Dear Jazz/fit-Enthousiast,

I'm about to buy my very first own car and the Jazz look like a perfect fit. The problem is I have never bought a car and I'm a doubter by nature.It would be nice to receive some input about the car I'm considering to buy. Tomorrow I will visit the seller and have more information.

The car in question is a 2004 pre-facelift Jazz with Airco. The car was owned by the seller's elderly mother, who mainly used it for short distances. Therefore the car 'only' has about 46k miles on the clock. The car was always maintained by a official Honda Dealer. At the moment I don't know whether there have been parts exchanged or not. The seller told me the ABS light was on at the moment, so this has to be checked before I buy the car. It could be a bad sensor, but it could also be the whole ABS-system. So I don't want to take that gamble.

It would be my very first own car. I'm 23 years old and I've been riding with my grandmothers car for the last 5 tot 6 years. So I've already have some signigicant experience. The car would be around 5900USD (4500€ here in Belgium). But that includes repairing the ABS, a official check-up and Carpass, and temporary license plates for a testdrive).

What do you guys think? A car with more options like music controls on the steer, AUX, ... would be very nice. But I can always exchange the radio in the future when I've saved up again. I'm mainly looking for a reliable car that doesn't have high maintenance costs and is still able to travel long distances abroad.

Here are some pictures!

Thanks in advance!


[img width=630 height=472]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/Boostdidier/DSC02218_zps82af78c0.jpg[/img]
[img width=630 height=472]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/Boostdidier/DSC02220_zps5bf8292e.jpg[/img]
[img width=472 height=630]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/Boostdidier/DSC02222_zps0ebe5d39.jpg[/img]

 

That looks like a very clean low mileage Jazz. They are very reliable little cars and should be good for you. I would check "everything" to see if all the lights and controls work like the A/C controls, door locks etc.

I don't know about your country but here there are several sites where you can put in the Vin number to check and see if all the recalls for your model have been done or not. Check and see if this service is available in Belgium and check the Vin.

 

The ABS is more likely then not a dirty sensor. Pop the wheels off, find the single wire clip that is mounted behind the wheel hub, and use a 10mm or 8mm to remove it and then start cleaning!

 

I've called with the shop where the car has always be maintained and they assured me that it was a steal! The seller is coming back from holiday today, so I hope I'll have the car by the end of the week.

 

if its manual transmission, the maintenance costs should be cheaper

 

Not necessarily

an auto requires fluid changes and the rare cable adjustment


a manual requires fluid changes and the eventual clutch change and flywheel replacement/resurface

 

Our shop has been around for over 50 years. Many of our custiomers arfe grandfathers and not surprised to say probably most of them have supported or caused grandkids coming of age to buy fits more than any other car./ Besidces honda reliability, it has room, economy, and a lot of aftermarket support. Many are used by students in coplleges far away, some more than 2000 km, almost unheard of in Europe. Other than wrecks, there isn't much to say about the cost of ownership thats not good so the bunch here says the Jazz is an excellent buy for your first car.
as to your checking that 'grandma' car (lot like the little ole' lady here who only drove it to church) inspect carefully. If you can get a code reader do check the Honda codes. If possible, you may want to have a good mechanic familiar with Hindas check the car. One tiop off is wear on the pedals; too much is not a good sign for 46km, or 46m. Of course drive the xar yourself to see how it fits you. And look for driving problems.
The ABS light can be a number of things, including tires that don't match. And yes, do look fot parts that may not be Honda ones.
All in all, though, I suspect this to be a good car to look at because it feels like the real older Fit with low miles that can be a good first car.
Good luck.