Which car would you choose?

[204snic]

Which car would you choose? I'll be trading my car in for either a 07' Honda Fit (base model, 5-spd, w/7.5K miles, $13.5) or an 06' Nissan Sentra SE (auto w/35kmiles, $11K). I like them both, but the fit (I think) would make a better FE car. The only down fall w/the FIT is that since it's a base model, there is no cruise. Can you put an aftermarket cruise on it w/it being a "Drive by Wire" setup? About the Sentra, I think that the price is good, but I've done some research about it and haven't really been satisfied w/what I'v read. Might go and drive the FIT tonight w/the wifey. (She's not big on it because of the style ) lmk what you all think. Gotta make a decision very, very soon. Thanks.

[BIBI]

Originally Posted by 204snic

Which car would you choose? I'll be trading my car in for either a 07' Honda Fit (base model, 5-spd, w/7.5K miles, $13.5) or an 06' Nissan Sentra SE (auto w/35kmiles, $11K). I like them both, but the fit (I think) would make a better FE car. The only down fall w/the FIT is that since it's a base model, there is no cruise. Can you put an aftermarket cruise on it w/it being a "Drive by Wire" setup? About the Sentra, I think that the price is good, but I've done some research about it and haven't really been satisfied w/what I'v read. Might go and drive the FIT tonight w/the wifey. (She's not big on it because of the style ) lmk what you all think. Gotta make a decision very, very soon. Thanks.

Well the fit is really a great car. You get the FE of a Yaris, both with a lot of space... A Sentra will also do it well and have a respecfull FE. Here is the thing, you could go with a VERSA Hatchback. If you don't need all the room of the Fit, and also the versa has a CVT transmission (good for fe) and a 6 speed manual, so also good for FE. The Versa as more FE potenciel then the Sentra. But I would still go with the Fit over the Versa and the Sentra. BUT they will changeg the Fit next year and a 1.3L will be availaible, but if you need the car this year... well go for the 1.5L.

Also, I would BUY the fit, no location, and put like 200k miles and save some money along the way.

[mrmad]

I think an aftermarket cruise would not work on a drive by wire throttle. And if it did, I wouldn't trust it.

Not sure why the auto manufactures are going this route, I like good old throttle cables myself. The Mercedes 500 convertable (not that I could afford one) has drive by wire brakes. Yikes.

[brucepick]

I wouldn't buy another auto tranny car. Maybe cvt but not regular auto. You gain FE with a stick right from the get-go.

[204snic]

Yeah, I would like to stay w/a 5-spd for better FE. I've seen some nice FITs on the other forums. I was looking at the AT on the sentra due to the fact that my other half cruises around town in our Pilot and complaines why I have to fuel up every week and she only fills her tank once in two weeks. I drive 380 miles/week on my car w/avrg tank of 10gal vs. the pilot getting 225 miles on 14.5gal (if even that). Idk. Maybe I should just buy a ten speed w/and electric motor for my work commute. Thanks everyone. I'll let you know what the final decision is later.

[kamesama980]

Originally Posted by mrmad

I think an aftermarket cruise would not work on a drive by wire throttle. And if it did, I wouldn't trust it.

Not sure why the auto manufactures are going this route, I like good old throttle cables myself. The Mercedes 500 convertable (not that I could afford one) has drive by wire brakes. Yikes.

+1 on the basis of sure 99% of the time it works great but you don't want to find a problem when little molly jumps out after her ball. hydraulics work fine and are tried and true. when we develop drive-yourself cars that the driver can take a nap in and it flies to destination, I won't mind. but as long as it's on the ground with normal cars around me, I'm all for direct connections.

That and (at least at GM, where I filed repair paperwork for half a year) a new DBW throttle body is about $400 more expensive...I saw about a dozen replacements which going by the sales rate of the place, is about a 10-15% failure rate. hard price for a 2% increase in emissions. maybe they should work on something better than OHV

[DarbyWalters]

A big diff in mileage...I would go for the FIT. More usable space and probably better FE right off the bat.

