Clubjazz - Honda Jazz & HR-V Forums

Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk3 2015 - 2020 => Topic started by: bartchan on July 31, 2021, 03:30:02 AM

Title: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on July 31, 2021, 03:30:02 AM
Hey guys  ;)

i am new here and it's nice to see guys who love Honda fit/jazz !

Let me introduce my car (instead of myself you may not interested  8)
My GK5 CVT bought in 2015, few modification just changed black wheels, lowered it with KYB lowfer suspension, cusco front and rear sway bar and b pillar bar. sumole air intake. K&N air filter and with some stickers  ;D
(http://)

I love my car although someone said it has good look, aggressive front but rubbish inside. >:(
Not too many car i've been driven, but i will say Honda fit is the best in the same class of compact car, whatever the look, house power, space and handle.

SO, i am planning to move to UK from Hong Kong. some points i am not quite sure, maybe you guys from UK could give me some opinion? (Thanks soooo much ! i know nothing about UK  :-[)

shipping cost to UK cost around 5000 pounds including moving cost, make my car road legal and with a new car no. plate., 6months road tax, convert the speedo meter need to be changed to MPH from KMH. Fit a rear fog light which to make it road legal. i got front fog light already as it's came with.

Do you think it's worth to ship? should i find one in UK? or try another car? (only mustang is my cup of tea but it's from US)
If bring it to UK, i am worry about the quality of the modification will make it ugly...
i am considering DIY, just worry whether my DIY will pass the MOT.
maybe buy a second hand speedo meter from UK is good choice? Do you have some cool site fro this?
i m not understand what the requirement for the rear fog light. what is the light color? height?
we do have fog in Hong Kong but just not quite often. we will just turn on headlight and rear brake light (red), just same as driving at night. i am worry the shipping agency will drill a hole on rear bumper and fit a ugly one just for pass MOT.

How's your FIT look like in UK ?

Welcome any advice ~
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: nowster on July 31, 2021, 08:13:08 AM
Insurance will be the problem. It's not to UK specs and some of the modifications will make insurers concerned.

For the same price £5000 you might get a decent second hand Honda Jazz here.

Unlike some other places, the Honda Jazz is seen as a "sensible car for the older person" in the UK and there's not the quite the modifications scene here.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: springswood on July 31, 2021, 08:15:18 AM
Welcome to the forum.

That sounds pretty expensive for importing your car to the UK. It might be worth looking at UK based import specialists, as they're used to doing the necessary modifications. The fog lights should not be difficult, they are part of the rear light cluster. The other thing to consider is rust proofing - in winter we salt the roads to protect against ice and this is hard on bodywork. Lots of places can do this, including some of the importers.

Have you found the https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/ (https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/) online forum? That should also have some useful information for you.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on July 31, 2021, 04:30:43 PM
Insurance will be the problem. It's not to UK specs and some of the modifications will make insurers concerned.

For the same price £5000 you might get a decent second hand Honda Jazz here.

Unlike some other places, the Honda Jazz is seen as a "sensible car for the older person" in the UK and there's not the quite the modifications scene here.

Will it makes a different to get all modification done before insurance ?

How come it seems to me peoples here are all young ?  :o
So what cars are most popular in uk ?
Honda Fit is everywhere in HK from GD to GK.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: Jocko on July 31, 2021, 04:36:14 PM
Welcome. Young guys in the UK like the Vauxhall Corsa. Something like this for £5,000.

(https://m.atcdn.co.uk/a/media/w800h600/d702b2fd3fd447bd830a624c0f29ae9f.jpg)
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on July 31, 2021, 04:37:35 PM
Welcome to the forum.

That sounds pretty expensive for importing your car to the UK. It might be worth looking at UK based import specialists, as they're used to doing the necessary modifications. The fog lights should not be difficult, they are part of the rear light cluster. The other thing to consider is rust proofing - in winter we salt the roads to protect against ice and this is hard on bodywork. Lots of places can do this, including some of the importers.

Have you found the https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/ (https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/) online forum? That should also have some useful information for you.

Alright, let me find someone else make me another quote. Shipping cost to UK is definitely high now, containers is shortage in all countries.
Thank you for the advice!

Maybe I can go another way, using the money I got from sold out my car and get another one in UK. It’s a pity to give up my car  :'(
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: nowster on July 31, 2021, 05:50:03 PM
Insurance will be the problem. It's not to UK specs and some of the modifications will make insurers concerned.

Will it makes a different to get all modification done before insurance ?

It doesn't matter when you get the insurance. Mainstream UK insurers will prefer to insure a non-modified car built to UK specs.

