Honda advice please

[jdrrco]

I'm looking for a Honda Jazz for my parents. They are 89 and 88 and have had their current one from new in 2004. It's now on its last legs and needs some repairs which would cost more than the car is worth, so they want a replacement.

Their main concern is not to have to learn new dials and switches etc, so they are looking for an identical model.

I have found one in a main Honda dealer with a full Honda Approved warranty etc but it's the other end of the country from them and the other side of the country from me, so we would be buying it blind.

This one is a 2007, on an 07 plate and has only done 6,900 (not a typo, 6,900) miles from new. Of those, it has travelled a grand total of 40 miles since 2014. From the MOT history, this looks like just a trip to the dealer for its service and MOT each year for the last 6 years.

My assumption, therefore, is that it is probably still on its original tyres. Should I insist on those being changed before it is delivered? And what other items may have suffered from so little use?

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[W1ghty]

I'm looking for a Honda Jazz for my parents. They are 89 and 88 and have had their current one from new in 2004. It's now on its last legs and needs some repairs which would cost more than the car is worth, so they want a replacement.

Their main concern is not to have to learn new dials and switches etc, so they are looking for an identical model.

I have found one in a main Honda dealer with a full Honda Approved warranty etc but it's the other end of the country from them and the other side of the country from me, so we would be buying it blind.

This one is a 2007, on an 07 plate and has only done 6,900 (not a typo, 6,900) miles from new. Of those, it has travelled a grand total of 40 miles since 2014. From the MOT history, this looks like just a trip to the dealer for its service and MOT each year for the last 6 years.

My assumption, therefore, is that it is probably still on its original tyres. Should I insist on those being changed before it is delivered? And what other items may have suffered from so little use?

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Just brake discs and pads and possibly exhaust

 

[jdrrco]

Just brake discs and pads and possibly exhaust

Thanks for this. I wondered about those, but wouldn't they have been highlighted on the most recent MOT (in July) if they were of concern? No advisories on that.

 

[Stratman]

What is the date code on the tyres?

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water in this case from the atmosphere. If it hasn't been changed since new, I'd strongly suggest it's changed now.

 

[jdrrco]

What is the date code on the tyres?

Good question. I'll ask the dealer, or, better yet, ask for a photo of each tyre.

 

[W1ghty]

Thanks for this. I wondered about those, but wouldn't they have been highlighted on the most recent MOT (in July) if they were of concern? No advisories on that.

It’s just that with the exhaust if it’s not used , water collects and rusts from the inside , I wouldn’t worry , it may last for years more anyway

 

[Teego]

Repair cost vs value of car is a false argument IMO. I suspect your parents aren't planning to keep their next car for 16 years nor concerned about residuals.
Since they are familiar with their car and would like something almost identical I think you need to compare repair cost to the cost to change. It may be more sensible to fix it so it can run on for a few more years.

 

[jdrrco]

Repair cost vs value of car is a false argument IMO. I suspect your parents aren't planning to keep their next car for 16 years nor concerned about residuals.
Since they are familiar with their car and would like something almost identical I think you need to compare repair cost to the cost to change. It may be more sensible to fix it so it can run on for a few more years.

Thanks for your reply.

You are, of course, absolutely right. The repairs needed on their car would cost about 25% of the cost of a replacement, but at their ages, if they just want to treat themselves, then, hey, why shouldn't they.

The reason this one appeals is that it is pretty much a nearly new, 13 year old, car with a 12 month manufacturer warranty. The peace of mind that brings is worth something to them.

As with all of us, these decisions are rarely based on pure economics, need or cold practicality.

Particularly because I am so far away from them, I just want to make sure that whatever they decide to do, they don't end up with a lemon.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Jazz drivers certainly like Jazzes. My parents have matching his and hers Jazzes. My Dad’s is snazzy silver and my Mom’s is go-faster brown. It must be genetic because my wife and I have matching his and hers cars too - not Jazzes though. Yet!

I agree, they should treat themselves. Too few of a similar age do. Health to enjoy

 

[Teego]

Of course, if they want the treat of a newer car they should do it. Get the dealer to put a bunch of flowers and a bottle of champagne in the car when it's delivered. Make their day.

 

[Smiley]

What a great idea. My elderly parents bought a new Jazz to replace their 10 yr old model and hate the touch screen so your plan is spot on imho. In my experience the Honda main dealer servicing is very good and reasonably priced. You may find that it has been serviced every year and this would have included a brake fluid change every 2 years. If it were me I would ask for a full service inc brake fluid change and new tyres if they are more than 5 years old (which they almost certainly will be). The battery will probably have been changed anyway.

 

[jdrrco]

Thank you all for your helpful advice.

The deal is done at £5,095 from £6k-asking to include 4 new tyres, brake fluid change, new MOT, 12 month Honda warranty and breakdown cover and delivery from London to Yorkshire.

Really appreciate the input. Thank you.

Oh, btw, the mileage was a typo, it's 6,300, not 6,900!

 

[Rpp999]

Well done, perfect deal.

 

[Smart320]

Very nice too!

 

[Eddy77]

Excellent result. My elderly parents are Jazzers (!) too. They replaced their old Honda with a 2016 jazz and whilst they like the car they can not get on with the touch screen etc. It just confuses them. So going for the older model was a good move!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thank you all for your helpful advice.

The deal is done at £5,095 from £6k-asking to include 4 new tyres, brake fluid change, new MOT, 12 month Honda warranty and breakdown cover and delivery from London to Yorkshire.

Really appreciate the input. Thank you.

Oh, btw, the mileage was a typo, it's 6,300, not 6,900!View attachment 104136

That seems a very reasonable price and I can understand why you bought it. They’re so easy and “light” to drive, and the folding back seat is brilliant too.

I bought my Mom & Dad their first Jazz in 2006 - also silver - from a Honda dealer. It’s a 55-reg, and at the time I bought it it was exactly 12 months old and had covered almost exactly 5,000 miles, all for £5,500 after negotiation. Had they not used it would have barely depreciated!

They still have it and they both love it. It’s had more issues than I expected but they live it. It had the gearbox rebuilt at around 20,000 miles and 6 years old - so outside of warranty - and the tailgate started rusting. It also had 3 or 4 recalls.

They loved it so much that not long after the gearbox rebuild they bought another one, the later model in brown, again bought from a Honda dealer at 12 months old. They use the older one for everyday and keep the newer one for best!

There are so many brown Jazzes around here though - there were three at the garden centre the other day!

 

[Deleted member 149005]

A year old Jazz for £5.5 was excellent value, even back in 2006!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A year old Jazz for £5.5 was excellent value, even back in 2006!

It was a cracking deal. It was stickered at £5700 if I remember right.

 

[Will]

Just be careful where you park- they’re a magnet for catalytic converter thieves

 

[Teego]

Just be careful where you park- they’re a magnet for catalytic converter thieves

Just as an AMG is a magnet for the Jazz at any supermarket even when you park in the most distant and desolate corner where no other car will venture.