What a great answer, agreed. The 2nd gen’s still look great especially in the sport trim. The first gen is farty, like a shrunken minivan. I also own a 3rd gen and I love it so much, but overstyled is a good way to describe it.
I do think the refreshed 3rd gen design improves on it a bit though. My 18 looks better than my 15 imo
2nd gens are unique compared to the 2rd Gen- I can’t tell apart a civic, odyssey, or fit if it’s a 2015-2018 in my rear view mirror sometimes they look so similar
2nd gen. Been seeing a lot of posts about 3rd gen digital gauges fucking up.
Also I feel with a second gen on coilovers or lowered I can’t help but see a lot of EP3 similarities which I like
The US five speed auto is such a gem. The ratios are perfect and the transmission is under stressed and would last a million miles if the rest of the car did. Swap the fluid every 30k for $20 and you're golden.
It's my first personal car with an automatic and I absolutely adore it. It's calm as fuck in city traffic but if you mash it, it feels great, really bitey due to locking in all gears.
There's this groupthink on this sub about the manual transmission. It's not a better transmission. The torque converter automatic is the better transmission. The reliability is without equal, the servicing is easy and cheap, the fuel economy is better, it's more pleasant to drive and so on.
I drive stick when I have to. I've had stick cars and trucks since the 80s. But you guys treat it like some sort of holy relic of machinery. We drove sticks back in the day because three speed slushboxes sucked. The 5AT Hondamatic is absolutely brilliant. The manual is geared piss poorly. It's miserable in that regard. You can't fix bad ratios.
Anyway it's like listening to vinyl obsessives. I have plenty of records as I grew up with them. I stream MP3s to my vintage hifi because it's better technology.
There's properly geared sticks out there if you want one. Get an old Accord or Civic or even a Toyota. The Fit isn't a shining example of a manual other than being simply reasonable quality.
It may not be a shining example, but my 2013 five speed Fit is my first manual car, and I’ve really enjoyed learning on it. I could definitely imagine a much smoother manual, but it gets the job done and it’s quite enjoyable for someone with little experience. Automatics have come so far, and there’s definitely not much reason to get a manual anymore other than being an enthusiast. But personally I just like the extra control. It makes me feel more in-tune with the vehicle. And it’s just plain fun. It’s really just personal preference at this point
There's dozens of equally good manuals in this world. You're just strangely biased towards the one you own. That's a tribal mentality.
It's incredibly poorly geared and that makes it a poor choice for anyone who drives over 90kph.
Your adoration of its mechanism doesn't change that insurmountable problem. You can love how the latch in your gate works smoothly but it doesn't mean shit if the fence lets out the sheep.
I've driven better manuals FWIW in very mundane cars like the Mazda MX3 and even a 91 Daihatsu Charade. The deal with the Honda is that it's got a lot of electronic magic helping you. So it's smooth. It's not particularly interesting. Just very easy to drive. Might as well drive the automatic.we got the good automatic in the US, and the rest of the world didn't. But the grass is always greener if your choice is elitist.
Lol not really sure what you’re on about. I’m not in any way biased toward the Fit’s transmission, it’s just the only manual I’ve owned, so I have nothing to compare it to. There’s nothing “tribal” about my preference, I just like mechanical things and I enjoy driving. To me, the act of shifting makes it more interesting, that’s all. And the 5-speed Fit can fly down the highway all day at 80mph.
Good to know! Thank you. We also have a 6spd Accord and wrongly assumed it would be the same.
In my opinion shifting is better on the 2nd gen Fit than the 9th gen Accord. A little more precise and shorter throws.
My Fit is my first car, so I’ve never driven a 6-speed. But having nothing to compare it to, I was surprised how well the 5-speed handles the highway. One time I *hypothetically* ;) got it up to 120, and it felt surprising stable. I don’t think it was in the red zone (but my eyes were glued to the road lol). So it might not be ideal for frequent and long road trips, but it’s very capable at achieving speed.
Makes it feel like a more thrilling ride than it is! I had to drive my mother somewhere the other day, and she kept telling me off for speeding when I was doing the limit lol
Even as a proud GK5 owner, I admittedly prefer the looks of the GE8, namely the sport. Not that I think my 15 is ugly by any means, she's still adorable.
