Deric’s Tiny Taxi

[Dericsh]

This is the Build Thread for Deric’s Tiny Taxi. Reply below.

 

[Dericsh]

For my daily driver, I’ve traded down from the Tundra to this little 2nd gen Honda Fit. More lifestyle changes thanks to the Louisiana insurance crisis.

Once the tough decision was made, It really was a no brainer to free up some cash flow for a pretty significant hike in our monthly mortgage payment (escrow increase).

Not sure I can call this a build thread, but there may be a few things worth sharing on here with you all.

It has 148k on it. It’s far from perfect, but it is the cleanest example of a vehicle I could find in my price range. A price range that I had to increase after spending nearly my entire week off striking out with all sorts of raggity junk. These days I guess dealers just take the trade in’s and just throw them straight onto the lot. The amount of cars I drove with all types of lights on the dash, no AC, electronics inoperable, etc was unreal.

It’s pretty fun to drive in the city, handles well, but it is horribly slow up top on the highway. There doesn’t seem to be much aftermarket support for it any longer, but that’s ok. The only plans I have for it are to catch up on maintenance and add a few accessories to increase functionality or cover defects.

 

[CrackedDSM]

K swap when?

 

[Dericsh]

K swap when?

This car needs it!! I’m hoping a valve adjustment helps it a little bit. I was looking to see if Hondata sells a flash for it but it seems like support for the Fit has dwindled down to first gens only.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Aw man, it's not even a 5 speed?
It may not be fast and may not be fun but I bet the fuel mileage is great compared to the Tundra. I've seen one of these locally with a catback exhaust system. It was still super quiet though

 

[Dericsh]

Aw man, it's not even a 5 speed?
It may not be fast and may not be fun but I bet the fuel mileage is great compared to the Tundra. I've seen one of these locally with a catback exhaust system. It was still super quiet though

I’m gettin old, auto seems better for a daily driver. It’ll make me enjoy ripping thru gears even more once I get the DSM back on the road.

 

[Dericsh]

First full tank, the dash says 31.7 MPG. My calculations come in at 302.8 miles/29.93 MPG.

I’ll see what I can do to pump that number up a bit for the next one.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I’m gettin old, auto seems better for a daily driver. It’ll make me enjoy ripping thru gears even more once I get the DSM back on the road.

150% this. I realized this like 15 years ago when Auto DSMs were poopoo'd and you could find a brand new 10k mile auto awd trans for like $350. Lol.


Auto for daily, 5-speed for fun occasional car is absolutely ideal. If you can get an auto fun car that's reliable for a daily, definitely recommend that too!

 

[Dericsh]

Here’s a good update for my DSM people.

When a car sits up or isn’t used much, please pay attention to the tires when it’s time to drive it again! Just because the tires have tread and look ok, doesn’t mean they are safe! These tires were 9 years old.

4 new Hankook’s and a headlight polish. That’s the end of my Tundra money.

 

[We're on Boost]

4 new Hankook’s

The Hankooks are for your Talon? What model of them did you get? I noticed they make about a bajillion tire models a couple weeks ago when I bought new tires for my 1990 Corolla. Anyway the Hankooks I just got for that car are good, I like em.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

The tires on my Prelude only had ~3000 miles on them when I bought the car. But needed to be replaced because of massive flat spots when the tires lost pressure and dry rotted. The highway vibration was terrifying driving the car home from purchasing. I'm glad they didn't blow out. Tires are usually one of my first inspection items when buying an older project car.

I liked having the Hankook Ventus V2 on my 2g back when I still daily drove it. They're a fair mix of wet weather and dry road traction. Now I have some slicker tires and try not to drive the car in the rain.

So, when is a hair dryer sized turbo going on that thing?

 

[Dericsh]

The Hankooks are for your Talon? What model of them did you get? I noticed they make about a bajillion tire models a couple weeks ago when I bought new tires for my 1990 Corolla. Anyway the Hankooks I just got for that car are good, I like em.

They are for the Fit, I got the Ventus V2. You’re right there’s tons of options out there. I have a buddy that just opened a tire shop, so between the funky size and what was available to him helped narrow it down.

My DSM will no doubt need tires before it’s back on the road. They were old and sketchy when I drug it home 4 years ago.

The tires on my Prelude only had ~3000 miles on them when I bought the car. But needed to be replaced because of massive flat spots when the tires lost pressure and dry rotted. The highway vibration was terrifying driving the car home from purchasing. I'm glad they didn't blow out. Tires are usually one of my first inspection items when buying an older project car.

I liked having the Hankook Ventus V2 on my 2g back when I still daily drove it. They're a fair mix of wet weather and dry road traction. Now I have some slicker tires and try not to drive the car in the rain.

