Tilda Vs Jazz

[micksterbs]

I'm seriously considering flogging my Colorado and buying something less agricultural. When I was planning to move here, I'd intended buying a Jazz as I thought they were pretty good and I'd noticed plenty of 'em here on previous visits. I like small-ish hatchbacks and knew that they were built here and that the price would be reasonable. But when I arrived, I saw this Colorado for sale at Expat Motors for an absolute steal of a price (expat in a hurry to get home),2 years old and only 14,000kms on the clock.

But I just don't want to pedal this thing around for much longer. Not only is it thirsty but I'm just not that keen on big, crude vehicles. The Jazz was foremost in my thoughts but the TW is a bit struck on the Nissan Tilda. One doesn't see that many of them around, especially not compared to the Jazz. I appreciate that it's a bit bigger than the Jazz and so, strictly speaking, isn't a direct competitor. But I'm not really interested in the Yaris; a bit pokey inside. The Vios is OK but I prefer hatchbacks, really.

Does anyone have any experience of the Tilda, owned one, looked around one, driven one? How do the prices stack-up?

Cheers for any info!

[micksterbs]

I'll take that as a "no", then.

And I thought you were all so knowledgeable, mutter, mutter...

[Farma]

There was a thread about these 2 cars a while back with some comparisons that might help. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...08&hl=tiida

[chivo]

I can't compare, but can add that I've rented a Jazz on many, many occasions and feel they are great car and suited to Thailand's cities.

They are small and can navigate the small sois crammed with double parked cars with great dexterity. Yet its roomy enough inside, doesn't feel cramped.

Easy to park in small spots. Fuel efficient. Stylish. Enough power, but probably more so with the higher end model.

I would buy one if I were in the market for a car in BKK.

I like pick-ups, but I believe I whould need for open cargo space, or live in the bumpy country side to justify them.

[Plus]

Tiidas look bigger, more face, more class. I don't know if they are actually better, probably not.

[rixalex]

I'd go for the Tiida, given the choice of the two, because as you say they are a bit bigger. For me the Jazz is too small and dare i say it, a bit too girlie. I know that the Tiida is also popular with women folk, but you don't see many with the Hello Kitty number plates.

A third option that if i were you would be even more interesting, is the Mazda 3 in the hatchback version. You can pick them up used for the same price as a Jazz. A lot more motor for your baht.

[Dave the Dude]

Hi Mick

Not that keen on the third option above. I test drive a Mazda and although they definitely look good inside & out, the mechanics/engine is IMHO rough. I have no experience of the (Ma)Tilda but know the world press has raved about the new Jazz that has recently arrived in the showrooms in Thailand.

Dave

[micksterbs]

There was a thread about these 2 cars a while back with some comparisons that might help. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...08&hl=tiida

Thanks for the link, Farma. I missed that one. Pretty helpful. Cheers!

I'd go for the Tiida, given the choice of the two, because as you say they are a bit bigger. For me the Jazz is too small and dare i say it, a bit too girlie. I know that the Tiida is also popular with women folk, but you don't see many with the Hello Kitty number plates.

A third option that if i were you would be even more interesting, is the Mazda 3 in the hatchback version. You can pick them up used for the same price as a Jazz. A lot more motor for your baht.

Yeah, I know what you mean but not too bothered about image to tell you the truth. Just like compact, well-designed hatchbacks. Oh, and with a manual g/box. Why do the Thais love autos so much? Is it because most of them cut their teeth on bikes with auto clutches?

As for the Mazda, yep, that did occur to me today. They look pretty good and am I right in saying that they're basically just re-bodied Ford Focuses? Foci?

Hi Mick

Not that keen on the third option above. I test drive a Mazda and although they definitely look good inside & out, the mechanics/engine is IMHO rough. I have no experience of the (Ma)Tilda but know the world press has raved about the new Jazz that has recently arrived in the showrooms in Thailand.

Dave

I guess that I'll just have to go along to the relevant showrooms and have a decco and a drive. Thanks, Dave the Dude!

