I'm looking at a 2002(52) Stream 'SE Sport' with the 2.0 i-VTEC unit. Car will do around 7500 miles per annum, transporting two children under three and associated paraphernalia. I know and love the 80's/90's/00's Civic, but I have no experience with this model or engine. Car-by-car suggests performance/handling are stronger points than outright practicality. Zafira or Picasso were also on the shortlist, and a younger example of either can be had for the same money as the Honda I'm sure. Honda engineering and reputation for reliability of the chain-cam 2.0 is the main appeal of the Stream, but I'm not sure this is enough to swing it, in the light of the cheaper running costs and versatility of the competition. I would be grateful for any advice from past/present owners to aid the decision making process, in particular with regard to:
- carrying capacity and practicality with rearmost seats folded. I think perhaps Zafira beats Stream on this point.
- real world achievable mpg - not a major issue for planned annual miles, but need to factor into costs
- servicing/parts costs
- anything to watch out for?
I'm yet to view this Honda but would like to go armed with the facts.
thanks,
Ed.
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I think the Zafira will be pretty reliable, don't forget when coming to replace parts on a Honda Shuttle (due to wear and tear), electrical items (maf, abs, lambada) etc as these will be very costly (Probably dealer only) on the Honda.
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I ran the same model as a manual on an 04 plate and sold it recently. We bought it to replace a W/2002 Honda Shuttle 2.0i LS auto, which was a little larger than was needed at the time. I had a W reg Honda Accord Type R at the same time too which swung it too in terms of general driving experience and reliability, dealer care etc.
Positives: well, the Stream drove well, with more "car-like" handling, compared to the Shuttle at least, and was much nicer to drive compared to a Zafira I tried. It never let us down, but it was what we expected from a Honda after all. It had the same versatile flat floor that the Shuttle had, meaning you can get access to the back to attend to the children if need be etc. Middle seats on rails so you can adjust legroom accordingly.
Negatives: though it feels like a scaled down version of the Shuttle, it's no where near as versatile as the Shuttle in terms of space and layout. Rear row of seats very cramped (even when middle row pushed fully forward) and take up a lot of room in the boot floor when not in use. We had the 6 seat Sport model as we only needed to transport 4 children occassionally so this wasn't such an issue for use but as a car for two children, with only occassional use of the rear bench it's OK I guess.
That is because the rear bench is fiddly to to use regularly, whereas the Shuttle rear bench just folded into the boot floor and was still vast inside, making access and use of space much better. Very little boot space in the Stream with rear seats up, and it's a bench so you can't split them.
Economy poor to middling (never more than 30mpg-ish) and rear visbility poor due to sculpted rear side windows. Engine uncannily silent on tickover but lots of noise at speed, as with all Hondas, and ride too firm for regular family journeys. Not as relaxing to drive as the Shuttle, which is what made it such a great family car. Check interior build quality which I found to be poor - interior trim looks nice but doesn't take knocks well, check rear door seals as these easily come adrift, and then they leak. Rear bench fabric tears along the top seams near the headrests with lots of lifting up/ putting down. No traction control so front wheels spin very easily. Lovely engine but you have to ring its neck - OK in a Type R, but not so good in a Stream!
I couldn't get comfortable with it and we soon regretted selling the Shuttle - I would keep one on the drive even now, simply because they are so useful for transporting kids, furniture etc. Pity Honda don't import the new one.
The main thing is I wouldn't recommend a Stream for someone needing six seats, unless it's occassional, and certainly not if you only need five seats. If it had to be a Honda, I'd get a large diesel estate, like an Accord which is much better proposition having driven one of those too, or perhaps a V70.
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I owned a 2002/51 Stream with the 2.0 VTEC AUTO/SEMI . It was a great car with seamless gearchange and the VTEC engine is one of the best. If I could resist winding it up too often, then 32mpg even with the auto is achievable.
We had three small kids at the time and managed OK especially with a topbox for holidays. When our fourth child came along then it sadly had to go. It is narrower than a Zafira and 3 child seats on the middle bench is not possible so one had to go on the back seat which makes loading and unloading them more difficult.
We had no problems with it, and it does look different from most people carriers. The face lift version has a more attractive headlights, the teardrop shape does look nice in certain colours, our was red.
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Boot capacity of the Stream as a 5 seater is quoted as 435 Litres, Zafira is much better at (I think) 500 litres, plus the big advantage of that split rear seat. 2 friends who've had Zafiras had lots of mechanical niggles and both now drive other makes. I've been suprised at how cheap Honda parts are, the occasional bits needed for my elderly Civic (Mirror back, door handle , fan resistor) were in each case only ten quid more than from the breakers.
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The Stream's parentage is OK - Civic floorpan (extended), Accord Engine so cannot be bad.
I noted another BR saying it was not as good as the Shuttle ( Accord Floorpan & Accord Engine) however they were in different price range when new - about £6,000 difference buys you a bigger car with more storage.
I owned 2 x Honda from new - 1995 & 2001 and they were ~100% reliable and cost under £300 for repairs in 12 years (admittedly there were minor electrical malfaunctions done under warranty). Never broke down - minor switches, door mirror, heater control etc
Why don't I have a Honda now? Bad experience with a Honda franchise that covers my area who tried to pass off £1,000 + work as essential 2 years ago - car was sold 4 mths ago and required the AC to be re-gassed in the 18-20 mths since. (£300 excludes tyres, exhaust servicing etc)
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The commonality to the Civic should therefore mean all suspension and brake consumables are available from alternative sources at sensible prices. Honda dealers have done well in the past in surveys, but the only time I've used one they told me I needed £200 on a new suspension bush, I left it and its just passed its seventh MOT without replacement.
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Many thanks for all the detailed replies - most helpful.
I need to go and look at Stream/Zafira/Picasso - will report my findings!
cheers
Ed.
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Update? We looked at quite a lot of Picassos and Zafiras, we liked the practicality of them both, but the Citroens looked ratty with a few miles on the clock, and the Vauxhalls seemed overpriced. The driving experience with the Stream was far more agreeable, which ultimately convinced SWMBO. So we chose the Honda. Picked it up a few weeks back and so far, it's been a delight. Luggage space is ample for the family. We've not really experimented with the 7-seat configuration yet. Performance/handling are wonderful. Averaged 31mpg to date, less frugal than the Rover it replaces, but hopefully no more cooling-system woes to contend with in the future ;-)
Regards
Ed.
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