Buying an imported Honda Fit/Jazz

humberklog

My trusted '05 Vitara is on its way out and I've been looking at a number of cars and the Honda Fit/Jazz ticks a lot of boxes.

Automatic is a must for me and my partner.

What we like about the Fit is that it's Hybred, it sits a little higher from the ground so it's easier for in/out, it's really roomy in the back with great options in folding seats. We've elderly parents and I need good space for work. I test drove one today and found it really nice to drive and surprisingly nippy and responsive (for what it is).

The car I looked at today was a 141 (D 46051) Honda Fit, 120k/km (highish), it's a nice red colour, very clean inside and out. The dealer has replaced the Japanese info screen with an EU (?) one and it has front and rear dashcams already installed. He's looking €11,500 for it.

What's not to like? The armrest is a too low for comfort. And...

We've contacted Aviva re insurance and they've said it's not on their system and it'll take until next week for quote. Which got me thinking- how do I find out the provenance of the car if an insurance company can't easily do it? What should I be looking for? Chassis no.? Vin no.? Are these imports dodgy?

Also, the car dealer based in Swords town (not Airside) came across as a little too "urgent" which left me and her leaving with a little bit of a cautious feeling.

Any opinions on the make of car? And how do I do a decent check on it? We're willing to up our price a little. So should we move on in order to get a newer and less mileage version?

All opinions greatly recieved and I'm open for PMs if someone has something to say but not publicly.

Atlantic Dawn

What puts me off them is car theft, it will be number 1 on the list no matter where it's parked due to the simplicity they are to rob due to lack of factory fitted immobilizers. You would need to fit a good alarm and immobilizer and a visible deterrent like a steering wheel lock to have any comfort owning one.

They are good cars otherwise, perhaps a few bugs here and there in the Japanese language not being able to be changed to English on some displays.

You could ask for the auction sheet from Japan for the car, this will indicate known issues with it, dealer may or may not have this.

humberklog

Yeah theft is an issue we've come across with Jap imports, in particular the Toyota Aqua (although I'm not interested in one of them). The dealer does advertise at as coming with an immobilizer however if it's aftermarket I wonder how good it is.

The buggy screen in Japanese is a problem my friend had on his Aqua however the Fit I was looking at today has a new screen installed with English.

colm_mcm

heres a uk spec Yaris Hybrid. This is a proper hybrid too.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-1-5-hybrid-icon-auto-nct-d-05-22-ta/30354178

road_high

I know cars are expensive now but that seems very expensive for an 8 year old Fit import.

I wouldn’t care less about the “urgency” of the dealer- I’d be more concerned with finding the right car for you. I’m sure he’s “lot of buyers interested” old yarn 🥱

humberklog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118962499#Comment_118962499

Yeah I jumped in one the other day and found it quite a bit tighter for space than the Fit.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118962354#Comment_118962354

Honda fit has an alarm and immobiliser. They don’t get stolen like Vitz, Aqua etc

humberklog

We might pull the trigger on a 141 Vesel HRV.

Garlinge

I have a 2015 Jazz and very happy with it, never had any issues with it.

humberklog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118970904#Comment_118970904

Really, really liked the Jazz but when we got into the HRV and pulled the door shut we looked at each other and knew the HRV was a better fit for us even if it was above our expected budget. If it wasn't the HRV it would've been the Jazz.

We've applied for loan and will have to chase down insurance quote as it wasn't possible on line. So those 2 things going through hopefully we'll have it end of the week/ early next week.

road_high

HRV is a few classes up from the Jazz munch more like the vitara. Jazz is a great little car but they feel like a city car. Peer superminis like the fiesta, polo, Ibiza, C3 all feel more substantial

humberklog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118971016#Comment_118971016

We loved the Vitata and it owes us nothing after over 10 years of reliable motoring. Of all the cars I've tested in the last couple of weeks the HRV really feels like a 21st century evolution of the Vitara.

I really liked a Polo T Cross in Grange Motors but it was too tight in the back and it gets dogs abuse on line for problematic issues. So that was a hard no.

Nissan Juke was a joke inside. Really my 17 year old Vitara looks just as modern inside (I think it was an '15 model).

I'd have loved a Yeti but kinda wanted a Hybred and it was a harder sell to the other half.

HRV was an immediate unanimous decision.

Hopefully all goes well this week.

road_high

Old model juke interior is terrible alright. Old fashioned, poor quality and the car is poorly packaged

humberklog

Well we've gone for the Honda Vezel HRV and hope to pick it up next week.

Mikefitzs

Family member just bought a Honda fit hybrid 2017. It's a great little car and much bigger than it appears. Lots of interior space. Ideal for a city car or short 20 minute commute to work. Filled with tech and really economical, it does avg 65mpg. I love driving it and I drive a Passat myself. The Fit does 0-100km in just over 8 secs so it's very quick for what it is. The big bonus is it's a Honda so we know it won't break down. Was way cheaper that a Yaris and much more power, space and gadgets.

MacronvFrugals

Was looking at one of these import hybrid Fit's also, seems to be decent value but it worries me getting them insured would be a nightmare? Also would they be similar to say a Polo or Fabia?

corks finest

Insurance no prob,I'm on my second hybrid import and looking to buy a fit,or note epower hybrid atm