for the american market will be larger, but to me that defeats the purpose. It is plenty large, very peppy, and gets great mileage. It has big windows and comfy seats, and when inside I feel like I am in a much bigger vehicle.

Blueberry

05-14-2008, 07:16 PM

Triskeliongirl-

That's interesting. I had heard just the opposite - that the Japanese version was a little larger and much better on fuel economy. Hmmm...

CA

Triskeliongirl

05-15-2008, 05:39 AM

Hey CA, I found and re-read the review: http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/2009-Honda-Fit-Preview

My understanding is that you are right, the 2009 US version is the same as the 2008 version in Japan (they are calling it the second generation), although the 2008 US version is the same as previous Japanese versions, is made and assembled in Japan, and is the same as the Jazz euro. However, they don't say the gas mileage will be much better: "The current Fit’s 109-hp, 1.5-liter engine is rated at 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway in the U.S. Expect the new Fit to meet or exceed those numbers." My understanding is that most owners are finding the mileage of the US 2008 exceeds these numbers now, although I have yet to use up my first tank of gas, so I don't have my own numbers yet.

I am not sure I would advise waiting. I think the 2008 is plenty big, the gas mileage is great, and their price only seems to be going up as the gas prices are rising. I guess it also depends what you are driving now. We were at a point where we were spending $20 in gas to drive to a club ride, so for us this is going to make a huge difference. We also had our car die, so had to buy something quickly. We were lucky to find one, many dealers can't keep them in stock.

Tuckervill

05-15-2008, 06:00 AM

We bought a 1996 Civic for my son 5 years ago. He's driven it this whole time, and we recently bought it back from him, for our 14 yo to use in 2 years. It now has 198,000 miles on it. We are having the timing belt and water pump changed (water pump is just done while the belt is off). My husband has been driving it 25 miles to work (even though it looks like crap right now), instead of his F150, because of the gas prices.

It still gets 38 miles per gallon, sometimes 40 (it's a 5-speed). I have an Element, and when I was at the dealer I noticed the new Civics are only rated at 34!

My dad has a '97 Civic that he's still driving, but they don't drive much as a rule. It only has 60K miles on it!

I wanted a Fit when I got my Element, but they were just too hard to come by, and because of my wreck I needed a car NOW. I'm glad I didn't get one now. Just too small for my husband to even sit in. He couldn't fit in the CRV, either, so the Element it was!

I think the Fit and the Civic are for two different purposes. If you like utility, get the Fit, and if you would rather have more style, get the Civic. (A friend rolls his bike into the back of his Civic, BTW.)

Karen

OakLeaf

05-15-2008, 06:08 AM

One of my riding buddies just got a new '08 Civic. Her bike goes in the trunk no problem. She'd been looking for a used car, but they hold value so well that a new one was only about $2000 more. Last I talked to her it was brand new, but I'll ask her how she likes it so far.

(The Prius is really a different animal, but mine gets 46 mpg without even trying to conserve gas, a bike goes in very easily with the front wheel on, and the traction/stability control work well.)

boy in a kilt

05-15-2008, 06:46 AM

I've got an '03 civic. I just turned over 80,000 miles a couple of weeks ago.

If I'm doing a normal mix of city/highway driving, I'm pulling about 380-400 miles per tank (tank holds just over 11 gallons, usually fill up somewhere around 10).

Maintenance: I've had to replace the driver's side door lock because the key wouldn't turn. However, the dealer called that a warranty repair. Other than that, a tail light and a head lamp are about all I've replaced. My only maintenance complaint is the passenger's side head lamp is a pain to replace.

I've had to get a bike rack because my car does double duty as the place I put all my stuff that I don't want in our already cluttered apartment. Also, I keep all my tools for work in there, plus assorted other useful items like my cot.

Combined with my fairly long bike and the result is I'm not putting a bike in there. So, I have a roof rack.