Cheers, all!

E: Typo

[Plus]

Manual Jazz?

The new one comes with 5 speed auto, I believe. Manual is only the lowest possible spec version, perhaps even with manual windows. Why would anyone want manual Jazz? It's not a sports car, you aren't going to get much more performance out of it. You press the gas and it goes to the shops, that's all there is to it.

[rixalex]

Hi Mick

Not that keen on the third option above. I test drive a Mazda and although they definitely look good inside & out, the mechanics/engine is IMHO rough. I have no experience of the (Ma)Tilda but know the world press has raved about the new Jazz that has recently arrived in the showrooms in Thailand.

Dave

Dave, Can you tell us which Mazda model you test drove and what exactly it was that felt rough? If it was the 2.0 litre i have to say i'm surprised as i thought this was a nice runner.

I didn't know the new Jazz had already arrived in Thailand - i've yet to see any on the roads of Bangkok - strange. Anyway, i understand it's grown in size so should be quite an interesting car.

And as far as manual vs auto is concerned - i'm with Plus here - can't understand why anyone would go for a manual. Guess you might save something in maintenence costs but surely offset by the loss when it comes to selling on.

Anyway Mick, report back and let us know how things went at the showrooms.

[Dave the Dude]

Hi rixalex

I drove the 2 litre 3door sports hatch. As I said, I do like the look of it but comparing it to this type of car in the UK, I think the engine underperformed and after reading up on it, I understand its mechanics are far from being advanced.

I have a friend who works in the local Honda showroom (I was test driving the 2 litre Civic) and he explained that the new Jazz is going to be a big seller. They have 'sold' 10 already before the model was available to view/drive in the showrooms (that was 3 weeks ago BTW). 80,000 were sold in the first week in Japan. I have only seen a brochure and it looks like a very modern high tech sort of car with many accessories available from Honda.

A very different sort of car to the Mazda3 and like you, I like the auto system too on the Honda.

Dave

[micksterbs]

Well, I just prefer manuals, that's all. They're more involving, more interesting; I don't want everything done for me!

As for the new Jazz, I think it ditches the CVT transmission of the first model in favour of a conventional torque converter. I'm sure that, as autos go, it's great but I'd rather have a manual. 'Spose I'll have to settle for an auto if there's no choice.

[dthomasss]

I checked them both out and slightly prefer the Jazz. A new entry adds another wrinkle to the mix. Kia has released the Picanto, and because of far lower duty with cars from Malaysia, the price is about 150,000 lower than the Jazz.

Two downsides, Honda is more reliable auto maker, and if you are outside Bangkok may not be easy to service a Kia.

I'm seriously considering flogging my Colorado and buying something less agricultural. When I was planning to move here, I'd intended buying a Jazz as I thought they were pretty good and I'd noticed plenty of 'em here on previous visits. I like small-ish hatchbacks and knew that they were built here and that the price would be reasonable. But when I arrived, I saw this Colorado for sale at Expat Motors for an absolute steal of a price (expat in a hurry to get home),2 years old and only 14,000kms on the clock.

But I just don't want to pedal this thing around for much longer. Not only is it thirsty but I'm just not that keen on big, crude vehicles. The Jazz was foremost in my thoughts but the TW is a bit struck on the Nissan Tilda. One doesn't see that many of them around, especially not compared to the Jazz. I appreciate that it's a bit bigger than the Jazz and so, strictly speaking, isn't a direct competitor. But I'm not really interested in the Yaris; a bit pokey inside. The Vios is OK but I prefer hatchbacks, really.

Does anyone have any experience of the Tilda, owned one, looked around one, driven one? How do the prices stack-up?

Cheers for any info!

[rixalex]

Hi rixalex

I drove the 2 litre 3door sports hatch. As I said, I do like the look of it but comparing it to this type of car in the UK, I think the engine underperformed and after reading up on it, I understand its mechanics are far from being advanced.

