Would you pay 17k for a Honda Fit hybrid???
06-24-10, 02:28 PM
#1
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Would you pay 17k for a Honda Fit hybrid???
2010 Honda Fit
MSRP Range
$15,700.00 - $17,260.00
Fuel Economy
28 city / 35 highway
Base Engine
117-horsepower L4
Transmission
Automatic, Manual
Drivetrains
Front Wheel Drive
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As we reported earlier, Honda is considering a hybrid that will undercut the price of its current model lineup, as well as Toyota's hot-selling Prius.
The planned hybrid would be based on the Fit, and would sticker for under $17,000 at current exchange rates. This would make it the least expensive hybrid that Honda sells, including the current Civic Hybrid, Insight, and upcoming CR-Z. Further, it would undercut the price of a Prius, as well as other Toyota hybrids.
However, when a base, manual transmission Fit stickers for $15,650, is the price premium worth the extra miles per gallon? Though our sources are saying close to 70 mpg, it's still worth considering. And as we said in our Four Seasons wrap, the Fit's price point quickly rises with options, bringing it into the territory of cars one class above.
Today's Snap Judgment:
Is $17,000 too much to pay for a Fit hybrid?
Let us know what you think
MSRP Range
$15,700.00 - $17,260.00
Fuel Economy
28 city / 35 highway
Base Engine
117-horsepower L4
Transmission
Automatic, Manual
Drivetrains
Front Wheel Drive
Explore this Car More
Search Cars
As we reported earlier, Honda is considering a hybrid that will undercut the price of its current model lineup, as well as Toyota's hot-selling Prius.
The planned hybrid would be based on the Fit, and would sticker for under $17,000 at current exchange rates. This would make it the least expensive hybrid that Honda sells, including the current Civic Hybrid, Insight, and upcoming CR-Z. Further, it would undercut the price of a Prius, as well as other Toyota hybrids.
However, when a base, manual transmission Fit stickers for $15,650, is the price premium worth the extra miles per gallon? Though our sources are saying close to 70 mpg, it's still worth considering. And as we said in our Four Seasons wrap, the Fit's price point quickly rises with options, bringing it into the territory of cars one class above.
Today's Snap Judgment:
Is $17,000 too much to pay for a Fit hybrid?
Let us know what you think
06-24-10, 03:20 PM
#3
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Well we'll have too see if they even meet that 70mpg rumor. I'm guessing that it'll get only 40mpg. At that point for only 2K more it "may" be worth it but at the same time the regular one get's 35mpg with much less complexity.
06-24-10, 03:58 PM
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If it does get 70 mpg as stated in the article or anywhere near that then yes I would buy it. It would be a steal at ~70 mpg for 17k plus the cargo space and handling characteristics of the normal Fit. Heck Id still get it at 20k but not much more than that. I think the performance might suffer a little bit because of the added bulk of the hybrid components since the normal Fit isn't exactly fast, but the electric motors should provide a lot more torque.
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06-24-10, 05:37 PM
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If it does get 70 mpg as stated in the article or anywhere near that then yes I would buy it. It would be a steal at ~70 mpg for 17k plus the cargo space and handling characteristics of the normal Fit. Heck Id still get it at 20k but not much more than that. I think the performance might suffer a little bit because of the added bulk of the hybrid components since the normal Fit isn't exactly fast, but the electric motors should provide a lot more torque.
but then it "officially" was rated at 40/43
The CR-Z was rumored to get 70mpg...
but it is now rated at 31/37
Don't believe the rumors and hype, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Honda...
06-24-10, 07:31 PM
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There's not a snowball's chance in hell that Honda would achieve a 70mpg Fit even at a $7K premium over the standard Fit. Never mind at the same price as a Sport (without Nav no less). Perhaps that 70mpg figure is the European/Asian estimate which uses a different system than the EPA.
How do they even expect to had a hybrid system and basically maintain the same price? Might as well make the Fit exclusively a hybrid or they'll be forced to drop the Fit's price more in line with its competition (right now, it's the most expensive car in it's class).
Judging by Honda's recently poor track record, I'd guess a Fit hybrid will be just a another mild hybrid offering and be a 40/45 mpg rated car. And it will be close to $19K.
How do they even expect to had a hybrid system and basically maintain the same price? Might as well make the Fit exclusively a hybrid or they'll be forced to drop the Fit's price more in line with its competition (right now, it's the most expensive car in it's class).
Judging by Honda's recently poor track record, I'd guess a Fit hybrid will be just a another mild hybrid offering and be a 40/45 mpg rated car. And it will be close to $19K.
06-24-10, 07:53 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Ugly as it is, style-wise, I would definitely buy a 17K Fit hybrid before I would an Insight. The Fit has two things the Insight seriously lacks.....a decent back seat/roofline and decent cargo space. I would also buy a Fit hybrid for that price, considering that you can spend almost twice that (32K) for a top-line-model Prius.
Granted, the IMA system is not the state-of-the art for hybrids, and lacks some sophistication/refinement/efficiency like the drivetrain in the Prius. But, for the 17K price, IMO, it is worth a little less smoothness in its day-to-day operation. You can't touch a new Prius for that kind of cash.
Granted, the IMA system is not the state-of-the art for hybrids, and lacks some sophistication/refinement/efficiency like the drivetrain in the Prius. But, for the 17K price, IMO, it is worth a little less smoothness in its day-to-day operation. You can't touch a new Prius for that kind of cash.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-24-10 at 08:00 PM.
06-25-10, 05:24 AM
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With the current gas price it's a little hard to swallow with the price, but if gas was to go up say $4+ for regular unlead, I would definitely reconsider this or any hybrid for that matter. I think with the current price of gasoline, it's hard to justified the price of any hybrid cars.
