#PRODUCTWATCH: THE 2015 HONDA FIT + HONDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

Misfortune strikes occasionally and although I’ve never had anything but a glowing review for HONDA CANADA – over the years having driven multiple variations of the Accord, Civic and Fit – I was unlucky for the first time in my life to experience a Flat Tire.

The night was perfect.  I had just finished covering and presenting at an Awards Ceremony, was dressed my best, enjoying the most decadent of meals.  I was exhausted after a long day and looked forward to bedtime, with an early rise the next day.  While driving along the Gardiner Expressway, I started noticing the 2015 HONDA Fit I was Test Driving had began to vibrate.  I simply had thought that the roads needed to be paved (typical Toronto!) with several construction signs abound.  Surely it couldn’t have been the Fit, which in my previous experiences, drove like a charm.   After hitting a smooth patch on the Highway, I noticed the shaking intensify further. I grew fearful that something  was terribly wrong. Was I in trouble? I found the first Exit I could and pulled-over.  Upon leaving the Vehicle, the worst had gone through my mind and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the Driver’s Side tire blown. It wasn’t pretty. The wheel was flapped over the rim pretty much.

I panicked. How is it that in my many years of driving I’d never experienced this before?  What was I to do?  Quickly dialing-up my Contact from Honda Canada – which I felt terrible about as it was 12:30 AM – I was reassured everything would be fine.  I was directed over to Honda Roadside Assistance who quickly picked-up the call, verifying a bit of information about the Vehicle and assured me in calm fashion someone would be on the way shortly.  Unfortunately, it was one of those nights when accidents on the road were a plenty, with few Tow Truck Drivers available. My expectations were set that this would be minimum three hours, which helped me manage my time, although there were limited options where to find a temporary shelter in the wee hours of the morning.  I walked for a bit, charged my Phone, exchanged pleasantries with drunk people in Entertainment District, stopped for a Selfie with a Celeb (Jonathan Kite from 2 Broke Girls, which actually was fitting in hindsight!), before the kind people at a nearby Hotel in the area let me wait in their lobby.

The hours passed before my mechanic outfit-wearing Knight in Shining Armour, Simon, arrived in his Tow Truck.  We made plans to deliver my beloved Aegean Blue Honda Fit to a HONDA Dealer  up closer my way where it would be given the proper care it deserved.   Simon was awesome, kind and offered even to drive me home, going above and beyond, as we chat about Game of Thrones.  Yes, it was about 7 AM by the time I got to see my bed, but I got there safe and sound and for that I am grateful.  What would I have done without Honda Roadside Assistance?

Misfortune aside, I have high praise for the 2015 Honda Fit. For the tiny Vehicle it was, it sure was loaded with some serious starpower – all 130 Horsepower of it with a 1.5L i-VTEC, 4-Cylinder EarthDreams Engine. It accelerated and responded quickly, was spacious and more importantly, its built-in EcoAssist System meant unparalleled Fuel Economy.  In two days, driving a fair distance, I used less than a bar of gas on its Fuel Indicator. Furthermore, the multi-angle Rearview Camera made parking a breeze while its Display Audio and HONDALINK were amazing, easily working together with my Phone so that I could remain connected (and fully charged) at all times.  I still would drive it again. Definitely a lot more value than the Fit‘s economy price would suggest.

Learn more about the 2015 Honda Fit here.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)