Im thinking of getting a Mazda Bongo for weekend tips away with wife and labrador. Anyone here got one ?

No but Bongofury is where its at

Drove one as a works vehicle in my last job. Not a great driving experience (unresponsive steering, acceleration of a tortoise, suspension made of jelly) but reliable and a ridiculous amount of space. We wipped out the middle seats to allow easier access for the client which meant there was no boot, but a load of space in the middle.

EDIT: You access the engine under the front seats which was a new experience for me. Checking the oil took about 15 mins.

No but Bongofury is where its at

Thanks.

A friend of mine has just acquired one and until then Id never even heard of them; now they seem to be everywhere.

My mate over in Glasgow has one and is just back from a trip to the south of France in hios with the wife and 1yr old ....I know he had a few mods done to his!!...Nothing in the style department but mods to make it run better:) ....he loves his:)

K:)

Probably a Million times more pricey, but if that was what I was in the market for something like that It would have to be one of these

The Volkswagen van range | Discover the VW California

Probably a Million times more pricey, but if that was what I was in the market for something like that It would have to be one of these

The Volkswagen van range | Discover the VW California

Its £37K to £40K before add-ons such as climatronic air con.

I had one for 4 years. I loved it and was gutted to get shot of it.

The go quite well for what they are. I'd avoid the 4x4 model simply because there is no real gain and they are poor on fuel. I was lucky enough to track down a 2wd one with a manual gearbox which are extremely rare but the 2wd auto's aren't bad on fuel.

There is alot of fuss about them cracking heads - this is down to poor maintainance rather than a problem. The Bongo is fitted with a long rubber hose in the engine bay that is to be used to bleed the system, people don't know it's there so change the coolant and don't bleeed it properly and pop goes the head.

I loved mine and would buy another tomorrow - just buy the cleanest, lowest mileage example you can afford. I wouldn't worry to much about what reg it is.

The petrol ones came with the 2.0 Mazda 626 engine and the 2.5 V6 Mazda MX-6/Ford Probe engine. Both are o.k engines but both like to eat valve stem oil seals after some mileage. Not so great on fuel but then you do have the option of LPG.

Are these imported? I never used to see them until recently and now they are everywhere!

Are these imported? I never used to see them until recently and now they are everywhere!

Yes - imported from Japan as used MPVs and then converted. They have huge depreciation in Japan due to rules and taxes on older vehicles, so are cheap to import here. They offer tremedous value compared to VW campers. Parts are easy to obtain as they have ford ranger engines and running gear.

I've had one for 3 months and I can highly recommend them. Much better spec than VW T5's of even 3-4 times the price. Has AC, electric blinds, electric roof and 130bhp which is plenty for this type of vehicle. I also think the auto box really suits it as you're never going to want to chuck around a vehicle that has a full kitchen and sleeping accomodation for four in the back!

I've gradually being modifying ours (I just can't help myself); I've swapped all the rear glass for factory tinted, fitted 17" Maxda 3 wheels, added an armrest and a few other bits and pieces.

I've gradually being modifying ours (I just can't help myself); I've swapped all the rear glass for factory tinted, fitted 17" Maxda 3 wheels, added an armrest and a few other bits and pieces.

Nice.

These ones?

I hope the wheels were re-furb'd as they will corrode around the centre cap and you don't seem the sort to put up with that

Nice.

These ones?

I hope the wheels were re-furb'd as they will corrode around the centre cap and you don't seem the sort to put up with that

Yes, those ones and yes I've had them refurbed. Only put them on yesterday and they've really transformed the looks from the 15" Fox racing wheels that were on there.