Forgive me if there's any pertinent thread on this topic in advance.Whether it's a sound conclusion to reach or otherwise, I'm thinking that a Mazda Bongo is a good van to go for at the moment and I wondered if many of you have this vehicle and how you've found it. Spec-wise, we're looking for a pop-up roof, kitchen sink, stove/s and some storage. Open to budget at the moment and low mileage probably a priority.
... a local Bongo specialist...
Quote from: Monolith on May 02, 2017, 11:31:45 amForgive me if there's any pertinent thread on this topic in advance.Whether it's a sound conclusion to reach or otherwise, I'm thinking that a Mazda Bongo is a good van to go for at the moment and I wondered if many of you have this vehicle and how you've found it. Spec-wise, we're looking for a pop-up roof, kitchen sink, stove/s and some storage. Open to budget at the moment and low mileage probably a priority.I have one. What exactly would you like to know? The kitchen sink/stove/storage depends on the quality of the converter, they weren't factory fitted as standard.In general, they are cheaper than the VW equivalent but are very thirsty (mine's a 2.5 TD 4WD with only 4 gears) and are slightly narrower. It drives well and the engines are solid but is a bit of a rust bucket. We have to spend on ours every year but that is nearly always electrics due to a pikey conversion or having bits welded back on. They can be a pain to maintain so having a local Bongo specialist helps keep the costs down.
Thanks mate. Interesting to hear that they're considered rust buckets and expensive to maintain. I suppose that's what we're not looking for in some ways although I can appreciate all vehicles require ongoing care. Is this perhaps the trade off between a greater initial outlay vs. cheaper? I'm far from a van expert but we just want something not overly expensive nor a cheap cash drain. Primarily it'll be for the two of us and the dog to swan about in and for staying over before fell races.
Quote from: Monolith on May 02, 2017, 12:14:23 pmThanks mate. Interesting to hear that they're considered rust buckets and expensive to maintain. I suppose that's what we're not looking for in some ways although I can appreciate all vehicles require ongoing care. Is this perhaps the trade off between a greater initial outlay vs. cheaper? I'm far from a van expert but we just want something not overly expensive nor a cheap cash drain. Primarily it'll be for the two of us and the dog to swan about in and for staying over before fell races.Don't get me wrong, I love it. We used it a lot pre-kids and continued to use it with one child, it's only now we are a family of four that we haven't been using it (going to try in a couple of weekends time). They might not all be rust buckets but there seem to be a lot about with some rust on. The running costs being high is only fuel really, we use ours as a second car. If you're in Manchester at all you can always come and have a look.
possibly worth looking at a petrol engine which has already been converted to LPG to keep running costs down?the V6 petrol is unlikely to lose much mpg whilst on gas not much use if there isn't an LPG garage near you you've read up on Bongo Fury, yeah?
having a local Bongo specialist helps