Secondhand Honda Jazz -What to look out for and what to avoid?

[t0dd]

I am looking around for a car that can take me from point A to B. I don't want anything fancy or new and after some research I always see a Honda Jazz popping up.

I only travel for normal personal commutes (shopping, work etc).

What year range should I look for and mileage? Should I avoid the 1.2 and only look for the 1.5?

I also do not want to break the bank, just looking for a "bangernomics".

Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[chrisc]

I had a 1.2 for 8 years. Paid R130k for it, got R85k when selling it
Excellent car, nothing ever went wrong

Obvious things to check
Accident damage - panels, doors, boot lid all fit well, no colour differences
No wind noise at 80 km/hr
Wheel alignment check
Has it been regularly serviced?
If a CVT, has the fluid been changed?
Spark plugs changed at 60 000km?
Does Aircon work properly
Driving over an uneven road, any creaks or steering and suspension noises?
Is clear-coat intact
Up to 190k km is ok provided servicing done. Look at the colour of the oil on the dipstick

 

[t0dd]

That's good to know, thanks.

And how did the 1.2 perform on the highway? Obviously it won't win any races, but could it keep up?

 

[chickenbeef]

Year

What year range should I look for and mileage?

This would depend on your budget obviously. You can get a Jazz from R60k to over R300k.

I would skip the 3rd gen since those were manufactured in India. The other generations we got were made in Japan and to Euro spec so the quality is better.

 

[t0dd]

Year

This would depend on your budget obviously. You can get a Jazz from R60k to over R300k.

I would skip the 3rd gen since those were manufactured in India. The other generations we got were made in Japan and to Euro spec so the quality is better.

My budget is R160k max, if I can get a great deal cheaper then I will go for it.

I will widen my search because initially I focused on 2015 as minimum, but I think thats the year they started selling the 3rd gen.

 

[I.am.Sam]

we had a 2006 1.4

the engine gave in once ..dont know how why what when but we got it replaced

other than that the car is extremly light on fuel, very spacious for the size and a wonderful car

we had it for about 12 years

the main one yes depending on year model i guess is clear quote

ours was silver and the clear went twice

 

[I.am.Sam]

but a honda is a honda

the older models like the 1.4 had 8 spark plugs

oh and we also paid around R65k for it and sold for R45k ...many miles and years later

its a very good car

 

[airborne]

Year

This would depend on your budget obviously. You can get a Jazz from R60k to over R300k.

I would skip the 3rd gen since those were manufactured in India. The other generations we got were made in Japan and to Euro spec so the quality is better.

I've not heard of any issues with the 3rd gen Jazz, in my opinion they are the best looking Jazz and perhaps the best value for money.

My budget is R160k max, if I can get a great deal cheaper then I will go for it.

I will widen my search because initially I focused on 2015 as minimum, but I think thats the year they started selling the 3rd gen.

The 1.5 is definitely the one to get, I had the 1.3 and it was meh, then I got the 1.5 and it was awesome, granted they were both auto, in manual it won't matter as much but I’d highly suggest going with the auto, such a pleasure in traffic.
All the jazz models are very reliable and robust, just the 1st gen Cvt auto gearbox could give issues if the oil wasn't changed every 60k km but other than that they are bulletproof.

For your budget I'd get a 1.5 Gen 3 auto but the same in Gen 2 is also a great vehicle if it's been well looked after, they all age very well and don't look dated.

 

[t0dd]

I've not heard of any issues with the 3rd gen Jazz, in my opinion they are the best looking Jazz and perhaps the best value for money.

The 1.5 is definitely the one to get, I had the 1.3 and it was meh, then I got the 1.5 and it was awesome, granted they were both auto, in manual it won't matter as much but I’d highly suggest going with the auto, such a pleasure in traffic.
All the jazz models are very reliable and robust, just the 1st gen Cvt auto gearbox could give issues if the oil wasn't changed every 60k km but other than that they are bulletproof.

For your budget I'd get a 1.5 Gen 3 auto but the same in Gen 2 is also a great vehicle if it's been well looked after, they all age very well and don't look dated.

Thanks this helps a lot.

And what would be the max mileage I should look out for? I am looking for something with a full service history.

