FIT or Yaris - Element or xB

Discussion in 'Element' started by Chris Lamb, Oct 2, 2006.

  1. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
    spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
    gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
    fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
    I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
    But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.

    This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
    vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
    is just a nice to have.

    I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.

    Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
    YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
    would you buy and why?
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 2, 2006
    #1
  2. Chris Lamb

    Skippy Guest

    Horror stories? Please tell.

    The Fit has been around in Japan and Europe for about 4 years. It's come
    top 5 (sector or overall) of most owner surveys it's appeared in. Obviously
    I'm a biased Honda owner, but 'horror stories' doesn't imply impartiality
    either. I do hear that they're a bit hard to come by in the US at the
    moment, and that's about as bad as I've heard.
    I'd buy the Fit. They are a lovely little car, IMO. I carry bikes about
    and the magic seats work amazingly for 1-2 of them. I wouldn't know about
    towing. I do have the tow-bar, but only to fit a 4 bike rack on.

    Skippy
    E&OE
     
    Skippy, Oct 2, 2006
    #2
  3. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    I went to carprices.com, followed the compare link, put 4 different
    vehicles in, then read the many things people had to say about them.
    A common thread seemed to be how the quality with Honda has really
    gone downhill. That's surprising. I owned quite a few Civic
    Hatchbacks and Accords that I always bought new and they were
    flawless. But buyers of FITs and Elements reported some bad problems
    with transmission failure within 1000 miles, engine failure, reports
    that the problem wasn't covered under warranty, and various other
    problems.
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 2, 2006
    #3
  4. Chris Lamb

    santos Guest


    Well, I have 7200 miles on a FIT with no issues. I got mine new for
    around $14k. I get about 40mpg with mostly highway driving. Fit and
    finish seem ok for a 14,000 dollar car. It's not a pocket rocket but
    doesn't pretend to be either.

    If you're looking to tow things you might be better off with an
    Element though I don't know what the different towing capacities of
    any of the vehicles you mention.

    Finally, Honda has taken some grief in enthusiast circles for dumbing
    down the design on some of their vehicles. The last generation Civic
    switched from a double wishbone suspension to some other setup that
    was supposed to be less than optimum. The Accord has gotten bigger,
    the Ridgeline looks like an Avalanche, etc. To each their own, I
    guess. I think any of the vehicles you mention would probably be
    fine.
     
    santos, Oct 3, 2006
    #4
  5. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    Santos, as I have done more research I am leaning more toward the FIT.
    For the difference in price between it and an Element for instance, I
    can RENT a lot of row boats to go fishing, and probably pay for the
    rental with the gas savings alone. Don't have a boat, just was
    thinking of one, and it doesn't have to be a priority in anyway.
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 3, 2006
    #5
  6. Chris Lamb

    Skippy Guest

    I don't know where the US Fits are assembled, but the Japanese built ones
    are generally praised on build. Have a look in the showroom and decide.

    Given Honda's reputation is built on making engines it would seem VERY odd
    for them to be selling duff ones on a 4 year old design and not honouring a
    warranty.

    As previously posted the UK Consumers association survey reports that the
    Jazz is the most reliable car you can buy. Something like no major failures
    in 400 over 12 months if I recall.
     
    Skippy, Oct 3, 2006
    #6
  7. Chris Lamb

    Body Roll Guest

    If a sporty ride is a priority Fit might be better choice.
    If saving a few bucks is a priority and you like boats
    Fit might not be as fitting. I think Yaris has more boat-like
    properties. Or that's an impression I derived from
    reading the C&D subcompact comparo. The little parody
    on Lexus might be more reliable though.
     
    Body Roll, Oct 4, 2006
    #7
  8. Chris Lamb

    ego Guest

    We drove Yaris(2), Fit(sport), Scions(2), Hyundai - and the Fit stood
    out as more solid-feeling when stressed. 45 years ago I raced SCCA (all
    RWD), and it's my inclination to push a car pretty hard. The Fit did
    great, the Hyundai was flaky, and the several Toyotas were in between.
    I'll go further - pushed hard, the Hyundai was so scary at the edge that
    I pulled over to check tire pressure. The Fit came loose gently and
    predictably, and never felt out of control. The brakes were about the
    same but I didn't measure. Overall, the Fit seemed safest in emergencies
    and with its superior handling and adequate engine would win most Class
    H or so of the early 60s.
     
