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Mazda Bongos (Read 2883 times)

Monolith

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Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 11:31:45 am
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.


galpinos

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#1 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 11:54:27 am
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.

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.

tommytwotone

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#2 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 12:03:33 pm
... a local Bongo specialist...


As someone who know the Viz Profanisaurus back to front and knows that "bongo" is a synonym for "adult material", I found the above unnecessarily amusing!




Monolith

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#3 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 12:14:23 pm
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.

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.

galpinos

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#4 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 01:41:58 pm
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.

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.

lagerstarfish

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#5 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 01:56:50 pm
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?

Monolith

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#6 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 02:10:21 pm
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.

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.

Thanks for this offer Galpinos, I might very well take you up on the preview offer next time I'm over.

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?

Thanks Lagers. My Dad has been running a Honda MPV on LPG for the last few years and rates this fuel source highly. He seems to get miles and miles out of it.

I've heard of Bongo Fury but really I'm at the start of the journey in to weighing which vehicle to plump for. Veritable minefield!

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#7 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 02, 2017, 02:24:29 pm
having a local Bongo specialist helps

So basically it's the opposite of picking a camping spot at a festival.

fatboySlimfast

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#8 Re: Mazda Bongos
May 05, 2017, 07:11:12 am
Had one, most fun vehicle I have ever owned.

Like its  been said, thirsty, mine was fine with rust and bottom had been wax oiled, watch the head gaskets on the older ones as they were made of 2 different metals and had some problems. It can be fixed but needs to be watched.
Never had problems with electrics but stuff like gearbox etc would be a nightmare.

Only thing is remember its smaller than a lot of campervans, its no sprinter!

 

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