2009 Honda Fit Sport: Sounds Familiar

Is California known for noisy highways? Are they concrete or asphalt?

Why not make an update of the same tune that made you famous? Honda's bread and butter has always been its econoboxes. They might not be much; but some people just need a simple, efficient and reliable vehicle to get from point A to point B.

When I test drove a new-generation Accord 4-cyl manual transmission, I was very impressed by the interior, fit and finish, and solidity of the design. But the road noise was just shocking for a car otherwise so isolated and running on brand new tires. My 2006 Civic SI with much more performance oriented all-season tires still, to this day, creates alot less road noise (now at 70k miles).

Granted, it has more creaks, rattles, intake, and exhaust noise. But the road noise isn't bad at all :)

Joe

Road noise is almost a Honda trademark. My '04 Accord used to be pleasant enough on blacktop highways but was not fun on the concrete slabbed highway.

I had one of those Accords, too... mine was a '78. Can't say I remember what its road noise was like, certainly not enough to make any valid comparison over 20+ years to the Fit. Not to mention I was much more tolerant of noise in general back then.

I would agree that long highway runs are not the Fit's forte. It's a very good around-town car and just an adequate highway car.

Back to the old Accord, I sure wish cars still used those standard headlamps. A set of nice Hella or Cibie headlamps and any car can have excellent lighting instead of today's model-specific aero lamps with plastic, destined-to-turn-yellow lenses and hit-or-miss light distribution.

I have an '09 Fit Sport, and on anything other than smooth asphalt, road noise is loud. Glad it has a crankin' stereo, because I do a 1100 mile road trip 1-2 times per month.

I've read on other sites that tire selection makes a big difference. Check out those 13 or 14-inch wheels on the 1981 Accord, and the big tires--that has to help insulate road noise.

I'd trade the 16" wheels for 13 or 14 inch rims if it made a big difference in road noise. It certainly wouldn't hurt the looks ;-)

Our 04 Odyssey is much louder than a comparable Sienna.

I drive a 03 Civic with 14" wheels with 70 series tires and road noise is pretty loud.

Whoa... that image of that Gen-I Accord brings back memories, as I had one.

A 1976 model, silver, 5-speed, and with a serial # ~ 5,000. It was the second shipment of Accords that this Honda dealer ever got. Period. Paid $3,995.00 for it, as this was just before the concept of "ADM"s caught on with Honda dealers.

Great car; although on warm days after driving; then parking, then trying to start the car was near impossible; as the gas in the carb would boil over and flood the engine. A real pain in the butt, to say the least.

Traded in a '74 Honda CB 550-4 motorcycle for that Accord. No kidding, the car dealer took the bike in as a trade.

My first car was a 79 like the one pictured but it was brown with orange carpet; go seventies. It was a great car to drive, solid, reliable, fun, and made you feel like you were getting more for your money. ANd the 86 fast back that I bought to replace it was like that too. I don't think Hondas make you feel like that anymore though.

Brian, great post!

You're really improving and one day you'll become a real writer.

Now, here's my question: the 2009 Accord looks very, very old. It looks like something from the 1980s.

I'm sure I'm not the only one awaiting you explanation.

Do it!

Brian,

Great post! You're much improved and one day will become a real writer.

Now, here's my question: the Honda Accord looks like a very old car! It looks like something from the 1980s.

Why is this? Can you explain?

Do it!

@benson2175: Maybe the reason is that back in the '70s Toyotas and Datsuns were horrendously noisy, uncomfortable, hard-plastic rattletraps, while the early Accords weren't. Now that battle has been won--hardly anything qualifies as a horrendously noisy, uncomfortable, hard-plastic rattletrap--the Kias and Hyundais that cover the bottom end of the US market are adequately powerful, comfortable, quiet and solid cars--sufficiently so that one might wonder why people pay extra for Hondas.

Are we paying extra because we remember?

"You're much improved and one day will become a real writer."

Did Kissel just disrespect an editor? *Shock*

Clean that manure from your mouth!

@stephen - Yes! Not only that, we are SKIPPING good cars (mostly American) b/c we remember. Excellent point - Brian Moody

@bensoon2175: I've had a few Hondas, and really enjoyed wringing out an 89 Civic Si in the early 90s and a 98 Civic Hatchback after that.

I like doing the same with the Fit--I like driving it like I stole it, redlining it, dropping the clutch, and basically having fun, all while getting 30+ mpg and knowing "it's a Honda" and will last 10 years whether I drive it hard or easy.

Why compare the Fit to the Accord? The Accord was always a quieter more upscale car then the Civic which is above the Fit.

If you want to compare the Fit to an 80's Honda then this is a better match....

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1290786258.html

and the Fit is way better (and quieter)