Can Jazz go the distance?

[Mimsy]

Hi there,

I am a noob - see my welcome post for background :)

I am very loyal to civics as they have served me very, very well since 1992. But when I test drove a second hand Jazz I was very impressed by the internal space and the overall handling.

I have just moved back to Aus after 5 years overseas and it is time to buy a new car. Not so cashed up, have ~ $6000 to spend max but would ideally like some change from that. Have been checking out cars on gum tree, quokka, West Asutralian, etc and I have a few to choose from.

For my money I can get either
A) ~ 1998 civic with ~ 130-150k on the clock
or
B) ~ 2004 Jazz with ~ 100k on the clock.

My big question is:
Can Jazz go the distance?

I mostly want the car for driving to/from work = 30k of city driving each way including a run on the freeway.
But I also want to be able to cruise around WA - which will put some miles on it. Mostly will be weekend trips to Margaret River etc - 300km each way.

I am very keen to hear peoples opinions on what would be my best buy for the $ I have to spend.
I am particularly interested to hear from Jazz owners about how their car handles on long distance trips with a bit of gear in the boot.

Thanks for your comments and help.

Mimsy

[Mimsy]

Hmmm, I wonder if I should have actually posted this in the Noob section. Apologies if this is the wrong place for this.
:)

[Dc_II]

Thats funny, I've got an EK Civic and my wife has the GD3 Jazz... so I guess I can comment on both.

Both cars are fine... I'd get the Civic in Manual only... otherwise you'll be bored to death... parts are relatively cheap (even the motor is cheap if you blow it up)
Civics are probably one of the most thrashed cars around... apart from 99.99% of Nissans and Lancers... so be careful when you are checking them out...
easier to Mod, but the Jazz is probably more reliable. Its obvious which ones are thrashed on the track by enthusiasts and they'd be proud to tell you too.

Jazz:
If its auto, make sure you replace the CVT fluid every 10k
And the EGR tends to die on them. $300 from Honda or thereabouts... switch the old with the new and you are on your way.

So far, its an excellend workhorse for the wife. she travels alot for work and I have had so much peace of mind since shes had the Jazz. Except if she has a flat tyre...
We use the Jazz for weekends away, longer drives etc etc... much more comfortable and spacious

Once again, keep an eye out on all the cars you look out for... if its got logs, check them... if they dont have logs... look into it more... we saw a 2006 or 2007 Jazz for about 3-4k under what its worth value... then negotiated A FURTHER 2-3k off the asking price... looked clean, No log books... turns out it was a repairable write off in another state and bought here, repaired and attempted to be sold off... their response was "I swear to Gawd, my sisters kids ripped up the log book... I get it serviced but my mechanic doesnt give me reciepts... and I bought it from some one else like this"

[Mimsy]

Thanks Dc_II. Very helpful. Especially your comments re: longer drives/weekends away. :)

I have been very satisfied with the reliability of my civics - it sounds like from what you say that I can expect the same from a Jazz. I was worried about buying a "small" car with 100k already on the clock. Can I expect a Jazz (with regular servicing) to be able to log 200k without major engine problems - as this has certainly been my experience with civics?

[Dc_II]

Wifes Jazz has 135km on it and no signs of struggle...

Like I said, EGR and CVT fluid change are common things... easy fixed!

Weekends away... yes, hell we even did 1.5 weeks away with the car...
jam packed it... chairs/luggage/esky/food and even all my fishing gear and could still fit another person comfortably in the back

[fundies]

"Jazz:
If its auto, make sure you replace the CVT fluid every 10k"


This advice is plain stupid. Who says that you have to do it this often ? I do mine every 30K km's and it's as smooth as new at 80K km's.

Change engine oil every 10K km's, yes, but a $100 plus CVT oil change doesn't make sense every 10K.


To the OP, my 06 VTI feels like it will go forever. Long trips fully loaded no problems with the 1.5 litre engine.

[Mimsy]

@ Dc_II cool. My husband and I love weekends/weeks away. Sounds like we pack pretty much the same stuff lol. Do you have a roof rack or are your fishing poles the kind that detach.

@ fundies - thanks also. Anyone know how the 1.3L engine handles, esp long trips with the boot loaded? I am thinking of test driving a 2nd hand 1.3L Jazz today.

Thanks for all the help/comments :)

[fillit]

from what i hear the CVT fluid problem is more a hit and miss, however to be assured that you wouldn't suffer those problems than you should change it every so often.

as for the travelling i'm sure it's fine i used to travel ~60kms + in my to and from work and it has been fine, i have also done road trips where it's been more than 300kms a day, i've also had mates drive interstate with it.

personally i drive a 2006 VTI-S 1.5L, i would not recommend getting a 1.3L as if you have the aircon on, it probably won't really go up a hill. Try to get a VTI or VTI-S they both have the same 1.5L engine difference is that VTI-S comes with a factory bodykit

Regards,
Phil

[chauster]

Hello Mister OP.

