2004 Honda Stream 1.7 review from Hong Kong

Nothing, some vibration when parked on a steep incline from the bonnet.

After going thru Cossies, XRs,205 1.9gti etc,. now with a couple of nippers I got a 6 seater.

The Wife would not let me get the 2.0L, so I got the new facelifted 1.7 2004 RN2 model in Satin Silver, the old model has only 123bhp and a reputation for inadequate power. The 2004 model 1.7 has 130bhp with an extra 7bhp and revised body esp the front which is now rounded and more aerodynamic at 0.30cd versus 0.32 for the old. Ncap safety is high at 4 stars and against pedestrians highest in its class.

Shell is extra rigid and feels safe.

I have a 4 speed auto and it feels OK, tending to only use the vtec on d3 only when the car is moving and not from standstill.

Going inclined uphill roads is not that great due to the 15.8torque, but the open road is really smooth and you can drive it like a hot hatch, it doesn`t roll like other mpv/suvs and is real sporty.

I also had a choice of a Toyota Picnic, but it seemed a bit big and cumbersome and more thirsty, my returns the same as my earlier 1.5 civic at HK$1/km!!!

Today I met a rascal driving a Toyota Picnic/Avensis verso/ipsum on the road

and gave him a surprise, burnt him ragged.

Although with 155bhp, 25more than mine, the Toyota is much taller and wider and heavier by 200kgs, so my lower, leaner and more aerodynamic stream moved more quickly with a whine from the vtec, followed it closely at 125km and it was unable to pull away.

I have black leather fitted, and with thicker hide and I asked for the seat area to be stiched so you don`t sit on a stitch line.

Middle row passengers get 1st class comfort as they can recline and everywhere the floor is flat, so your legs don`t get stifled, 3rd row is stowed away so I can fit in 2 foldable bikes and 1 pushchair.

There is so much glass area that the sun burns you, so I had some thick silvery grey cloth blinds fitted all round bar the front, they were fitted on top and bottom rails and keeps everyone cool inside and are legal versus tints.

I also have 15inch Honda alloys that look like the OZ Vela r, and Bridgestone Turanzas, these tyres are amazing, they are made for QUIET roadnoise, and good wet handling, much better than those high performance tyres which have high road roar.

I would recommend the 1.7 for family drivers and the 2.0L is more powerful, but with 10% more fuel consumption.

After market bodykits are on my mind, esp the Modulo kit with a silver mesh grille, or mugen front lip skirt.

Can`t see the point for a new exhaust

as the current one is quiet and adequate.

Maybe after the warranty runs out at 36months I may fit a HKS/Blitz/ITG air filter and a Fujitsubo double coil quiet Stainless Steel performance exhaust and Iridium spark plugs, which will give an extra 15-20bhp.

Don`t get the Nissan Prairie, it`s way behind in design and technology, and the Picnic is a bit lame (but bigger and maybe more comfy), other choices are the Mitsu Grandis, but those CVT gearboxes go kaput quickly.

My boss has just bought the 2004 Odyssey 3G, with electric 3rd row stow away seats, 2.4i-vtec and hid blue lamps and space age, walnut lavished fascia in that bluish mauve metallic, looks wicked, can`t wait to give that a spin.

It has 8 airbags and is riding low on 16inch alloys, could be a new classic in design, makes the others look geriatric.

Bill from Hong Kong.

Hbtc@hkstar.com.