Honda Fit Sport vs. Nissan Versa SL

[Obsidian6]

Alright boys and girls.

Now that some of us are considering some of these sub-compact cars as our daily drivers, lets see who likes what and why.

I personally have to downsize and move to an econobox for a short while, until my business takes off.

I was seriously considering the VW rabbit, however its "OK" mileage is enough to cause me to remove it from the runnings.

my choices have now been run down to the Honda Fit Sport ( with those HFP 16" wheels, its not too bad looking! )

and the Nissan Versa SL ( i'd get the sport package if it was available, but alas it isnt yet )

Now obviously my favorite thing about the Versa is the fact that it is based off of a Renault design, which is why it recieved a 6SPD manual (OMG)
however, renault trannys are ( as far as ive been able to gather, since im american ) somewhat notchy, and not very smooth. coupled with the fact that the versa has some kind of electronic steering, I'm fearing it may become numb under heavy cornering ( which i love to do all day long )

now the fit, i have heard the fit's manual is smooth as butter, and it seems to out-rank everything else in this class.

Are there any owners of either car on the board? If so, tell us some of your experiences with them, your likes, your dislikes.

the key point for me in this purchase, is a good tranny, decent handling ( and adequate cargo space )

This isn't going to be a long-term car, but one that will be easy on my limited budget for now.

 

[mkrishnan]

I haven't had the time to look at these closely, but I'm very excited by them coming to the US. The Toyota Yaris (is it?) ones also look cute.

 

[medea]

I own neither but both cars are pretty similar. It looks like the Versa is a tad more spacious on the inside and the Versa looks nicer in my opinion. I'd go probably go with the Honda quality and reliability though.
Actually I'd get a Yaris!

 

[Obsidian6]

I like the looks of the versa, but don't like that they only offer those puny 15" wheels. it just doesn't do the car justice. even a 16" would be better.

the fit sport strikes my fancy, but i wonder about the seats.

but, as with anything, a test drive answers 90% of your questions.

i am not too fond the yaris hatch though. the sedan looks leagues better in my opinion. but even so, it still isn't for me.

also, mind you, I'm 6'2"

i'd go for a mugen-tuned Fit Dynamite though!

 

[mkrishnan]

i'd go for a mugen-tuned Fit Dynamite though!

The critical thing is to win Americans on the idea of a highly equipped small car... the Mini was the first one that really, really caught my attention, because I really have zero desire for a stripped down car with no features and am not interested in a small car because of my wallet....

 

[BAspecialCake]

The Honda Fit wins by a landside...

Seriously, it's not even a competition. Car and Driver already did this review and I agree 100%.

 

[Abstract]

I like hatches.

 

[realityisterror]

Fit anyday.
It's a Honda for crying out loud, so not only will it cost you less, but when you sell it, it probably will keep more value.

Besides, I think the Versa is sort of... unattractive, but that's just me.

reality

 

[Sutekidane]

For some reason the Honda Fit reminds me of a Chevy Aveo/Daewoo Kalos for some reason. When I first saw on in person the first thought that came to my head was "Oh, look the newer 2007 Aveo." Not that it's a bad thing at all, I think it's a nice looking car.

 

[ebow]

Car & Driver magazine had an article in May '06 comparing the Fit, the Versa, and several other small cars. It's interspersed with information about presidents from Ohio (of course). Don't forget to click on the links in the "Featured in This Comparison" box--they contain the meat of the article. To summarize, I think they liked the Honda Fit the best (for numerous technical / performance reasons, along with aesthetics, brand, etc.).

If I didn't need something bigger to go along with my 2-year-old Civic (planning for a family) I'd definitely be thinking about the Fit. (oops, almost typed "Git" )

 

[Abstract]

Are you planning for your 1st child? Isn't the Fit big enough for that?

 

[rockthecasbah]

The Honda Fit wins by a landside...

Seriously, it's not even a competition. Car and Driver already did this review and I agree 100%.

The current issue of Motor Trend did a similar review to the Car and Driver magazine's test and the Fit also came out on top. I'm looking at a Fit for my first car but it probably won't end up happening

 

[steamboat26]

the Fit. Honda is just a more reliable company. Their cars are some of the best in the world, right along side Toyota, unlike some american car companies...
cough*ford*cough*GM*cough

 

[ebow]

Are you planning for your 1st child? Isn't the Fit big enough for that?

Yeah, first. The Fit might be big enough, but my wife likes to tell me stories of us having to drag strollers, and lots of extra bags, and this, and that.... (and somehow this is supposed to encourage me to want kids?) and I'm not sure the Fit would fit (intended) it all. Nor the Matrix/Vibe, which I'd been thinking about until the Fit came along. I suppose I should check one out in person, of course.

