GD compared to GE

[guest5505]

I'd be interested to know what owners of our mk 1 (GD) think about the model that followed, GE. Is it generally considered a better car, or if not, why? I understand our model was made in Japan but the later model in Swindon, and wonder whether that has an impact on build quality. I quite like the older Hondas and am not so keen on the futuristic looking Civic model, which the GE copies in design I think, at least with the interior.

[guest2909]

I own both, a 2006 CVT model and a 2010 Manual model and the GE is much better, everything about it has just that little bit more quality, the seats are far more comfotable, there is more space, it drives and handles much better and gear changes are a lot smoother, it's not that radically different in design though

[peteo48]

When I bought my car, a 2010 plate 1.4 Ex manual in 2013, I test drove several cars including some late GDs. I have to say that the later model was just a different car in almost every respect (I was trading down from a 1.8 Civic). In short, if the GD had been the only Jazz available, I would have stuck with my Civic.

[monkeydave]

its a 16v engine not 8v and it also ivtec too with only 4 spark plugs to replace and no gearbox problems and valve adjustments every 25000 miles also bigger so yeah i love my ge i came from a 2004 se civic 1.6 but i waited for the ge facelift

[culzean]

The only thing i would say (having owned and driven both, and my wife still has GE1.4Si) about the 16 valve VTEC engine in GE compared to the 8 valve in the GD is that the 8 valve is happier to pull at lower revs where the 16 valve is pretty gutless till over 2000rpm.  The downside of that is the GD 'runs out of breath' at about 4500rpm,  where the GE is just coming on song.  I have been caught in wrong gear in GE coming off junctions or islands onto a hill, or on a hill with a bend in it desperately wishing I had 6 gears as 5 doesn't seem enough for VTEC engine which only comes to life above 3K.

Be prepared to rev the VTEC and it is no sluggard, but the GD is happier and more tractable at lower revs. Have noticed a slight improvement in MPG with VTEC,  but nothing spectacular.

The 1.8 VTEC in my Civic is a different beast and pulls willingly throughout range,  but still likes its revs (and so do I).

[monkeydave]

The only thing i would say (having owned and driven both, and my wife still has GE1.4Si) about the 16 valve VTEC engine in GE compared to the 8 valve in the GD is that the 8 valve is happier to pull at lower revs where the 16 valve is pretty gutless till over 2000rpm.  The downside of that is the GD 'runs out of breath' at about 4500rpm,  where the GE is just coming on song.  I have been caught in wrong gear in GE coming off junctions or islands onto a hill, or on a hill with a bend in it desperately wishing I had 6 gears as 5 doesn't seem enough for VTEC engine which only comes to life above 3K.

Be prepared to rev the VTEC and it is no sluggard, but the GD is happier and more tractable at lower revs. Have noticed a slight improvement in MPG with VTEC,  but nothing spectacular.

The 1.8 VTEC in my Civic is a different beast and pulls willingly throughout range,  but still likes its revs (and so do I).

that is the same with all 8v vs 16v engines

[culzean]

The only thing i would say (having owned and driven both, and my wife still has GE1.4Si) about the 16 valve VTEC engine in GE compared to the 8 valve in the GD is that the 8 valve is happier to pull at lower revs where the 16 valve is pretty gutless till over 2000rpm.  The downside of that is the GD 'runs out of breath' at about 4500rpm,  where the GE is just coming on song.  I have been caught in wrong gear in GE coming off junctions or islands onto a hill, or on a hill with a bend in it desperately wishing I had 6 gears as 5 doesn't seem enough for VTEC engine which only comes to life above 3K.

Be prepared to rev the VTEC and it is no sluggard, but the GD is happier and more tractable at lower revs. Have noticed a slight improvement in MPG with VTEC,  but nothing spectacular.

The 1.8 VTEC in my Civic is a different beast and pulls willingly throughout range,  but still likes its revs (and so do I).

that is the same with all 8v vs 16v engines

This does make the GD more pleasant to drive around the suburbs and in town - but main roads and motorways are more the territory of the 16 valve,  but having said that neither are bothered by motorway speeds and both pull the same kind of revs (just over 20mph / 1000 rpm) which means about 3200rpm at 70mph, my first Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC (1996) happily pulled 28mph / 1000rpm,  which at 70 was only 2500 ( no it wasn't a diesel and only had 5 speed box),  and could get 55 mpg on a run. 

[guest5505]

Thanks for the replies all. Interesting to note that the GE is highly thought of, gives me something to think about for when I will come to change my car in a couple of years time.