GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

for photos see http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blo ... 2013-09-05" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Honda Fit is the smallest car in the automaker’s lineup, but could be the biggest sales-wise in the years to come.
Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito, speaking at a launch event for the subcompact in Japan, said he expects the model to eventually become Honda’s top-seller worldwide, besting the current global champion Civic, trade publication Automotive News reports.
North America will play a big role in that growth. Honda is investing $800 million in a new production plant in Mexico that will begin making Fits for this market next year. Previous Fits sold in the U.S. were imported from Japan.
Ito said the Fit is the “most important” car in the company and he expects a big sales jump in North America, according to the Automotive News report.
Ito and U.S. sales chief John Mendel both have previously talked about the growing importance of the subcompact vehicle market, both globally and in the U.S., to which Honda is planning to add a crossover and a sedan.
The third-generation Fit is expected to be in U.S. showrooms by mid-2014.

That's too bad. I looked at a Fit before I bought the Vibe. Guess I'll be looking elsewhere when it comes time for my next new car.

Vulcan05 wrote:That's too bad. I looked at a Fit before I bought the Vibe. Guess I'll be looking elsewhere when it comes time for my next new car.

You got a problem with Mexicans building your car? They did a fine job on my 2001 PT Cruiser.

Mexico's cool with me! But Honda must put an advanced powertrain into the Fit in order to own the sub-compact segment. I don't want to drone along at 4,000 RPM in top gear to pace traffic. I'd like a diesel, 5-speed, a real timing chain, 50 mpg, and no pizz tank. One bladder is more than enough when on the open road.
And for our Sonic faithful; If Chevy does it first - They win!

jake75 wrote:

Vulcan05 wrote:That's too bad. I looked at a Fit before I bought the Vibe. Guess I'll be looking elsewhere when it comes time for my next new car.

You got a problem with Mexicans building your car? They did a fine job on my 2001 PT Cruiser.

The PT Cruiser is a Neon with fancy sheet metal. Enough said.

Third Gen is coming 2015
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/05/hond ... h-america/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vulcano05: There is nothing wrong with the capability of manufacturing cars in Mexico. Sure there are some bad individual cars, but that's no reason to write off an entire vehicle line.

Chiadog wrote:Mexico's cool with me! But Honda must put an advanced powertrain into the Fit in order to own the sub-compact segment. I don't want to drone along at 4,000 RPM in top gear to pace traffic. I'd like a diesel, 5-speed, a real timing chain, 50 mpg, and no pizz tank. One bladder is more than enough when on the open road.
And for our Sonic faithful; If Chevy does it first - They win!

Tall order for a Fit. I doubt they'll follow through with the diesel. The urea allows the cars to run here, and only requires filling every 10k miles. Yes, diesels have a rough time working with emissions designed for unleaded cars. Urea is a way around that.

ANYWAY, if I were taking bets, I'd say that somewhere, GM has tossed the Cruze's 2.0 TD into the Sonic, and someone within may want to take that step if - and only if - the diesel Cruze makes a good impact on the market.

The Fit is odd to me. The 2013 still has a slider-controlled recirculation, and it seems rather cheaply done. The next one I'm not a fan of the styling, but the "Made in Mexico" doesn't bother me. VW makes the Jetta there. That, and a bit of nationalism (Hispanic background). ANYWAY, the hybrid Fit could be interesting.

KITT222 wrote: Tall order for a Fit. I doubt they'll follow through with the diesel. The urea allows the cars to run here, and only requires filling every 10k miles. Yes, diesels have a rough time working with emissions designed for unleaded cars. Urea is a way around that.

I like that the Mazda6 meets emission standards with engineering instead of the urea tank band-aid. I hope more manufacturers will be forced to follow suit!

KITT222 wrote:

Chiadog wrote:.

The Fit is odd to me. The 2013 still has a slider-controlled recirculation, and it seems rather cheaply done.

And the Vibe has a recirculation motor mechanism with a gear that is destined to fail sooner or later - in my 2003 case it was sooner. Dealer repair was over $150 as I remember. And with all that history of failure in the Vibe, Matrix and I assume the Corolla, it was never redesigned - used in the Vibe until the end. And of course there is the infamous radio knob issue in the 2009 and 2010 models.

KITT222 wrote:but the "Made in Mexico" doesn't bother me. VW makes the Jetta there.

If they aren't currently being manufactured there, Mazdas will be as well.

When I open the hood of a GM or Ford hood and see all the made in Mexico parts, I feel apprehensive. I feel like maybe somehow GM and Ford are half-arsing paying factory employees, because the VWs and Mazdas I've worked on look like great care was put into their assembly. Additionally, the 2014 Mazda3 HB I test drove the other day didn't feel cheap in the slightest.

lannvouivre wrote:

KITT222 wrote:but the "Made in Mexico" doesn't bother me. VW makes the Jetta there.

If they aren't currently being manufactured there, Mazdas will be as well.

