Picking my first Jazz - CVT or Manual ?

[silencer23]

Hi there !
I am trying to pick my new used Jazz....
7k miles a year, just need reliable transport to work.
Looking at 2011-2015.

In the local market we have the 1.3 Manual and 1.3 CVT. Manual being much cheaper.
Which one should I select ?

On one hand, people on the internet say the manuals break down (input shaft bearing) and on the other hand the CVT's aren't exactly the pinnacle of reliability, plus it needs a 200$ fluid change every other service (not doing it myself)

Which would you pick ?
Is it true that Honda fixed the input bearing on the late MK2 ?

Any tips ? Perhaps even anther type of car ? Although I do like that Jazz. I am coming from a crappy ford focus MK2 that I will never drive again.
Thanks

[sparky Paul]

On one hand, people on the internet say the manuals break down (input shaft bearing) and on the other hand the CVT's aren't exactly the pinnacle of reliability, plus it needs a 200$ fluid change every other service (not doing it myself)

Which would you pick ?
Is it true that Honda fixed the input bearing on the late MK2 ?

Unless you really want an auto, I would definitely go for a manual gearbox - especially if you are paying for the servicing. The CVTs seem to survive if the servicing is followed religiously, but it's a lot more to go wrong if you don't need it.

The mk1 and mk2 gearboxes are basically the same, but you certainly don't hear of the same input shaft bearing problems with the mk2. It's not completely unheard of, but not at a level that should give you any concern. Even late mk1 cars don't seem to suffer to the same extent. To put that into context, we have a 2008 mk1 with 170,000 miles which we passed on to our daughter, and the gearbox is still fine.

[olduser1]

Drive them both then choose the one you want to own.

As with all used vehicles you need to be sure its whats it seems - always have a HPI or Exerian check on the car.
Any service history with invoices , just ring the last dealer and ask.
Then go to MOT history the govt website look back for failures and advisory,
check the previous owns statement -  accident or repairs.
Look around the car do the tyres match good & make you heard of.
Remember if it really polished up its just a clean car .

There are 100's of used out there bargain hard you need at least 6 mnths on the MOT and fuel in the tank before you drive off, happy motoring

[Jocko]

I bought a manual, but have since tried a CVT and didn't like it. I got my 2006 gearbox overhauled (£324) at 100,000 miles. Car is great. MPG figure on the left (below avatar) is my genuine calculated average over 3+ years motoring.

[culzean]

The manual gearbox issue seemed to be bad bearing ( only 1 bearing involved ) rather than bad design, it affects cars that have done short local - low gear journeys than cars that have spent more time in higher gears ( those motorway miles again). My A and B road MK1 53 plate gearbox was still fine at 120K when I traded it in,  my wifes identical plate that had done mainly local journeys needed doing at about 75K.   SparkyP is right that CVT boxes are OK as long as they have been religiously serviced (does your local church have a garage attached ? ) but are far more likely to fail if have been neglected than a manual box.  If you get a test drive and want to test manual box bearing accelerate hard in lower gears and listen for any whine or grumble from gearbox.

[madasafish]

I have had a 2012 CVT for 7 years and 40k miles. Oil change CVT only once at 25k miles.
100% reliable, no odd noises. VERY easy to drive in traffic/round town/parking..
Fine for motorways..


Highly recommended..

[silencer23]

Thanks for all the comments guys !
So I take it really it's a matter of what deal I get rather than reliability .... And manuals do tend to be cheaper which is important for me.

So basically, worst case scenarios

1. CVT Fails = Salvage CVT unit, approximately 800gbp plus labor.
2. Input Shaft bearing failure = ?  Is it an easy work, if I ever need it ? What is the cost of the bearing and labor time ?

[Jocko]

As I said above, I took mine to a gearbox specialist, they did the job with the gearbox in situ, full set of seals, bearings and necessary oil, £324.

https://www.topgear.uk.net/home.html

I left the car overnight and picked it up the following afternoon. Immaculate. 12 month warranty (now 18 months since it was done), and car drives like new.

[peteo48]

I have had a 2012 CVT for 7 years and 40k miles. Oil change CVT only once at 25k miles.
100% reliable, no odd noises. VERY easy to drive in traffic/round town/parking..
Fine for motorways..


Highly recommended..

I'd agree with that. Superb in traffic and extra oomph available in S mode or use the flappy paddles. I will say I was a bit anti having had a few rides in a friends Jazz and they seemed a bit whiny but I don't find that now - perhaps subconsciously I've refined my driving technique.

That said, the manual on the Jazz is a very nice gearbox.

[sparky Paul]

I know I recommended the manual earlier, but I do like autos. A lot.

That said, if you have no preference either way, I would still go for the manual - the CVTs sell for a considerable premium, then there's the extra servicing, and of course the extra complexity of the CVT gearbox. They are by no means unreliable, but when they go wrong, it can soon get expensive.

Perhaps you should do as olduser suggested and test drive both, see if you get bitten by the CVT bug.

[olduser1]

When you drive a potential buy try it over roads you know , I reckon you need 20min at least behind the wheel.

With used vehicles its all about the condition, not how shinny the dealer has put in to gain a sale.

The choice as they say is yours what do you most enjoy, keep the forum uptodate if you do decide on a Jazz.

I owned Jazz  since 2002 along side my Subaru Turbo....

[madasafish]

When buying a  new-to-me car, I always have a 30 minute test drive:  half in town and half on dual carriageway at speeds over 60mph. I also reverse into  a parking space to see what it is like. A spell over speedhumps and one emergency stop...and at least 5 minutes stop/start driving in traffic.

Those cover most conditions:  it's amazing how many vehicles have unbalanced wheels at 60mph, reversing blindspots and a  pia in stop/start motoring..

I always laugh when I read people complaining on Honest John that the new car they have bought has not enough boot/rear seat space  , has a bad ride or is difficult to drive in some way.. Thirty minutes pre-emptive work when buying saves weeks of hassle and money..

[olduser1]

Many car 'owners' buy the finance deal then the colour. The thought of a test drive why bother its a means of A to B.
They are the dream customers for the coffee lounge dealerships.
Hey ho .. their choice.

[JRHPNG]

Our 2009 Honda Jazz Sport is not a CVT, they discontinued those here in NZ with the last of the first generation Jazz's. Ours is a conventional 4 speed auto I think, it shifts spectacularly.

I always used to be pro manual but would not go back after having the Jazz, particularly if city driving is a big part of your time on the road..

Cheers,

[Jocko]

Prior to my Jazz I had 25 years of conventional automatics, and I loved them. If you spend any time at all sitting in traffic they are a Godsend.