A Grand Monday: Honda S-MX

Need a modern classic that can move the whole family? Looking for something inexpensive but still rare? Then, ladies and gentleman, we present to you the Honda S-MX. Or SMX. This particular 1997 Honda S-MX for sale at £895 has been with its current owner for a year but is being moved on so he focus on his (many) other projects.

Over the past 12 months, it’s had a new timing belt fitted (plus water pump and tensioner), as well as a new thermostat. It’s also had new rear bushes (so no clonking). And a gearbox flush, though we understand changes can still be a bit slow until the fluid has warmed up.

The seller says, ‘It has covered almost 10,000 trouble-free miles, taking me all over the country. The seats, formed of two benches, can be folded to make a double bed of reasonable comfort, and I have slept in it several times. The rear seat can move back and forth, to increase luggage space as required. There is only a rear door on the passenger side.’

Power comes from Honda's B20 unit. That means 2.0-litres, around 140bhp, which makes it quicker than many of the Japanese minivans. The gearbox is a four-speed automatic with torque converter lock-up to boost efficiency.

But what is it like to run and keep going? The seller says, ‘I have managed as high as 36mpg, but 32 is a general rule, and it would be lower around town. Insurance is no more than any other car, and there's a good club and at least one very good specialist to help with parts.’

Bodily, this minivan is good with only some minor surface corrosion on the rear arches. The sills seem solid but make sure you give them the once over as you can inspect them beneath the factory bodykit. Also, this is the Lowdown model, which had a factory-fit lowered suspension and bodykit.

It passed its MoT test in June with no advisories, but was declared SORN at the end of July. The wheels have been powder coated bright orange, which is far hardier than the factory diamond cut. They are standard Lowdown wheels, fitted with Nokian all-weather tyres with plenty of tread.

The odometer shows 192,000, which is made up of miles and kilometres - it was converted at point of import in 2008, at which time it had covered 102,000 kms, which is around 62,000 miles. So, in total, 150,000 miles or so. The car is located near Aberystwyth.