MY2009 JAZZ.. it's here!! some pics etc..

[FitRS]

Finally took a look at the new Jazz on the weekend. Just me or did anyone else notice that the plastics are getting cheaper looking on the interior all the time ?
Also, I would rule out the new model on one problem alone, that being front passenger lack of leg room. My 15 year old sons knees were virtually hitting the glove box, and with the seat fully back, that then gives no leg room to people sitting behind. A big step back imo. Personally I dont like the more angular look of the car as well, but that may grow on me. I've heard some crap from Honda saying that they dropped the CVT because it was "endlessly noisy". I love my cvt to death, and has to be one of the smoothest gearboxes I've used on a small car. Another backwards step by Mr. Honda.

You're not alone with your impressions of the new Jazz.

The interior plastics look cheap and is cheap. It will wear faster due to sun damage and scratching. I think healthy constant application of Scotch Guard will assist in preserving it.

Your son sounds like he is a reasonably tall lad? While the leg space in the Jazz is small, I personally didn't find the passenger seat to be constricting.

The CVT was dropped for all but the VTiS. It's a real shame. Another selling point for the old Jazz. This is Honda Australia deciding not to give this feature to Australians as the Japanese model has CVT as an option across the range. It's a real pain as it forces you to buy the VTiS at the higher price point, which is just body kit, trim plus CVT.

As for the angular look. I really love it. I think the body of the new Jazz is the biggest selling point as well as the colours. It's a shame the rest of it bar the engine is not the same quality.

Having said that, it's still a good car, not quite reaching it's potential but I think if you did buy it, you wouldn't be regretting your decision. Keep in mind there are a lot of options for the subcompact market which can be less expensive.

[FitRS]

Some pics of mods the thai guys have done. Some pretty neat stuff.

http://www.jdm-th.com/forum/index.ph...3&topic=1021.0

[fundies]

Fit RS. I'd definitely still consider buying one, but I'm not going to part with my 05 Jap made VTI for quite a few years yet Are you sure the VTI-S still has CVT ? I thought it was a 5 speed auto like the rest of the lineup. Cheers.

[nabsie]

You're not alone with your impressions of the new Jazz.

The interior plastics look cheap and is cheap. It will wear faster due to sun damage and scratching. I think healthy constant application of Scotch Guard will assist in preserving it.

Your son sounds like he is a reasonably tall lad? While the leg space in the Jazz is small, I personally didn't find the passenger seat to be constricting.

The CVT was dropped for all but the VTiS. It's a real shame. Another selling point for the old Jazz. This is Honda Australia deciding not to give this feature to Australians as the Japanese model has CVT as an option across the range. It's a real pain as it forces you to buy the VTiS at the higher price point, which is just body kit, trim plus CVT.

As for the angular look. I really love it. I think the body of the new Jazz is the biggest selling point as well as the colours. It's a shame the rest of it bar the engine is not the same quality.

Having said that, it's still a good car, not quite reaching it's potential but I think if you did buy it, you wouldn't be regretting your decision. Keep in mind there are a lot of options for the subcompact market which can be less expensive.

Actually none of the new Jazz's have CVT. All the auto's are 5 speed. However the VTi-S does have the paddle shift. I dont know if CVT remained on the Jap models though.

Just traded my wifes old VTi on a new VTi-S and would agree that the CVT from old was great due to being so smooth but without the CVT the car certainly has better pick up off the line making it a bit more "zippy". Takes a bit of getting used to going from CVT to traditional auto though.

Interior has certainly got reduced plastic quality but looking after it will probably be the key.

Why did they not keep the flat floor in the rear!?!? The flat floor was great.

New rear head rests are a vast improvement from the old.

Driver visibility is also vastly improved.

Stereo is damn good for stock.

The overall build quality seems improved also as when you close the door it close with a very solid thump for a small car. Not like the old one which sounded a bit hollow.

The new more angular shape looks fantastic, bit more aggressive.

16 inch rims on the VTi-S as standard is great also.

10 cup holders is a bit of a play, serious over kill but still an improvement from old.

The drivers side wing mirror is also a bit fish eyed which makes it hard determining how far the traffic is away though this would just take some getting used to.

All in all it is a much better car then the old I feel.

Get One! (I dont work for honda)

[FitRS]

Fit RS. I'd definitely still consider buying one, but I'm not going to part with my 05 Jap made VTI for quite a few years yet Are you sure the VTI-S still has CVT ? I thought it was a 5 speed auto like the rest of the lineup. Cheers.

Apologies for the confusion. See below.

Actually none of the new Jazz's have CVT. All the auto's are 5 speed. However the VTi-S does have the paddle shift. I dont know if CVT remained on the Jap models though.

Yes, thanks for the correction. I confused Paddle Shift with CVT..

The Japanese still has CVT, unfortunately I'm not fluent, but enough to muddle through the spec list.

Just traded my wifes old VTi on a new VTi-S and would agree that the CVT from old was great due to being so smooth but without the CVT the car certainly has better pick up off the line making it a bit more "zippy". Takes a bit of getting used to going from CVT to traditional auto though.

Interior has certainly got reduced plastic quality but looking after it will probably be the key.

Why did they not keep the flat floor in the rear!?!? The flat floor was great.

New rear head rests are a vast improvement from the old.

Driver visibility is also vastly improved.

Stereo is damn good for stock.

