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Basic information of my car:
GK5 2014
Reasons why I bought this car
My previous car was stolen, and I need a car as soon as possible for my daily use. Hence I was riding a bike and my mom was dead worry, she been pushing me to find a car quick. After I gotten my insurance claims, plus a few thousands from my own pocket, I decide to get a new car instead of used car as I don’t have any mechanic friends to help me inspect these used cars.
Car Selection Process
My price range that day was below RM70,000
Models that I’ve considered included : , , ,
Reasons why I chose this car
During test drive, I was test driving a City GM6. Then I change my mind, I pick the Jazz instead as a hatchback are a lot easier to park than a sedan. Pricing wise, Jazz was a bit cheaper and packed with the same engine plus CVT. Interior wise also not much different, so I think the Jazz would be the wiser choice for a 1.5cc car.
User experience
- I have already done 56,504.00km.
- My average fuel consumption is 14L/km
The Honda Jazz really is an economy car, fuel consumption are pretty low. With full tank, the car can last for 2 weeks from Seri Kembangan to Shah Alam from Monday to Friday. The build quality also pretty good, most of the electronic parts still working even after few years. Even though mine is E spec, but I’m satisfied with what Honda Malaysia offer with the Jazz.
Pros of my car:
- Fuel consumption is low, parts is easy to get with reasonable price. Minor services are cheap, price wise I think is similar with some other 1.5 and 1.6cc cars. For OEM 15” size wheel(S and E spec), we also have lots of choices and the price also cheaper compares to the bigger size tire/wheel. The car also very comfortable to drive, travelled to multiple states when my car is still stock, did few grab jobs and the car still running just fine.
- For modification wise, surprisingly the Jazz got a lot of aftermarket options. Both exterior and performance wise, this car have great potential on racetrack if mod/tuned properly.
Cons of my car:
- Our neighbour country like Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia got the RS version. Even though only for exterior, at least their stock Jazz RS looks way more attractive than ours the usual model.
- The rear passenger floor sometimes get wet after washing or raining, this issue happens to a lot of people. The engine bottom cover often fallen, guess these clips just too weak. For the 2014 model like mine, front bumper on the left side not clipped in properly, kind of annoying though.
- The shift light indicator on the gear console, sometimes the light not turning on after we turned on our light during night drive.
Ratings:
Total Score: 5
Performance: 4
Quality & Features: 4
Space: 4
Ride Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Price & Cost: 4
Summary :
For the first few years before I modify the car, it did a tremendous job and I am very satisfied with the performance. Then I begin to modify the car step by step as I always wanted to drive in racetrack. Hence few of my friends are track junkies and they got me hooked, replacing the suspension, steel braided brake hose, exhaust system, change the rear drum brake to disc brake etc. I always prefer handling over power, as power is nothing if the car cannot handle well. My car still running a factory tuned L15Z singlecam engine with the CVT when I first participating time attack events, not long after I installed an aftermarket ECU and tuned the car a little bit.
Then I swapped my CVT gearbox to 6 speed manual from Honda CRZ, the swapped went pretty well even some wiring is missing and the original ECU not supporting the manual gearbox. Luckily we solved the issue by installing another aftermarket ECU for throttle control AKA the ETC. Won few trophies even going up against some other properly tuned/modified cars(Believe me non of these cars are slow), so here you guys can see how good it is the Honda Jazz even with the non modify L15Z singlecam engine.
Last year 2021 I swapped my engine to the Japan Fit GK RS, the L15B twincam with 6 speed manual. Haven’t try this on racetrack yet as I still have few parts to install, clutch, LSD etc.
Lastly :
On year 2018, they have this time attack/trackday event called BOMTAC in sepang. That event happens before the Sepang 1000km endurance race, and they invited 2 Japanese car culture icon. One is Mr. Junichi Umemoto from J’s Racing and another is Mr. Ichiro Kubota from Noblesse. A friend of mine are working with the organiser, he ask if I can take Mr. Ichiro Kubota for a ride with my Honda Jazz. I said YES, was so happy and nervous at the same time knowing that a superstar are now seating right next to me while driving in SIC.
Then He take my car for ride, it was my greatest honour that night. While Mr. Junichi Umemoto participated in the Sepang 1000km race, he shipped his Honda Fit and did few test run. Another great moment is when I get to see what’s the difference between my slightly modified Honda Jazz and the famous J’s Racing’s Super Taikyu Honda Fit, not from when the car is parking, but from behind to see how fast and well handle the car is. I was following the car, it amazes me how the car attack turn 9.
It’s like in Initial D anime when the opponent seeing Takumi doing some disappearing stuff when entering corner, Ryousuke describe this the “Fujiwara zone”. Not sure who was driving the Honda Fit, some said it was the great Mark Darwin and some said it was Mr.Junichi himself. Still, I get the front seat to watch a race car shipped all the way from Japan. This could be a one in a million, probably won’t be another opportunity until after few years.
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Keyword: Owner Review: The one that got away, My 2014 Honda Jazz GK5