2003 Honda Stream iL FDW from Hong Kong - Comments

None so far.

My wife suggested my purchase of this car, a Honda Stream 2.0 iL 5-spd s-matic, over a Honda Jazz 1.3 CVT on consideration of passive and active safety features.

I started my showroom visits to several dealers of comparable makes and models with a prejudice for the Stream, because the residual value (my prime requirement for this purchase) in this market seems to favour the Stream.

For a start, the Stream 2.0 iL has the most powerful engine (156 ps) over the other models in my consideration (Toyota Picnic 2.0i auto, and Nissan Prairie 2.0i CVT). It also renders the best economy (14.2 km/Ltr of 95 Ron unleaded petrol) among the trio, despite a slight margin of only 10-15%.

It runs quite quietly, and pick-up from standstill is good compared to the Picnic 2.0i, and much better than the Nissan.

What I like best about the car is its good shape - subject to personal taste. But then few would think the shape to be among just another car in the street.

Here are my comments after 1 full year of ownership:

Pros:

1. outstanding economy: returns an average 12-14km/Litre

2. good roadholding: the original Turanza (er30, same on BMW3's) tyres were a bit noisy before 3000km, and after that the tyres have been a good match with the car. These tyres are good for the suspension design. Hard cornering and driving in the wet are no more dreadful experience for a 7-seater.

3. good power: no wonder, given 154ps under the bonnet.

4. excellent aircon: front and rear a/c system works well, even after parking in the scorching sun for a whole day.

5. strong 2nd hand price

cons:

1. insufficient noise insulation: engine noise intrusion in the cabin is obvious.

2. third row seats not useful (the rear a/c blower helps a bit, though)

3. front seats not supportive, especially if leather-wrapped

4. rear cargo space, with rear seats folded down, simply is insufficient coz the rear seats take up some space there, making the space quite shallow.

I bought a 2.0 litre Sport from new just over 2 years ago (early 2003).

The car has been great; it's economical (seemed to use less petrol than our Mini), it's quick, it's comfortable for distances; it's very reliable, and it can swallow up a lot of people, although the rear seats are really for kids I feel.

My criticisms? Parts are expensive, but then it is a 'rare' car in the UK and you rarely see them, but nevertheless I was surprised that even brake pads could only be supplied by Honda.

I would recommend the car, although calling it a 'Sport' I think is stretching it a bit for an MPV!!