Grey import fit

[Keekster71]

Hi
I’m on my 3rd, first gen jazz. Slowly but surely, despite me waxoyling the shell the rust is creeping in. I’m tempted by a low miles Honda Fit (2nd gen) grey import. Rust free and silly low miles. The second gen model in Japan seems to have the 1.3 vtec engine unlike the uk jazz of the same age. Does anyone know if the engine service items for the 3rd gen uk model are the same? Last thing I want is a ball ache ordering parts at the local motor factor!
Cheers
K

[nowster]

Most Mk2 Jazzes in the UK are 1.34L engines.

[Keekster71]

Most Mk2 Jazzes in the UK are 1.34L engines.

Are they the same engine then, ie the uk 1.4l is the same as the jap 1.3l?

[bill ericay]

My Mk2 Jazz was a 1.4 which was 1.34l .
I think the basic S at the time was available with a 1.2 l engine.
So Honda called the 1.34 litre engine 1.4, and no , I don't know why !

[Keekster71]

My Mk2 Jazz was a 1.4 which was 1.34l .
I think the basic S at the time was available with a 1.2 l engine.
So Honda called the 1.34 litre engine 1.4, and no , I don't know why !

Thanks. Sounds to me that it’s the same engine then, so only differences will be trim and no doubt any entertainment system will be in Japanese!  but I can live with minor differences.

[olduser1]

Ask the Fit seller for the auction sheet also for proof of mileage, JVIC certificate.
Remember insurance will be more than Jazz.
It's all about condition age of tyres & proof of servicing on imports.

[Keekster71]

Ask the Fit seller for the auction sheet also for proof of mileage, JVIC certificate.
Remember insurance will be more than Jazz.
It's all about condition age of tyres & proof of servicing on imports.

Cheers, good advice. I’m expected insurance to be more. I usually use an insurance broker anyway as I have a classic Toyota as well.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[Keekster71]

Put a deposit on the car at the weekend. Although it’s 12 years old there is no rust at all unlike uk cars of the same age. The car looks identical to the uk model with only two exceptions. Although it’s the 1.3/1.4l model it has drum brakes on the back like my 2003 jazz had. I’m sure all uk  second generation cars had disks on the back even the 1.2. And the wheels are 14” with 175/65 tyres whereas uk cars seem to come with 175/65 tyres on 15” rims. The only other differences are the interior trim which was mint anyway. I guess only parts issues will be if I need to overhaul the rear brakes, which presumably will be the same as the first generation. The car will be registered as a Jazz with the dvla so I can’t see insurance being a problem. Certainly the seller has not had any problems insuring it.

[culzean]

Put a deposit on the car at the weekend. Although it’s 12 years old there is no rust at all unlike uk cars of the same age. The car looks identical to the uk model with only two exceptions. Although it’s the 1.3/1.4l model it has drum brakes on the back like my 2003 jazz had. I’m sure all uk  second generation cars had disks on the back even the 1.2. And the wheels are 14” with 175/65 tyres whereas uk cars seem to come with 175/65 tyres on 15” rims. The only other differences are the interior trim which was mint anyway. I guess only parts issues will be if I need to overhaul the rear brakes, which presumably will be the same as the first generation. The car will be registered as a Jazz with the dvla so I can’t see insurance being a problem. Certainly the seller has not had any problems insuring it.

The reason no rust is that Japanese don't use salt on their roads,  and for same reason ( as mentioned earlier in thread ) skimp on undersealing and seam sealing.... so a few winters on UK roads may mean it has more rust on it than a similar UK spec car for its age..

[Keekster71]

Put a deposit on the car at the weekend. Although it’s 12 years old there is no rust at all unlike uk cars of the same age. The car looks identical to the uk model with only two exceptions. Although it’s the 1.3/1.4l model it has drum brakes on the back like my 2003 jazz had. I’m sure all uk  second generation cars had disks on the back even the 1.2. And the wheels are 14” with 175/65 tyres whereas uk cars seem to come with 175/65 tyres on 15” rims. The only other differences are the interior trim which was mint anyway. I guess only parts issues will be if I need to overhaul the rear brakes, which presumably will be the same as the first generation. The car will be registered as a Jazz with the dvla so I can’t see insurance being a problem. Certainly the seller has not had any problems insuring it.

The reason no rust is that Japanese don't use salt on their roads,  and for same reason ( as mentioned earlier in thread ) skimp on undersealing and seam sealing.... so a few winters on UK roads may mean it has more rust on it than a similar UK spec car for its age..

I had a good look underneath, sure not much paint although I thought the sealer was ok, but it’s certainly no worse than my current car was when I bought it at three years of age. Ive owned three uk jazz now and I thought the undercoat on all of them was very poor.  Anyhoo The whole underside will be given a thorough coat of Dinitrol and cavity wax on my mates ramp before it goes anywhere so I don’t have any concerns as it’s way better than any uk car other than a brand new one. I do agree that if I didn’t underseal it it would rust pretty quickly though!

[TnTkr]

The whole underside will be given a thorough coat of Dinitrol and cavity wax on my mates ramp before it goes anywhere so I don’t have any concerns as it’s way better than any uk car other than a brand new one. I do agree that if I didn’t underseal it it would rust pretty quickly though!

That is very wise! A decent corrosion prevention coating extends the body lifetime remarkably.

[Keekster71]

The whole underside will be given a thorough coat of Dinitrol and cavity wax on my mates ramp before it goes anywhere so I don’t have any concerns as it’s way better than any uk car other than a brand new one. I do agree that if I didn’t underseal it it would rust pretty quickly though!

That is very wise! A decent corrosion prevention coating extends the body lifetime remarkably.

The engine bay is very poorly painted. The slam panel is just primer as is the support for the radiator and the front ends of the chassis legs. The slam panel just bolts in so I plan to remove that and paint it. The rest will get a thorough spray of wax. I’m tempted to remove the front bumper to do it properly. One of my neighbours has a 14 plate uk car so I had a look at that. It was exactly the same, very little paint around the engine compartment. Very poor in my view.