I thought Honda's were supposed to be reliable...
Discussion
So having moved an unreliable Renault on, a bargain 2009 Honda Jazz came up locally. But of course, beware a seeming bargain - more in a moment...
I've always quite admired the Jazz, and before someone shouts "old persons car" I'll happily own that - I'm not in the first flush of youth anymore, and despite having had my share of petrol head excitement over the years, getting less flexible body appendages in/out of a car easily should not be underrated!
The Jazz turns out to be a very clever and thoughtfully designed car, perhaps a touch unappreciated - the so called "magic" rear seats really are marvelously practical.
And so reliable too...er, not so much. It's started throwing a P0172 code for rich running, and runs a bit lumpy at times. Despite a full service and replacement plugs, it still remains. Not quite sure how to resolve it as I can't see anything obvious causing it, but you can sure smell fuel like fumes at times.
Apart from that, the only thing I'd mark it down for us a rather firm ride, like all modern cars.
At risk of outraging Honda fans, I'd say it's like a slightly larger, better finished Fiat Panda.
I'll retire under my desk to avoid the outraged comments...
I've always quite admired the Jazz, and before someone shouts "old persons car" I'll happily own that - I'm not in the first flush of youth anymore, and despite having had my share of petrol head excitement over the years, getting less flexible body appendages in/out of a car easily should not be underrated!
The Jazz turns out to be a very clever and thoughtfully designed car, perhaps a touch unappreciated - the so called "magic" rear seats really are marvelously practical.
And so reliable too...er, not so much. It's started throwing a P0172 code for rich running, and runs a bit lumpy at times. Despite a full service and replacement plugs, it still remains. Not quite sure how to resolve it as I can't see anything obvious causing it, but you can sure smell fuel like fumes at times.
Apart from that, the only thing I'd mark it down for us a rather firm ride, like all modern cars.
At risk of outraging Honda fans, I'd say it's like a slightly larger, better finished Fiat Panda.
I'll retire under my desk to avoid the outraged comments...
Using a single sample is questionable. Hondas reliability true or otherwise would be based on average rather than “every single Honda ever to roll off a production line is reliable”.
An unreliable Renault followed by a Honda with a fault code perhaps says more about the buyer than the brands respective reliabilities.
An unreliable Renault followed by a Honda with a fault code perhaps says more about the buyer than the brands respective reliabilities.
Forgot to mention I fitted a good used second hand made sensor. This made a noticeable improvement to general running, so that helped.
My comments about an unreliable Honda are meant to be taken with a dry wit...this is very definitely a neglected car bought on a tiny budget, so I knew what I was buying!
Longer than 30 miles before the check engine light came on would have been nice though...
My comments about an unreliable Honda are meant to be taken with a dry wit...this is very definitely a neglected car bought on a tiny budget, so I knew what I was buying!
Longer than 30 miles before the check engine light came on would have been nice though...
SirGriffin said:
And so reliable too...er, not so much. It's started throwing a P0172 code for rich running, and runs a bit lumpy at times. Despite a full service and replacement plugs, it still remains. Not quite sure how to resolve it as I can't see anything obvious causing it, but you can sure smell fuel like fumes at times.
My daughter's Aygo keeps putting its EML on and also smells "fuelly" (fumes rather than leaking fuel) sometimes. This is logging P0420 though which is catalyst efficiency. The daft thing with this one is, you can erase the code, and the car will run for a good few weeks of daily use before the light comes on again. The 3 pot engine is so rough and gutless, it's hard to tell if it's 'normal' or not. In your case, if it's running rich and it's lumpy, I'd be looking for vacuum leaks, or perhaps the MAF sensor. If you unplug the MAF and then start the engine, does it run better or any different?
Lamda sensor possibly. Probs not a popular viewpoint on here given the gradual decline of the " speed matters " strapline, but I would run it on a few decent tanks of fuel, find somewhere quiet and thrash it at high revs for as long as is reasonably possible for as far as possible. Cheapest way to clean the thing out ( well, unless you get caught! ).
Mother in law had one 10 years ago, at 5 years old and 25000 miles the bearings went in the gearbox, it had a steering rack under warranty too.
Reliability on these is overplayed in my opinion.
Was replaced by an A Class that needed at wiring loom and ECU just out of warranty.
She has now had a Fiat 500 for 8 years that’s only needed a gear linkage and a few bulbs.
Reliability on these is overplayed in my opinion.
Was replaced by an A Class that needed at wiring loom and ECU just out of warranty.
She has now had a Fiat 500 for 8 years that’s only needed a gear linkage and a few bulbs.
The input bearing on these is a known weak point, but actually not that expensive to repair.
In 2019 I bought 1700 quid's worth of Jazz as a dog transporter/Daily commuter.
In that time it's had age related bits done
Calipers and disks all round - the Honda Calipers are basically made of chocolate
Rear wiper motor (so easy to replace) so I did it myself.
Apart from normal servicing it just keeps chugging along. Given the price of it, it's really refreshing to have a car that if it picks up a scratch/ding you're like 'meh'
I specifically got it because of the magic seats as it creates a great space to transport the woofs. It does however mean it looks like this inside but that's OK, that's it's job and means the other cars don't get messed up
I've really grown quite fond of it to be honest, it's a very clever little car and is actually quite good fun to drive which belies it's image as being pensioner transport material !
In 2019 I bought 1700 quid's worth of Jazz as a dog transporter/Daily commuter.
In that time it's had age related bits done
Calipers and disks all round - the Honda Calipers are basically made of chocolate
Rear wiper motor (so easy to replace) so I did it myself.
Apart from normal servicing it just keeps chugging along. Given the price of it, it's really refreshing to have a car that if it picks up a scratch/ding you're like 'meh'
I specifically got it because of the magic seats as it creates a great space to transport the woofs. It does however mean it looks like this inside but that's OK, that's it's job and means the other cars don't get messed up
I've really grown quite fond of it to be honest, it's a very clever little car and is actually quite good fun to drive which belies it's image as being pensioner transport material !
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