You're likely to need a specialist insurer if the car was not originally built for the UK market and it has been heavily modified.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: DAN@ADRIAN FLUX on July 31, 2021, 08:15:12 PM
Hi.
If you need any help with insurance once the vehicle is in the UK then please feel to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: olduser1 on August 01, 2021, 09:54:49 AM
Cost of importing from Japan auction typical saloon car to  UK port 2000 USD.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 01, 2021, 02:19:51 PM
Hi.
If you need any help with insurance once the vehicle is in the UK then please feel to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

Hi Dan, thank you ! :-*
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 01, 2021, 02:20:54 PM
Cost of importing from Japan auction typical saloon car to  UK port 2000 USD.

Wow….what included in this cost ? :o
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 01, 2021, 02:22:37 PM
Btw
How much do you guys reckon my car could sell in Uk ?
 ;D
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: olduser1 on August 01, 2021, 05:35:25 PM
Try a search on befoward.jp for used auction Fit prices & shipping to UK ports.
The market for modified cars is limited generally within car club forum members.
Your car best sold in HK you could remove performance items to sell  separately.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: nowster on August 01, 2021, 06:10:03 PM
Btw
How much do you guys reckon my car could sell in Uk ?
 ;D

Sorry to tell you that the market for the Honda Jazz is very different in the UK. It's seen as a "sensible" car and is very unlikely to be modified. You may have some difficulty in finding a buyer.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: John Ratsey on August 01, 2021, 10:31:43 PM
I suspect that the Jazz Sport would better suit your expectations than the basic Jazz which tends to be a bit sluggish unless you work the engine hard. Here's an example https://usedcars.honda.co.uk/en/used-cars/approved-cars/honda/jazz/15-i-vtec-sport-5-door-pbcmxm5 .
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 02, 2021, 02:30:53 PM
I suspect that the Jazz Sport would better suit your expectations than the basic Jazz which tends to be a bit sluggish unless you work the engine hard. Here's an example https://usedcars.honda.co.uk/en/used-cars/approved-cars/honda/jazz/15-i-vtec-sport-5-door-pbcmxm5 .

Mine is a 132hp version. We have 2 selling in HK from Honda. 1.3 and 1.5. 100/132hp respectively.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 02, 2021, 02:36:04 PM

It doesn't matter when you get the insurance. Mainstream UK insurers will prefer to insure a non-modified car built to UK specs.

You're likely to need a specialist insurer if the car was not originally built for the UK market and it has been heavily modified.
[/quote]

May I know how much different on insurance if a car modified?

Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: swhull on August 02, 2021, 03:17:57 PM


Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.

Certain people are keen, usually people under 25, the Honda jazz scene in the uk is of a more gentile leaning, the most common modification is an air freshener upgrade.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: nowster on August 02, 2021, 03:38:27 PM


Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.

Certain people are keen, usually people under 25, the Honda jazz scene in the uk is of a more gentile leaning, the most common modification is an air freshener upgrade.

The Boy Racers here are more likely to go for a VW Golf or similar.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: swhull on August 02, 2021, 04:09:25 PM


Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.

Certain people are keen, usually people under 25, the Honda jazz scene in the uk is of a more gentile leaning, the most common modification is an air freshener upgrade.

The Boy Racers here are more likely to go for a VW Golf or similar.

Back in the day it was the Vauxhall Nova, saw some right monstrosity’s in the 90’s
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 03, 2021, 05:01:46 PM


Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.

Certain people are keen, usually people under 25, the Honda jazz scene in the uk is of a more gentile leaning, the most common modification is an air freshener upgrade.

That’s interesting  :D
Did modify your car ?
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 03, 2021, 05:04:29 PM


Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.

Certain people are keen, usually people under 25, the Honda jazz scene in the uk is of a more gentile leaning, the most common modification is an air freshener upgrade.

The Boy Racers here are more likely to go for a VW Golf or similar.

Yea. Something like golf gti. But for me I would go for a Ford Focus ST or a Mini Cooper s even have John Cooper works.
They should be fun to drive.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: richardfrost on August 03, 2021, 05:19:18 PM
They should be fun to drive.
Not sure what the roads are like in Hong Kong but driving anything with a sporty/stiffened/lowered suspension on our roads will not be a comfortable experience after a while. However I guess we have lots more open roads on which you can have some fun. I just can't see the value in importing a car when the sorts of cars you like are freely available here and you can then easily do your mods.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 03, 2021, 06:36:27 PM
Well , in HK most the motorway are good, full of tarmac. Or singlecarriage road or dual. Just like in uk. Roads condition are mostly good. What you need is a good damper to absorb those dump. Not sure how is the road condition in UK. For those lowed suspension, only concern about is the speed bump or ramp in car park. You know HK is small. Car park are usually under ground or storey.