    ego, Oct 4, 2006
    #8
  9. Chris Lamb

    tww Guest

    Off topic -- but you probably remember the Sunbeam Tiger given your
    background.
     
    tww, Oct 5, 2006
    #9
  10. Chris Lamb

    Robert Guest

    I'd go with the Element, solely for its safety and four-wheel drive.
    You could definitely tow a boat with this one, it's safer than the Fit
    (both in side-impact and front-impact), and the AWD system is a
    necessary componet where I live...I don't know about your location, but
    that's just my opinion.
     
    Robert, Oct 5, 2006
    #10
  11. Why exactly is AWD necessary in your area? If you are referring to winter
    conditions, all you need is a good set of winter tires.
     
    High Tech Misfit, Oct 5, 2006
    #11
  12. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    I too raced SCCA. I know exactly what you are talking about. Problem
    in this part of Wisconsin is that no one has any FITs. One dealer in
    Appleton yesterday said that everyone they were getting in until the
    end of 2006 was already sold, but when the shipment came in he would
    call me and let me sit in one.

    Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
    buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
    Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
    are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
    have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
    one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
    it is available and quite a decent car.
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 5, 2006
    #12
  13. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    I'm in North Central Wisconsin. I have a Grand Cherokee now and the
    AWD does come in handy. Problem with the Element, which I like, is
    that the price goes into the low to mid 20's with AWD.
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 5, 2006
    #13
  14. I would avoid Saturn and the Aveo. If you cannot wait for a Fit, I would
    suggest to spend the extra bit of money to get a Toyota Yaris which is much
    more solidly built and much more fuel efficient than Aveo and Ion.
     
    High Tech Misfit, Oct 5, 2006
    #14
  15. Chris Lamb

    Roy Starrin Guest

    I liked the Saturn VUE which, I admit, is more money - and the 2006 6
    cyl has a Honda engine in it; don't know about the 2007.
    Even liked the 4 cyl VUE with 30 mpg
    Just replaced 88 Civic hatchback with 2006 Civic 4-door.
    Need to replace 1994 Mercury Villager with something.
    So far the VUE is out in front
     
    Roy Starrin, Oct 5, 2006
    #15
  16. Chris Lamb

    Robert Guest

    Why exactly is AWD necessary in your area? If you are referring to winter
    I live in northwestern Connecticut, and my other car is a 1993 Volvo
    940 -- excellent in the summer, but it has a huge weight bias and rear
    wheel drive...even with winter tires it is one of the worst cars I've
    ever driven in winter conditions (unfortunately, I overlooked this when
    I bought in the summer, and I fell in love with it ever since.)
     
    Robert, Oct 6, 2006
    #16
  17. But that's a rear-wheel drive car. An Element is front-wheel drive, so it's
    still better in snow than a rear-wheel drive car.

    I live in central Canada, so obviously I've experienced winter weather too.
     
    High Tech Misfit, Oct 6, 2006
    #17
  18. Chris Lamb

    Chris Lamb Guest

    FWIW - I bought a 2006 used Saturn Ion 2 with all the options,
    sunroof, 11000 miles. It just came off 1 year lease. I was very
    interested in either a FIT or YARIS, however every one of those
    vehicles coming into this area until the end of the year is already
    sold. I had the option to buy one sight unseen, and I would have
    received it in January. The Saturn I got, in a new 2007 version costs
    $17000. I got it for $12000. It will be garaged and cared for so
    even though I would agree F/Y are better quality, this vehicle should
    certainly provide satisfactory service to us. Also, it will tow 1000#
    in case we want to pull a small fishing boat to the lake, which is
    only 3 blocks from the house. Thanks to everyone for your input. It
    was valuable information in making my decision.
     
    Chris Lamb, Oct 6, 2006
    #18
  19. Chris Lamb

    Ike Guest

    Wasn't exactly SCCA, but what a rocketship. And even further from topic
    was a friend with an MGTC sporting a (gasp) Studebaker V8. Hopefully,
    someone somewhere has returned that car to its proper state... Those
    were the days... Now, how to get a V8 into a Fit, and back on topic.
     
    Ike, Oct 7, 2006
    #19
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