Honda Fit vs Civic SI

[XvReaperXv]

Hello all, looking for help on making a decision. Im going to be purchasing a new vehicle cash, and want it to be able to hold the family and get good gas mieage. The fit gets about 5mpg more on the highway, but the SI has the fun factor added on, with about 100 more horsepower. What would you guys pick?

[Janie]

Fit. I have one and like it.

[Grid]

Haha, same with the Fit (personally own one).  I also met a 6'5" guy on vacation once (before I bought mine) who called it his "magic box" because it looks small on the outside but fit his 5-person family well.  The versatility with the fold-down back seats is awesome.  It zips along just fine by most standards anyway.

[darkadams00]

Think long and hard about buying a new car, even with cash. From a financial perspective, that's the more important decision here. There's plenty of information about the finances of buying a new, barely used, fairly used, or beat like a dog and resuscitated a thousand times over car.

Re Fit vs Civic Si---

• Fit = thoroughly-reviewed and vetted level of around-town utility (even with images of car-stuffing magic on Google),  lower customer satisfaction with respect to longer distances and red-light torque
• Civic Si = good customer satisfaction, reasonable gas mileage for a "fun" car albeit not a sports car even with the youthful Si badge attached

Think of the type of roads you drive on every month, how far you drive every month, and who/what you put in your car every month. That will define on paper what's best. Then go buy the car that is the best fit for you (pun intended and my personal choice as well).

[XvReaperXv]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol, But this vehicle will be used for any out of town trips, and the planned road trips with the family, so all highway mostly. I like the fit but I have a feeling I will long for more power, but am unsure if the added power and great manual transmission is worth the loss of the mpgs or not. decisions decisions!

[Cwadda]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

[randomAustinGuy]

According to Car Sort, the Fit beats out even the 505 horsepower Corvette Z06...so it shouldn't have much trouble trouncing the Civic Si.  ;)  (2011 models.)

[XvReaperXv]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

[darkadams00]

I was passed three times today by the same Honda Odyssey van. Two times, I pulled up beside the van at the next red light, and once I ended up three cars ahead due to the traffic pattern at the light. Apparently some people just have to get to the next stop first. I'm more of a steady driver and go with the traffic rather than trying to beat the traffic.

The Fit is suitable for me on numerous levels--storage options, mpg, insurance rates, initial cost, parallel parking in downtown, plays well with a hitch-mount bike rack but also carries one inside if needed. I recognized the slight demerits for long trips on the freeway (I take 4-5 per year) and slower off-the-line power (I don't drive that way anyway) and matched them against more powerful, sporty options (sport hatches in my case). In the end, I found out what mattered most to me and went with that. No regrets thus far.

Also, for the most info, google the Honda Fit and Honda Civic user forums. Plenty of the goods and bads of each model there with individual comments, reviews, raves, and complaints.

Good luck!


 

[Cwadda]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

[Jack]

great manual transmission

The Fit has a great manual transmission too, doesn't it?

[MrFancypants]

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

Given this, I would go with the Civic Si and wouldn't think twice.  Yeah, it costs a bit more to own and operate, but at the point where you're at it sounds like you can easily afford it.  Great car, lots of fun.

If I were still in build-the-empire mode I'd say go with the Fit because it costs less overall and lets you shovel more money onto the savings pile.  (actually...  I'm personally still in build-the-empire mode and I'm looking for a used Prius)

[okashira]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

[Grid]

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

Your signature doesn't lie!

[PeteD01]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

His retirement is all about MMM skills. If his $7400 check is not COLA he will have to be on top of things for the next 20 years or he will have to go to work again.
He needs to get a used Fit and get serious about growing a mustache.

[okashira]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

His retirement is all about MMM skills. If his $7400 check is not COLA he will have to be on top of things for the next 20 years or he will have to go to work again.
He needs to get a used Fit and get serious about growing a mustache.

Given his life expectancy, and assuming 3% inflation, that 7400/mo has a present value of 2.3 million dollars.
You don't need to be mustachian to retire on 2.3 mil.

That being said, I would agree that the Fit is obviously the better choice. However, if I was in his situation, this is no reason not to splurge on something that makes him happy.
I heard the Civic Type R might come next year? Look into that one.

[PeteD01]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

His retirement is all about MMM skills. If his $7400 check is not COLA he will have to be on top of things for the next 20 years or he will have to go to work again.
He needs to get a used Fit and get serious about growing a mustache.

Given his life expectancy, and assuming 3% inflation, that 7400/mo has a present value of 2.3 million dollars.
You don't need to be mustachian to retire on 2.3 mil.

That being said, I would agree that the Fit is obviously the better choice. However, if I was in his situation, this is no reason not to splurge on something that makes him happy.
I heard the Civic Type R might come next year? Look into that one.

Thea's not how it works. The present value is indeed 2.3 million but it is tied up in an annuity and if it is not partially converted into investments, the real value of the annuity payments will go below his spending in less than 15 years assuming inflation of three percent. He only has a few years at his spending level to make it last. He is in the situation of a small time lottery winner and will blow it quickly, as they usually do, if he doesn't become smart about investments. If he starts right now, it'll be easy but it will be harder with every year down the road.

[AssetGrinder]

I own a 2011 Honda Fit. Probably the best car I have ever owned. I have had top of the line merecedes,bmws and acuras. The Fit is great on gas, it doesnt breakdown, not one thing wrong with it after 3 years of ownership. The trunk and fold down seats have more room that my family SUV. Civic is a great car as well as you cant go wrong on both but for versatility sake I would go with a FIT. I would not buy one new but look for one a couple years old for the best value.

Good Day and Grind ON!