When I open the hood of a GM or Ford hood and see all the made in Mexico parts, I feel apprehensive. I feel like maybe somehow GM and Ford are half-arsing paying factory employees, because the VWs and Mazdas I've worked on look like great care was put into their assembly. Additionally, the 2014 Mazda3 HB I test drove the other day didn't feel cheap in the slightest.

I am in the process of renovating a home for rental or resale. When shopping for kitchen and bath faucets I saw American Standard made in Mexico, and Moen made in China. I sided with the Mexicans. By the way, I recently had an issue with a bath/shower unit made by American Standard that was purchased several years ago. . I needed a minor part - they helped me identify what I needed and sent it to me gratis.

Cute Honda Fit sedan coming to USA, Fit-Shuttle not!


http://blog.caranddriver.com/next-honda ... n-for-u-s/
http://blog.caranddriver.com/jdm-honda- ... g-weirder/

I fixed the problem by blacking out that triangle of color. I also recolored it because that blue was ugly.


(I'm aware I missed a few spots)

Much better! That's something I might consider.

EDIT: wow, I'm bored tonight...

Sometimes the photos are tweaked to make it look longer/sleeker than the reality. But I think that could convince me to swap out my '09 Vibe earlier than I expected if the price were under $25,000.

I would consider the Fit-Shuttle too! Looks like an awesome "hauler", But once again, the functional compact will not be brought to USA.
Nice job, Kitt !

Agreed - cool photoshop.

It is amazing what lowering a car does visually (for me at least). Reminds me of the early 90's Civic wagons. Absolutely hated them back then and they kind of reminded me of an AMC Pacer. Now I have seen some lowered with rims right out to the fender lip and wish I had one.

Nice photoshop work Nick Yeah you were definitely BORED Just make sure your homework is complete before spending time here SeattleJeremy ...Nice map pointing out all the car manufacturing plants down there in Mexico. I agree with most of the comments posted here and personally will always buy a vehicle made here in the USA This doesn't meant I condone those made in Mexico as several of them are great vehicles and those car companies MUST remain profitable Having the Fit made in Mexico vs Japan means it will be made in "North America" so it sounds better anyways We'll see if the quality is as good though. When I replace my truck, if I stick with the GM line, will be getting the extended (double) cab model as it is made in the Fort Wayne area (2 hours from me ) whereas the crew cab models are made in Silao Mexico . Besides I would need the longer bed on the same wheelbase!

The Emoticon Police hereby fine you 100 Peso's!

A few months ago, I read that Ford was rumored to be sending Fiesta production from Mexico to Thailand where they have "excess capacity." Or is it that Mexico is now too expensive of a place to build cars?

Anyway, while I would normally stray from cars built south of the border, I suppose now I would prefer one built there than one made in post-Fukushima Japan. I'd rather not soak up rays in my car like that. The tin foil hat side of me still doesn't think we know the whole story on that one.

Before I bought the Vibe, I had a new 2006 Nissan Sentra. Built in Aqua Caliente, Mexico.
Fool me once . . . . . .

Chiadog wrote:I would consider the Fit-Shuttle too! Looks like an awesome "hauler", But once again, the functional compact will not be brought to USA.
Nice job, Kitt !

Apparently the market research leads them to believe they will not sell in sufficient volume here to justify adding them to the line. Many here, including me, would never buy a 4-dr sedan. But we are an atypical bunch. All a trunk is good for is hauling suitcases and groceries and that is not enough for many of us. Some years ago my son had a full size sedan - needed to haul home a TV set - called me as it would fit in my Vibe. In my old age if I had a 3 car garage I would buy a convertible though. Traded in my last convertible in 1970.

Honda HRV, Fit based CUV coming to USA this Winter!
http://wot.motortrend.com/1404_honda_hr ... sover.html

In the marketing literature, I sense this will be seen:
Cargo capacity, rear seat up: N/A



I thought the Sonic cute ute - er - Encore/Trax looked pretty useless in this regard but this may be worse! (My how the Vibe can spoil its owners...)

ColonelPanic wrote: In the marketing literature, I sense this will be seen:
Cargo capacity, rear seat up: N/A

I thought the Sonic cute ute - er - Encore/Trax looked pretty useless in this regard but this may be worse! (My how the Vibe can spoil its owners...)

You nailed it, Colonel! I think only the Ford C-Max beats the Vibe cargo capacity with the seats up.

The current Toyota Prius v beats the Vibe's cargo capacity by quite a bit seats up or down, in a car about 10 inches longer.

Seats up, the Prius v has 34.3 cu ft to Vibe's 19.3(2003-08)/20.1(2009/10); and
Seats down, the Prius v has 67.3 vs Vibe's 54.1(2003-08)/49.4(2009/10)

Of course the price for a 'base' Prius v model Two starts at $26,750, and a Five (top of the line) starts at $31,600
A Prius v Five with the $5,000 Technology Package is $37,250, and you can still add options like floor mats, cargo nets, paint protection, remote start and alarm system to get it over $39,000.

There is just 134 combined hybrid horsepower for a car that weighs 300 (09/10) to 500 (03/08) pounds more than the Vibe.