Thailand built Jazz problems?

[MiSloVic]

The 2006 Jazz in Australia is a minor update with full size spare, integrated turn indicator in mirror, folding mirror, shorten rear mounted antenna, LED high-mount & rear lights, etc. It all sounds good, and the price is lower than preceding models. The reason, among others such as the sharply priced new 2006 Civic sedan, is also that Jazz is now sourced from Thailand.

I am interested in a replacement Jazz for my current one (giving me some grief) but wonder if anyone hear/read/know of any issues with quality, such as fit & finish, component reliability with Thailand built Jazz? I believe Honda Thailand has been doing this for Jazz's in Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand.

But are these Jazz's in some way inferior to the previous Japan built ones? Not that you have any choice if you want a new Jazz - only from Thailand.

Does anyone also know if the main components, like engine & transmission are actually made in say Japan, but assembled in Thailand, which is not too bad, I guess.

sorry bro, Jazz in Singapore is from Japan. but singapore also gets the city, which is made in thailand, and this model share quite a number of parts with jazz.

honda is so confident with city's quality, that it is actually exported back to japan, to be sold as the sedan jazz version. this goes to show how much faith honda has in its thai city.. and don't be surprised that ur so called 'japan' jazz is not 100% made in japan. it could have very well used parts from thailand.

[Fr3aKi3]

Just for those who think a thai made Honda will have questionable build quality then take a read of this article: Click me!

Although it is about the new Civic, it does indicate that there isn't a lack of quality in newer Thai built Honda's. Hence the reviewer states:

Try as I might, I couldn't fault this one. Panel fit, paint finish, cabin materials and switch gear were all A-grade.

[lokets]

Yes, from the new Thai built Civic, we can see glimpse of high quality of the Thai factory. Hopefully, this also translates well into high quality Thai Jazz's too.

Honda seems to be very confident of their Thailand operation and that has became their regional manufacturing hub. I guess if Honda Australia stands behind their product from Thailand, it should be good enough - the Honda quality image is quite priceless, and it would be foolish to mess it up.

Having said that, any one knows if the major components, and I mean the engine & transmission are actually made outside Thailand or not?

It seems the Thailand factory actually does quite important engine components - see this link: http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=10519.

It says in part: ... Processes conducted at the HATC engine plant currently include molding and machining of the cylinder block and machining of the cylinder head, both key components of an engine. These components are supplied domestically in Thailand as well as to Honda operations in other ASEAN and South West Asian countries ...

Another thing: since Jazz is around for several years now, would you think the 2006 Jazz handling and ride actually improved compared to earlier say 2002-3 models? There are indications in UK sites that such is the case but I'm not sure if the same holds for OZ imported Jazz's.

[MiSloVic]

Just for those who think a thai made Honda will have questionable build quality then take a read of this article: Click me!

Although it is about the new Civic, it does indicate that there isn't a lack of quality in newer Thai built Honda's. Hence the reviewer states:

well, i cant really say the new thai civic is as well made as jap hondas..

on the demo car which i drove the other day, there were a few of glaring fit/finish problems.. the strip of plastic around the speedo was rather unevenly fitted, and the sunroof was making a rattling sound when i drove with it opened.

it just be the 1st-yr syndrome which all cars go through, though..

but i am impressed with how much improved this 8th gen civic was, compared to the 7th gen.

[lokets]

By the way, when someone actually gets the Thai-made Jazz (particularly VTi), can you please confirm:

1. If rear brake is indeed drum - becoz many Jazz out of Thailand have disk at the back.

2. Whether the body color is also painted inside the head light unit - just like the way it is shown on the Honda Thailand web site. That will be cool.

3. If the player is MP3 capable - highly doubtful, the Thailand domestic version is, but has a different control front face.

4. Any thing else that's different on the inside, as compared with say the older VTi.

Thanks alot. Have fun.

[CJW07]

1.-Rear brake IS drum

2.- Not sure, don't think so

3.- ICE is NOT MP3 compatable- PITA

4, pretty much the same inside.

Chris.

[Poeter]

Just had a peek at the Thai built jazz today.

Quality is pretty much on par with Japanese built jazz.

Personally, i like the Japan built. The side mirrors on the new jazz looks squarish/rectangular (sorta like the previous civic vi's) and i also prefer the metallic finish rather than chrome finish on the internal door handle + hand-brake button).

However, i do like the new thai's led taillight and its price.

[MRFIT]

I'll wait for the whole new model Jazz til upgrade.....(i think its due 2008?) i can't wait to see what it will look like, i bet its going to be very spaceship like.... hehe... like the new Odessy and Civic.....

[lokets]

I'll wait for the whole new model Jazz til upgrade.....(i think its due 2008?) i can't wait to see what it will look like, i bet its going to be very spaceship like.... hehe... like the new Odessy and Civic.....

New Jazz is rumoured to be due in 2007, so we don't have to wait too long, but for someone like me stuck in a dire situation, may have to buy first and regret later.

Honda is going through some regeneration process, like Mazda few years ago, their newer designs are better, less boring, exciting, etc. Hence, new 2007+ Jazz would predictably be really good - or that's my hope.

[edw-R]

Jap honda's car and exported Jap honda's car are always different.

[Jus-10]

I went to the local Honda dealer this afternoon to check out the new Jazz (and the Civic Sport) and I must say that I am impressed with the quiality...nothing at all like I was expecting.

Can't even tell the difference so go for it.

There is a new blue as well which is a bit girly....

As for the tail lights, both the GLi and VTi have clear rear indicators, while the VTi-S has smoked indicators (in Japan the 1.3 has clear and 1.5 has smoked).

Also, the new hup caps on the GLi and VTi look really crap/cheap IMO.

Seems like I pretty good deal to me at the current prices.

After checking out the new Sport Civic, I could be sold.....I'm going to go for a test drive next week.

[MiSloVic]

Jap honda's car and exported Jap honda's car are always different.

kinda interesting point..do they have seperate production lines to make hondas for japan domestic use and for export from japan?

most of the differences are just specs differences. mechanicals are basically the same.