Moving from a Mk1 Jazz

[SpookyGal]

My Mk1 got written off. Gutted and very sad.

Sadly, my brother also passed away and I will inherit so looking to possibly upgrade to a Mk2 or 3. He would want me to get a better Jazz as he knew how much I loved my one.

What issues are there with a Mk3 and why would it be better than a Mk2?

[langserve]

I upgraded to a 3 from a 1 and it is a better car. The main improvement is that it is much quieter especially above 30 mph or so. Steering wheel controls for phone, radio and music are great too as is Bluetooth that just works. I think the electronic driver assistance is a benefit too but some people don't agree.

The engine is not quite as silky as the GD1 and the car is also a bit less nippy especially at lower revs. However, it is noticeably more economical.

Handling and suspension is even better than the GD1. It is very stable and predictable.

Vision through the corners of the windscreen is better but there is still a blind spot to beware of.

[SpookyGal]

I upgraded to a 3 from a 1 and it is a better car. The main improvement is that it is much quieter especially above 30 mph or so. Steering wheel controls for phone, radio and music are great too as is Bluetooth that just works.

Thank you. I am avidly reading all I can.

[FarNorthJazz]

If looking at a Mk3, be aware that for most models Garmin no longer provide updates for the sat nav.   If the car you like is a NAVI model don't be put off,  but don't pay a premium price just for the sat nav feature.

It is possible that some 2019 models can get updates,  but you would need to check specifically for each vehicle.

[ColinB]

Can’t really comment on differences from the earlier models, but (after nearly 11 years of ownership) I can say that the Mk3 is a well rounded package with good internal space, great economy, and comfort that’s well up with the norm for this class of car. It’s a bit noisy at speed, but it’s a small car.

One thing to be aware of is that no Mk3 comes with a spare wheel as standard. Some owners bought either a full size spare or a space-saver as an extra, but in the later cars Honda changed the design of the underfloor storage which makes it awkward to stow one.

If you’re looking at a CVT, some owners have reported that it’s quite sluggish from a standing start, which makes merging into traffic (eg at a roundabout) a bit testing.

[TnTkr]

I agree with what ColinB wrote above. I decided to buy manual after test driving CVT. And I have equipped my 3rd gen Jazz with full size spare wheel.

The judgment of the noise level depends on each one's previous experience. You have had older generation Jazz, so I'm sure 3rd gen is more quiet. It's also more quiet than 1st gen Honda CRV or new Dacia Sandero.

[Lord Voltermore]

If you normally drive a manual and dont need an automatic I'd avoid CVT.   Although i admit I have never driven one.    Unless your budget extends to a mk4 , which despite Honda still  calling it a CVT is a different thing entirely. Those are so  good I'd never buy another manual car.

If you have never used a satnav you might not realise just how useful it can be, taking a lot of the stress out of finding locations or driving through  unfamiliar towns or routes.

If a choice happens to be a Navi version dont worry too much that the maps  might be a bit  out of date.  Even with the latest updates  you occasionally encounter a new  road, housing development ,newly installed  roundabout etc thats still not yet on the mapping.      But dont dismiss a mk3 thats not a Navi version as you can  use a free satnav app on your phone, and display it on the car infotainment screen.   

[ColinB]

... you can  use a free satnav app on your phone, and display it on the car infotainment screen.

Er, no you can't, at least not without either replacing the head unit or doing an inordinate amount of hacking. The Mk3 head unit does not support modern stuff like Android Auto. The technology of the time was MirrorLink, which was not supported by phone manufacturers even when the car design was new. Just use the phone as a stand-alone satnav.

[langserve]

I agree, I found no way to display a phone app on the car's screen. I bought a discreet navigation unit and mounted the holder on the dash. It integrates with the phone and only takes a couple of minutes to mount and plug in if I have a longer or more complicated trip. Mostly, just the phone is as much as I need though.

One of my cars is a CVT automatic and the other a manual. The CVT gets slightly better economy (maybe my driving style with manual?) and if I had a choice it would be CVT every time. It works extremely well especially on hills and I don't mind that very slight delay on taking off at quickly. I don't do it much any anyway you are not going to win any races with this car. I just enjoy the relaxed driving style CVT makes possible - who wants to think about what gear will be needed next? CVT, for me, is a much more refined and better technology.

[Lord Voltermore]

Whoops. Sorry . I had thought  the mk 3 could screen mirror a mobile phone using  a hard wired usb lead.   I must stop pontificating on subjects I dont fully understand,especially on cars I have never owned.      
But I can say from experience that  I personally find satnavs very useful, even if you have to mount the phone/satnav as a standalone  screen.  I can imagine a Navi  mk3 would be a bit of a bonus, but not essential. 

[degzi]

I moved from a MK1 to MK3.

They are good cars but tbh id consider also pricing up something like a Toyota Corolla or Prius,  the interiors are so much better than the jazz, and are equally if not even better reliability than the jazz.

The thing which annoys me about the MK3 is the very cheap plastic interior, especially the doors etc. and the head unit is complete garbage, I spent an extra £300 and got a joying unit. Easy to fit and completely change the driving experience, it's great being able to click the talk button on the steering wheel and just chat away to Gemini etc.

So far in mine I have driven 60,000 and had 6 new tyres, changed oil twice per year, new rear pads, new front discs and pads, new sparkplugs, new Aircon condenser and pump, and oil filters, cabin filters etc.
So not too bad maintenance costs in reality, I just can't help being slightly let down the way the interiors seem to be cheap.

[TnTkr]

Of course my experience in driving in UK is limited, but on those narrow roads and tight parking spaces you have in your lovely island, I would personally prefer a small car like Jazz.

And eventhough I like my 3rd gen Jazz, I would be very tempted to look after a good condition early 2nd gen Jazz, because it has less unnecessary gimmicks to fail in the long run. Or even 1st gen, which you know you like.