I put 1200 km on a Jazz (Fit) in Iceland last week - and liked it

[fjwagner]

Drove a Honda Jazz (Fit) around Iceland last week to the tune of 1200 km and I must say that I felt the overall handling and performance was better than a Versa. I keep reminding myself though that I was able to buy the Versa for a couple thousand $ less and the Versa is more roomy in the back seat and in the hatch area. Bottom line, I think the Jazz (Fit) is a better car all around from finish to handling but I do not regret the decision to buy the Versa but I must admit to some second guessing. I know this has been discussed around here before, but after 1200 km I felt that I had more than enough tactile feedback to be able to laud the performance of the Jazz(Fit). Fred
Modified by fjwagner at 5:37 AM 8/24/2008

[Vahagn23]

I wouldnt care if the FIT is better at handling than the versa because, they are both small cars with small engines, well the V got a better engine than the FIT. I am looking forward to a bigger car, with a bigger engine.

[Versa Madness]

I am looking forward to a bigger car, with a bigger engine.

Look forward to paying more at the pump as well then.

[SuperTurbo]

Drove a Honda Jazz (Fit) around Iceland last week to the tune of 1200 km and I must say that I felt the overall handling and performance was better than a Versa. I keep reminding myself though that I was able to buy the Versa for a couple thousand $ less and the Versa is more roomy in the back seat and in the hatch area. Bottom line, I think the Jazz (Fit) is a better car all around from finish to handling but I do not regret the decision to but I must admit to my second guessing. I know this has been discussed around here before, but after 1200 km I felt that I had more than enough tactile feedback to be able to laud the performance of the Jazz(Fit). Fred

yea, it happens. I am pretty sure Fit is the better one on performance & handling, but... that few thousands do makes me go toward a Versa! (In Canada, it's almost 3-4K more)

that 3-4K can means a lot on mod... for a set of better rims + a good intake, I think it is more well spend. (Worst come to worst, a Fit Turbo kit is only 2000, plus 1000 on labour...) I get more out from the V....

[fjwagner]

I wouldnt care if the FIT is better at handling than the versa because, they are both small cars with small engines, well the V got a better engine than the FIT. I am looking forward to a bigger car, with a bigger engine.

I felt the Fit engine was more responsive and quiet. Not sure that I agree that the Versa has a better engine after my extensive driving in the Fit. However, nothing wrong with the Versa engine and it should give years of good service.

[Slither]

I think new enlarged Fit (Grosser Fit?) due mid-September, will seriously hammer V sales as there will no longer be V size advantage.

[fjwagner]

I think new enlarged Fit (Grosser Fit?) due mid-September, will seriously hammer V sales as there will no longer be V size advantage.

If that is the case, I agree with you fully. The size advantage was certainly a selling point for me, but I loved driving the Fit (Jazz) last week. The Icelandic roads are narrow and mountainous in areas and I am not sure I would have had the same confidence with the Versa's handling. Nonetheless, the Versa is a great car and my kids are driving it mostly around town. I steal it occasionally when I can.

[Slither]

Does your Iceland Versa have the 1.8 and which transmission option do you have?

Also does your Versa VIN start with a 3 Mexico or 2 Japan?

Was the Jazz/FIT you drove 1.5L and which transmission?

While driving Jazz/FIT could you hear the gas tank sloshing around beneath the front seats?

Many thanks for your input.

[fjwagner]

Does your Iceland Versa have the 1.8 and which transmission option do you have?

Also does your Versa VIN start with a 3 Mexico or 2 Japan?

Was the Jazz/FIT you drove 1.5L and which transmission?

While driving Jazz/FIT could you hear the gas tank sloshing around beneath the front seats?

Many thanks for your input.

It was a rental car, so I may not be able to answer too many of your questions. Unfortunately it was an automatic but I just assumed it would have been the same size engine as we have in North America. Regarding VIN, I do not know. But, I did not hear gas sloshing around in the tanks. The car did feel more peppy than the Fit's I briefly test drove here. If the engine is slightly bigger, then that might explain part of my impression. I did some searching, but I could not find any further info. Fred
Modified by fjwagner at 3:08 AM 8/27/2008

[justmerging]

Also does your Versa VIN start with a 3 Mexico or 2 Japan?

Actually, If your vin starts with a 2 it was built in Canada, Japan vin numbers start with a J. See Below

1 - USA2 - Canada3 - Mexico5 - Sweden(I think)J - JapanW - Germany

These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head as these are the ones I deal with most often at my dealership (GM).

[Slither]

My mistake Fred I should have read the margin and saw you were in Texas.I thought you were an Icelander with a V and Fit for comparison THERE.

[Deke40]

Fred

This is off topic but what the heck.

Did you fly into Keflavick? I flew into there in 59 and spent 13 months with the Navy on the rock. Does the air still smell like dried fish, which was their main export then. Never went out the front gate once in 13 months.

Did get to spend two weeks in Copenhagen during the xmas holidays.

[fjwagner]

My mistake Fred I should have read the margin and saw you were in Texas.I thought you were an Icelander with a V and Fit for comparison THERE.

I thought that might have been the case, but no big deal. Your question does have me curious about the engine size though.

[fjwagner]

Fred

This is off topic but what the heck.

Did you fly into Keflavick? I flew into there in 59 and spent 13 months with the Navy on the rock. Does the air still smell like dried fish, which was their main export then. Never went out the front gate once in 13 months.

Did get to spend two weeks in Copenhagen during the xmas holidays.

We did fly into Keflavik which of course they have turned into the international airport after the US then NATO left. I did not smell dried fish at all. A really beautiful country with waterfalls, glaciers, lava flows, black beaches (volcanic). We did a lot of hiking and had a tremendous time. Why did you not go out the front gate? We started our trip in Norway where we used to live, went to Iceland then spent our last day in Copenhagen before flying back to Houston. Fred

[Diznum]

Well the american version of the Fit is a tin can compared to the Versa, it was my first choice and I remember thinking to myself that it was just another "S" box, it did not feel as powerful but the cornering was pretty good, (course I fixed that by putting on the cross brace on the "V"). The Versa is so much more comfortable that a friend of mine who had a Fit was amazed at how quite and smooth it was compared to his Fit. He is now the proud owner of a Black hatch just like mine. Problem with me is I made the mistake of letting my wife borrow the Versa and that's it, she won't give it back!!! I may have to get another one!!!

[fjwagner]

Well the american version of the Fit is a tin can compared to the Versa, it did not feel as powerful but the cornering was pretty good, (course I fixed that by putting on the cross brace on the "V"). The Versa is so much more comfortable

In my opinion the Jazz felt more solid, more useful power and more comfortable given my long legs. Something about the seat cushion made a big difference. However, no regrets as I was swayed to the Versa by the rebates and the less than invoice pricing before rebates available through my company.