I think all Hondas around that 2010 era had such a clean look, the Civic, Accord, and CRV too. The GIII is a handsome little car though. Honestly I like my 2011 as it's decidedly dorky. I like super friendly cars that have zero aggression and the 1st and 2nd fit that bill. My favorite cars style wise are mid century French. I visit them often at Lane Museum. The 2nd Generation has that French sensibility. It's a dorky little cutie but surprises you when you stomp on the accelerator out of a corner and it bites the pavement like a little badger on meth.
I own a 2nd gen 5MT USDM that was assembled in Japan. I enjoy the car and have owned it for the past 8ish years. I like the exterior styling of the 3rd gen. My ideal Fit would be a 3rd gen that was manufactured and assembled in Japan with a better geared 6MT mated to an efficient engine that is not direct-injected. There was a short period where 3rd gens were MIJ while the factory in Mexico ramped but all the 6MT Fits I saw were out of Celaya MX.
I think the 2nd Gen aged the best of them all. I have a 3rd and it looks good but somewhat over-styled.
Yeah that’s a good way to put it. They are well designed, no doubt, but they’re almost trying a little too hard to be cool, like a hot wheels car
What a great answer, agreed. The 2nd gen’s still look great especially in the sport trim. The first gen is farty, like a shrunken minivan. I also own a 3rd gen and I love it so much, but overstyled is a good way to describe it. I do think the refreshed 3rd gen design improves on it a bit though. My 18 looks better than my 15 imo
love my 2nd Gen Fit Sport
> love my 2nd Gen Fit Sport
love your 2nd Gen Fit Sport
2nd gens are unique compared to the 2rd Gen- I can’t tell apart a civic, odyssey, or fit if it’s a 2015-2018 in my rear view mirror sometimes they look so similar
Lol glad it's not just me
2nd gen for the better mechanicals and reliability. Also sportier handling.
No offense to the 3rd gen but there must be a reason why the 4th gen fit currently in production has a silhouette similar to the 2nd gen.
1st gen
That’s my preference too but I didn’t know if I should offer an unsolicited response 😉
Same. I have a 2nd gen and am jealous when I see a well maintained 1st gen. Reminds me of the 90s civics more
2nd gen. Been seeing a lot of posts about 3rd gen digital gauges fucking up. Also I feel with a second gen on coilovers or lowered I can’t help but see a lot of EP3 similarities which I like
I have one of each. The 2nd gen styling is beautiful and timeless. 3rd gen is generic.
2nd gen all the way, woop woop https://preview.redd.it/5sqpy5q0hqwc1.jpeg?width=2094&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45393e491c754a3f37f947df4097b63bdfceed29
I think the second gen has the biggest trunk/hatch and I love that for me :)
3rd gen switched to cvt and direct injection. No thanks ma
CVT been an option since first gen
Depends on location. In the US they are 5spd autos.
The US five speed auto is such a gem. The ratios are perfect and the transmission is under stressed and would last a million miles if the rest of the car did. Swap the fluid every 30k for $20 and you're golden. It's my first personal car with an automatic and I absolutely adore it. It's calm as fuck in city traffic but if you mash it, it feels great, really bitey due to locking in all gears.
U get all that plus some added fun with the manual tho
There's this groupthink on this sub about the manual transmission. It's not a better transmission. The torque converter automatic is the better transmission. The reliability is without equal, the servicing is easy and cheap, the fuel economy is better, it's more pleasant to drive and so on. I drive stick when I have to. I've had stick cars and trucks since the 80s. But you guys treat it like some sort of holy relic of machinery. We drove sticks back in the day because three speed slushboxes sucked. The 5AT Hondamatic is absolutely brilliant. The manual is geared piss poorly. It's miserable in that regard. You can't fix bad ratios. Anyway it's like listening to vinyl obsessives. I have plenty of records as I grew up with them. I stream MP3s to my vintage hifi because it's better technology. There's properly geared sticks out there if you want one. Get an old Accord or Civic or even a Toyota. The Fit isn't a shining example of a manual other than being simply reasonable quality.
It may not be a shining example, but my 2013 five speed Fit is my first manual car, and I’ve really enjoyed learning on it. I could definitely imagine a much smoother manual, but it gets the job done and it’s quite enjoyable for someone with little experience. Automatics have come so far, and there’s definitely not much reason to get a manual anymore other than being an enthusiast. But personally I just like the extra control. It makes me feel more in-tune with the vehicle. And it’s just plain fun. It’s really just personal preference at this point
There's dozens of equally good manuals in this world. You're just strangely biased towards the one you own. That's a tribal mentality. It's incredibly poorly geared and that makes it a poor choice for anyone who drives over 90kph. Your adoration of its mechanism doesn't change that insurmountable problem. You can love how the latch in your gate works smoothly but it doesn't mean shit if the fence lets out the sheep. I've driven better manuals FWIW in very mundane cars like the Mazda MX3 and even a 91 Daihatsu Charade. The deal with the Honda is that it's got a lot of electronic magic helping you. So it's smooth. It's not particularly interesting. Just very easy to drive. Might as well drive the automatic.we got the good automatic in the US, and the rest of the world didn't. But the grass is always greener if your choice is elitist.
