Honda Jazz

[V8Wagon]

Agree with all the positives on this thread. We've had a lowly 1.2 for a year or so now and it's been superb. Nippy, reliable, plenty big enough for a 'small' car. Averages around 40mpg. Thumbs up from me. Just wish I'd got one with a sunroof!

[Camaro91]

Deerfoot said:

If it's anything like the multitronic unit in some Audis, there will be seven 'virtual' gears.

Ah, so you're just overriding the automatic aspect and telling the gearbox to move to a preset ratio... or something! :P

[Alfanatic]

Camaro91 said:

Deerfoot said:

If it's anything like the multitronic unit in some Audis, there will be seven 'virtual' gears.

Ah, so you're just overriding the automatic aspect and telling the gearbox to move to a preset ratio... or something! :P

Something like that. The salesman tried to tell me that it still actually has gears, I didn't argue with him since I've never set eyes on the gearbox, but I'm not convinced. It does just about feel just like a 7 speed autobox, but a couple of times when I put my foot down it did seem to drop the ratio smoothly to try and get more torque to the wheels before actually stepping down to the next gear, almost like clutch slip, but at the same time that could have been it dropping down a ratio, then dropping down another two.

There must be something about it to earn the CVT tag, but I don't know what it is.

[GlenMH]

Alfanatic said:

There must be something about it to earn the CVT tag, but I don't know what it is.

Because is has one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable...

And yes, the 7 gears are artificially fixed ratios.

[havoc]

GlenMH said:

Alfanatic said:

There must be something about it to earn the CVT tag, but I don't know what it is.

Because is has one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable...

And yes, the 7 gears are artificially fixed ratios.

And technically it's very clever, BUT in action it just "moo's" at you (finds a constant rpm and shifts the ratio to accelerate)...with the tone of the moo depending on how far down the accelerator pedal is.

I'm also not convinced how economical it is - I managed only 35mpg last month on my usual commute. I get 29mpg from the ITR on the same run and I cruise at a higher speed in the ITR.

[Alfanatic]

GlenMH said:

Alfanatic said:

There must be something about it to earn the CVT tag, but I don't know what it is.

Because is has one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable...

And yes, the 7 gears are artificially fixed ratios.

So the salesman was simply wrong then? It's not beyond the bounds of probability

[Alpaca]

hora said:

What date did production move to China (from Japan)? Apparently there were teething QC/issues after the factory move. Sometime in 2007 but how do you 'spot' a pre-China move model?

The VIN plate in the windscreen start with a J for Japan and L for China (or state 'Honda Motor Company Japan' or 'Honda Motor Company China' on the VIN plate under the bonnet). My Japanese-built Jazz was purchased new in July 2007 and the seatbelts are stamped with manufacture dates of March 2007. The demo car I drove was Chinese made so we are looking at around mid-2007 as the date of the production move.

Mk2 (from 2008+) was made in Japan for a year until Swindon started production. Hybrids I think all come from Japan.

Honda have no intention of offering a bigger engine in the Jazz even though Swindon makes 1.5-litre VTECs (120bhp-ish) for South Africa.

Did I mention that I'm 31 years old and that I overtake people in my Jazz? Do most people outside petrolhead land care or even notice? TBH, probably not.

[va1o]

^^ Was the MK1 never made in the UK then? I was under the impression it was.

[Deva Link]

va1o said:

^^ Was the MK1 never made in the UK then? I was under the impression it was.

They didn't start building Jazz in the UK until Oct 2009, so a year into the MkII's life.

[jamiebae]

My (80-something year old) Grandmother has a mid spec 07 Jazz 1.4. It has been faultless in its 5 year life, other than being hit twice in Waitrose car park and she absolutely loves it. Having said that it did replace a 10 year old Citroen ZX 1.9TD so most things will be an improvement on that.

I actually suggested that she bought it, it's well screwed together, comfy, reliable and as others have said, the boot is incredible so ideal for someone switching from an estate car. It would be a perfect car for my wife if she wasn't so keen on cars that look pretty!

[R500POP]

We recently bought the wife her 3rd Honda Jazz, having has 1.2's before, this time we went for the 1.4 engine.

There is nothing in it on economy (and I mean nothing), but the 1.4 is a far better drive.

As for the Jazz on the whole it's a good car, 100% reliable, OK to drive, very spacious, cheap to run. If you want a good car buy one, if you want an exciting car you are looking in the place.

[Willy Nilly]

My next car changes daily. I've had an MB2 Civic for nearly a decade and it flatly refuses to die, but it is well maintained. Most of the driving I do is short local stuff with the odd motorway blat to see my family. The 1.4 Jazz is looking ideal for what I need and spend the savings on motorcycling

[Willy Nilly]

hora said:

Willy Nilly said:

My next car changes daily. I've had an MB2 Civic for nearly a decade and it flatly refuses to die, but it is well maintained. Most of the driving I do is short local stuff with the odd motorway blat to see my family. The 1.4 Jazz is looking ideal for what I need and spend the savings on motorcycling

....and why not?

On the money you save why not spend it on your passion/motorbike for road 'treats'?

Why not indeed?

I had an 04 model as a courtesy car in .... 2004 and thought it was great. It was a super little car to drive in town, but a little short of puff on dual carriage ways even thought it was the same power as my Civic. But the new 1.4 is all bar 100 hp, which is positively huge so should be lively enough for what I need.

I'll keep running the Civic until it dies, but the Jazz is definitely looking like the way forward.

[Alpaca]

va1o said:

^^ Was the MK1 never made in the UK then? I was under the impression it was.

It was originally planned to be until Honda changed their mind and Swindon got the more profitable CR-V instead.

[Challo]

My mum bought a brand new Jazz last of the old model in 2008. Not the best looking car, has the elderly image which isn't great...but what a good little car.
Nothing gone wrong in 3 years...feels well put together. Great 1.4 engine comfortable on the motorway. Steering, clutch very light to use but makes town driving a piece of cake.

1 big plus is the space in the back and simple ease of changing the rear seat configuration. Fold them flat to increase boot space, or lift up rear seats to increase rear foot well space.

Overall a very pratical little car and much better than its rivals

[Challo]

....also forgot to add. In the close where she lives there are 9 houses and 4 of those have a Jazz...(2 old, 2 new).

Never known any of them to go wrong.