The overall build quality seems improved also as when you close the door it close with a very solid thump for a small car. Not like the old one which sounded a bit hollow.

The new more angular shape looks fantastic, bit more aggressive.

16 inch rims on the VTi-S as standard is great also.

10 cup holders is a bit of a play, serious over kill but still an improvement from old.

The drivers side wing mirror is also a bit fish eyed which makes it hard determining how far the traffic is away though this would just take some getting used to.

All in all it is a much better car then the old I feel.

Get One! (I dont work for honda)

The car has plenty of zip to it. I'm driving a 2.0L car at the moment and the VTi is more responsive in acceleration and handling.

I found the rear head rests a little stiff for my neck.

The fish-eye side mirror is cool, it gives plenty of visual for the side. Once you're used to it, it will be a handy safety tool.

I agree, it's still a good buy. I will be waiting for the revision though cause no moolah at the moment.

[fundies]

If left in CVT mode, definitely doesn't feel that zippy, especially off the mark, but most of the time I just leave it in 7 speed "Auto" mode, which makes it a completely different car to drive, very zippy off the mark I find.

[nabsie]

If left in CVT mode, definitely doesn't feel that zippy, especially off the mark, but most of the time I just leave it in 7 speed "Auto" mode, which makes it a completely different car to drive, very zippy off the mark I find.

I think there is some serious confusion about what CVT is.

CVT is not the ability to change gears manually on the steering wheel. This is paddle shift/tip tronic/sports auto. Call it what you wish but it certainly isn't CVT.

CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission

Read Link for more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continu...e_transmission

[FitRS]

Thanks for the link. A good read. I did not know Da Vinci was the originator.

I'm only just getting in to cars at this level.. been driving for years but treated cars as A->B only. Now it's $$$ and a missus

[fundies]

I think there is some serious confusion about what CVT is.

CVT is not the ability to change gears manually on the steering wheel. This is paddle shift/tip tronic/sports auto. Call it what you wish but it certainly isn't CVT.

CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission

Read Link for more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continu...e_transmission

Nabsie, do your homework son CVT Jazzes in the VTI/ VTIS (pre 08 models ) DO have paddles on the steering wheel with 7 "virtual" ratios. It can be paddle shifted or left to work as a 7 speed auto. Learn something every day hey Nabsie.

[Genotype]

Just wanted to post my comments about the new Jazz.

My wife purchased a MY06 Jazz in early 2007 so we have been driving that one for a while. I just purchased the MY09 Jazz (Gli 1.3) a few weeks ago and I really like it. There are definitely some changes from the old model that are both bad and good.

Here is my review in point form (because I'm too lazy to write sentences )

Bad:
- No vanity mirror on passenger side (my wife old gli has one).
- No shelf below the glove compartment on the passenger side (my wife old gli has one that we store the umbrella
- The radio/cd power button is no longer the volume button but a small one next to the cd eject. It can be confusing if you are used to the old model.
- Fuel consumption higher in the new model - To me this isn't a bad thing because its still much much much lower than my old mazda that I traded in
- Engine is slightly louder
- The seat trim of the old jazz is better

Good:
- Interior looks sweet I like how they moved the air-con controls closer to the driver.
- MP3/WMA compatible plus MP3 player outlet. My Ipod has a good run now.
- Some small compartments here and there for useful things - eg. a compartment for my phone (fits perfectly), a compartment for my garage remote control (fits perfectly), plus all the cup holders.
- The trip computer is much better. Tells you how much l/100km you do while driving (ie. a meter as well as average). Also has a range km of how long you can drive before re-fueling.
- The old gli required me to put my handbrake on when stopping on a slight incline. The engine is defintely more powerful (to me anyway).
- I love the exterior. It looks sweet

So as you can I see, I love the new MY09!

[nabsie]

Nabsie, do your homework son CVT Jazzes in the VTI/ VTIS (pre 08 models ) DO have paddles on the steering wheel with 7 "virtual" ratios. It can be paddle shifted or left to work as a 7 speed auto. Learn something every day hey Nabsie.

Dont wish to cause any disruption here as now we are definatly getting off topic but I never said that the pre 08 models didnt have paddle shift, just clarifying the difference between paddle shift and CVT as some less aware readers were indicating confusion.

Glad RSFit found my link of merrit.

[bobioso]

[QUOTE=Genotype;1931918]Just wanted to post my comments about the new Jazz. QUOTE]
What about ride quality? I took the old Jazz for a test drive a couple of time because I really liked it, but ride was always bumpy and IMO worse than Getz rentals I would drive every now and then.
The new one was a big improvement.
When it comes to power, it's interesting that you can feel more power in the new Jazz. I had a feeling that iDSI had more torque in low revs than 1.3 VTEC and felt similar to 1.5 in the city. But it's not bad - had the new GLi for 3 weeks and I am really happy with the car both in the city and on hilly highways.
A couple of other improvements over the old Jazz:
- 3 retractable headrests at the back seat (no need to move front seats to collapse back seats),
- way better visibility (especially side mirrors, A pillar and at the back),
- front drink holders that can be cooled with air-con air flow (unfortunately no cooled top glove department like in OS models).
- more space at the back
- the annoying lower shelf that was killing my shins (and was another deal-breaker for the purchase of the old Jazz) is gone.

All other Genotype’s comments are spot on. The quality of the seat cloth is a major step down (especially for VTi), but it looks it's going to last (it's just not nice to touch).