Here's an interesting tidbit about Hondas. We found this out when we were buying SGT's van. Honda mileage figures assume you are using regular unleaded. The mileage figures for most other auto makers assume premium.

Blueberry

05-15-2008, 06:48 AM

Here's an interesting tidbit about Hondas. We found this out when we were buying SGT's van. Honda mileage figures assume you are using regular unleaded. The mileage figures for most other auto makers assume premium.

But does premium or regular get better mileage? I had always heard there wasn't much (or any) difference.

CA

mimitabby

05-15-2008, 06:49 AM

My 1991 Civic gets about 35 mph in mostly city driving. My next car will probably be a Honda Fit.
I have resisted buying a new car because i'd noticed that the newer models of the car I'm driving got worse and worse mileage than my year.
Hopefully they're reversing that trend now, a little late.

Andrea

05-15-2008, 07:11 AM

Finally, I see this as a new beginning in my life since I'm starting over with my divorce...
...My bike fits inside fine. I will be putting a Yakima rack on tomorrow.

I have a divorce Fit, too!!!
They're awesome cars. Last weekend, I had two bikes and two people's worth of race-weekend luggage/equipment in the back with the seats down. Throw in great handling and more pickup than you'd expect from a 30mpg motor and I see no reason to have anything else!

Triskeliongirl

05-15-2008, 07:22 AM

I do not believe the new civics get worse mileage than the old. My understanding is that all the Hondas are under-rated since actual mileage does depend on your driving style, AC usage, etc. Why Hondas are under-rated and some other brands aren't, I am not sure.

I think the gas mileage is very similar between the current Fit and Civic (at least the mileage posted on their stickers is), as are all the other rankings. I agree that it depends what you want the car to do. I really like both the cargo room of the fit, and the versatility of how you arrange that cargo room (seats can be flipped up and down in various positions and combinations). For me it really suits an active lifestyle. The Civic has a classier sedan look, the fit more of a euro style. Why don't you just visit a dealer and look at them and/or go for a test drive. I also went to the dealer with both cars in mind, and when I saw them both the decision was clear for me. I think they are both great choices, and its up to personal preferences which one to go with.

We bought a 1996 Civic for my son 5 years ago. He's driven it this whole time, and we recently bought it back from him, for our 14 yo to use in 2 years. It now has 198,000 miles on it. We are having the timing belt and water pump changed (water pump is just done while the belt is off). My husband has been driving it 25 miles to work (even though it looks like crap right now), instead of his F150, because of the gas prices.

It still gets 38 miles per gallon, sometimes 40 (it's a 5-speed). I have an Element, and when I was at the dealer I noticed the new Civics are only rated at 34!

My dad has a '97 Civic that he's still driving, but they don't drive much as a rule. It only has 60K miles on it!

I wanted a Fit when I got my Element, but they were just too hard to come by, and because of my wreck I needed a car NOW. I'm glad I didn't get one now. Just too small for my husband to even sit in. He couldn't fit in the CRV, either, so the Element it was!

I think the Fit and the Civic are for two different purposes. If you like utility, get the Fit, and if you would rather have more style, get the Civic. (A friend rolls his bike into the back of his Civic, BTW.)

Karen

Triskeliongirl

05-15-2008, 07:27 AM

Irulan

05-15-2008, 07:37 AM

I have a question for FIT owners. I test drove one a few months ago, but the to us, even the nicest trim level was still very noisy inside. Nicely equipped ( leather etc) was fairly high on the list, and the fit just didn't seem to come in that kind of trim level. But, wow were we impressed with how big inside it was.

So, hows the road noise? Hubby and I had to practically shout at each other to have a conversation, and this pretty much killed the sale. Bought a mazda 3 instead.

I.

Andrea

05-15-2008, 08:42 AM

For those of you with fits (or similar vehicles), what is the best way to carry two bikes inside? I can lay my bike flat with both seats down, or put it behind the front seats with the rear seats in that semi-up position. But to carry two bikes, and have them not rub and scratch each other, do I want to install two of those fork mounts? Can you buy something that sets in, or do you need to buy 2 x 4s and screw fork mounts in. Don't they move around? I've never outfitted a car interior to carry two bikes.

