03 reg Honda Jazz - keep or sell?

taxiphil

My sister has owned an 03 plate Honda Jazz (petrol 1.4) since brand new and is now starting to get jittery about how much longer to keep it.

It's only done 42k miles, has never had any faults and doesn't have a spot of rust.

However, it's coming up to MOT time. Last time around it had a few advisories: coil springs corroded, suspension arm bushes deteriorated and exhaust corroded (it's still the original exhaust).

I'm convinced the car's got another 5-10 years left in it with minimal expenditure, but she seems convinced it's an old banger.

I'd be interested to hear the economic arguments for and against keeping it, and any "time bombs" on the car to watch out for.

BTW the car's got a few knocks and scrapes to the bodywork so isn't going to achieve top book price.

marlot

Listen very carefully for a whine from the gearbox when setting off in first gear. You're at the right sort of mileage for the gearbox bearings to fail. The good news is they can be fixed, but around £300 or so.

The do have a reputation for starting to attract bills from six years or so old.

Hintza

When folk want a new car they will find any reason to buy one.

I think you are probably correct though and if the car costs less than say £500 to get through an MOT then it is still cheap motoring. As has been said if the engine and gearbox are sound and there is no rot it would be a keeper in my book.

If she really wants rid this is the type of car that would be good for any youngsters in the family learning to drive (unless it is an auto box).

reeac

taxiphil wrote: »

My sister has owned an 03 plate Honda Jazz (petrol 1.4) since brand new and is now starting to get jittery about how much longer to keep it.

This decision isn't just a matter of car mechanics, it involves the owner's confidence and mechanical knowledge. It sounds as if she wants a change so why not?

A._Badger

She isn't entirely wrong. I have an 02 Accord and face problems getting parts for it (most recently headlights as the polycarbonate has degraded to the point where an MOT fail is possible). The air conditioning has also failed and the cost of a repair is likely to be worth more than the car.

Like hers, mine has been astoundingly reliable and I am very reluctant to part with it. But that may not be an option for much longer.

[Deleted User]

A._Badger wrote: »

She isn't entirely wrong. I have an 02 Accord and face problems getting parts for it (most recently headlights as the polycarbonate has degraded to the point where an MOT fail is possible). The air conditioning has also failed and the cost of a repair is likely to be worth more than the car.

Like hers, mine has been astoundingly reliable and I am very reluctant to part with it. But that may not be an option for much longer.

Why did you not get your lights polished and restored, no need for new ones.

And forget about aircon, just open a window.

A._Badger

ilikethesimpsons wrote: »

Why did you not get your lights polished and restored, no need for new ones..

Because I'm told by my garage that it it may not be a long lasting fix. Looking at the state of the lenses I suspect they are right.

ilikethesimpsons wrote: »

And forget about aircon, just open a window.

If you had ever used air conditioning you would know why that is not a satisfactory alternative. I suppose I could also run it as a four speed box if fifth stopped working.

The point is that a car of that age starts to go wrong (even a well made one) and parts can be hard to find. The rear silencer was another I might have mentioned (eventually located but four large suppliers list is as unavailable now).

silvercar

What is it worth? and how much extra would you need to find to replace it with something that gave you more confidence?

wildincrawley

silvercar wrote: »

What is it worth? and how much extra would you need to find to replace it with something that gave you more confidence?

This is the purely economic approach, for example, even if you had one additional bill per year (e.g. exhaust next year, bushes the year after, gearbox in 3 years, I wouldn't worry about surface rust on springs), would it still be cheaper than replacing it?

As commented above, if you can afford a new car, then it may be worth paying the extra for the enjoyment of having a new car.

One example; my mother has a 1996 Rover with a Honda engine on 69,000 miles, she has asked us to keep it going for as long as it makes sense to do so, so we follow the Honda service schedule, then over and above that change the engine oil every year and gearbox oil every 5 years, even if the mileage doesn't warrant it. It is now just reaching the stage where some of the rubber seals are hardening with age, so I would say your Jazz has a few years in it yet!

[Deleted User]

A._Badger wrote: »

Because I'm told by my garage that it it may not be a long lasting fix. Looking at the state of the lenses I suspect they are right.



If you had ever used air conditioning you would know why that is not a satisfactory alternative. I suppose I could also run it as a four speed box if fifth stopped working.

The point is that a car of that age starts to go wrong (even a well made one) and parts can be hard to find. The rear silencer was another I might have mentioned (eventually located but four large suppliers list is as unavailable now).

The garage lied about the lights, polishing them would last quite a few years.

My aircon doesn't work, so I open a window, so NO, I don't know why it's not a satisfactory option.

A._Badger

ilikethesimpsons wrote: »

The garage lied about the lights, polishing them would last quite a few years..

So you say.

ilikethesimpsons wrote: »

My aircon doesn't work, so I open a window, so NO, I don't know why it's not a satisfactory option.

OK, so you don't mind reduced comfort, your windows misting up and reduced visibility. Your choice.

The fact remains that after about 10-12 years parts start to become expensive and harder to find.