Hi GRM,
Been awhile, bout five years ago I sold my cars and traveled for a bit. I've ended up in New Zealand and decided I'm going to settle down here for a bit. I decided I should get a car now, I plan on paying cash so my budget is around $5,000 USD.
My friend had a Honda Fit and I've grown to really grow fond of it in memory. Since I'm here in New Zealand I have access to Japan domestic cars, so there are some Jazz on the streets. Is there anything I should consider about looking for Fits and Jazz?
Where I am here it rains A LOT and HEAVY with wind that will just about push you over. I'm a bit worried about the leaking problems of the Fit though, so maybe I should allocate a bit more funds and step up to Gen 2?
I would go with a second gen. You should easily be able to find one for that price in NZ. I think the 2nd gens are the best ones of the bunch anyways.
It looks like I can get a Gen2 1.5L engine manual here too with disc brakes. Was that available in US?
I think the 2nd gens at least had front disc brakes..
Oooo.. I could get a CRZ manual.
You have sooo many choices, and there are stupid cheap prices in the bigger centres (I'm guessing Auckland or Wellington?).
JDM Fit specs are at https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/catalog/HONDA__FIT/
LoneWolf said:
You have sooo many choices, and there are stupid cheap prices in the bigger centres (I'm guessing Auckland or Wellington?).
JDM Fit specs are at https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/catalog/HONDA__FIT/
Yep! I'm in Wellington. Surprised how much NZ knowledge there is on here 
Thanks for the specs list, that helps a ton!
Any other options? I feel like I've got a whole new market open to me now! Haha. Although my zero garage space zero tools and zero time has me just looking at Hondas and Toyotas haha.
DirtyBird222 said:
I would go with a second gen. You should easily be able to find one for that price in NZ. I think the 2nd gens are the best ones of the bunch anyways.
I came here to post this exact thing. The 1st gen isn't a bad car at all either, but the 2nd gen is just a tiny bit larger & it makes it way more practical without losing any of the good things about the car.
You're all missing the biggest point of the 2nd gen: folding the second row flat without having to remove the headrests!
Anyone know if the hybrids are decent? After looking around I can get a hybrid MANUAL, there's a clean black one with the orange seating which reminds me of oldschool Honda's. Gas is $8.50 a gallon here and I hate filling up.
In reply to Coldsnap :
According to the British magazine CAR, the current generation of Jazz with the hybrid powertrain is " a sweet driver ". Unfortunately, their sum-up of the car itself is, that like most Honda cars, it has the rep of being a sort of Japanese Buick. That is, most Hondas, including the Jazz, are the kind of car your mother or grandmother might drive.
Coldsnap said:
Anyone know if the hybrids are decent? After looking around I can get a hybrid MANUAL, there's a clean black one with the orange seating which reminds me of oldschool Honda's. Gas is $8.50 a gallon here and I hate filling up.
I'm assuming that's the CR-Z powertrain, which is, less than exciting. What exactly are you aiming for with this purchase? The base 1.5L still gets great mileage on it's own.
