Considering buying a 2nd hand Jazz - advice?

[Artie]

Hi pitiek,

I just want to give you something to think about. This all depends on whether or not you can extend your budget and presumes that you will keep the car for only 5 years.

Historically, the Jazz holds its value well for the first 4 to 6 years. Like most cars they then to take a bit of a hit. I really think that you should consider buying a brand new Jazz. A second hand $12,000 Jazz will probably be worth about $5000 to $6000 in 5 years. A brand new automatic Vibe will cost you around $20,000 on the road and will probably get you $13,000 to $14,000 in 5 years if you take care of it. Up to 80,000kms your servicing costs are minimal and you are unlikely to spend anything on repairs. You will get full 12 months rego, brand new tyres and no uncertain history.

After 5 years you'll probably come out about even (extra interest included) but you'll have the piece of mind and luxury of having a new car with more features.

May not be for you but I just thought I'd raise the possibility.

Cheers.

[pitiek]

That is a valid point..
I was thinking on saving a bit by buying a second hand jazz and do some DIY service myself..
I haven't thought about depreciation that much and considering I sold a well looked after civic FD auto for $14k, I was thinking to spend less than that...
Still gutted, what was I thinking..!!!

[Artie]

That is a valid point..
I was thinking on saving a bit by buying a second hand jazz and do some DIY service myself..
I haven't thought about depreciation that much and considering I sold a well looked after civic FD auto for $14k, I was thinking to spend less than that...
Still gutted, what was I thinking..!!!

Yep, servicing is very easy to do yourself. I bought my GD VTI-S brand new in 2007. I intended to have it serviced by the selling dealer (Capital Honda in Canberra) for the sake of the log book but when I took it for its first service with just 996km they backed it into a large concrete pole damaging the back door and bumper bar. After this happened I decided that I didn't want them touching my car again so I decided to do all the servicing myself. I buy all genuine honda parts (from a different dealer). My car has been fully serviced as per the book. I had the valve clearance done (at the different dealer) at 40,000km and recently I had the brake pads and brake fluid changed by my brother in law who owns a mechanical workshop in Melbourne. I was using Honda FEO oil until recently and I've now changed to Castrol Edge. I keep all the receipts for parts, oil etc and fill in the service book myself.

The only down side to this is that potential buyers down the track may see this as a negative. However, I am incredibly meticulous about looking after my car and it's in absolutely pristine condition. Inside, outside, engine bay, under guards etc are all like new so it should be obvious to any potential buyers when the time comes that the car is well looked after and this thinking should relate to the mechanical side of things as well.

So, you can do your own servicing whether you buy the car new or second hand.

BTW, if you do buy used, I can highly recommend a GD 1.5 Jazz (manual). It is a very practical, economical, and reliable car. Probably more on all these counts than a Swift. The interior design is amazing. The rear seat is very well designed with a high seating position making it comfortable for people with long legs. I have 3 teenage kids and they find the Jazz is just as comfortable as our Pajero Exceed for running around town in. I've just had a cruise control fitted because this car is so good that it also loves highway running. We recently did a return trip from Canberra to Melbourne and it just loves to cruise all day long at 110kmh.

If you want an auto though, the GE is probably the safer bet. The trouble with the GE is that for my money the second hand price is too close to the new price - I think I'm going round in circles here!!!!!!

Cheers
Artie

[pitiek]

I'm after a manual GD/swift S/Z series with extra airbags plus EBD/ABS.
I find the swift has more safety features than the GD..
How do you add cruise control to a jazz? Is it legal?

[Artie]

How do you add cruise control to a jazz? Is it legal?

I used the Command AP60 system. It's a straightforward installation although the engine bay is a little tight for placement of the actuator. My actuator is located between the battery and the left front guard. If you are interested I can post some photos for you. The AP60 kit is sold as a DIY system but I would recommend that the wiring part of the installation be done by an auto electrician. The LED brake lights offer little resistance for cancelling the cruise so a resistor needs to be put in the wiring line to the brake lights.

It is all legal.

