1998 Honda Shuttle ES 2.3

Summary:

Best car I've ever had. Love it to bits

Faults:

Nothing!

Not a sausage has gone wrong with the car since I've had it.

General Comments:

Fantastic car. I love it to bits.

Totally reliable, roomy and very comfortable.

6 seater where the rear row folds flat into the floor.

The other seats are all removable and leave a flat loading surface with over 2000 litres of space - so like a small van.

With the rear seats in place, it is a very comfy people carrier. The seats are like armchairs!

The automatic gearbox is easy to operate with the stick shift gearstick. It changes up and down easily, and has cruise control. It has quite a lot of oomph when you floor the accelerator, thanks to the 2.3 litre engine!

It is the best car I've ever had. The electrics all work fine - even for a 12 year old car. It is a delight to drive and slightly different - there aren't many about, so it is kinda quirky.

The only thing I don't like is the fuel economy. It is a shame there isn't a diesel option. I struggle to get 30 MPG out of it, and fully loaded around town, about 22. Saying that, most of the time it is loaded to the gills with plants!

I love it. Best car I've ever owned by miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2013

1998 Honda Shuttle 2.3ES 2.3 petrol

Summary:

Superb in design and execution

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Compared to previous MPVs we have owned such as Mitsubishi Space Wagons (2) and Renault Espace (1) the Shuttle is more spacious more flexible and more practical. It manages to look more like a normal estate than a mini bus, but has just as much headroom as taller MPVs like the Espace.

Its comfortable and beautifully built. The engine is lively if a little loud under full throttle and performance is excellant. Economy is reasonable for a large 6 seater capable of travelling very fast.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2005

1998 Honda Shuttle 2.3i ES 2.3

Summary:

Fantastic family vehicle

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Superb motor vehicle, if only it was still available in the United Kingdom.

Very spacious and comfortable for any journey.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2004

1991 Honda Shuttle GL 1.4 dual carb

Summary:

A fantastic car with few faults

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong yet apart from the norm, new exhaust, new tyres.

The bonnet came off the hinges, but was easily fixed with a drill.

General Comments:

For a car that weighs over a tonne, it is very quick, even up to 90mph, which it will sit at quite happily. 0-60 in 11.0 seconds!!

The car is a manual choke, which is very annoying in the winter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2003

1997 Honda Shuttle ES 2.2

Summary:

Best of the bunch

Faults:

Some backlights on dash switches do not work, small lamps have blown.

General Comments:

The Shuttle replaced two vehicles, one a BMW 730i which was for work & some pleasure, the other a Range Rover which was for towing and carting things.

At 27/28 mpg the Shuttle is considerably more economical, it loses little in ride or comfort on the BMW, and is more adaptable than the Range Rover.

Handling is not bad, although the steering is power assisted far too much.

Performance is nearly as good as a Sharan VR6. It will however out perform all the current average cars, and most boy racers, although you have to be a little careful on corners, but it just seems to squeal the tyres on the limit. It is responsive, the gearbox is as good as any auto, and the performance has no flat spots. It will accelerate to past 100mph, topping out at 120mph max.

ABS is brilliant, A/C is good, otherwise everything is fairly functional.

The bottom line though is the total reliability - absolute. 20,000 miles and 2 services, 1 set brake pads, 3 new tyres, and that's it. (services due at 6000 miles, but I space them at 10,000 miles).

Not quite as adaptable as a Galaxy seat wise, (the swivel front seats are great for girlfriends!), but Galaxy's break down.

So if you want an MPV, go get a Shuttle!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2003

25th Jan 2004, 14:54

Still got the Shuttle, now 2004, now 108,000 miles, still same story!

5th Jan 2006, 11:10

Sold it in 2005 with 140,000 miles on it.

Was still the same story, just pads & discs, except for a new radiator around 135,000 miles.

Replaced it with a Legend, another great Honda secret!

9th Oct 2006, 03:31

Good to hear. I have just bought a Japanese import version on the back of some of these reviews :)

27th Aug 2010, 04:53

Just another update!

2007, bought another Shuttle, with 100,000 miles on it. Ran it for 18 months and 20,000 miles. Just oil changes and brake pads on services. Never gave any problems.

Sold to my partner's son last year for use as family transport for his three toddlers. He has had to replace one ABS sensor, that is it. He hates the image of people carriers, but does admit it does go well!

Meanwhile we bought an old Previa to use as a van, but several faults are proving difficult to cure. Love the space and flat floor with the seats out, but hesitant to use it much.

Hence having looked in detail at available MPV's at up to £4k, we may well end up with a third Shuttle. Whilst it has never been a glamorous vehicle, they are just so useful and dependable. Bottom line is it is the best combination of everything you need in an MPV.

Phil Griffith.