So, when is a hair dryer sized turbo going on that thing?

Glad to hear you liked those tires, since that’s what I bought! I’m kinda surprised at the lack of aftermarket support for this model. I looked more out of curiosity than actual plans. Seems you have to commit to a K swap to start making any noise with these.

 

[We're on Boost]

Ventus V2

Ventus V2

Ventus V2 concept2 me too

 

[Dericsh]

V2 crew!

 

[SigSauer]

I loved the 2nd generation fit sport (even if they leaked like a f***er), I was always trying to get my hands on those alloys for my civic.

 

[Dericsh]

I’ve been having to stay focused on other things unfortunately, so nothing new on the DSM. I have been trying to get the Fit up to date with any free time I may have, since it’s my daily. Almost there.

Went ahead and replaced all four belt moldings before they become no longer available. We all know about those struggles. This was actually my first order from Amayama and everything went smooth.

These door sill plates were a Christmas gift from my in laws, they covered up some dents and scratches from the previous owner very nicely.

The right rear door vapor barrier was not sealed at all, leaking rain straight onto the rear floorboard. This is a common problem with these cars and I was able to fix it easily with some new strip caulk. I also did an aluminum tape mod that I read about on FitFreak. The idea is to just keep more of the window water off of the vapor barrier and directed to the door drains that are outside of the door open seal.

Last set of photos, my wife and kids wanted me to get the windows tinted for an early birthday gift. I haven’t had a vehicle tinted in quite a long time so that was an exciting day. It’s ceramic 25% all around.

To do list:

Valve adjustment/tune up
I had a CEL for a transmission pressure switch, I ordered the part and it never re coded.
Trans fluid service when I do the switch
Adjust rear brakes (spongy pedal)
Heat shield rattle under partial throttle

Hope everyone’s 2024 is going well!

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Lookin good @Dericsh, lookin good! Ive been thinking about picking up one of these if my wife gets this new job. My Durango killed me on gas with her driving to her last job and it wasnt even that far of a drive. How has the general maintenance been on it so far (fluid changes, spark plugs, etc)?

 

[Dericsh]

Lookin good @Dericsh, lookin good! Ive been thinking about picking up one of these if my wife gets this new job. My Durango killed me on gas with her driving to her last job and it wasnt even that far of a drive. How has the general maintenance been on it so far (fluid changes, spark plugs, etc)?

After I got used to the size, I’ve really been enjoying it. It gets great mileage between 33-36 depending on A/C usage. They are very easy to work on IMO. I’m about to do the second oil change, no need to remove any splash shields or anything, but it didn’t fit on the same ramps as my Tundra so I had to just use a jack and stands.

Spark plug access is kinda goofy because you have to remove the wiper arms and windshield cowl to have access. I plan to do the plugs along with the valve adjustment and valve cover gasket so that I only have to take all of that apart once.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

After I got used to the size, I’ve really been enjoying it. It gets great mileage between 33-36 depending on A/C usage. They are very easy to work on IMO. I’m about to do the second oil change, no need to remove any splash shields or anything, but it didn’t fit on the same ramps as my Tundra so I had to just use a jack and stands.

Spark plug access is kinda goofy because you have to remove the wiper arms and windshield cowl to have access. I plan to do the plugs along with the valve adjustment and valve cover gasket so that I only have to take all of that apart once.

Sounds better than my mom's nightmare of a car.... 08 Nissan Versa... Its been super reliable, but my god...what a stupid car to change plugs on

 

[Dericsh]

Sounds better than my mom's nightmare of a car.... 08 Nissan Versa... Its been super reliable, but my god...what a stupid car to change plugs on

, I haven’t had the pleasure of working on one of those. Whats so bad about it, are they under the intake manifold??

 

[SixBolt_16G]

, I haven’t had the pleasure of working on one of those. Whats so bad about it, are they under the intake manifold??

yes. The whole intake system has to come off(manifold, throttlebody, plastic airbox hose, etc). It probably wouldnt have been that big of a deal if I hadnt of gone into it assuming that it was going to be a 5 minute job like my 2g or my wife's Prelude.

 

[Dericsh]

Huge props to my neighbor for letting me use his air conditioned garage to replace my A/C compressor a couple weekends ago.

OEM reman - discontinued
OEM new ~$680 (no clutch kit)
OEM clutch and coil kit ~$330
Chinese aftermarket loaded unit ~$250

No wonder people used to trade these in instead of paying for a simple compressor job.

Trusted local junkyard, 65k mile used oem unit, $130. That’s all me!

Also replaced the rattling Halfshaft heatshield while I was using up all his cold air.

He told me that drop light was older than I am.

 

[Dericsh]

Here’s some photos of the recent insane snowfall in southeast Louisiana! The whole area shut down for three straight days.