Hi guys, I am interested in getting a used 2nd gen Honda City facelift, around year 2005-2008. There are two engine options available - the i-DSi engine and VTEC engine.

I know the difference in fuel consumption of both engines will turn out to be small. What I want to know is the performance and maintenance. Is the slightly more powerful VTEC has more noticeable power? Are both engine have similar maintenance cost?

Hope some existing/previous owners can enlighten me, thanks

ya. i wish to ask the same question also, but for Jazz. hope to hear something from car sifus.
thanks

i-DSi engine sux. Get VTEC

Why say so? Any bad experience with i-DSi?

get vtec, idsi underpower

Better get 2007 n above model..before that some got cvt prob

Correction, it is year 2005 AND above. I confirm this de. I got the 2005 and I really kept abreast with the Cvt issue then. They corrected the use of CVTF somewhat or late 2004

Ok sorry year 2005 n above... me got 05 idsi before...quite nice car n fuel consumption very good nearing my honda insight now

Ok sorry year 2005 n above... me got 05 idsi before...quite nice car n fuel consumption very good nearing my honda insight now

i-DSi uses 8 spark plugs.

Thanks for the useful info~!

Wow then the fuel consumption is really good!

So I guess there will be slightly higher cost for i-DSi when changing spark plug!

Yup..got 8 plug total...but not so costly

4 plugs 8 plugs, the difference like vet pee sie only....

NA...what is there to service...

I would suggest getting the VTEC, and last batch of the flowerhorn City.

Would definitely consider VTEC after so many people here recommend getting the VTEC!

That's the only difference. Other than that maintenance is similiar to the VTEC.

About maintenance, both are about the same. Be careful on the CVT gearbox as it is prone to failure and it will cost u a lot to replace a new unit.

Vtec is nicer to drive for sure with the "kick"

Not much difference.
If you test drive both car, 0-80km/h, IDSI is faster, after that VTEC is faster. Not by much

Maintenance wise, VTEC got rear brake disc. IDSI rear drum.

The rear disc also need replacement just like the front ones.

This post has been edited by k!nex: Nov 4 2013, 10:57 PM

Hello all. i am going to test a 2005/8 Jazz tmr. can friends here pls tell me how to test the cvt or cvtf gearbox probelm of Jazz?
thanks and thankd

I'm not too sure.
but usually the gb problem is the jerkiness. especially when from gear lever N<->D, and also might climax from when the car stand to move from standstill, then the jerk is quite/most obvious ...

if it is a very very mild jerk/vibration or almost to none , then i suppose there is no problem. You might choose to ask the owner if the gb oil i.e. cvtf gb oil has been changed of late (you've to check with Honda sc what mileage does the gb oil need to be changed, if not mistaken, should be around 30k km or more)

It would be good/wise to take complete service schedule from the vendor

A thought came to me, if from the service pamblet shows all gb oil is been using cvtf from 1st service, then in my rough guess....that unit >90% has no gb problem (at least ,in default)....then it would be just solely dpd on the vendor driving condition of that car itself that is the usual wear and tear of the cvt gb...ie TLC driving or those always gasak the Gb in any opportunity arise lol

To detect the problem, try to floor the pedal during stationary, you should feel some vibration. If its smooth, there is no problem.

great. thanks. its the first time i hear of this method. tq

me n my colleagues own/owned Honda City of 2003/05/07/08, IDSI/VTEC got pre-facelift, mid-facelift, final facelift...

on which to choose, if you a comfort driver who don speed beyond speed limit, n usually maneuver around city area, IDSI is preferred over VTEC
although IDSI has 8 spark plugs, its spec not requiring high grade 1 (becoz it targets nice driver ), VTEC will usually recommends for Iridium, more costly

If you ask CVT issue, mine is 2008, maintained on schedule(or shorter interval), my CVT still hit by issue and i replaced earlier...
the truth is u need to able to adapt to behavior of CVT, and drive as it is a CVT, not a conventional AT. don too harsh to it

u may experience a kind of disengage/lost in engage when u shift from N to D, and about to start moving by accelerating, floor is not necessary, juz get it moving will do...even by slowly pressing...
if it is already got issue, u can sense it...lol

so if u r not a "racer" type driver, i would recommend to go with a newer IDSI which is owned by "casual" driver...best if is a local region and not always outstation type 1...(see from the mileage)

in case u worry of repair CVT later....recon/used part can be find at around 2k-5k, depends where u get, n i heard there is workshop who know fix it...
Go MYTEAMCITY to find out more about the car

Thanks dinozilla.
so the cvt can be replaced at <2k ... new or halfcut type? will any honda sc be able to replace it if needed so? thanks alot.

honda sc will quote RM 20k+ for new replacement. I think they don't repair cvt gb.

more than, not less than
halfcut, new as said by above...Honda will quote you a bomb...
need to find workshop to help u get those halfcut to replace...
or find the workshop who know fix...i keep one contact for tat (was told tat 1 can fix)...but never went before yet...

20k for cvt replacement !!?
wa. $)"@":''
scarry bros.