Now the Fit is hard to find
An earlier blog noticed that the waiting list for hybrids is getting shorter in some regions. But with the growing popularity of subcompact vehicles in times of high gas prices, those vehicles are now scarce on dealer lots, at least in
Dealers there report demand is very high for the Honda Fit, which is not built in any of Honda's five North American assembly plants. Honda had targeted sales of up to 60,000 units but recently lowered expectations to 40,000 simply because they can't import enough vehicles. A new plant being built in
The Fit gets lower gas mileage than a Civic but is priced more economically and appeals to budget-minded shoppers.
[Source:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe Condon 7:42AM (9/11/2006)
Than a Civic Hybrid. It's also worth it to note that the Fit comes with a manual unlike the Civic H. and also it comes in colors other than pastel browns, silvers, and blues.
Reply
Owen 9:57AM (9/11/2006)
This is a great little car. I purchased my fit the day it came out, they had 7 on the lot that day. They were all gone that same day, they have not had one come in that wasn't spoken for since then and I don't even live in a trendy part of the country where if it's new you have to have it (Allentown, PA). Supposedly, they cut production of the Fit to make more of the hot selling Civics, a decision that was made before even one Fit was brought into the US. For me, one of the biggest selling points was the hatch and its configurability with the magic seats. If there was a civic hatch (or wagon) that would have been a different story and I probably would have purchased that instead. I had been looking at the Yaris as well, but the 4 doors, far superior handling and free-revving engine of the Honda won me over. I'm personally not a big hybrid fan because of the environmental impact that the batteries will someday leave. I'm getting 38mpg consistantly on the highway as advertised and my wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs travel very comfortably for long trips (two 3k mile trips already to see the inlaws). It deserves the sales it gets.
Reply
Meek 9:08AM (9/12/2006)
"Supposedly, they cut production of the Fit to make more of the hot selling Civics, a decision that was made before even one Fit was brought into the US."
This is false, as the Fit is made overseas and the Civic is made in Ohio and Canada. Production levels of the Fit and Civic have minimal impact on each other. The issue is that the Fit is being sent to so many markets already (aka Jazz) that the additional demand of the new NA market couldn't be met that quick.
Reply
Galley 9:15AM (9/12/2006)
The Honda dealers here in Greenville, SC get ONE Fit per month. Aaargh!
Reply
jimmy brower 9:40AM (9/12/2006)
I waited 3 months for my fit and the car is great although my mpg's are not living up to the sticker. I am getting 27 in the city and about 33 on the highway.
Reply
mr.ed 9:50AM (9/12/2006)
I saw this car (Jazz) in Europe a year ago and admired it then. It was one of many similar vehicles there from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan. I hesitated buying it here as I wanted audio controls on the steering wheel, something evidently not that complicated to do. The dealers here in Cleveland OH don't even have to advertise it. My closest store has two demos and no other inventory, sorta like VW decades ago (Ya want a blue one instead of a red one? Get here today or we'll call the next one on the waiting list). The difference is that they aren't packing the car with wheel trim rings, whitewall tires, etc. like the Veedub dealers did. As the car is hot, and there's only a few hundred bucks markup, the price is the price. So far, I've not heard of dealers adding paint sealant or other high markup trivia to boost their net, but I'd bet some have. All things come to those who wait.
Reply
Randy Piovarchy 9:54AM (9/12/2006)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Fit. I had mine about two weeks after they were available. Friends have gone searching trying to get one and are coming up dry. I purchased mine before it was even on the lot paying full retail (gladly). Its fun to drive, the "utility" is awesome. The gas mileage (well it could live up to what it should be) is OK. I am also getting about 27-30 in the city. But I am hoping that gets better with it finally cooling off in Oklahoma and I am able to turn off the AC.
Reply
Ed 10:40AM (9/12/2006)
I called around to all the Honda dealers in the Dallas, TX area trying to find a Fit to test drive. I was almost sure that this would be the car I would end up buying to replace my 12-year-old Nissan Maxima. Finally found a base model at a dealershp after over a month of trying and got a test drive.
I was disappointed. Sure, the Fit has great flexibility for carrying stuff, but I thought the interior noise level was too high and I didn't care for the handling. I ended up deciding on a Civic EX coupe (a completely different type of vehicle, to be sure, but since it's primarily intended as a commuter, I'd rather have a nicer, quieter interior and more standard features).
Reply
vic 11:15AM (9/12/2006)
It seems finally north americans are understanding cars like the 4door fit with hatch, are what we need and have always needs, not 4x4s.
BTW a 5 door civic has been around for ages, but for some reason 'our' tastes have not wanted one.
Glad to see the companys have woken up. I recall the protege 5 started the trend.
Reply
Owen 2:51PM (9/13/2006)
"This is false, as the Fit is made overseas and the Civic is made in Ohio and Canada. Production levels of the Fit and Civic have minimal impact on each other."
Now, now. It's not nice to call someone a liar. Especially when you are uninformed. You do know that Civics are made in other places than the US and Canada don't you. Our Fit is made in the same plant that civics for other markets are manufactured at.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/honda-trims-fit-to-meet-civic-demand/
Beware :)
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/could-china-built-cars-fit-american-hondas-supply-needs/
Reply
Kristen Hudgik 7:51AM (9/17/2006)
I've been waiting for a Fit with a manual transmission and after 3 months my dealer called to tell me that Honda just informed them that they will not be making the Fit with a manual transmission anymore. Does anyone know if this is true? How can that be?
Reply