My mother has a jazz and i drive it always cause i cbf my civic and when my civic is at the workshop. Jazz is ok THE CVT i dunno its fine to me. Mum services at Honda and theres no problem. I never touched the jazz. Parents take it to long long weekeend spots and its been fine.

[ACE888]

Also check out a similar thread;

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?141187-Honda-Jazz-high-mileage-what-to-do

It appears by most comments that a well maintained Jazz will go the distance :)

[Mimsy]

Thanks everyone. That thread is helpful, thanks ACE888

I think I have found my new baby!

2003, VTi, 99,000 with service history
Ice blue and pretty.
Will negotiate on price this evening. He asking 7G, I had budgeted 6G. It has a little hail damage from the big WA storms last year so I think I should be able to negotiate a bit.

By the way - it's Mrs not Mister :)

[chauster]

Please accept my sincere apologises

[soetantoa]

Go to fitfreak.net , there's a guy who use his GD Jazz as a courier and has gone thru above 250,000 miles.

And he said it is as good as day one but from his posting it looks like he service his car religously.

Have a look....

[62rocket]

Jazz's are great cars. I bought mine new in 2004, GD VTIS manual. Here's what's gone wrong/ been replaced in 172,000 kms.

1. always had it serviced by the book at each 10,000 kms. replaced the oil filter each time too as the book says it's only required every 2nd service interval (why not replace the filter at the same time as the oil?)
2. it's on it's second set of tyres at 172000 and they need again replacing now. I got 92,000 kms out of my first set of Bridgestones. I will look seriously around for new tyres at 180,000km.
3. Only ever replaced the front brake pads at 105,000 kms. I had them checked at last service (170km) and they are still good for a lot more kms.
4. Replaced the rear wheel bearings under warranty at 80,000km just before 3 years was up on the car. This was done free of charge as it was a known fault on the cars.
5. Had the brake and cluth pedal rubbers replaced at about 6 years (free under good will by Honda) as they were worn down to the metal on one of the edges and was basically un-roadworthy. The new ones are wearing just as fast. I wear boots most of the time i drive the Jazz and the boots must be hard on the pedal rubbers as I tend to slide my foot off them both.
6. The car still looks and smells new - probably helped by having it in the garage at home and under cover when parked at work. The only time the car sees sunlight is when i am driving it.
7. The car now has a 'creeking' noise when i turn the steering wheel in one direction at parking speeds - not an issue as it's been there for 2 years and not getting any worse.
8. The clutch has a slight shudder on cold take offs. I am guessing the clutch will need replacement sooner rather than later. There's also a very slight knocking nose when i engage the clutch sometimes. I am not sure what it is but it's not getting any worse and it only occurrs when i am doing very sedate driving. It i give the car a hard time through the gears on a heavy acceleration take off, i can't hear the noise.
9. 7 years old and it's still got the factory battery - no kidding. This battery is still as strong as new when i crank the car over for start up. I suspect however at any time it's gunna come to the end of it's life as 7 years in my books is pretty amazing for a modern small battery driving all the electrics on a car like the Jazz.

Overall i am happy with the Jazz. It's never broken down on me. I owe nothing on the car and I hope it gives me good service until it's about 14 years old and 340,000 kms. Fingers crossed.

Nev.

[icejazz]

Hi, our Jazz is a 03 VTI auto with only 75K (no probs so far) and it still has the original battery. Thats getting to 8 years. Thats the most I have had on any car. The car runs fine however I do hear a bit of whining at the back after I drive for a while. Sounds like the rear bearings.....

[08ESE]

mine has 145 thousand HARD kays on it now, its been bounced off the rev limiter EVERY day for the last 8 years (02 model), its been crashed, jumped, taken down 4x4 paths where hilux drivers looked at me in amazement. its been pulled to bits, put back together with bits left over.... treated rather badly.

it still returns 5.4L per 100 with me driving it... its smooth, quiet and simply BRILLIANT, ill have a jazz with me for the rest of my life.


50 thousand kays... gearbox rebuild... car had been crashed and abused so i dont blame honda. is still good now at 145k ( edit after reading numerous reports, i now blame honda )
60 thousand kays... air cond compressor cluctch centre shaft snaps and falls off ( i blame honda this time ) cost $450 for seond hand fix :)
110 thou kays, rear wheel bearings very whiny and pretty much shagged ( non genuines off dads friend $150 each)
115 thou kays.. front disc pads replaced

original battery lasted almost 3 years, a century i got to replace it lasted 5, and just put a new supercharge in, as my other car, a v8 chrysler has a supercharge in it 7 years old.


nothing else


my sister purchased a 03 gli 1.3 manual with 122 thou kays today, immaculate for $6900 she loves mine so much she had to have one too. she figures if i havent killed mine, they must be allright!

[10KRPM]

We just got given a 02 jazz recently. Great little run about but the previous owners kinda left it underdone in terms of servicing and basic care.

Cvt trans for the most part is fine but kinda slurrs abit on takeoff. Is it cheap to have the cvt reconditioned? Apart from mismatched tyres everything else seems to be fine. Major service due soon so wondering if i should start hunting for parts now.