VW Rabbit or Honda Fit?

We're in the market for a car. SO thought she wanted a Fit for herself but now she's thinking about waiting to get something nicer. Meanwhile I need a car now and she's thinking maybe we should get what I initially wanted -- a Rabbit. But I'm not averse to the Fit either...


Honda Fit



VW Rabbit

I've never heard of the Honda Fit before. I may have to check that out for myself...

For 14k you have lots of options in a used warranty car. I SWEAR by toyota camry's. Pretty much anything Honda or Toyota is bulletproof.

The Jetta TDI is a great car but may pricey. 40mpg vehicle.

Avoid all cars german unless you are fully prepared to pay for expensive repairs of simple systems that you would expect to work in 2008. Door locks, power windows, etc..

What empty suit came up with that ass sandwich? :wtf:

If I get one, every time I get into it, I'm going to be reminded how un-Fit my ass is...

American automotive tradition is marked by names that convey a sense of power or greatness — Toronado, Grand Prix, Valiant, Master.



Whada we got now? The Chevrolet Pleasing? The Ford Comfortable? :shrug:

I totally want one.

Possibly some empty suit American came up with the name Fit. The car transcends the name.

:evilgrin:

We've been so focused on researching the Fit. The Subaru is a little pricey.

I will do some research and keep an open mind.

I guess I should please the Lesbian Borg and at least take one for a test drive :silly:

I know who owns a VW complains about the weird little things that keep happening. I carpooled with a bunch of people, one with a (new) Beetle, one with a Passat, one with a Jetta. All cars were about the same age as my Civic or newer. All three people complained about door handles breaking, dashboard lights burning out, windows that get stuck open or closed, gas tank doors breaking, check engine light permanently on even after service, etc. The cars all ran fine, but there seemed to be a constant list of stupid little things wrong with their VWs. Maybe it's just cooincidence, I certainly haven't done any real research, but my experience with VWs has led me to believe I wouldn't want the aggravation even though they are fun cars. Meanwhile, my 1999 Civic is not sexy or hip but it still runs just fine.

Just my $0.02.

P.S. When I am ready to replace the Civic, I'm really hoping they have a HYBRID Fit by then. I love those Fits, even if they have a dumb name.

want to deal with what you've described. SO works with a couple of really tall guys (both over 6 feet) who have '07 Fits and they LOVE them. They swear they're a dream to drive. They're competing with each other to see how much stuff they can get in the back.

The shape seems much more efficient, and it looks like you can fold the back seats down. I just don't think you'll be sorry you bought a Honda. My brother-in-law bought a civic in 1981 that was still running until it got wrecked in a bad accident in 2002. Who knows how long it would've lasted otherwise?

I think the Fit is the best looking Honda they've made in a long time. That's awesome that those tall guys fit (LOL! No pun intended) just fine, especially considering that my 6'2" b-i-l couldn't even fit into our (much larger) Subaru Outback. It's not a problem for us because we're both short, but it's still nice to know.

One guy swears he can get just as much stuff in the back as in his Suburban. I'm also looking at the Hyundai Accent hatchbacks.

Really. (See my statement above, or below as the case may be, about never buying another VW product.)

I remember really wanting to get a Beetle when they came out, but at the time we weren't in the market for a car. I'm glad I didn't do it because my friend with the Beetle got so sick of dealing with that car he ended up trading it in. They have a CRV now and love it. Another friend of mine traded her Beetle for a Civic.

How funny that you ended up with the Fit. I figure my 1999 Civic still has a few more years left in her (knock on wood) so hopefully by then the Fit will be available in hybrid with any luck. Oddly, we bought our Subaru *after* the Civic and figured we'd be replacing the Civic first. Now I think it may be the other way around. I think we'll probably end up with two Hondas. We learned our lesson.

are not just "outliers" but rather seem to be an integral part of the whole VW ownership experience! I was giving some serious thought to a VW with TDI (diesel) engine as I put loads of miles on my car and the diesels get great fuel mileage, but it's just not worth the potential hassles.