After read all you guys comments, I think it’s better to sell my car here and use that money grip a decent second hand card in UK.

Actually, one of the reason I consider being my car to UK is, I am planning a car trip to go through the whole UK. Find a nice place to settle down. What I know is London is too crowed. Hard to park and costly to drive also living. And the others places I have no idea. So, driving with a familiar car I use everyday would be safety. At least have a peace of mind.  ;)

But, combine those opinions , get one in UK would be a good idea.
I am just surprise that Honda Fit is a sensible car for older peoples…. ;D
I know it is easy to drive but it is fun also.  :P
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: swhull on August 03, 2021, 06:47:08 PM
Actually, one of the reason I consider being my car to UK is, I am planning a car trip to go through the whole UK. Find a nice place to settle down. What I know is London is too crowed. Hard to park and costly to drive also living. And the others places I have no idea. So, driving with a familiar car I use everyday would be safety. At least have a peace of mind.  ;)

But, combine those opinions , get one in UK would be a good idea.
I am just surprise that Honda Fit is a sensible car for older peoples…. ;D
I know it is easy to drive but it is fun also.  :P

Yes, you don’t want to be anywhere near London, get to Yorkshire my son, East Yorkshire… cheap and mostly cheerful.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 03, 2021, 06:54:22 PM


Yes, you don’t want to be anywhere near London, get to Yorkshire my son, East Yorkshire… cheap and mostly cheerful.
[/quote]

Thanks bro, it’s quite north and near Manchester. I know a lot of HongKonger there and. Cooler than south.  ;D

Yea, I will pass through Yorkshire, what good is there ?
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: richardfrost on August 03, 2021, 07:19:57 PM
Yes, you don’t want to be anywhere near London, get to Yorkshire my son, East Yorkshire… cheap and mostly cheerful.

West Yorkshire is where it's at. Beautiful countryside in the Pennines. Access to major cities - Leeds, Manchester. Access to major tourist areas - Pennines, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Yorkshire Coast, the Peak District, North Wales. 2 hours to London by train (if you must go there!), 3 hours to Edinburgh.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: swhull on August 03, 2021, 08:28:54 PM
Yes, you don’t want to be anywhere near London, get to Yorkshire my son, East Yorkshire… cheap and mostly cheerful.

West Yorkshire is where it's at. Beautiful countryside in the Pennines. Access to major cities - Leeds, Manchester. Access to major tourist areas - Pennines, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Yorkshire Coast, the Peak District, North Wales. 2 hours to London by train (if you must go there!), 3 hours to Edinburgh.

Oh here we go  :P

At least we have the glorious North Sea golden beaches!
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: BadgerMk3 on August 03, 2021, 10:24:56 PM
Welcome aboard @bartchan and good luck with your move to the UK.

As most others have advised, I also do not think it worth you even considering shipping your 'Fit' over here if and when you do move to the UK. The costs will be prohibitive and simply not cost effective.

Not wishing to upset anyone on here, but in general I would say the Jazz/Fit is generally owned by the more 'mature' person over in the UK, including me... That shows by the general lack of interest in modifying or tuning the Jazz over here.

The modification and tuning scene is very strong over here so you'll have a wide choice of cars to choose from should you wish to pursue your hobby and interests over here. There are also many forums for car enthusiasts, commonly known as petrol heads over here.

Even though I'm probably classed as one of the 'more mature' drivers, I also fit into the petrol head category. 

Previous cars include the Civic Type R, Focus ST (Stage 1 Mountune), Focus RS (Stage 2 Mountune) and the current toy, the BMW 1M. I also help moderate a rather large Focus RS forum so appreciate the tuning scene more than most.

The Jazz I own is a daily driver and is used for the more utilitarian duties, which it's great at. Horses for courses is one of our traditional sayings that fits the bill quite nicely.

Best of luck with your move if it happens.


Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 04, 2021, 11:41:18 AM
Yes, you don’t want to be anywhere near London, get to Yorkshire my son, East Yorkshire… cheap and mostly cheerful.

West Yorkshire is where it's at. Beautiful countryside in the Pennines. Access to major cities - Leeds, Manchester. Access to major tourist areas - Pennines, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Yorkshire Coast, the Peak District, North Wales. 2 hours to London by train (if you must go there!), 3 hours to Edinburgh.

