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Car Report: The 2015 Honda Fit is redesigned and refined, still low in price

By Mike Parris

WASHINGTON — Honda really had a hit with the first generation of the FIT and it seems it didn’t mess with success when it came to the 2015 Honda FIT.

The 2015 Honda FIT EX is a slightly more grownup car. Somehow, it’s bigger inside than it used to be, without getting bigger outside.

A more up-to-date interior makes it very competitive in a hot market for the first-time car buyer and those looking for a nice commuter car. With a starting price of less than $16,000 for a base FIT, Honda proves that a small hatchback doesn’t have to be boring to drive.

I learned by driving the 2015 Honda before it went on sale that current FIT owners are very loyal and enjoy the funky little car that has a good amount of space and an engaging drive. It isn’t quite as funky or cool-looking as before, but a little more grownup.

The 2015 FIT is still a small car with a great deal of space inside. Now, it has even more leg room in the back seat, thanks to a longer wheelbase. The rear seats also fold nearly flat and provide a good amount of cargo space considering the FIT’s small size. The small hatchback segment is very competitive with many models from which to choose, so it was very important for Honda to build on its success.

The interior is a nicer place to be, with more soft-touch materials that seem to give the car a more expensive look than the $19,025 mid-level Honda FIT EX. The EX trim level is equipped with a power moon roof, a 7-inch touch screen display with rear-view camera, and even Honda’s Lane Watch, which uses a camera to see what is in your blind spot.

If you want leather and navigation, you will have to spend around $21,500 to a get a fully-loaded FIT. I found the seats to be firm but comfortable, something I can’t say for some other Hondas. But the center armrest/storage unit is nearly useless as an armrest — it’s just too low. But other than that, the interior is better than the previous model, and is now very competitive with others in its class.

Driving the 2015 Honda FIT is still fun, thanks to a new 1.5 liter, four-cylinder engine, which now packs 130 more horsepower than the previous FIT. It really helps move the car and makes merging a bit easier.

I like that Honda gives you a choice on the base LX and mid-level EX trim levels between a slick six-speed manual or a new CVT transmission. My tester came with the CVT, which delivers good fuel economy — 32 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined. I managed 34.8 mph over 216 miles. The CVT transmission does have some drone, but it’s better than most. I found myself rather enjoying my daily commute.

The suspension does a good job of soaking up most bumps and still likes to play in the twisties. I really found the FIT a good city car that was easy to maneuver, and parking was made easy with its size and a good rear-view camera.

Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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