Used Honda's and parts/ family cars?

[thedans]

In looking at cars to buy, we have been very interested in the Honda Stream. We are needing a car to transport 3 kids (in carseats) and 2 adults. I am leaning towards the honda as I am familiar with them, and like how reliable they are.

However, are honda parts pretty easy to come by in NZ? Also anyone have any feedback on the Stream? It's hard to find any info on them from here in the US, and any help would be appreciated. Some things i was wondering is the cutoff for timing belt/chain. It seems there is a split on that. Not a huge deal, but would be nice to know when buying a used one, if the belt needs to be replaced or not.

Any other cars to reccomend for a family that is decent on gas, and can fit 5 people as described?! we are looking around $8000 to spend.

Thanks for the help

[tianiax]

yes honda's are pretty popular in NZ, prob due to proximity to Japan. Though never heard of a honda stream, but SUVs not really my thing. Check out trademe, is where evveryone in NZ buys everything so will give you an idea of what you can get.

[thedans]

yea for sure, i have been looking at trademe as well as a few other places in new zealand. Thanks, im just seeing if anyone has any experience fitting three car seats in a stream and/or any other car.

[doc44]

Streams have two backseats, but the one furthest back is very cramped. I haven`t owned one, seen inside a few, but would guess that three car seats on one seat would not be possible. We have three kids, all need car seats, and considered a Stream but decided it would be too cramped and in addition there is very little boot space for a pushchair.

We bought a Nissan Liberty, plenty on TradeMe, not my first choice but not bad at all. We also wanted the two sliding rear doors which is very handy.

[alldone]

We have an Odyssey (as do 4 of our near neighbours) and put two car seats in the middle row and one in the back. There are at least 3 streams locally as well but I don't know about car seats for them.. You will have no difficulty with parts; although I believe the Streams are all imported as 2nd hand cars from Japan whereas Odysseys are available new in NZ, the second hand imported car market is very big in NZ and parts for most models are easily obtainable (often even from main dealers).

[MattR]

We JUST bought a Honda Stream last week. I like it a lot. Honda parts (along with Toyota) are the most plentiful and cheapest in NZ from what I hear. The stream is halfway between a minivan and a station wagon. I wouldn't drag race in it, and it handles a little like a boat, but it does have a HUGE back and the extra row of seats for the occasional need.

2001 with 100k km in great shape for NZ$7000 in Taranaki.

Happy to answer any other questions.

[thedans]

We bought a Nissan Liberty, plenty on TradeMe, not my first choice but not bad at all. We also wanted the two sliding rear doors which is very handy.

Thanks for the heads up on the Liberty... i see what you mean about it not being your first choice, as the interior could be a little better, but a car is a car right!? also, i know what you mean on those sliding doors!

We have an Odyssey (as do 4 of our near neighbours) and put two car seats in the middle row and one in the back.

We had an odyssey here in the US as well, they are great vans, but we were hoping for something with a little better gas mileage, although looking on trade me they aren't that much more than a stream! and you do get a lot more space!

We JUST bought a Honda Stream last week. I like it a lot. Honda parts (along with Toyota) are the most plentiful and cheapest in NZ from what I hear.

A few questions on the stream. do the middle seats fold down one at a time? so like if we put two carseats in the back (older kids) could we fold a middle seat down, and then put our remaining child on the other middle seat? (if that makes sense) If it does do that would you think that would be sufficient room to be able to go shopping and or traveling? I know that we wont be putting all kinds of stuff in there, but i figure we could always get a roof rack and put stuff on top for camping/skiing etc..

[alldone]

A lot of the odysseys in NZ (and the NZ new models) are the Japanese based rather than the US models so they are a bit smaller and lighter - it is part of the reason we bought one as they handle more like a car than a van (like the Stream). There are a lot of the US van type odysseys available also as both are sold in Japan (an imported into NZ).

[thedans]

hmm.. well looks like we will have to have a look at the odysseys when we get over there too! What kind of gas mileage do you get? (also don't know if you call it something else, as it's not really miles you drive over there)

[xanctus]

Honda Stream has two types, the 1.7 litre and 2.0 litre.
The 1.7 is timing belt/cambelt driven.
The 2.0 is chain belt driven (no need to change it).
All Honda Stream will be Japanese imports here in NZ. As Honda New Zealand does not bring stream as one of their fleet lines. However, due to the volume of honda stream here in NZ is growing rapidly, parts and panel are not so much of an issue anymore.
Honda Stream engine is honda civic based, some say wagon civic.

Honda Odyssey is 2.4 litre engine, which is the exact same engine as the Acura TSX in the states, where in NZ is Honda Accord Euro. Hence, it is chain belt driven.
Honda Odyssey is one of the fleet line up in Honda New Zealand.

Both cars are ok, but some people find it not big enough. You need to take a look at it both and you can decide.

What year are you planning to get these cars? I suggest 2004 up would be good choice, but anything 2000-2003 is not a bad either, as long as you maintain it and you check with pre inspection from AA if possible.
http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/buy-sel...e-inspections/

Now for used parts of Honda, please contact this place:
http://www.stronghonda.co.nz/

Good luck and just let us know if you have any other qs.