[pitiek]

Will it work for manual GD?
I had a look at one VTI-S model today, 64k but no service history..
The seller told me that her daughter's boyfriend who is a mechanical engineer did all the servicing after 40k...
Mechanical engineer vs qualified mechanic... Hmmm, who will win in an oil changing competition...

[Artie]

Will it work for manual GD?
I had a look at one VTI-S model today, 64k but no service history..
The seller told me that her daughter's boyfriend who is a mechanical engineer did all the servicing after 40k...
Mechanical engineer vs qualified mechanic... Hmmm, who will win in an oil changing competition...

Yep, works with a manual. Mine is a manual. You just need to install a clutch pedal switch. It just screws straight in to the top of the pedal, the female thread is already there. You just need to make sure you get a switch that opens and closes in the opposite way to a stop light switch. Cruise cancels (breaks circuit) when clutch pedal is depressed. Brakelights come on (completes circuit) when brake pedal is depressed.

Lack of service history is a shame but isn't the end of the world. The only big issues up to the 60K service are oil/filter changes and valve clearance. Even if the valve clearance hasn't been checked yet, and you get it done straight away there shouldn't be any problems.

The oil change history is the big drama here. You would need to satisfy yourself that it has actually been done. Once oil gets that dark colour it tends to still show up after subsequent changes so a close inspection of the oil should give an indication. Also, you can ask some questions such as "what type of oil has been used". If they can't answer off the top of their head then that would leave me doubting that it has been done or thinking that they haven't really cared too much about the car if they don't know that the correct oil has been used.

Also have a look at the air cleaner element. It should have been changed at 40K so it will be showing some signs of dirt but if it's absolutely filthy that would be a sign of lack of service.

The big downside here with the lack of service history is that the car will be less attractive to potential buyers when you go to sell it. If you're buying it from the original owner or maybe even the 2nd owner you will more easily be able to satisfy yourself that it has be serviced as required. However, when you go to sell it as a 3rd or 4th owner without service history buyers will look at it as a bit more of a gamble.

[pitiek]

I saw another one 2007 vti-s full service history 60k and asking $12000..
It is in a good nick but I'm not comfortable with the price..
There is another 2008 vti with less 40k and asking $14000...
$2000 difference old vs new shape....
Dilemma....

Both has a full service history and one is purple and one is white...
Missus wants black..

I have never bought a second hand car before so this will be a first hence the many questions....

[pitiek]

I saw a 2005 jap build manual VTI @ a wholesale dealer this arvo..
Not in the best shape since the logbook is not complete.
Last service was 60k and it's now got 98k.
The air filter was dirty and oil was black.. Engine bay was dirty...
Few dings here and there..
Asking price was $6200.. I know it's cheap but I haven't test driven the car yet since the misplaced the key..
Should I bite the bullet..???

[Artie]

Hmmm, sounds like a bit of a gamble. Something to watch out for in the bigger cities is that small economical cars are popular with couriers. It's possible that the 2005 Vti is an ex courier vehicle. "A few dings, not in the best shape" - fits the bill for an ex courier car but the fact that it's manual rather than auto gives some doubt. If it is I wouldn't touch it. It may not turn out to be cheap in the long term. Either way, it would seem that the lack of service history is due to its lack of service.

I would have thought that $12,000 for a 2007 Vti-s with full service history seems like a good buy.

As far as colour goes, black is not a good choice. It's hotter, shows damage, dirt, fingerprints etc and is harder to sell when the time comes. White is a great colour. Much more easily seen than black which is worth considering since you're carrying young ones in it. It looks a bit boring in the Vti but if you go with a Vti-s white looks great. My '07 Vti-s is white with tinted windows and it still looks as good as new. I've also got a new white Vibe-S on order for my mother in law.

Cheers

[pitiek]

PM received Artie thanks heaps..
We were looking at mazda 2 this morning and the missus seems to like it more than the jazz..
Swift's boot is non-existence but she likes the trims and overall look.
Back to the drawing board then..
Mazda 2 is in the mix....

[Celsious]

Did you happen to contact the place I PM'd you about ?