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

Mikefitzs

Where did you get insurance, finding it impossible to get a quote for a 2016 Honda Fit.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121076962#Comment_121076962

You have to call directly. Try Axa or Allianz

corks finest

I’ve had 4 jap imports no problem with insurance

kanuseeme

2 jap jap imports and 2 bmw jap imports no problem also. Aviva.

theintern

Re insurance, you generally just need to call. The online quote machines won't quote you. We bought a Japanese import and so far no issues. Insurance was grand, if you look at the documents they've added a line to the details about it being an import and the insurance went up by 60 compared with the 18 year old Yaris it replaced.

lauralaura3

Paddy Compare, allianz, axa do japanese imports

corks finest

I have currently a jap import

my last 3 were jap Honda imports aswell

no issues at all ref insurance or cars themselves

corks finest

Likewise going back 10/12 years

corks finest

zurich is mine on this list import and last

ive had 2 Honda insights

Suzuki swift

and currently an ignis import

no issues whatever,

giving my current car to my son in January when he hopefully passes his driving test,

and I’ll get a cheap fit to do me,

I’ll never buy a local car- jap imports are generally low mileage

clean

one owner

great condition

well specced and looked after

Iseedeadpixels

Allianz wouldn't quote me on a Fit but they would on a Insight, Broker told me it's because the likes of the Fit and the Vitz have Irish equivalent while the Insight doesn't, made no sense to me but that's what I was told.

SNNUS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119728029#Comment_119728029

Same here, got my parents a Honda Fit auto import from Japan, My folks love it and as a passat driver also I love taking the

fit for a spin, great in S mode too, super nippy and economical and comfortable.

corks finest

100 pc

corks finest

Insight does

(es )you can get the ES version

euro spec

corks finest

There’s sports versions of the fit

yours A normal version?

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121273852#Comment_121273852

Ssshhhh don't tell them that!

corks finest

If there’s an immobiliser and alarm on it

and it’s not changed in any way other than it’s description on the web

can’t see any problems ref insurance

corks finest

I’d bet if you do your homework and shop around

you’ll get insurance through a broker ref Allianz or whomever gives you a decent deal

corks finest

😊😊😊

goochy

look out for one parked up and check the disc

Tantalum73

A word of warning from personal experience , a lot of Japanese imports come with non "E" marked tyres when imported . Not having an E mark on tyres is a failure at NCT , but some dealers or sellers will have a spare set of E marked tyres to get in through the NCT when imported and switch back on the non E marked tyres afterwards leaving the new owner with a tyre bill the next time it is tested .

When buying , make sure the car comes with E marked tyres !

POBox19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121277487#Comment_121277487

Just failed NCT for no E marks. I bought the 2014 import Golf with a clean NCT 8 months ago. Good set of Bridgestones on it. Turns out none of the tyres now have an E mark, but no mention of that on the 2023 NCT cert that came with the car.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141101#Comment_122141101

Thats because the seller/dealer changed the wheels around for the test and re fitted the original ones after the test.

POBox19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141130#Comment_122141130

I need to borrow a set of Golf wheels for an hour! (Only joking)

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141186#Comment_122141186

Its kind of mad, I see some of the biggest dealers in Dublin arriving to the NCT centre with wheels that are clearly not staying on the car and then selling the car with illegal tyres. I’m not sure if you care, but technically your insurance could be null and void if you got into an accident because the tyres are essentially illegal. A tyre shop will charge you €50 to change the wheels over twice, so you might be better off just buying four part worn tyres for €150 to be safe.

Its annoying because the Japanese tyres usually have good thread and are almost always Michelin, Pirelli etc.

The Black Oil

My mother has a deposit down on a 2019 Fit. Haven't heard that before re the note above re the tyres.

Must check my own import, 2018 Vezel.

humberklog

The guy I bought from pointed out he'd change them to E marked ones. Wasn't charged for it.

The Black Oil

Is this what we are talking about?

trindade

I almost purchased a Fit 1.5 to 2 years ago for my wife… It is a great car and many many years ago I had a Honda Jazz (first generation). I can say it's a very spacious, comfy and reliable car. But I wasn't able to get a decent insurance quote. I got a quote for over 2.5k with a broker, while I wasn't able to quote online or to transfer my insurance (liberty didn't accepted the car). My wife had to put an extra 6k in a car and purchased a Corolla.

POBox19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122142545#Comment_122142545

Yes.

corks finest

Im on my 5 th import hybrid this week ,never one issue tbf,

Cars all spotless,all flied the nct,

All came with good tyres,but I've noticed the add I've been looking at has a few discrepancies ref description,

Going up to Dublin To look at 3 imports ( old_ 2014 and 17 2,)

Alloys on car description but reckon the garage have whipped them off and flogged them,but I'll wait till the bargaining point to mention that,

Difference in price by shopping in Dublin compared with Cork city is a bloody disgrace,

Locals gouging constantly,

Have only bought one locally in over 40 years

It's maddening

goochy

Don't forget some dealers in Dublin running laundry businesses . Easy to sell cheap . That's coming from a dub

corks finest

Wish they'd branch out to Cork then😊

corks finest

Never thought of it tbh,thanks

goochy

Any empty yard in Dublin gets taken by used car dealers