USED Honda Shuttle MPV (97 - 00)

My car

best car I every drove - please bring it back to the UK. The Vtec engine made it a dream to drive

My car

Mine's a 1998 model, the first of the 2.3 litre VTEC models. It's an excellent car in many ways (it does twice the miles per gallon in all circumstances than the Toyota Previa we had before).

The most annoying thing is the middle rear seating which is split 50:50 instead of the 70:30 I had become accustomed to. (Now fixed for 2000/2001 models.)

Middle and rear seats are both mounted a good 15cm too far back in the car - wrong for normal families of 2 adults and more-than-3 kids as you have way too much legroom in the middle row and far too little luggage space in the boot.

The steering feels comparatively low geared and doesn't quite feel safe at speed round fast corners. When I replace the cheap and worn tyres the previous owner fitted I'm sure it will be much better.

There doesn't seem to be enough sound insulation between the engine and the cabin for my liking. The other problem is that it is only available as an automatic. You have to make good use of the 'D3' and the '2' gear positions when overtaking.

Overall, though, it's a great car.

My car

I have owned a 2.2es auto 1997 seven seater for 4 years. It has proven extremely reliable even though it is nearly ten years old. It has failed to start twice as I did not hold the starter/ignition key on long enough then on trying again it flooded and was 'petrol washed' making the engine spin over very quickly as if there was no compression or the starter motor was not properly engaged-this was all my fault! It is very easy to drive with light steering and strong brakes. It is such a flexible layout that even with a bad back it couldn't be easier to convert the seats into a van like space. The rear seats fold flat into the floor[and they are proper adult size] but they don't split which would help, and the middle row of seats fold like an estate car-no lifting!The A/C does not need recharging bi-yearly and my cars rear bushes are fine at 86k. Running costs are no worst than any similar car, as the Honda build quality makes parts last longer. Using the internet parts can be sought economically. The exhaust system is original and nearly ten years old and still looks fine.My Volvo 740 ate two complete systems in this time.The bodywork is unmarked[no rust] and the paint [silver]is great even though it mostly gets washed in a drive through. The engine is 'coarse/harsh at times but in second when overtaking it just revs and revs up to a scream in true Honda tradition giving plenty of power even when fully laden.