What have I gone and done?
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 8:49 pm
After being a Bongo devotee since 2008 and knowing in my heart that there is nothing quite like a Bongo, I have taken on my partner's Honda Stepwagon (W reg). She has been driving it for quite a while and loves the kudos of a big van but only really used it for local run with only herself in it. Recently she had the urge to get a newer one (2004 facelift) and has bought a nice white one with twin sunroofs.
Sadly, my Bongo has to go as I don't have enough driveway space. It failed the MoT nearly two years ago now during covid (Offside ball joint in the wishbone and most of the usual droplinks). Had it not been for the time of year and the health crisis I might have addressed the repairs but instead laid it up on my drive and it is till there. Luckily I have a trusty 2003 Suzuki Ignis for getting about in and I could wish for a better small car.
With a heavy heart I have been emptying the Bongo and commissioning the Stepwagon. First thing I noticed was the interior usable length in the Bongo is nearly a foot longer whilst the exterior length of the Honda is nearly a foot more. The Honda appears slightly narrower inside and out. On the plus side, it is beautifully quiet, doesn't have a complicated cooling system and is front wheel drive. The seats aren't on rails but I have taken out the one just inside the sliding door and created an L shaped chaise longue which would do Jacob Rees-Mogg proud and is wide enough to entertain on comfortably (1 1/2 bums). The floor is flat without those wretched Bongo steps for things to drop down into. The engine and auto transmission live up to all Honda expectations. Sadly missing are the electric blinds and the easy ability to insulate the window frames for camping. No spoiler so very easy to fit my old VW type 25 Bike rack.
I will miss my office desk over the engine between the seats but there are lots more cubby holes than in the Bongo and the front seats have fold down 'captains' arms. The dashboard is great with ha nice flat area under the windscreen (absent on the later versions). gear change comes out of the column, which like the Bongo is correctly configured, unlike eurocrap, for right hand drive. Hand brake takes some getting used to. It is foot operated. Something I am totally opposed to from a safety point of view as it can't be pulled by a passenger in an emergency.
Had very mixed emotions today while getting the Bongo cleared out to sell. Itis such a unique and well thought out wagon apart from the cooling system and those damned step up wells.
Frank
Sadly, my Bongo has to go as I don't have enough driveway space. It failed the MoT nearly two years ago now during covid (Offside ball joint in the wishbone and most of the usual droplinks). Had it not been for the time of year and the health crisis I might have addressed the repairs but instead laid it up on my drive and it is till there. Luckily I have a trusty 2003 Suzuki Ignis for getting about in and I could wish for a better small car.
With a heavy heart I have been emptying the Bongo and commissioning the Stepwagon. First thing I noticed was the interior usable length in the Bongo is nearly a foot longer whilst the exterior length of the Honda is nearly a foot more. The Honda appears slightly narrower inside and out. On the plus side, it is beautifully quiet, doesn't have a complicated cooling system and is front wheel drive. The seats aren't on rails but I have taken out the one just inside the sliding door and created an L shaped chaise longue which would do Jacob Rees-Mogg proud and is wide enough to entertain on comfortably (1 1/2 bums). The floor is flat without those wretched Bongo steps for things to drop down into. The engine and auto transmission live up to all Honda expectations. Sadly missing are the electric blinds and the easy ability to insulate the window frames for camping. No spoiler so very easy to fit my old VW type 25 Bike rack.
I will miss my office desk over the engine between the seats but there are lots more cubby holes than in the Bongo and the front seats have fold down 'captains' arms. The dashboard is great with ha nice flat area under the windscreen (absent on the later versions). gear change comes out of the column, which like the Bongo is correctly configured, unlike eurocrap, for right hand drive. Hand brake takes some getting used to. It is foot operated. Something I am totally opposed to from a safety point of view as it can't be pulled by a passenger in an emergency.
Had very mixed emotions today while getting the Bongo cleared out to sell. Itis such a unique and well thought out wagon apart from the cooling system and those damned step up wells.
Frank