Also, is locking your car w two bikes inside just false security. Couldn't someone just break the windows and steal them?
Take both wheels out & flip them upside down. Put them in with one facing forward (handlebars behind front seat), and one facing backwards (rear DR near front seat). Scoot them as close together as you can on one side of the car and use the space between/around the bikes as packing area for smaller items.
I've scotchguarded the back of my seats and my interior roof so if I have any inadvertent chain-upholstery contact, the grease is easily removed with some upholstery cleaner.

And yes, nowhere in a car is totally secure. We mainly put them in there b/c it was storming like crazy on the way home from the race we were at.

bike4ever

05-15-2008, 08:45 AM

Triskeliongirl - You can cut a 2x4 to wedge between the sides in the back. I've done this with various vehicles to carry my bikes. When I'm not needing this mount, then I can just pull the 2x4 out.

I thought about just mounting a fork mount to the back. I am just going to put on a roof rack.

smilingcat

05-15-2008, 10:47 AM

FIT is high on my list for my next regular car. SMART CAR isn't all that smart. I've heard people complaining that the milage is only 38 or so MPG. No trunk(boot) space. Other cars I'm looking at are Civic, Prius, some of the Toyota Scion line. My current car has nearly 200,000 miles on it. ouie :eek: I'm just hoping it'll go another 80,000 miles.

being ever the dreamer that I am and so is my partner, she talked me into this fun looking thang. Move over Mr. GEOGE JETSON, and you too ASTRO. I'm #2316 for the hybrid model. Besides, gotta live up to wacky SoCal image. Yes it has cargo space to fit a bike. We are sooo totally serious about this. Fits two people, electronically limited to 85MPH, exceeds NHTSA crash testing (so they say)... It is soo cool looking. and 300MPG well almost. What's not to love??

Possegal

05-15-2008, 11:56 AM

I'm driving my second Honda Civic (4 dr EX) and I love it. Odds are, one day I'll be driving a third one. :)

DDH

05-15-2008, 01:26 PM

I guess I am the odd woman out here, because I had a 2001 civic and couldn't wait to get rid of it.

It got good gas mileage and it ran great. No engine problems, but I had more front end problems out of that car than I care to mention, and that would have been okay, had I not had to fight with the dealership to get things fixed on it. The struts went out 3 times, twice before the warrenty was up, the cv boot went out, shoot, I can't even remember it all now.

I got rid of it back in October and the only thing I miss about it is the gas mileage.

I'm not saying they are all bad, but when you get a bad one, Honda has a big head and doesn't want to believe anything could possibly be wrong with thier vehicles.

Jolt

05-15-2008, 01:59 PM

If you're looking at the Civic, you might also check out the Toyota Corolla--similar gas mileage and reliability, and has more "get up and go" as I recall from my test drives when I was looking at various compact cars in 2004 (yes, I ended up getting a Corolla and have been very happy with it!). The Civic just didn't have as much oomph (maybe that's improved by now).

Mr. SR500

05-15-2008, 06:24 PM

We tested the Honda's tonight. Right now leading toward the Civic. Handled the road construction a little better. Sort of liked the Fit better, but the Civic seems to make more sense.

I think we'll look at the Toyota, but sold on the Civic, if they can just get one.

mimitabby

05-15-2008, 07:32 PM

We tested the Honda's tonight. Right now leading toward the Civic. Just handled the local constant road a little better. Sort of liked the Fit better, but the Civic seems to make more sense.

how come the Civic makes more sense?

mimitabby

05-15-2008, 07:38 PM

Take both wheels out

Andrea, BOTH wheels? There are 4 wheels for 2 bikes. do you mean both front wheels?

Mr. SR500

05-15-2008, 07:59 PM

how come the Civic makes more sense?