[XvReaperXv]

I always buy new when it comes to vehicles, just a curse I have lol,

So you have a consumerist antimustachian curse? Hmm...please don't infect us. Also, this is a forum about living a frugal lifestyle...yeah.

But best of luck buying a new car. Civic Si is supposedly a performance vehicle type thing. If a hatch fits your need, then just go with a Fit. If not, a Civic Si could be the way to go.

Good luck!

Hey, considering im gonna be retired in a few months, I think I live a pretty good lifestyle lol.

There ya go, then! You're about 30 years ahead of me. :D

His retirement has little to do with his MMM skills:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/looking-to-retire-at-27-what-do-you-think/msg303875/#msg303875

So quick to judge =) ive been working since I was 14 and banking money, have over 300k in savings and investments and still growing, that monthly money just came to me within the past year, hence why im still working for a few months at the high paying job to build the stash, can never be too sure of the future!

[Denarius]

What is the difference in price? You might be able to buy the fit and then a used CBR or the like for the difference for some seasonal fun.

[rtrnow]

 The two cars are not comparable. The fit can haul a bunch of stuff, gets get mpg, is very reliable, is slow, and buzzy on the hwy.

The SI will be much more fun, gets worse mpg (REQUIRES PREMIUM), and can't hold much stuff.

Financially, the choice is obvious. I personally own a 09 fit and can't complain. That said, I'm a car guy and will replace it or add a second fun car in the next year or two. After a couple years in the fit, I miss having a more fun car.

[okashira]

The two cars are not comparable. The fit can haul a bunch of stuff, gets get mpg, is very reliable, is slow, and buzzy on the hwy.

The SI will be much more fun, gets worse mpg (REQUIRES PREMIUM), and can't hold much stuff.

Financially, the choice is obvious. I personally own a 09 fit and can't complain. That said, I'm a car guy and will replace it or add a second fun car in the next year or two. After a couple years in the fit, I miss having a more fun car.

I think the SI is a hatch ...

[OzzieandHarriet]

I bought a new Fit a year ago (cash), and it's been fine for me so far. I looked into buying a used one, but the price difference wasn't large enough to make it worthwhile. It's already Honda's cheapest car. Unless you're a speed demon, it's pleasant on the highway, especially for such a small car. I try to drive for maximum fuel efficiency, so I rarely push it. Straight highway driving is about 42 mpg; 34 overall. This is with a manual transmission.

[golden1]

I would love a honda fit...drool.  They depreciate really slowly.  If you are going to get a used, you have to look at ones 4-5 years old, otherwise it is almost worth buying new. 

[AssetGrinder]

Ya tough to find a cheap used honda fit. I remember when i was looking I couldnt find a resonable used one within 100km of me. The resale market on them is very high which means it is a very desirable car. Only cost me a couple k more for a new one so I just went new. Since the new 2015 has arrived it will push down the price of the older body model which will be a great buy if u can find one used.

I agree with the reviews of the car. Its a bit boring and gutless, also noisy driving on the highway but the fuel economy and cargo room make up for the shortfalls. With faster cars I would tend to speed much more and a result I would get tickets which is not a problem with the Fit!

[Jack]

I think the SI is a hatch ...

It depends on the model year / chassis generation:

• Current gen: coupe or sedan
• 8th gen: coupe or sedan
• 7th gen: hatch
• 6th gen: coupe
• 5th gen: hatch or coupe
• 4th gen: hatch (or CRX*)
• 3rd gen: hatch (or CRX*)

(* the 3rd-gen CRX was considered a kind of Civic, but the 4th-gen CRX was considered a separate model)

[neo von retorch]

All we know is that it has to hold an unspecified size family for mostly highway road trips.

The Fit hits 3000 rpm by around 65mph and the engine noise level is quite reasonable at that point. There's very little reason to get a higher powered, sportier car for family trips on the highway.

If you're buying the car for yourself, for joy rides on back roads, then consider the Civic Si. Otherwise, the Fit is better suited for highway trips with plenty of stuff in the back.

[CanuckExpat]

We have a Honda Fit, in fact this is our second. It is a great car for the money and very versatile (we've fit everything in there from sofas, to bikes, to tall potted plants) and have also slept in there on occasion. You can find lots of pictures of the Fit's interior space and "magic seats" online, but would be happy to post pictures if anyone is curious. That being said, I would agree that it is not the most fun car to drive (but I personally might think that of anything that isn't a CRX..) , especially with the automatic, so do get the manual if you can.
As other's have said, they do tend to hold onto value, and at least in our experience there weren't that many used, so buying new with the Fit does seem tempting (in both cases for us, we eventually found a used one we liked, but it took some time).

[ChrisLansing]

Why are you choosing between two Hondas?     That may have made sense 25 years ago when Honda/Toyota were about the only safe choices.   All cars have improved to the point where it's silly to pay the premium for a Honda.   They are not that much more reliable than the competition. 

(Long time Honda owner here, 2 civics and a CR-V.   Great cars, but not the only game in town anymore)

[XvReaperXv]

Why are you choosing between two Hondas?     That may have made sense 25 years ago when Honda/Toyota were about the only safe choices.   All cars have improved to the point where it's silly to pay the premium for a Honda.   They are not that much more reliable than the competition. 

(Long time Honda owner here, 2 civics and a CR-V.   Great cars, but not the only game in town anymore)

They both seem the best bang for your buck, especially the fit.

[boognish]

I looked into buying a used one, but the price difference wasn't large enough to make it worthwhile. It's already Honda's cheapest car.

Same here. I understand the fallacy of buying new, but for only a few grand extra you can buy piece of mind and a brand new car.

Ultimately an unmustachian move on my part, but the Fit has been awesome so far, zero complaints