Do I wait for the new, third generation Honda Jazz?

Idomeneus

I have owned a first generation Honda Jazz for nearly 10 years, but it is now beginning to show its age and suffer from wear and tear. My wife and I therefore feel that we need a new car soon. We love the Jazz and would like to buy a new one, but we have a dilemma. Do we buy the existing second generation Jazz or do we wait for the new third generation Jazz?

I have searched the Web for information that might help us decide, but the information is just not there. I can’t, for example, find any pundits willing to suggest a likely date when the new Jazz will be available in the UK. Neither can I find any reviews of how well the new Jazz performs compared to the existing model – in other words, I can’t find any opinion as to whether it will be worth waiting for the new Jazz or not.

I can find brief descriptions of the new Jazz as seen in some recent car shows. And I can find a video of a test drive on YouTube. But all this is hardly enough on which to base a decision.

Of course, I’ve asked at my local Honda dealership but they claim that they don’t know when the new Jazz will be announced in the UK. However, I know that, even if they knew, they wouldn’t tell me. They need to sell what they have “on the shelf” at the moment.

Does anyone know where I might find more substantial information or have any advice to offer?

wba31

Idomeneus wrote: »

I have owned a first generation Honda Jazz for nearly 10 years, but it is now beginning to show its age and suffer from wear and tear. My wife and I therefore feel that we need a new car soon. We love the Jazz and would like to buy a new one, but we have a dilemma. Do we buy the existing second generation Jazz or do we wait for the new third generation Jazz?

I have searched the Web for information that might help us decide, but the information is just not there. I can’t, for example, find any pundits willing to suggest a likely date when the new Jazz will be available in the UK. Neither can I find any reviews of how well the new Jazz performs compared to the existing model – in other words, I can’t find any opinion as to whether it will be worth waiting for the new Jazz or not.

I can find brief descriptions of the new Jazz as seen in some recent car shows. And I can find a video of a test drive on YouTube. But all this is hardly enough on which to base a decision.

Of course, I’ve asked at my local Honda dealership but they claim that they don’t know when the new Jazz will be announced in the UK. However, I know that, even if they knew, they wouldn’t tell me. They need to sell what they have “on the shelf” at the moment.

Does anyone know where I might find more substantial information or have any advice to offer?

The Jazz unveiled in Boston last week is for 2015, and is being described as for the US market, so no guarentee it will come to Europe (Honda US has more cars than Honda Europe - such as the pilot (big 4x4) and the Odyssey (7 seater people carrier).

I'd get the current Jazz, and get one 6 months old and save some £££

marlot

My wife recently replaced her mk1 jazz. She expected to choose the mk2, but found the dash horrible - loads of buttons, compared with the simplicity of the mk1. She decided to buy a yaris instead. 2000 miles in and she's very happy.

Idomeneus

Thanks for the replies so far.

I think the new (mk3) Jazz/Fit was also in a show somewhere in the Far East before Christmas and might already be on sale in Japan. Given the popularity of the car in the UK, I can't imagine it not being available here.

Two years ago, I had a test drive in a second generation (mk2) Jazz. I didn't find the dashboard a problem. And, although the ride was a little better than in our first generation (mk1) Jazz, I didn't think the improvement was enough to warrant buying the mk2 at that time. But time has moved on and our mk1 is now definitely jaded.

cajef

The launch of the new Jazz in Europe has been put back until 2015 while they develop new engines.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/new-honda-jazz-not-until-2015/1221387

Idomeneus

cajef wrote: »

The launch of the new Jazz in Europe has been put back until 2015 while they develop new engines.

Many thanks. I missed that article in my researches.

If, as the article states, the new (mk3) Jazz/Fit is already on sale in Japan and the US, I'm surprised that I haven't been able to find any reviews comparing it with the mk2.

reeac

marlot wrote: »

My wife recently replaced her mk1 jazz. She expected to choose the mk2, but found the dash horrible - loads of buttons, compared with the simplicity of the mk1. She decided to buy a yaris instead. 2000 miles in and she's very happy.

I borrowed a Mk.2 Jazz whilst my Mk.1 was being serviced. I found the dash rather clunky looking compared with the original and see no reason to part with my 8 year old model. Incidentally, I'd be interested to know in what areas the OP's Jazz has deteriorated - mine is fine apart from a few Supermarket car park blemishes.

Idomeneus

reeac wrote: »

I borrowed a Mk.2 Jazz whilst my Mk.1 was being serviced. I found the dash rather clunky looking compared with the original and see no reason to part with my 8 year old model. Incidentally, I'd be interested to know in what areas the OP's Jazz has deteriorated - mine is fine apart from a few Supermarket car park blemishes.

I'm guessing that "OP" refers to my Original Post. If not, I apologise and please don't bother to read what I have written below.


My Jazz is a automatic CVT 1.4 litre model, has an 04 reg, is nearly 10 years old, and has done 125,000+ miles. On the plus side, the car has been ultra reliable - it has never failed to start and has never broken down. But it's all the little "niggles" that are building up:

• The carpets are severely worn in places, and even the drivers side mat has a large hole in it.
• There are two chips on the windscreen that are too small to repair.
• My Jazz also has a number of "supermarket prangs".
• There are a many chips in the paintwork.
• There is one hub cap that is badly scraped.
• The alarm is a Honda alarm which was showroom fitted. It is not fully functional and Honda no longer manufactures the parts required to repair it.
• The car recently failed its MOT. The driver's side rear wheel bearing needed replacing due to wear and tear. And there were a number of advisory items which might need attention within about 6 months.
• The engine is not as quiet as it used to be, particularly when it is cold.

I considered changing it 2 years ago when it was 8 years old. But, after a test drive in the mk2, I decided that the mk2 was not significantly better and, like you, I decided that my 8 year old mk1 Jazz was still basically sound. However, another 2 years on, and I'm beginning to change my opinion. Over the next year, I fear that I could spend hundreds of pounds keeping it on the road. And, as the car has a part exchange value of only about £1200, I would rather spend the money on a new one.