As for Cruise Control...ask the dealer if they can add factory style CC or not...then decide the importance.

[DaX]

My biased opinion says to go with the Fit!

[Erdrick]

If they were both manuals then it might be a little bit different of a situation, but as it stands, you really should go with the manual. That means that my vote is for the Fit. I was looking at buying a 1.3 over here in Japan, but decided not to go through with it for various reasons... most being money.

[Wazabi Owner]

FIT!!!! No contest, except the other car is cheaper. Fit is better in the long run due to resale value. Look at how much a 7 year old Honda goes for compared to a 7 year old Nissan. Then, which would sell first? That's not the only reason, Fit is just more practical, IMO.

[Silveredwings]

automagic would be a total deal killer for me.

[Danronian]

FIT since it's a Honda which won't have stupid issues like most other car makers out there. Nissan especially.

[smccall]

Fit!!! Its a Honda. No explanation needed.

[lovemysan]

Originally Posted by Danronian

FIT since it's a Honda which won't have stupid issues like most other car makers out there. Nissan especially.

Umm, I wouldn't say honda is immune. I would chose the 5sp fit over an auto sentra.

[cfg83]

204snic -

Fit all the way. If you want the option to maximize MPG, the 5-speed makes it a no-brainer over the Sentra.

CarloSW2

[DaX]

Originally Posted by lovemysan

Umm, I wouldn't say honda is immune.

So true. Accords from the early 00's had (have?) hideous auto tranny problems.

[204snic]

Thanks all for the great responses. I did choose the Honda Fit. I drove both of them and the fit just feels so much more responsive (it must be a honda thing ) I looked at both the engine compartments and the Fit's engine is small vs the Sentra's. Fit only having 109hp vs. the Sentra's 129hp (something like that). I was surprised on how responsive the Fit handled w/the quick lane changed (don't worry there were no cars at the time). As far as adding the CC onto the Fit, the Manager that I spoke to said that it would take alot of parts to add it the Fit. He actually hasn't heard of anyone doing it to any of the DBW honda cars. Since it's a DBW system does that mean that I would need a new ecu, relay, steering wheel, to complete the setup? I may post this question on Hondatech also.

[bobski]

With a ECU controlled throttle body, it would certainly make sense to integrate the CC system into the ECU. It already has control over the TB and has sensor inputs for almost everything a cruise control module would need. The only additional items that come to mind are a CC main switch, set/coast, resume/accel and cancel buttons and a light or two in the gauge cluster.

[slurp812]

You would think drive-by-wire cars would have cruise by default. It would probably boil down to programing , and a set of buttons.

Originally Posted by 204snic

Which car would you choose? I'll be trading my car in for either a 07' Honda Fit (base model, 5-spd, w/7.5K miles, $13.5) or an 06' Nissan Sentra SE (auto w/35kmiles, $11K). I like them both, but the fit (I think) would make a better FE car. The only down fall w/the FIT is that since it's a base model, there is no cruise. Can you put an aftermarket cruise on it w/it being a "Drive by Wire" setup? About the Sentra, I think that the price is good, but I've done some research about it and haven't really been satisfied w/what I'v read. Might go and drive the FIT tonight w/the wifey. (She's not big on it because of the style ) lmk what you all think. Gotta make a decision very, very soon. Thanks.

[204snic]

That's exactly what I was thinking. That it would already be there. I just have to let it know that I can use it. I may need to source out a new steering wheel, because it looks like all the buttons to utilize cruise is on the steering wheel. Maybe another relay here and there. ? If I do decide to persue this "mod" I make sure to let you all know. Well, definitely picking up the Fit tonight. (4-sure!!! ) Had some weird financing things going on, but it's a definite go tonight . I can't wait! I'm going to try to leave work early. ("It's OK, I just had subway!" ) Thanks again everyone. Moderator please close this thread. Thanks.