I have a friend who works in the local Honda showroom (I was test driving the 2 litre Civic) and he explained that the new Jazz is going to be a big seller. They have 'sold' 10 already before the model was available to view/drive in the showrooms (that was 3 weeks ago BTW). 80,000 were sold in the first week in Japan. I have only seen a brochure and it looks like a very modern high tech sort of car with many accessories available from Honda.

A very different sort of car to the Mazda3 and like you, I like the auto system too on the Honda.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks. Very interesting.

I wonder if your comments on the Mazda also apply to the Focus, seeing as they share many components.

I'm certainly excited to see this new Jazz in the flesh - it sounds good.

[sibeymai]

I have a 20-odd month old Jazz, just done 40,000k. Great to drive and no major problems.

Just on the manula versus auto discussion: the jazz I have has the CVT auto. I must say i had my reservations when I bought it (hadn't even driven a Jazz, was what the TW wanted so no point in trying to talk her out of it) but I now love the CVT. It has a number of settings or modes of use.

With the shift selector in D (drive) it keeps the revs around 2,000 and acccelerates very smoothly as there are no gears to change. This mode is fine for general driving.

With the shift selector in 2 the revs are held at around 3,000 which gives faster acceleration.

There is the option to use the "tiptronic" control which gives 7 "gears" (computer controlled CVT ratios). In D the CVT will step through the rations at 2,000 revs, In 2 the CVT steps through the ratios at 3,000 revs.

Or the mode I really enjot...full "manual" where you can hold the ratio you want and change up and down by pressing the buttion on the steering wheel. This is so much fun because with the VTEC engine at 5,000 revs the car is heaps of fun. It's also very quick because with 7 rations to play with you can keep the engine right in the torque band.

A manual Jazz just wouldn;t be as much fun. I don;t think the Tilda has an equivalent auto. If the new Jazz doesn;t have the CVT auto, I;d look for a good second hand one that does. It is really amazing what it does to the car's performance. I'd still like to turbo mine but the TW won't let me.

[rixalex]

^^ As i understand it though, the CVT system has been fraut with reliability issues, which is why they are ditching it. Perhaps you've been one of the lucky ones?

[Dave the Dude]

Hi Rixalex

Back in the UK, I had a succession of over 15 Escorts/Focus cars, many were company motors and a few 'interesting' model (1300sport,1600sport,Mexico,Ghai's). When I first drove the 2 litre Focus (it only came out in Ghia mode), I thought it was staggeringly fast and revvy. I am no expert as to Mazda mechanics and do not honestly know weather they use an identical Ford engine in Thailand, but my feeling is it is a completely different animal. More Phut, Phut than Zoom,Zoom

I ended up buying a Pick-up BTW

Dave

[jingjingna]

I own a Nissan Tiida, three months later no problems to report. I did consider the Jazz but the Tiida is more spacious and coming from someone who used to drive a Vigo, the drive is smooth.

There was another guy on here who was consdiering the Tiida , don't know if he actually ended up buying one though.

Best thing to do would be to test drive both cars if you really can't decide, I didn't bother test driving the Jazz and don't regret it!

All the best!

[Gary A]

I was sold on the Tiida and chose it over the Jazz. I didn't buy it because the salesman chose to pull a little fuzzy math. I don't like creative mathematics. My wife laughed it off but I was pissed off. I told her that we will NEVER buy anything from that dealer. I ended up with a Ford Focus Ghia.

[BlackArtemis]

The new 09 Jazz has a fully reclining backseat and makes it like a bed. The auto has shifter paddles as well. I plan on picking up an 09 for the wife when I move back home.

O and the 09 sport model is switching to a i-vtec with an increase of 9hp and 21tq they make about a combined of 30-33mpg.

[raro]

My Jazz is 3.5 years old, 150,000 km down.

No problems with the car, just the shock absorbers need replacement....but hey, it's 150k!

the 7 gear tiptronic is great fun for tight corners and mountains. I disagree that the Jazz is a motorized shopping cart, it has excellent sports qualities, is very reliable and travels easily at 160 km/h. Top speed is about 180, enough for Thailand. Add the huge storage capacity even without folding the back seat and you have a fantastic multi purpose car at relatively low costs.

