<p>We have a Honda Fit. Great mileage, very maneuverable car. Easy u-turns, easy to parallel park. On the downside, it has a bit of a jittery ride, and the streets in our city could use repair. I feel every bump; my husband is not bothered one iota. When we were looking at cars, we also test drove Versas and Scions, Civics, Corrolas, as well as the matrix. The Fit compares well in terms of roominess, reliability, and gas mileageThe car I favored was actually the Mazda 5, a bit larger and a more comfortable ride, but also quite a responsive car to drive. However, gas mileage and price trumped smooth ride. This is also a great car for new drivers (car shared by the teens), and we are parents who have quite a ways to go with tuition payments – one in college, one still in high school. Next car, I’m hoping to find both great gas mileage and bit of a more comfortable ride. Best of luck and enjoy!!</p>
<p>If you are considering the Fit, check out the Smart. I love my SmartCar!</p>
<p>I’ve had a Fit for almost 2 years. I love it! As others have stated: great price, good power, easy to park, and lots of room inside. I also agree with those who say you feel every bump in the road, and for me there is definitely a blind spot on the drivers side right where the windshield meets the side panel. For city driving, I am 100% satisfied. On the downside, it is a little small for my large husband, and I would prefer something heavier for long trips.</p>
<p>I know it’s a little less mini-SUVish than the cars you’re looking at, but I’ve had a Focus hatchback for seven years now and absolutely love it. It’s made it across the country three times, can store a ton of stuff in the trunk (managed to even fit a 38" CRT TV in it), and is pretty peppy for a small car. I think they’ve brought the hatchback back this year (along with the Fiesta), and I wholeheartedly recommend the car.</p>
<p>I also remember sitting in a Kia Soul last year and being surprised it didn’t feel like a toy compared to the rest of their cars.</p>
<p>Bullet rented the Soul when he took a trip to CO Springs last yr. He said to him their commercial of hamsters summed it all up. He was positive they were in the engine, like a hamster wheel, running it.</p>
<p>Congrats on the tuition payments. I’m looking at the same list but used as our van died and we don’t need another. I love hatchbacks and have a Matrix and would love another, but since I do still have two in college, i want to spend less than 12 K. So, I’m looking budget and thinking of a Versa which, to me, has the same feel as the Fit. I’m also thinking of a used Prius for a bit more but hoping it’s worth the cost of extra gas mileage and less maintenance.</p>
<p>I have a Fit and I LOVE this car! I agree with almost everything people here have said about it (I haven’t noticed the blind spot or heard gas sloshing in the tank). This is the first car I’ve ever loved. I find it very comfortable (although I agree - you can feel the road beneath you and the bumps…I just don’t notice it anymore). </p>
<p>It’s way bigger on the inside than the outside for both passengers and stuff. I drove 13 hours out to the east coast with all three teenage boys (heights = 6’2", 6"3’, 5"10) with suitcases and it worked fine. (we did have a pep talk about getting along since we’d be so cramped before we started driving).</p>
<p>The milage is great - 35 city, 39 slow highway. I say that because it seems to me that if you’re going 70 or more, it gets slightly worse, like maybe 37.</p>
<p>The way the seats fold down in every which way is great - even more versatile that I expected.</p>
<p>The price is great. If you get the sport model, it’s just $1,000 more and it has cruise control and slightly bigger tires, as well as a couple cosmetic things that I didn’t care about.</p>
<p>I had a Nissan Cube as a rental for 5 days while visiting D a couple of months ago. There was alot of rain and wind and the Cube was very hard to handle. I had to tightly grip the steering wheel to keep control on the highway. Also the seals on the windows didn’t seem to be very good, the car was very noisy with the wind whipping through it.</p>
<p>^^^GTalum, You might also want to look at the Toyota Yaris and compare to the Versa. Someone discribed it as having the appearance of an enlarged potato but it has some good standard safety features. D2 bought one for tooling the streets/freeways of LA where gas costs a bundle…</p>
<p>We make our last tuition payment on Jan. 1! Can’t wait. We also need to buy a new car – our mid-90s sedan is limping.</p>
<p>I’d rather get a hybrid, so we were looking at the hybrid Civic – although waiting until the new model came out this spring. I dislike my local Toyota dealer, so I’d rather not get a Prius even though it’s the better car. Given the gas mileage on the Fit and everything you’re saying about it, we probably should look at it.</p>
<p>Thanks dude. I rented a Yaris when visiting DD in the Berkshires. I was impressed with it. For some reason, Consumer Reports doesn’t care for it.</p>
<p>I rented a Yaris in New York a few months back. It was okay, got good mileage, but the location of the display made me nuts–clearly designed so the car could be right or left steering wheel without changing anything else.</p>
<p>Greetings:</p>
<p>My husband gave me a Fit for Christmas two years ago, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about this car. It drives beautifully, gets amazing gas mileage and is unbelievably roomy inside. We take all of our family vacations in this car - my husband is 6’5" and 300 pounds, we also have a 15 year old boy who is about 5’10" and a 2 1/2 year old girl in a carseat. We can put all four family members in the car, plus all luggage and baby gear (pack and play etc) and still have some elbow room. We’ve driven across the country - literally - several times and have been perfectly happy and comfortable. Some people have remarked that it looks like a clown car when we all pile out of it, but I don’t care. It’s exactly what we need, and we love it so much that when and if our 2001 Honda Civic dies (I say if because Hondas really do last forever) we just might buy another Fit!</p>
<p>Get a Fit and you will never regret it!</p>
<p>dmd, the display did drive me crazy. But, for the right price, I can get used to it.</p>
<p>dmd, I had the same experience with Yaris - loved the mileage, handling, etc. but hated the display. I’m in the middle of making a used Matrix Corolla for yD, and I’m thinking about getting another one for myself when she takes the car. It is extremely roomy for its small size - fits the same amount of cr@p as DH’s much bigger van.</p>
<p>BB, can you make me one while you are at it?</p>
<p>Honda has the CRZ, a new model this year–sporty AND hybrid.</p>
<p>LOL Swimcatsmom! 
Okay, I think the Fit sounds better and better. I’m hoping that the 2011 Fits come into the dealership soon, before we need to get this car, because they have added STANDARD on the entry-level model cruise control and VSA stabilization, and the price has only gone up a couple of hundred dollars. I am definitely an “entry level” car buyer - never see the use of all the fancier technological gadgets and hate sun roofs. (Who needs sun in Austin :eek:) I guess Honda didn’t like having the FIT down-rated due to its lack of VSA (also known as Electronic Stability Control). Here’s a list of safety ratings here…[IIHS</a> vehicle ratings](<a href=“http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx]IIHS”>http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx)</p>
<p>My H has a Scion XB 2006–in 2007 it was redesigned, and I believe the newer XBs are somewhat heavier and more SUV-like. His car now has 60,000 miles on it. He’s been very happy with it–absolutely no mechanical problems, excellent gas mileage, cheap to insure, easy to park, very roomy and practical for a small car. My H also loves its distinctive look. I think it’s underpowered, though. I prefer driving my Honda Civic. I would have looked very seriously at the Fit if it had been available when I was in the market for a car; the hatchback is much more practical for me than a conventional trunk.</p>
<p>My vote is for the Honda Fit. I bought my D one for her college graduation present, a 2009 Sport model. I am a loyal Honda owner (the Fit makes my third Honda purchase in a row). Reliability and resale value are legendary, it has great safety ratings, and the gas mileage on it has been fantastic, D says. She is totally in love with the car and that makes me happy. Oh yeah, and we both think it’s fun to drive. ;)</p>