These cars actually have a fantastic reputation. I sold the Honda Jazz to pay for upcoming baby stuff when Matthew was born. See that car's story here Love Letters to My Cars - part four: My 3rd love - The EXQUISITE Honda Jazz.
I was working practically across the road from home, and had no real need for a car ... or so I thought. Eventually, My ex found this car for me. And it sounded like an absolute gem.
A 1994 1400 4speed manual (yes it takes forever to stop looking for fifth gear in a fourspeed) with just 70,000 km on the clock? And for only ZAR9000? What a steal!!
The car had been owned by an elderly couple. They had only used it to drive to church and back - hence the low mileage and were the only owners of the car, having purchased it brand new in 1994. The husband passed on and the wife had never learnt how to drive. This car was basically just sitting in a garage for 10 years. We bought it a new battery and filled it with gas and kaboom! We were on our way! Everything seemed to be in such great condition, like it had come out of a time warp: complete with a tape deck!
It passed its roadworthy test easily and we got it licensed, legal, and on the road in no time.
What I didn't account for is what happens to a fuel system when a car is just left to sit like that. After a little while, the car started cutting out on the highway and up any sort of hill. Basically, I could only drive it like a granny, to the shop and back otherwise it would just stop going!
Upon closer inspection, we discovered that the entire fuel system had corroded. We had to replace EVERYTHING as petrol was literally just dumping onto the road. A new fuel tank and three fuel pumps later, we got it back on track... well sort of...
Truth be told, this car did not want to be driven. I think it just wanted to go die somewhere. We eventually replaced the manual fuel pump with an electric one which made a horrible noise whenever the fuel was running low. Just WONDERFUL for anxiety.
This car gave me some serious PTSD and I went from being a totally confident driver to being totally paranoid and unable to drive over 80 kmph for years afterwards.
Eventually, I managed to sell her to a lovely couple whose son was looking for their first car. I couldn't have said goodbye faster! hahaha. Normally there are tears involved when I say goodbye to one of my cars, but not this time.
I just needed her to survive the test drive, which she did and got the new owners to sign a "purchase as is" letter to cover myself and then she was on her way. I even managed to sell her for more than I bought her for. Thank god, because we spent SO MUCH money trying to keep the damn thing running. I think I sold it for about ZAR14,000.
It was hairy though! I sold the car on the Saturday morning and needed a new car by the Monday morning so I went on a frantic hunt for what I really wanted: a 2006 opel corsa!
And by some miracle, I found one!!
With the money from the sale of the cub and a small loan from the bank, I bought myself my freaking awesome Opel Corsa for ZAR30,000. I loved this car almost as much as my Jazz! but I'll save that story for the next installment of this series <3
