Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
#11
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
6'3" here, 225lbs.
I find the HCHII's seats fine for short trips. For longer trips, my bum falls asleep.
I find the seat padding to light, the seat bottom too short (the seat ends mid-thigh), the seat bottom should adjust for rake (that is, I'd love to raise the front while dropping the rear), the steering wheel doesn't telescope out enough, and my knee hits the e-brake handle.
I can deal with this for my 20-minute commute, but for any road trips or vacations and I rent a minivan.
I test drove a prev generation Fit and loved the go-cart like test drive, but no telescoping steering at all made it not a consideration. Now that it has such, I'd say it's a consideration. At $16k it's worth a look compared to the $24k HCHII.
Still, I'd have to try the seats of the Jetta TDI if I were shopping tomorrow.
nf
I find the HCHII's seats fine for short trips. For longer trips, my bum falls asleep.
I find the seat padding to light, the seat bottom too short (the seat ends mid-thigh), the seat bottom should adjust for rake (that is, I'd love to raise the front while dropping the rear), the steering wheel doesn't telescope out enough, and my knee hits the e-brake handle.
I can deal with this for my 20-minute commute, but for any road trips or vacations and I rent a minivan.
I test drove a prev generation Fit and loved the go-cart like test drive, but no telescoping steering at all made it not a consideration. Now that it has such, I'd say it's a consideration. At $16k it's worth a look compared to the $24k HCHII.
Still, I'd have to try the seats of the Jetta TDI if I were shopping tomorrow.
nf
#13
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
All you need to do to get rake on the front seat, is to put an inch-anda-half spacer uner the front of the seat. We did a 6,000 mile trip in our HCH this summer, and the only thing lacking was some lumbar support.
#14
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
There you are!
I've been looking for that quote! I remembered you stating that, but I must not've been searching the right terms.
Still, this seems a bit beyond my limited handyman skills.
And I am a little paranoid about messing with the seat bolts. Seems they are pretty important safety-wise.
nf
I've been looking for that quote! I remembered you stating that, but I must not've been searching the right terms.
Fairly simple: I bought a 3-foot length of 1/4x 1" steel stock at Home Depot. I cut off two pieces (for each seat) about 2 1/2 inches, drilled two 3/8" holes 1 1/2 inch apart in each, and rounded the edges for safe handling. I removed the front seat bolts, fastened each piece of steel with the seat bolt, and used another bolt to fasten the seat to the top hole in the steel piece. Same for the second seat bolt.
Really increased seat comfort. I had to do the same to my 1996 Maxima.
Really increased seat comfort. I had to do the same to my 1996 Maxima.
And I am a little paranoid about messing with the seat bolts. Seems they are pretty important safety-wise.
nf
#15
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
How would this make the seat more comfortable? The driver seat allready has hieght adjustment or does more make the differance? H
#17
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
It makes a big difference by raising the front seat. Now I get great thigh support. Just wish it had some better lumbar support. We are still thinking about getting a RECARO seat. As far as safety goes, the 1/4-inch steel has a lot more strength than the body pan the seat bolt attaches to. A machine shop could probably make such brackets for a reasonable price.
Last edited by Per K; 12-09-2008 at 02:42 PM.
#18
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
It makes a big difference by raising the front seat. Now I get great thigh support. Just wish it had some better lumbar support. We are still thinking about getting a RECARO seat. As far as safety goes, the 1/4-inch steel has a lot more strength than the body pan the seat bolt attaches to. A machine shop could probably make such brackets for a reasonable price.
nf
#20
Re: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport
Thank you Per!!! I took your advise and raised the front of the seats up 1 1/4". I cannot believe the change it made for comfort. It also gets your knee cap away from the e-brake, so two items are eliminated. My only complaints with this car to date are gone! noflash hurry and make the change! You will have a happy face for along time? You wont have to rent a mini van for your next trip! lt is a very simple fix. I used 1/4" alum., got to keep the wieght down! Thanks again Per, H