On that subject of fuel economy, I've read from more than one source that Honda plans to have very modestly-priced hybrid (considerably cheaper than their current Civic Hybrid) on the market within a couple of years, though they haven't revealed whether it will be the Fit or something brand new.

Fingers crossed!

So I guess my anecdotal evidence about VWs is pretty on the mark then? What a pain!

Great car!

I will never, never, ever buy another VW product. (I once bought a Rabbit.)

Nice car.

you should know that the Fit gets about 7 mpg overall better mileage than the Rabbit!

The numbers are 31 (combined) vs. 24 (combined), based on this site from the federal government:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm

I don't care if it were only $3000, I would not buy it!

I had a 1980 VW Rabbit (diesel) I purchased brand new off the lot and it went through head gasket after headgasket. The first headgasket was before it was even 1 year old and I probably had 6000 miles on it at most. I went through at least 4 headgaskets, and it was not CHEAP!

Then it began leaking rain into the car on the passenger side....then the headliner came down from all the moisture.

Oh the plus side, it handled well in the snow and was cute as all get out.

The kicker was when I wrote to VW with my problems and they basically laughed in my face.


I only buy Hondas now. I am partially disabled and don't need to be stuck on the side on the road with a disabled car, plus VW turned me off with their cavalier attitude.

silver seems to be the color that they want to sell you. we bought one a year ago and love it. car nut son and trusted mechanic both recommended it. but they all seem to be silver. the blue is pretty. but that red is great.

maybe silver. I'm afraid the red will fade eventually.

If she thinks a Rabbit is nicer than a Fit, has she SEEN the Fit? That little car comes loaded to the gills--standard. I've never seen another car (especially a subcompact) get such consistently rave reviews from both pros and consumers. I've test driven one twice, and I'm picking up a Fit Sport in red next weekend.

I like the two-door hatch back ideer better BUT the more I look at the Fit...hmmmm. What did you think about the test drive? I'm really interested in your experience.

And I'm coming (with a brief and unfortunate interim of a Hyundai that was thrust upon me) from a Civic EX that I absolutely adored (and drove for 8 years). The Fit handles beautifully, has surprising pickup for an econobox, I LOVE that it's loaded with extras, and the multi-configuration seats are brilliant.

Especially when you add in (on the Civic) comparable items like power (everything), music system, alloy wheels, etc., that come standard on the Fit. The Fit's a couple thou less than the Civic (I'm actively shopping them right now).

Also, mileage and storage space on the Fit are better than on the Civic.

I wish it had a sunroof x(

Sport package with a manual tranny. I wish it had a sunroof, too--the 2009s supposedly will have not a sunroof, but a panoramic roof window that looks pretty cool. If you google Fit images, you'll probably come across some prototype pics of the '09 that show it.

My personal favorite small hatches are...


Nissan Tiida




Kia Picanto


Peugeot 206


Citroen C3


And the Renault Megane-- the car with the sexiest A$$ in the world

...so I could take it back with me when I transfer. That car is soooooooooo very cool. I also like the Citroen C4, but between the two, I'd probably take the Renault.

The crop of small cars available here in the States leaves much to be desired. No manufacturer makes money on them in the US, so we don't get the good ones. We do get the Nissan Tiida, though - it's called the Versa.

The hugely popular Jazz (outside the U.S.). Just curious why you think it sucks.

and I just love it. Not only do the seat fold down (yes you can truly haul a lot of stuff), if you're hauling tall items the seats fold up too. I can just slide my bike in the "back seat".

...though the Fit is a neat little car.

I've had generally positive ownership experiences with Volkswagen (unlike some others here, apparently).

More attractive, more HP...

Well, my peeps. We did it.

I give you Miz Thang (looks just like this one)





I am quite the happy little girl. Thank you one and all for your input. :bounce: