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Now that we have internet back on at the house after 6 weeks since the May 22 Tornado I will post about my new little friend that we got May 20th.

We started looking for a replacement vechile for my Dodge Dakota as I would taking both kids to school in the mornings starting this fall. It was 13 years old and was not sure how much longer it would continue to be a good work horse without starting to cost to much.

So with a budge set we looked for what would Fit into the budget and found that we both liked the FIT and we were all able to FIT into and be quite comfy. So we looked at the local dealer and took a test drive of a Sport AT one as they didn't have a MT. We liked it and so we asked them to look for a MT Base model as that would FIT in the budget. After 2 weeks of look, not MT other than Black or Red. Not going to happen. Then one was found in STL. There were communication issues and didn't look like that was going to be a go. So we resigned to ordering one (waitng until the middle of July for delivery). This was now the beginning of May. After an email to the STL dealer I was able to get negotionations back on track and we picked up the 2011 Fit (1.5L MT5) on May 20th.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/DSC00587.JPG
The wifes 2003 Accord with the new Fit

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/DSC00591.JPG
Still all shiny and new (not aware of what was to come in 24 hours of taking this picture. That would have been the EF5 Tornado that ripped through Joplin MO on May 22 at 5:41PM just 2 blocks North of out house and the cars outside.)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/DSC00592.JPG
I liked the little gleam in the headlight and the be smile. I think it likes it here. :p

First Tank was 38.2 (driving around in the Tornado damage and not very good conditions for HM'ing.)
Second tank was 45.3
still working on the Third tank ;) but it is around 46 and increasing with everyday I learn how to dirve it.

Over all I love it, with the peppy little engine, smooth shifting and views that go on for every from the cabin. Layout is good, but could use with a few more spots to put the SGII:rolleyes:.

I will be posting more of my ongoing daily grind in the daily grind section.

Sharp looking car for sure... my sister in law has one, and she loves it as well. I enjoyed driving it, except for the slushbox. :p

Very nice looking (and CAPABLE) vehicle, Jason! :thumbs_up:

That's a nice pair in the driveway. Certainly a step up in most categories compared to the Dakota. Max Payload being one shortcoming, but volume capacity isn't down too much - it's one of those "bigger on the inside" vehicles.

:D Congratulations.

How's the hail damage? :(

Not so much hail damage as debries damage from all the bits of houses flying around in the air. Most were fixed, but never as good as new. But I would have put some dents in it sooner or later.

Hi Jason:

Congrats on the new ride and how are you doing on #3 and #4? I can almost bet within a few weeks, the wife begins the task of talking you into picking up her a Fit as well ;) It is hard to beat a vehicle that delivers “Best in Class” on so many accounts yet is not over priced when compared to the rest of its competitors.

The Fit MT’s 30% shorter ratios vs. the AT however is where Honda stuck a knife straight into my eye socket and then twisted said knife for good measure :ccry:

I think you will be happy with the AT over the long haul simple because it will not buzz the fillings out of your teeth when cruising down the Interstate.

Wayne

At least in Canada, the manual comes with a temp spare, and the automatic has a can of fix-a-flat. I believe this was to reduce weight of the latter, sufficient to get the auto version past some mpg threshold. So to get a comparable auto version, you first pay the premium for the transmission, and then another $200~300 if you want the temp spare. At least this was the case, last time I checked.

I've always had a soft spot for that car, never had one, but they catch my eye. Maybe if they bring in the hybrid version...

I think you will be happy with the AT over the long haul simple because it will not buzz the fillings out of your teeth when cruising down the Interstate.



His Fit is not an automatic though, it's a manual.

looks great, and you can get some great numbers out of the base Fit auto, and if done right the 5MT can pull some awesome numbers, but revs high at higher speeds ~55mph