Handling, cabin, and slightly better highway fuel economy. Plus I think the Civic might be a little better when our daughter learns to drive in a few years.

The FIT is fun to drive, but a little rough over bad roads. Since bad roads are common on my wife's commute, the Civic is better suited with it's more comfortable ride.

Andrea

05-16-2008, 05:12 AM

Andrea, BOTH wheels? There are 4 wheels for 2 bikes. do you mean both front wheels?

Take all the wheels off!
What you'll find is that you are limited by the handlebars as to how far you can scoot the bikes to one side, so you can fill that space between the bikes & the side of the car with the removed wheels.

Yeah, it's sort of an artform :D

KnottedYet

05-16-2008, 05:48 AM

Oooh, Smilingcat, that is one very cool car! 300 mpg, solar cells on the roof, heat pumps for the climate control, recycled plastic interior.... why didn't I think of that!?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html

There's a Corbin Sparrow in my neighborhood, sometimes I see it parked around. Think I'd rather have the Aptera than a Corbin. The Corbin is more like a motorcycle while the Aptera is more like a car.

Irulan

05-16-2008, 07:38 AM

no one has comment on FIT interior noise? yes/no?

mimitabby

05-16-2008, 07:42 AM

someone already said it was noisy. grrr. i was hoping on getting one and background noise drives me crazy.

I guess i'll have to test ride one; it might be a lot better than what I'm used to.

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-16-2008, 07:59 AM

We have a Honda Element and a Honda Civic Coupe- both a couple years old.
They both get about 5 mpg less than what is trumpeted in the ads. But still, good mileage.
Great cars.

We fit our two road bikes standing upright in the back of the Element, clamped by the forks. Or, we can just bungy them to the sides, upright inside, without even taking any wheels off. We never have the back seats in at all, since our kids are grown and gone. Great to haul bags of mulch and such...and i LOVE the NO RUGS thing! We sleep in it for camping- the back can hold a 6 foot foam mattress when you push the front seats forward.
My Civic coupe (2 door) is a cool little sporty sleek thing with plenty of power, but because of it's sleek aerodynamic design it's a bit cramped in the back seats, and visibility could be better when backing up or checking backwards.
It's a good car for me. DH drives the Element most of the time.

Andrea

05-16-2008, 08:13 AM

no one has comment on FIT interior noise? yes/no?
I've never noticed it. But, then again, it's also the nicest car I've ever driven on a regular basis.

Beane

05-16-2008, 09:50 AM

wow! this is impressive! (honda element)

lisa, can you actually fit a bike (with front wheel removed) behind the backseat? Or is there no seating when bikes are loaded? just curious...

BleeckerSt_Girl

05-16-2008, 11:09 AM

wow! this is impressive! (honda element)

lisa, can you actually fit a bike (with front wheel removed) behind the backseat? Or is there no seating when bikes are loaded? just curious...

Like I said:
We never have the back seats in at all, since our kids are grown and gone.

I have never tried loading in the bikes with the back seats still in the car. We don't use the Element back seats...hardly ever. The element is either: hauling stuff / hauling bikes / or we're camping/sleeping in it. It's not our 'passenger car'- that's our Honda Civic coupe.

We can put our two road bikes in the back, standing up, both with and without removing bike front wheels.

Blueberry

05-16-2008, 11:13 AM

You could get 1, maybe 2 in with one back seat down. I don't think you could fit anything behind the seats. With the seats out, you could easily fit 4-5 bikes with all wheels on...

Triskeliongirl

05-16-2008, 11:27 AM

someone already said it was noisy. grrr. i was hoping on getting one and background noise drives me crazy.

I guess i'll have to test ride one; it might be a lot better than what I'm used to.

hmmmm, ours isn't noisy at all. go take a test drive. i think its a great value.

bike4ever

05-16-2008, 11:44 AM

Mine isn't noisy either, unless you are referring to my kids having the music up too loud.:p

Tuckervill

05-16-2008, 11:49 AM

In the Element, with both seats down in their passenger position, you can fit two bikes (front wheels removed) crossways in the back. You have to put the bars on opposite ends. Mountain bikes are harder, but they can be done, too, and you can't put anyone in the back seats unless they don't mind riding ramrod straight up.

With one seat folded up and one seat in the passenger position, you can put at least two bikes with front wheels on beside the seat. With that seat removed, you can put three (but not my husband's, without the front wheel off).

When I haul my bike to my weekly group rides, I usually just fold the rear driver's side seat up, roll my bike in and bungee it to the the carabiner that holds the seat up (as depicted above). Right now that seat is just out, because there are only 3 of us, and I rarely need the 4th one.

ETA: I don't bother strapping down like in the picture above. I just put a bungee around the top tube, and attach to the thing that holds the seat up. The bike usually raises up on its rear wheel a little depending on the bungee that's available, then it's just safely hanging there.

Karen

Blueberry

05-16-2008, 12:11 PM

The bungee trick works for 2 bikes - more than that, and it gets a little...challenging:)

CA

twin

05-16-2008, 12:38 PM

My Fit is a little over a year old and it is awesome and it is good for two bikes in the back. I take the front wheels off and put my large bike on the side with the shortest person in front. I have traveled many miles with one other person two bikes and bags. My sister bought a Civic at about the time I bought my Fit and she gets pretty good gas milage on the freeway. I think she would buy a Fit if she could re-think her choices. The Fit holds so much more than a Civic. I used to have an Element and it worked great I wanted better gas milage. Either way all three will last a long time.

Irulan

05-16-2008, 01:24 PM

hmmmm, ours isn't noisy at all. go take a test drive. i think its a great value.

When we test drove the fit, my hubby and I had to raise our voices significantly to have a conversation in the front seat, sitting right next to each other, on the freeway, As in , practically shouting at each other.
This was a real disappointment to us. It pretty much killed the sale. The available trim levels were just not what we were looking for.

Tuckervill

05-16-2008, 08:20 PM

The bungee trick works for 2 bikes - more than that, and it gets a little...challenging:)

CA

Oh, with two bikes I use fork mounts on a piece of plywood. Just because if I'm putting in two bikes with the seat down, we're doing some serious traveling, and I need them to be fixed in place for all the other crap we have with us!

Karen

Tuckervill

05-16-2008, 08:22 PM

A Fit is definitely what you call "basic transportation".

I never ever drove one, because when I was looking for one, they were new and hard to find. The only one I even saw in person was sold to someone else and waiting to be delivered. I didn't even get to sit in it.

Karen

malkin

05-18-2008, 11:09 AM

I have a Yaris hatchback which I love:

-will never take another road trip in it--fwy noise is crazy obnoxious over long distance.

neut: two doors not four, but not a problem for us
haven't kept track of mileage, but this means it isn't bugging me, so it must be ok.

+ lots of room to carry stuff inside
+ Hollywood Rack is great for the tandem on the back
+ Very high cute factor
+ Easy to park!
+ Fits into small condo garage with bikes, and mountains of other carp in there.

smilingcat

05-19-2008, 09:41 AM

I just heard on the radio that the "vintage" (excuse moi a vintage?? what does that make me??) civic cvcc and other 4 cylinder engine cars are going up in prices from $1,000 to two, three, four and even six thousand dollars.

Oh my

Tuckervill

05-19-2008, 10:27 AM

My mother drove a '90 Civic hatchback for a long time, and then we bought it from her for my middle son, who rolled the odometer over 300,000 miles. It was a good little car. Wish we still had it. Every time I see one for sale on the side of the road, I think about buying it. It was so roomy!

Mid-son upgraded to the '96, which is right now getting its timing belt changed, and then hubby is going to fold himself into it and drive it the 25 miles to work as much as possible.

Karen

sundial

05-19-2008, 12:39 PM

It was a good little car. Wish we still had it. Every time I see one for sale on the side of the road, I think about buying it. It was so roomy!