Just avoid the Pattaya dealer....

[micksterbs]

Thanks guys. Yep, the Jazz sounds like fun although I'll probably have a go a cabby in both, just to see. I was not too keen on the idea of CVTs as I have dire memories of pedalling a friend's old Volvo around for a while in the 80s which has CVT. I should have realised that you can trust Honda to get something right.

I should imagine that with the release of the new Jazz, deals are going to be keen on the remaining Mk 1s, yeah?

[Plus]

Don't forget that for all Jazz superior qualities, it's still smaller than Tiida. For some people size does matter.

"increase of 9hp' - typical Honda bragging. The increase comes only at the redline, it's absolutely useless in real life driving.

[ignis]

Thanks guys. Yep, the Jazz sounds like fun although I'll probably have a go a cabby in both, just to see. I was not too keen on the idea of CVTs as I have dire memories of pedalling a friend's old Volvo around for a while in the 80s which has CVT. I should have realised that you can trust Honda to get something right.

I should imagine that with the release of the new Jazz, deals are going to be keen on the remaining Mk 1s, yeah?

If you could ever find one, My Honda Dealer sold out in November !! last month on my 30,000km service I ask if there was any old models about.. they said no, well not in Bangkok area anyway..

The new Jazz is wider, longer and noiser with the Civic Auto box, all which I am not interested in.. They again said that the New Jazz with the 7speed CVT should be here by the end of the year.. I had my car recalled for the FREE 80,000 baht CVT upgrade last year = is cost Honda many millions, so the 'new' CVT will not be fitted as standard untill it is 100% OK

[Lancashirelad]

Interesting to learn that CVT has obviously progressed tremendously. But then so it should in 25 yrs! As mickS, i remember the early 80's Volvo 3 series with the DAF inherited variomatic transmission..... all rev & no go.

I believe the early automatic UK Ford Fiestas were CVT also, but used steel belts in preference to the old DAF elastic bands?

[ignis]

Interesting to learn that CVT has obviously progressed tremendously. But then so it should in 25 yrs! As mickS, i remember the early 80's Volvo 3 series with the DAF inherited variomatic transmission..... all rev & no go.

I believe the early automatic UK Ford Fiestas were CVT also, but used steel belts in preference to the old DAF elastic bands?

I bit older I think.. I bought a old DAF CVT for £40 back in 1973, it was fine for what I wanted at the time, I had a Citroen DS 23 which I did not want to use for local deliveries. as I recall I only had to buy a new battery and sold it after 1 yr for £33

[Kees5]

Raro: >Just avoid the Pattaya dealer.... <

Tell me more.

I just signed up with them for a Jazz........

[Dave the Dude]

The new 09 Jazz has a fully reclining backseat and makes it like a bed.

That should help the declining Thai birth-rate.

I believe the early automatic UK Ford Fiestas were CVT also

Correct, my last car in the UK was a 1.6 injected,CVT engined Ford Fiesta (XR2i). Circa 1993(I think), I bought it for 300quid 2 years ago and had an amazing years driving in it. Very reliable and very,very fast. I hadnt been pulled up for years until I got that little beast. I gave it away 18months ago, when I came out here and wish I'd put it in the hand-luggage.

Dave

[micksterbs]

Interesting to learn that CVT has obviously progressed tremendously. But then so it should in 25 yrs! As mickS, i remember the early 80's Volvo 3 series with the DAF inherited variomatic transmission..... all rev & no go.

I believe the early automatic UK Ford Fiestas were CVT also, but used steel belts in preference to the old DAF elastic bands?

Yeah, spot-on. It was really disconcerting; like driving a car with a badly slipping clutch. There was a knack to it, to be fair, but I didn't like the car anyway. As you say, they pinched it from DAF when they took them over. Remember the DAF TV adverts?

"Forward to go forward, back to go back!"