The seemingly innocent Honda Fit is causing quite a debate between my brothers and me.
It's a long story but the Twainfecta family recently lost the '04 Audi due to a driving fault of hers and an insurance fault of mine. Whoops. We need to get a new car and without that trade-in value from the old car, we'll need to be economical about it.
I didn't even realize it but apparently I've had a secret crush on the compact, metro-friendly Honda Fit. It costs about $17-$18k new and has only been in the U.S. for a few years so the used market is pretty limited. With some trepidation, I sent a picture of the car to my younger brother. It didn't take long before I got a phone call from my older brother that went something like this, "um... I'm not sure how to say this... I gotta say: not a fan of where your car search is headed." I let my emotions get the best of me and I told him that the two of them are just a bunch of conservative, southwestern rednecks who can't appreciate a good urban vehicle.
This exchange left me wondering, have I been living in D.C. too long? Does my interest in the Fit symbolize my spiral away from the core values that got me where I am today? Do I now find appeal in what I would have once scoffed at and written off as, in my younger brother's words, "a fusion of a minivan and a PT Cruiser." Or are my brothers really just not progressive thinking enough to see that this car embodies efficiency, practicality, value, and just the right amount of garish, euro trash style? I just don't know.
Anyways, yesterday we rode our bikes to the closest dealer to give it a test drive. It was about what I expected. Rides like a Honda. Safe. Not too exciting, but not very boring either. But I could envision some fun road trips, and some good times folding the seats in various contortions as we fit things here and there (the car's specialty). Who knows, maybe one day Twain Jr. could even inherit it. The dealer didn't quite have the model we were looking for so we didn't make any hasty decisions, but now I am in the thick of a bidding war between all the area Honda dealers to see who can give us the best price.
13 comments:
You have definitely lost touch.
Pace,
I did not vote in your poll because I didn't feel there was an option that adequately describes my feelings about this. When Amanda and I were looking for a smaller and more economical car a few months ago we also came across the Honda Fit. I was amazed at the SUV-like cargo capacity with the fold down seats and we were very tempted to take her for a spin. However, there were just a few things I couldn't get past. This car is for that trendy, young, aspiring dj who needs a lot of cargo space for his "sick" turntables and sound equipment. He also likes this car because he can get it in a sweet, funky color that matches his new pair of flashy pumas. I just had a hard time with all of this, not to mention the way the car looks as it "scoots" around town on its little micromachine wheels. I have to say that everytime I see one of these little guys on the road I am glad I chose not to go down that path. Ironically enough, we purchased a Scion TC which fits into its own fair share of sterotypes as well. But we are very happy with our choice. Best of luck!
CJones
You have definitely lost touch . . . with the world of Barker vehicles. I think Pops will be disappointed too, since he always gets excited to see what the next Barker car purchase is going to be, and he won't be excited about a Fit. But if your car search is really headed in that direction, let me make a suggestion -- the Mazda 3 5-door. It's kind of shaped like a Fit but way cooler looking, especially with that smiley face deal on the front. A little more expensive but not much.
Because I like the idea that the Barkers have a black sheep for his environmentalsy car, I say get it. But I approve on one condition: that you always refer to it as the Wii Fit. The Wii Fit has been a tagline of late when people ask me what I want for Christmas. I don't really want it, but I think the name is so cool and the idea is so preposterous, that I can't help but tell people I want it. So get the Honda Fit and tell the other Barker boys that if you don't run with the black sheep, the scenery is always white.
Pace, Pace, Pace (I'm shaking my head in disapproval) I'm not sure I know who you are anymore. :)
Sorry to hear about Norman. I always liked having you drive on our dates because it was a cool car with a smooth ride. Now, if I came to DC to visit you I feel like I'd have to bring my own car so as to avoid riding in the Fit.
Just answer this:
Could you go through a taco bell drive-thru and order two soft tacos with meat and cheese only and then proceed to pay for them with coins out of a kangaroo scrotum, all while driving a honda fit?
I would agree with the giant smurf - Desmundo
Pace, yes the car is economical reliable and pretty safe for an economy car. But it is lacking in other things that are just as important, luxury, sportiness and the ability to respect yourself. Buying this car is a good idea in the same way that it's a good idea to only eat organic... it's ridiculous.
who are you and what have you done with my brother who used to have a sense of style and some taste? if your goal is to be the next green machine al gore wannabe, crying about polar bears and the lack of ice in the world then by all means...why don't you just drain lake powell while you're at it?
Old Man Gibby got a Fit at the end of '07. He loves it.
I would not get one but if you do the deed don't get burnt orange.
Get this man out of the beltway now!!! It's rubbing off! Help is needed.
Purchased. Jan 9, 2010.
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