Oh, and then there's (occasional) building supplies to consider. I want my next car to be able to hold more than the 8-foot-long 2x4s that just barely fit in my Civic (by sticking way into the front seats). I'm thinking of an Accord wagon or Outback (used)...

 

[Vster]

My wife drives a Scion xA and I love it!



We added the 17s (inexpensive off of tire rack) and a stubby antenna (not shown).

 

[Sun Baked]

I like the looks of the versa, but don't like that they only offer those puny 15" wheels. it just doesn't do the car justice. even a 16" would be better.

the fit sport strikes my fancy, but i wonder about the seats...

also, mind you, I'm 6'2" ...

Test drive the versa, with your size -- it'll probably be one of the largest small car you can get in this class of vehicle.

Should have both rear seat legroom and big enough front seats for you -- I think their claim was that the front seats were nearly as large as the Maxima's.

So they should almost fit a lard butt American's ass better than some of the other mini hatches, of course there is always the squeezing through the small doors that may be problematic for some.

 

[medea]

My wife had a Scion Xa and it was pretty roomy for a small car, and affordable. The Xb, though some would consider it ugly, has a lot of room and would be fine for a three person family. Until the kid grows up and you have to start shuttling the whole neighborhood around to soccer practice. Plus you get that Toyota reliabilty which I trust even more than Hondas. And both the Scions have been around for a few years so you'd could even get one that is used and save even more money.

 

[itcheroni]

I had a Honda Logo in Japan, which I believe is the Fit or, at least, incredibly close and I absolutely loved it. Zippy, reliable, and fun to drive.

 

[iGav]

Honda or Nissan... isn't that a bit like asking... 'where would sir like the bullet... in the front or in the back of the head?'

 

[j26]

I have an irrational* hatred of Nissan, so I'd have to say ANYTHING (even a bicycle) rather than a Nissan.






* I fully recognise there is no real reason for my hatred of Nissans, but it's there.

 

[stef16]

Undecided!

I am leasing a 2003 jetta right now and it is coming off lease at the end of January.

I want to get back into a hatch because I really like them and I basically only drive to work and run errands with my car.

My boyfriend and I test drove the Yaris, the Fit and the Vers (yesterday night actually!) and we both preferred the ride of the Versa. That really surprised us because we drove a Sentra a couple of years ago and we both hated it.

Although I liked to drive the Fit, I think it has the worst look of the 3 cars. I prefer the Versa, personally, but the fact that it is built in Mexico kinda scares me (my Jetta was built in Mexico and I had to go to the dealership 3 times during the first week because the damn thing wouldn't start!!! And I have has trouble ever since!)

I really don't know what i am going to do, because they all have advantages, but I can't make up my mind.

The Yaris looks nice and is the most affordable (here in Canada anyway). The Fit doesn't really look good, but it's a nice ride and it's a Honda. The Versa looks good and is a nice ride, but it is more expensive (to get all I want).

At leat, I still have a couple of months to figure it out!

I like the look of the Scion, but they are not available in Canada.

 

[fish.girl1]

Fit versus Versa

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

I am considering both, as well as the Scion Xa, but have a bit of a dilema. I called a couple of dealers in the area (I'm in Chicago) and have been told that they are selling so fast that they don't have one I can drive. They *might* get one in that I could look at, but not drive. Who buys a care without driving it first?

I plan to test a Versa, as well as the Scion Xa (I've driven it once before and liked it). Any thoughts on how to get around the lack of a car to test? My mom had severe buyers remorse after buying a car she found uncomfortable to drive (long story) giving me serious reservations about buying something without testing it, even with all of the positive feedback.

 

[Marleyfan]

The Yaris looks nice and is the most affordable (here in Canada anyway). The Fit doesn't really look good, but it's a nice ride and it's a Honda. The Versa looks good and is a nice ride, but it is more expensive (to get all I want).

A fully loaded Yaris is within $100 of a fully loaded Versa SL. I test drove the Yaris (felt cheap) and the Fit (drove nice but the more I looked at it the less I liked it) and the Versa. I ended up buying the Versa and have absolutely no regrets. It is amazingly roomy and comfortable and the quality of the fit and finish is better than both the Fit and the Yaris. A colleague of mine bought the Yaris a couple of months ago and after seeing my Versa he is kicking himself for not waiting. Having said all that, I honestly believe that as entry level cars go you really can't go wrong buying any of the three cars.

 

[Applejuice]

i am also in the market for one of these new entry level cars. gas mileage and reliability is what i am mostly looking for so the honda was my 1st choice. unfortunately, dealers were all out of stock or charging a premium on them.
if you're looking for a little more zoom there is the new mazda 3 with 263 hp @ < 23k. it's in this months C&D and may be worth a peek.

 

[MrSmith]

I drive a Honda Stream, which is basically an adult Fit (7 seater) . I presume it's at least as nice to drive. Good engine and handling.