Honda Spike: Anyone ever driven, been in, or even seen one?

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One for sale near me, 4k - thinking it could be nice and cheap for moving stock etc. as the rears fold flat leaving a small van sized back but with a nice height roof, removing the need for van insurance.

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Looks like they're either 1.4 or 1.5 engines with a CVT 'box - same as the Jazz maybe? Is this something to avoid?


Looks quite nice, there is a mobilio Spike with 7 seats which is not styled as nicely as this version.

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Any knowledge on one of these would be appreciated, I don't know anything about much let alone imports.
 
Rroff said:
Usually pretty much nothing in it between van and car insurance though the tax situation can differ - on something like this if it isn't classified as a light commercial vehicle you probably get away with cheaper tax.
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Quotes on a Sprinter were ridiculous, but this is also tempting based on the additional seating as if it's decent we could take the kids about in it too if ever needed.

This is just a people carrier ...I think, so can just add it to my current insurance.
 
ShiWarrior said:
i first thought, WTF is that spoiler !
then realised boot was open :rolleyes::):D
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:D :D Now that would be some spoiler!

Rroff said:
Sprinter IIRC is one of the more expensive - though looking at the estimates on Google seems way higher than it has generally cost me for that kind of van.

Dunno how it compares to something more common like the Berlingo.
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Probably similar, although I'm assuming there is a bit of a premium for it being an import, but the extra row of seats is quite appealing. I won't be using this as a big hauler, simply to re-stock the shop whenever I need to bring over more scooters, making a multi-function vehicle more appealing :)

watercooledman said:
never seen one before, i think it looks quirky.
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Yeh me too :) Although I think I'm the wrong type of south asian for this type of car :D
 
I showed this to my dad, he then showed me a Chrysler Grand Voyager... pretty much the same functionality but as it's a 7 seater it has more flat storage length, although not as tall.

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Seems to be a "luxury" chrysler so should be more comfortable than a basic Honda. Engine is much more appealing too...

Just... it's an ugly, fat, old chrysler :p
 
My only memory of a Voyager is from the MK2(ish) days, probably about a 2000 model at a guess. I just remember thinking how comfy it was and massive it was, and why the hell people needed 500 cup holders in a car.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure it was a CVT too.
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
How about in the later version? Reminds me of my dad's 300c which was reliable, but that was a bastardised merc I have no idea of these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167151893?
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I’ve done quite a few miles in one of those, albeit with the 4.0 V6. Clever use of space inside, pretty refined for a van, but the gearbox was clearly going out - the shifts were very hard and it often didn’t want to change down when required. Had about 80k miles on it. It eventually got written off when the owner drove it through a flood that most other cars got through with no issues - I guess the air intake is quite low?
 
Diddums said:
My only memory of a Voyager is from the MK2(ish) days, probably about a 2000 model at a guess. I just remember thinking how comfy it was and massive it was, and why the hell people needed 500 cup holders in a car.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure it was a CVT too.
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Haha to be fair having a work van with additional heated seats, cup holders and TVs sounds a lot more appealing than the bog standard :)

geekman said:
I’ve done quite a few miles in one of those, albeit with the 4.0 V6. Clever use of space inside, pretty refined for a van, but the gearbox was clearly going out - the shifts were very hard and it often didn’t want to change down when required. Had about 80k miles on it. It eventually got written off when the owner drove it through a flood that most other cars got through with no issues - I guess the air intake is quite low?
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That's good to know, thanks I'll make sure I stay away from puddles!!

I've found a 1 owner 130k 2008 Limited (so new model with the top spec) I'm hoping to get for under 3k - apparently just been serviced and fresh MOT. What's the first thing I should do to make sure the gearbox survives? Can that be serviced independently?
 
geekman said:
It eventually got written off when the owner drove it through a flood that most other cars got through with no issues - I guess the air intake is quite low?
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Floods are as much about technique as wading depth :s I've seen someone do £15K of damage to a Touareg (with additional off-road modification) in water others were managing fine in hatchbacks even :s because they just charged it when others were properly creating a bow wave.
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
Haha to be fair having a work van with additional heated seats, cup holders and TVs sounds a lot more appealing than the bog standard :)


That's good to know, thanks I'll make sure I stay away from puddles!!

I've found a 1 owner 130k 2008 Limited (so new model with the top spec) I'm hoping to get for under 3k - apparently just been serviced and fresh MOT. What's the first thing I should do to make sure the gearbox survives? Can that be serviced independently?
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Don't think they're that difficult to service, just drain it and refill with the same amount you took out, then repeat every 30k miles or so. No amount of maintenance will make an unreliable gearbox reliable though (speaking from experience with an Audi multitronic box) :p

If it shifts well it might not be such a bad choice for 3k - they are a lot more comfortable and better equipped than most of their competitors.

Rroff said:
Floods are as much about technique as wading depth :s I've seen someone do £15K of damage to a Touareg (with additional off-road modification) in water others were managing fine in hatchbacks even :s because they just charged it when others were properly creating a bow wave.
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Wouldn't surprise me at all if he just charged it tbh, but definitely something to watch out for anyway.
 
There's a 3.8 V6 Petrol with 105k on the clock for 5 and a bit thousand - which would be the longer lasting vehicle do you think?
 
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