Hi guys my wife and I have seen a couple of Honda Jazz Importghey are better dpec than UK cars but what are the draw backs of buying imported car
That would be the Honda Fit. Better spec?, maybe different spec would be a better way to describe it. Depends on what your priority is and what age/price of car you are looking for. But unless looking for an engine (such as the 120PS 1.5 petrol on 2nd gen cars or hybrid on third*) or body (there is an estate option for JDM) that the UK never got, I wouldn't bother with an import (and I have looked!)
For example, the UK cars got 3 point seatbelts all round (five of) right from the 1st gen in 2002. JDM cars only had four 3 point belts plus a lap belt for the centre rear right up to the 3rd gen cars in 2015. Plus, if looking at 2nd gen (2008) on cars, you are more likely to have cruise control on a UK car (in fact on UK 3rd gen cars, all trim levels have cruise).
Drawbacks?, insurance will be higher. If something complex like a 3rd gen hybrid, you may have trouble getting it serviced unless you have a JDM specialist within a reasonable distance. It will need to be undersealed and have a rear fog light fitted (if buying from a reputable JDM specialist, this will be done as a matter of course). The infotainment system may need to be replaced for an English language one (some JDM specialists will do this, some don't). It will come with speedometer and odometer in kms, again, some may change this, but some won't.
*Worth bearing in mind that the JDM 3rd gen hybrid uses a DCT transmission, something I only discovered recently
As I said, I really wouldn't bother for something like a Jazz/Fit unless for something very specific like a 2nd gen RS. For something you never got in the UK, like a big MPV, yes, otherwise, not really worth the bother.
Edited by badbusdriver on 07/03/2023 at 15:52
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