No kidding! I miss mine too! I got more speeding tickets with mine. :o I had an '89 hatchback and I used to carry my gsd in the back with the seats folded down. It was my first nice car that my new husband bought me. We were living in Bella Vista and I drove to UA every day in that zippy car. I got 43 mph at that time. :cool: Later, when I went back to school, I bought me another Civic hatchback. Those suckers are so darn handy as a commuter car. I think about getting a grocery store car every now and then with these gas prices. I like my toaster on wheels, but I'd like to tool around in a Mini Cooper. :)

mimitabby

05-19-2008, 12:50 PM

My honda civic is great (the 1991) it has just over 100,000 miles on it.

I think it will be easy to sell. I'm afraid to try (because then i won't have it anymore) :o

sundial

05-19-2008, 12:56 PM

Mimi, is it a hatchback? One of our friends is in a racing club and Honda Civic Hatchbacks are a fav to race. :D

dex

05-19-2008, 01:10 PM

My total beater of an '89 CRX is still getting ~42 mpg. That was the best $700 I ever spent on a car--I bought it as a stopgap when my Miata was stolen. And it had the added bonus of enough space to fit my bike inside of it after taking the front wheel off...because I *definitely* can't fit my bike in the Miata. :D

Now that I have the Miata back, and I don't have to drive much for work, I just let my ex use it for daily commuting.

mimitabby

05-19-2008, 02:23 PM

Mimi, is it a hatchback? One of our friends is in a racing club and Honda Civic Hatchbacks are a fav to race. :D

yes. I know they are very popular.

MM_QFC!

05-19-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by sundial
Mimi, is it a hatchback? One of our friends is in a racing club and Honda Civic Hatchbacks are a fav to race.

yes. I know they are very popular.
__________________
Mimi Team TE BIANCHISTA
Work to eat. Eat to live. Live to bike. Bike to work.

:mad:Not with me; not after the same make/model mowed me down in the crosswalk...killed my bike and GF's too...am grateful that there aren't 2 manslaughter charges also applicable:mad:

Mr. SR500

05-20-2008, 06:36 PM

Bought the Civic this afternoon. Very nice car, and a really super value. Thanks for all your input.

7rider

05-21-2008, 05:38 AM

No kidding! I miss mine too! I got more speeding tickets with mine. :o I had an '89 hatchback and I used to carry my gsd in the back with the seats folded down. It was my first nice car that my new husband bought me. We were living in Bella Vista and I drove to UA every day in that zippy car. I got 43 mph at that time. :cool: Later, when I went back to school, I bought me another Civic hatchback. Those suckers are so darn handy as a commuter car. I think about getting a grocery store car every now and then with these gas prices. I like my toaster on wheels, but I'd like to tool around in a Mini Cooper. :)

I had a '90 Civic hatchback, too. I sold it in '96, but I do still miss it. It had a 5-speed, got about 42 mph on highway trips, and I could fit the moon in that thing.

Mr. SR500...many happy and safe miles with your new buggy...

Trek420

05-24-2008, 09:39 PM

fastdogs

05-25-2008, 04:55 AM

can somone post a photo of a fit with bikes inside? I'm just not seeing it. I was recently car shopping, and didn't even look at the fits because they looked just too small. I drive 40 miles (mixed) each way to work, and my beloved aztek's gas mileage (low 20s) was killing me.
I needed something that got good gas mileage but had room for my son's car seat (can't put the back seats down) and also at least one good sized dog crate (I have a big "dog car", but need the option in case I need to take a dog to the vet or something). But I also carried my folding bike in the back of the aztek so I could ride during lunch sometimes, so needed room for that.
I ended up getting an HHR, so far I'm liking it but am still getting used to a "small car". I love the gas mileage, 30 mpg with the mixed driving in my commute. The folding bike doesn't fit as easily as in the aztek, but it does fit on it's side in the little storage well in the back, with the shelf above it.
I'd like to see a photo of a bike in the back of a fit if anyone has one- from the outside they look so small!
thanks

Triskeliongirl

05-25-2008, 05:00 AM

To get bikes in the fit, you need either both back seats in the up position (bench part of seat up, like in the commercial w a bike behind the front seats) or at least one back seat in the down position. Indeed, it only feels roomy with the rear seats down, but you could put 2/3 rear seats down and still fit a child/car seat in back.

