GOOD-BYE YARIS, HELLO FIT!

[bobby]

Yes, I only have 3 local stops, so it's very quick.

It's hard enough having ONE car in NYC...I could not have 2 cars in this city. I do have to do the 'alternative-side-of-the-street-parking' dance, but (without boring you with the uninteresting details) I essentially have to move the car 3X a week, (in the evening, sometime between dinner and bedtime) and I'm on it like clockwork. I refuse to waste $65 on a parking ticket. The only time parking can be difficult is when they're filming Law & Order, or some other tv show or movie in my 'hood.

New York City is NOT a car-friendly city, but I could not imagine living anywhere else.

[Jem_hadar]

Originally Posted by darthbauer

I wish I could save up that kinda cash but it would take a while with all the other bills and food for the family.

Eating food and feeding your family is for pussies! lol

Starving FTW!

[nsmitchell]

I'm going on a highway trip today but drove to work first. I noticed that when I drive the Fit in the city I am getting better MPGs that driving the exact same way in the Yaris in the city.

I got over 34MPGs on my way to work this morning and in my Yaris I get around 32MPG on the same daily trip driving the same way I always do. I think all things being equal, focusing on MPGs only, I think that the Fit will out do the Yaris. If you hypermiled a Fit, I think it would also outdo a Yaris being hypermiled.

I think my brother and I need to do a shootout on a long trip. I'll put my brother in my Fit since he weighs more. Fill up at the same gas pump and hit the highway on the way to Charlottesville, then turn around and take local roads on the way back and maybe drive some in the city together. Then fill up and compare actual MPGs.

Does anyone know of a better way to have a good objective comparison without doing any crazy stuff like Mythbusters does?

[stuffy]

you mean that you are going to switch drivers for the return trip, right?
this would be good not just because of weight difference but also driving styles.

sounds like it would be a decent comparison.

[Jem_hadar]

Do it. Very interesting and cool experiment. Looking to hear the results and your thoughts/opinions on it afterwards.

[woof]

I love the new Fit. It is far superior to the Yaris in either form. But, I have owned one Honda and three Toyotas. What does that tell you?

Honda's don't hold up over the long haul, 75K+. How they ever got this "indestructable" reputation is beyond me.

[vios7]

i saw new fit on the road..look a bit bigger than yaris LB.

[Jem_hadar]

Originally Posted by vios7

i saw new fit on the road..look a bit bigger than yaris LB.

Ya it is. More hatch space.

[bobby]

I am thrilled to announce that the IIHS has named the 2009 Honda Phit a TOP SAFETY PICK. Seventy-two vehicles earn the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2009, and the Phit is the only "mini-car" which has won this prestigious and important accolade.

Sadly, the Yaris fell short, and did not win. For 2010, Toyota should get crackin', and make sure the Yaris makes the grade. It would be better for sales, as well as--obviously, and most importantly--occupant protection.

Way to go Honda!!!

[eTiMaGo]

yeah if Toyota made more airbags standard it would probably have been right in there...

[KCALB SIRAY]

[33OH]

I think the extra $7,000 in my wallet adds padding that helps keep me safer.

[bobby]

Originally Posted by ryank

I think the extra $7,000 in my wallet adds padding that helps keep me safer.

That's good. Hope that helps you or a loved one in an accident. For me, I feel much better knowing I'm driving the safest car in its class. I feel that's worth a whole lot more than 7K in my pocket!

By the way, it isn't just the extra air bags which gave the Phit the highest rating. To win the IIHS's TOP SAFETY PICK a car must pass these criteria:

1. GOOD FRONTAL CRASHWORTHINESS, based on performance in a 40mph frontal crash test.

2. GOOD SIDE CRASHWORTHINESS, based on a test in which a vehicle's side is struck by a barrier going 31mph.

3. GOOD REAR CRASHWORTHINESS, based on head restratint geometry and test of seat/head restraint.

4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, by helping drivers maintain control when vehicles otherwise might spin out.

The Phit Sport w/Navi passed these tests with flying colors, and I'm sorry to report that the Yaris failed. Not good, Toyota!

[earljail]

Originally Posted by bobby

. For me, I feel much better knowing I'm driving the safest car in its class.

Well, for perspective, just remember what kind of small cars were available 15 years ago or so. I had a 94 Hyundai Excel which was known for pushing the steering column into the driver's neck in a frontal crash. And virtually no small cars had any airbags at all.

So I doubt your multi-airbagged Fit is as giant a leap forward in safety from a plain jane Yaris than any modern small car is from one that's fifteen years old.

[33OH]

You're right. I'm selling the Yaris to buy a tank. Thanks Bobby!

[KCALB SIRAY]

even has JDM side mirrors, lol

[33OH]

Yeah they got a higher safety rating than the USDM ones. So I paid twice as much for them. Pretty sweet huh?

[PaidTimeOff]

There are so many variables in regards to crashes that as long as the crash test rating is more than "acceptable" you'll be doing as much as you can on that front. Crash test rating of .5 a star ahead of another subcompact according to government mandated crash testing isn't going to save you when that 18 wheeler loses control and smashes you into hamburger. It sounds like a great idea to buy a car planning to crash it, but don't let that rating lull you into a false sense of security.

Safety's important, but by no means is a MARGINALLY differing safety rating a deal maker or breaker.