2009 Honda Fit Sport: Arcade Shifter

I like the mechanical feel of the shifting in my 2005 G35. It does get some vibration, however.

Strange story: the clutch pedal obviously has a lot of vibration at high rpm's, as many have noted. Last night while waiting at a stoplight, a sports car going the other way opened its throttle, and MY clutch pedal vibrated! Sympathetic vibrations??

As I've suggested in the previous shifter report from you guys, it sounds like you have a defective shifter.

Mine and all other owners who responded here don't think the shifter is how you're describing. It's light, yes, but Honda light...not arcade/pinky effort-light. Plus, ours' has plenty of feel, which in your other report seemed to be missing.

Something's wrong with your car.

Amen, brother. I test drove a Volvo S60 R and felt the same way. On paper, the car has awesome specs. But when I drove it, there was no shifter feel, the clutch was very light, and the steering was numb and overboosted. It didn't feel sporty at all and I had to double-check some of my shifts to make sure I was actually in gear. There's a fine line to get some feel but not too much, and apparently it is quite difficult to do since so many companies get it wrong.

I love the shifter in my TSX. It has a light effort, but a nice mechanical feel as well, and moves through the gates almost telepathically. The TSX's transmission is fairly sophisticated though, with an additional speed and a magnesium housing. Although I could do without the finicky electronic throttle.

It's too bad the Fit doesn't share that trait, as most Honda's have great shifters and that certainly adds to the driving experience.

I've been reading up on the 2009 Honda Fit Sport because I think that's going to be my next car. The shifter feel, based on the feedback in this blog, has been a concern. However, I've learned the Mugen short shift kit mitigates this issue pretty effectively. For about $200 and an easy install, you can correct most of the stock misgivings.

You might want to check it out.

"Cheap, disposable, and landfill fodder."

Most Hondas are like that. You buy them cheap, drive them troublefree for 300,000 miles or so and then just dump them.

that's a good call, waynester...

(EP3 owner here) I've always been a fan of picking up accessories from college hills honda - as memory serves me, they offer that mugen short shift kit and could probably have it to you guys in time for the weekend :~)

Solution to the problem:

-Energy Suspension shifter bushing kit.(if available)

- Shorter shifter

These 2 inexpensive items will give it the traditional mechanical shift feel so many people expect from Honda.

@firstwagon: divide that figure by 10 and you're about right, in a world where Suzukis are fine automobiles, airbags aren't necessary, and anything other chan a cheap miserable penalty box is simply excessive!

Jriz - Besides the suggestions of stiffer bushings and shorter shifters, I'd like to add: Put on a weighted shift knob (i.e. 400+ grams).

You'll feel it's mechanical then.

Only 30,000 miles on a Honda?

I always get a chuckle out of your posts.

@firstwagon: Actually, the last Honda Fit had major transmission troubles by 20k. Let's not forget the serious brake issues affecting the current-gen Accord. Ok, so most Hondas DO make it to about 60k before their transmissions crap out.

I love the high effort shifter of my dads 2005 G35. Its such a pleasure to row the gears in that car. Not like the 6MT that VW offers. Thats def one of the reason i went with DSG

"I've been reading up on the 2009 Honda Fit Sport because I think that's going to be my next car. The shifter feel, based on the feedback in this blog, has been a concern."

Please do not let the blogs posted here affect your decision. First of all, these people writing on this long-term Fit test are the ONLY people to criticize the shifter/clutch in the Fit. Go read any respected auto magazine (Car & Driver, Motortend, Road & Track etc.) or auto website and you will see nothing but praise for the shifter and clutch in the car. So do you listen to the opinions of a couple of Edmunds employees or everyone else in the auto industry?

I own an 09 Fit Sport with the manual and the car is fantastic. My gas mileage average has been 37.5 mpg over six tanks of gas. A/C for some reason does not affect that number. Go test drive one for yourself. For myself, I'm going to stop reading these blogs as I haven't learned anything I don't already know since I own the car, and stupid posts like this one just serve to piss me off.

One minute I'm reading a review of the 09 Fit in Motortrend, as a runner up for car of the year, praising the shift and clutch feel (saying it works better than cars costing thousands more), then I come here and read about some dolt who thinks if feels like an arcade shifter??? I'm done, there is a disconnect with these Edmunds bloggers I can't deal with anymore.

Now you're complaining about Honda manual transmissions. I think you might have a bit too much time on your hands. Seriously.