We are empty nesters, so we drive around with both back seats down and it feels like our old station wagon. But if the kids come to visit they can be put up easily.

Sorry, not pics yet w bikes inside.

dingster1

05-25-2008, 05:17 AM

I have a 2004 Civic coupe. I usually just throw my hybrid in the back with the front wheel off

bike4ever

05-25-2008, 06:10 AM

My Yakima rack is now installed. Here's the Fit with my bike on top. I'll try to get a picture with it in the back.

Irulan

05-25-2008, 08:33 AM

What's showing up a lot on Craigs are the rebuilt Geo's of the 90's. These cars average over 30 mph. I would not buy a used car on Craigs but why did they ever stop making a car with mileage that good?

I think the reason that they stopped making a lot of cars like that has to do with new safety regulation that make cars heavier. That's why there is nothing out there like the old civics that used to get 40-50 mpg - they are just to heavy.

at least, thats how it was explained to me. You start adding in ABS, traction control, air bags etc and you can't make a super cheap/light car any more.

Regarding the FIT, it has that cool fold UP back seat. I would think you could fold the seat bottom up, take your front wheel off and stick a bike in crossways.

I.

Trek420

05-25-2008, 08:42 AM

That's what I thought. The idea of a $1-2k car that gets 30-40 mpg sounds great. But it probably won't have modern standard safety stuff. :(

OakLeaf

05-25-2008, 09:15 AM

Irulan

05-25-2008, 10:01 AM

Maybe, maybe not. It's true, I couldn't find specs on cars as old as '83, but I was surprised to learn that my Prius (2932 lbs) is considerably heavier than the earliest subcompacts I could find (2100-2200 for 1990 vintage cars) - and of course a Prius is so roomy inside that it's considered compact, not sub.

But, the way I understand it, fuel mileage comes more from aerodynamics than it does from weight, and body design and wind tunnel testing are much improved in recent years.

I'm not convinced that automakers couldn't be doing a lot better if they had any motivation to.

mmm- I dunno. We currently own a nice little 83 tercel (one of those nice old lightweight high economy cars that you can't get any more with zero safety features) and a 08 Mazda. Which one would you rather be in a high impact collision in?

I do agree that the automakers could be doing a lot better. I was very disappointed in the offerings as we car shopped recently. I didn't want a hybrid, I did want good mileage, and I needed a wagon, and I wanted one nicely equipped, and not european. That left me two cars to choose from.

Trek420

05-25-2008, 11:00 AM

I'm not convinced that automakers couldn't be doing a lot better if they had any motivation to.

Oh c'mon where'd this guy come from. This isn't TREK, HELP!! A major exec of a major car company has taken over my user id:rolleyes: now he's writing .....

SUV's took no effort on our part. It's just a bigger, heavier car on a truck chassis. We didn't even have to change the production line, just higher prices and more profit for us. :D And the public gobbles them up. To you the illusion of power, safety and speed is soxy, that's what sells our cars. C'mon, nobody buys based on MPG, that's wimpy, practically un-American. Just watch our ads :D Powering through mud, hauling trailers up a mountain, taking the short-cut around gridlocked traffic off road up over a mountain, rescuing puppies from tornadoes and floods (I'm watching our ads right now!) and all with children safely tucked in back watching videos. Don't you just want one right now? We know you'll never do these things. We know you'll be stuck in gridlock at single digit MPG and not rescuing kittens from hurricanes. We know even the light truck frames these are build on get better MPG.

But by then you've bought our car and we're laughing all the way to the bank.

We're so smrt :D)