Sound good 👍 thank you for telling me  :-* I don’t like crowded. 7,000,000 peoples are living in such small place HK. I want my life back. However, to find out will London life is just like HK, I will go and have a look. Somehow I am never been to UK or any Europe countries.
London is such a big city with peoples from different countries.
Actually I am not sure how u guys look at us. We move to the place you live or even affecting the view of your city. I am being feel myself like a refugee. Not sure will u know our story.  :'(
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: nowster on August 04, 2021, 12:28:52 PM
Something to be aware of is that a lowered suspension will get you into trouble in the UK: we have speed bumps in most residential streets, and there's a possibility of "bottoming out" on some of the bumpier rural roads here.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: TnTkr on August 06, 2021, 06:16:00 AM
It's probably just me, but I would take it as a challenge to get the car registred in UK.  ;D
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: Jocko on August 06, 2021, 02:52:47 PM
It is not really a challenge. It is done regularly, especially with performance models. The question is, whether it is financially viable for a Jazz.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 09, 2021, 03:19:17 PM
That's right! the challenge would be find cheapest way to make it into UK.
but one day I will shift to another one as car will get old, problem will come out.
per my experience especially when it's 10 years old. engine, lights, bearing...replacement needed.
let's put into like this, if I sell it in HK for around 8-9000 pounds, use this money grip another one maybe Ford Focus / mini coopers something like this. the thing is they are originally in UK, so the potential buyer wouldn't be worry.
if I bring my GK to UK, honestly I put some money on top of it and I am used to drive it. Maybe the performance wouldn't as good as ford or mini, I reckoned. plus the shipping fee, let say I make it down to 3000 pounds. how much will it cost afterwards in UK? per another opinion, it's really not worth.

so..I am still considering  :P
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 09, 2021, 03:40:55 PM
Welcome aboard @bartchan and good luck with your move to the UK.

As most others have advised, I also do not think it worth you even considering shipping your 'Fit' over here if and when you do move to the UK. The costs will be prohibitive and simply not cost effective.

Not wishing to upset anyone on here, but in general I would say the Jazz/Fit is generally owned by the more 'mature' person over in the UK, including me... That shows by the general lack of interest in modifying or tuning the Jazz over here.

The modification and tuning scene is very strong over here so you'll have a wide choice of cars to choose from should you wish to pursue your hobby and interests over here. There are also many forums for car enthusiasts, commonly known as petrol heads over here.

Even though I'm probably classed as one of the 'more mature' drivers, I also fit into the petrol head category. 

Previous cars include the Civic Type R, Focus ST (Stage 1 Mountune), Focus RS (Stage 2 Mountune) and the current toy, the BMW 1M. I also help moderate a rather large Focus RS forum so appreciate the tuning scene more than most.

The Jazz I own is a daily driver and is used for the more utilitarian duties, which it's great at. Horses for courses is one of our traditional sayings that fits the bill quite nicely.

Best of luck with your move if it happens.

Hi Badger, thanks for wrote me so many ;)
I knew UK should be a good place for petrol head, customize car. the level of government acceptance on this is much better than HK. It's not legal if you put some racing line in HK. it's ridiculous isn't it?
I am interested on Ford ST too! also Mini Cooper s. I would reckon Ford ST cost like JDM but perform like European car. is it? and it has good look, very important.
BMW M1? you really a petrol head. good car. believe you should have a big garage  8) enthusiasts DIY ?

Obviously FIT is a good car, except soft suspension, hesitate acceleration and soft body frame. but the capacity is really..nothing to complain. however, put a b pillar bar, thicker sway bar in both front and rear, light wheel and wider tires, throttle accelerator, and a good damper. all problem solved (almost)  :P

Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: bartchan on August 09, 2021, 03:42:28 PM

It doesn't matter when you get the insurance. Mainstream UK insurers will prefer to insure a non-modified car built to UK specs.

You're likely to need a specialist insurer if the car was not originally built for the UK market and it has been heavily modified.

May I know how much different on insurance if a car modified?

Peoples in UK are not keen on modification ? Modification could make car drive more fun. More safety. Look better than stock …
Just my view.
[/quote]

Do u mean hard to get an insurance? or..very expensive? how much it would be?
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: BadgerMk3 on August 09, 2021, 06:13:00 PM
I've never been to HK so can't comment on road conditions or quality, but I do know what they're like in the UK. To describe some of our roads as 'challenging' is being kind...

Even if the Jazz/Fit is heavily modified, you would still really struggle to keep up with one of the more accepted warm/hot hatches, such as the Fiesta ST. That's the sort of car I would be looking at if I were in your position.
Title: Re: Bring my GK to UK
Post by: olduser1 on August 10, 2021, 09:27:43 AM
As regards insurance, go back in this post and contact Adrian Flux insurer's.