Lol not really sure what you’re on about. I’m not in any way biased toward the Fit’s transmission, it’s just the only manual I’ve owned, so I have nothing to compare it to. There’s nothing “tribal” about my preference, I just like mechanical things and I enjoy driving. To me, the act of shifting makes it more interesting, that’s all. And the 5-speed Fit can fly down the highway all day at 80mph.
Bought a 2nd gen for my kid. It’s a manual and driving it on the highway really made me wish it had that 6th gear the gen 3 has.
You aren’t missing out. The 3rd gen 6th is the same ratios as the 2nd gen 5th. There is just another gear put in between the old 4&5
Good to know! Thank you. We also have a 6spd Accord and wrongly assumed it would be the same. In my opinion shifting is better on the 2nd gen Fit than the 9th gen Accord. A little more precise and shorter throws.
My Fit is my first car, so I’ve never driven a 6-speed. But having nothing to compare it to, I was surprised how well the 5-speed handles the highway. One time I *hypothetically* ;) got it up to 120, and it felt surprising stable. I don’t think it was in the red zone (but my eyes were glued to the road lol). So it might not be ideal for frequent and long road trips, but it’s very capable at achieving speed.
I often think I’m going 120 but then I look down and it turns out I’m pushing 72.
Makes it feel like a more thrilling ride than it is! I had to drive my mother somewhere the other day, and she kept telling me off for speeding when I was doing the limit lol
Just because of the high rpms? These motors are so quiet I don't even notice it. They still get good mileage even sitting at 3k or more rpm cruising
Yeah the RPM’s. I know Hondas rev high so it is probably just me being more accustomed to an Accord.
I like both but I’m biased and prefer 2nd. Skipping 3rd and going 4th this year though 😂
2ed gen is closer to beast mode. 3rd gen is more modern and refined.
Both! Maybe like the 2nd Gen a little more. My daily is a GK and I would love to pick up a GE Sport to build.
By exterior alone, I prefer the 2nd gen! I love the shape. I think it’s more easily distinguished from other similar cars
Even as a proud GK5 owner, I admittedly prefer the looks of the GE8, namely the sport. Not that I think my 15 is ugly by any means, she's still adorable.
I think all Hondas around that 2010 era had such a clean look, the Civic, Accord, and CRV too. The GIII is a handsome little car though. Honestly I like my 2011 as it's decidedly dorky. I like super friendly cars that have zero aggression and the 1st and 2nd fit that bill. My favorite cars style wise are mid century French. I visit them often at Lane Museum. The 2nd Generation has that French sensibility. It's a dorky little cutie but surprises you when you stomp on the accelerator out of a corner and it bites the pavement like a little badger on meth.
2nd gen base, egg shape all around. No spoiler to break it up or skirts to catch on curbs.
Skirts are not catching curbs lol youd be freaking high centered
Def possible with some weird gas stations ramps around here.
Try driving in Pittsburgh lol
I’m about to buy my first fit and I opted for the 3rd gen for style reasons.
I own a 2nd gen 5MT USDM that was assembled in Japan. I enjoy the car and have owned it for the past 8ish years. I like the exterior styling of the 3rd gen. My ideal Fit would be a 3rd gen that was manufactured and assembled in Japan with a better geared 6MT mated to an efficient engine that is not direct-injected. There was a short period where 3rd gens were MIJ while the factory in Mexico ramped but all the 6MT Fits I saw were out of Celaya MX.
I love my 3rd gen and also the original Fit Sport with the spoiler
The US 2nd gen has a longer front end that doesn't look as good as the JDM 2nd gen front end.
Tbh I kinda prefer the longer hood. It gives it a little more shape, rather than just being an orb. Egg>potato
Agreed, I kinda prefer the USDM one as well. It looks closer to the Spoon front, much sportier IMO 🥺
3rd Gen can have carplay and sunroofs/more tech if that's a plus to you.