 

[airborne]

Thanks this helps a lot.

And what would be the max mileage I should look out for? I am looking for something with a full service history.

Those engines can easily make 500k km so a Jazz in nice condition with higher mileage at the right price isn't a big problem but as with anything the lower the mileage the better.

A full service history is nice to have but a decent indication it’s been looked after and serviced is also ok, you have to make a judgement call, if the seller is shifty and you notice some lies and obfuscation coming out then perhaps not one to buy but if the seller looks like a decent person and is upfront with things and says it was serviced regularly and the car looks well looked after and the price is right then perhaps worth a chance. Import low mileage engines and gearboxes for Jazzes were very well priced last I checked, not much more than R10k for either, that was for Gen 1 and 2 though.

A clean Gen 2 or 3 1.5 Auto would be first prize, the pre-facelift Gen 2 1.5 Auto is actually perhaps one of the best Jazzes they ever made and they do sometimes come up in very nice condition with not too much mileage and closer or even less than R100k.

Are you in Gauteng or anywhere other than Cape Town?
Cape Town is the worst place for Jazzes because they are very popular down here so typically sell for a premium but you can get some amazing deals in Gauteng. Also ideally do not be in a hurry, if you can wait a few months and you check Facebook Marketplace etc daily soon enough you'll find a mint one at a great price.

 

[t0dd]

if the seller is shifty and you notice some lies and obfuscation coming out then perhaps not one to buy but if the seller looks like a decent person and is upfront with things and says it was serviced regularly and the car looks well looked after and the price is right then perhaps worth a chance

Haha I understand, that can sometimes be a bit difficult for me to judge on, but I will take a mate with to check if the seller is shady or not.

the pre-facelift Gen 2 1.5 Auto is actually perhaps one of the best Jazzes they ever made and they do sometimes come up in very nice condition with not too much mileage and closer or even less than R100k

I see there are a few available, some maybe too cheap so that might be a bit of a red flag.

Are you in Gauteng or anywhere other than Cape Town?

I'm in Gauteng, I see there are a few available, the 1.5 is a bit more scarce, but there are options.

Thanks for the advice and input, I will take it all in account.

 

[Hemi300c]

If you do go for one make sure you have a decent theft immobiliser installed or it'll get stolen like slap chips by a seagull

 

[t0dd]

If you do go for one make sure you have a decent theft immobiliser installed or it'll get stolen like slap chips by a seagull

Really? I thought the general consensus was that these are not a theft target in comparison to a VW or Toyota.

 

[Hemi300c]

Really? I thought the general consensus was that these are not a theft target in comparison to a VW or Toyota.

The good older second hand vehicles are stolen very often and get used in townships as "township ubers".

 

[Lupus]

but a honda is a honda

the older models like the 1.4 had 8 spark plugs

oh and we also paid around R65k for it and sold for R45k ...many miles and years later

its a very good car

Wait let me get this straight, the engine conked out and the clear coat failed twice? Yet it was a good car?? This does not compute, in all my years of driving I've never had an engine conk out nor had clear coat failing and I've driven French cars and an Opel which were apparently terrible.

 

[t0dd]

The good older second hand vehicles are stolen very often and get used in townships as "township ubers".

Oof, will keep that in mind, thanks.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Ideally get the V-Tec 1.5 not just because of the engine but also because of the higher interior spec.

Only major concern would be the CVT gearbox if not going manual, if it seems like it’s stuttering or making mechanical noises in any way walk away.

You don’t mention any budget which always makes this harder than it needs to be.

 

[Lupus]

Ideally get the V-Tec 1.5 not just because of the engine but also because of the higher interior spec.

Only major concern would be the CVT gearbox if not going manual, if it seems like it’s stuttering or making mechanical noises in any way walk away.

You don’t mention any budget which always makes this harder than it needs to be.

He does a bit later 160k, which should get him a decent one.

 

[SauRoNZA]

He does a bit later 160k, which should get him a decent one.

Oh yeah that should put you in one of the newer ones with all the bells and modern whistles.

These are excellent all rounder do everything practical cars.

 

[Tiaan@ProsureMotors]

Send me a DM, I can assist you in finding the Jazz of your choice at your price.