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Mazda Bongo


IanD

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Hi all.

 

Have considered one of these on and off for for years as a compact camper/day van for use mostly when out competing in the Westfield. Most of the time it would be just me occasionally the other half.

Its mostly just for somewhere to sleep and make a brew and have a fridge for the beers :laugh:. Want to be able to drive up turn of the engine and go to bed or make a brew without having to spend 2 hrs pitching a tent in the dark! 

 

Anyone any experience or views?

 

May main concerns are:

Age. They are all getting a bit old now.

Size. Small is ideal as I don't have much room on my drive for a larger van but would there be enough storage space for all the car stuff we normally take with us?

Rust.  They all seem to rust and not many that don't show some form.

 

What are they like for towing as this would be its main use?

 

Please help convince me to either scratch this itch or forget it as a bad idea. :rolleyes:

 

Cheers

Ian

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bl**** brilliant, I bought a newly imported one and it was really a cracking bit of kit for the money. Bit thirsty on juice, but towed a BJ Sprint Shuttle with Westie all over the country, literally, from Newcastle to Lys y Fran, Lydon to Knockhill, even NI. Wouldn't rush to get a converted one, standard works well with cool box and gas stove, camping chairs etc. Seats 8 and your everybodies fiend when you go out for meals at the circuit  :d  :d  My'n could tell some tales  :)

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Cheers Nick.

 

Well that's not doing a very good job at stopping me is it. Haha :laugh:

 

Good to know it tows well as that's one of the key points really,

 

Looking at one today that sounds good on paper, The only thing against it is that its 2wd rather than 4wd which I thought may be useful. But then I have never been stuck in a paddock with all my fwd cars so may be not.

 

Ian

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Never new there was such a vehicle called a Bongo :d , is that for real?

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Yea. Names its a bit odd (embarrassing) isn't it  :blush: 

There a Jap Import MPV but with a whole lot more!  A lot come standard with a lifting roof with sleeping space electric blinds seats that fold into beds.

There also loads of camper conversions for them and they have become quite popular over here.

 

Loads of stuff for them on on eBay.

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I've never driven one.   But I have a VW t25 which is a bit more "cult" and the last of the rear engined Vw's.  I wounldn't recommend one unless your fancy a project as they are abit "classic VW",  Although mine has a more modern TDI engine and seams fairly bullet proof.    My 2 pence worth experience comes from firstly this sort of size of van.   If its under 2m tall you'll get in most car parks as the barriers are there to stop the Pikey transits.  The  space on the ground they ocupy will not be much more than a large family saloon making it very useful when parking around town or any ware else.   Mine squeezes in a single garage

 

I know the Bongo and the Ford equivalent are fairly high spec.   Electric pop up roofs etc. I'm always a bit envious as i'm battling with my pop top to see bongo drivers pressing a button and it causally rises or closes.   

 

We travel all over in the VW t25 and there is something nice about arriving at destination and having a nice cup of coffee or to make some Steak rolls while the kids are still glued to there ipads and the British weather is lashing down the windows.

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My'n was just rear wheel drive Ian and in reality I never had a problem as the trailer was adding wieght to the rear wheels and that helped traction when slippy. Way better than front wheel drive car.

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Yep owned one,great bit of kit for the money,as said a tad juicy ,had a rear boot awning on mine,so pop the boot 5 mins erect the awning ...start cooking...enjoy

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Yes also owned one for about 4 years. Loved it, so handy for 1-2 nights away. Bit cramped if pitched up without the side awning but lovely drive and very little went wrong on mine. Steering drop link bushes would wear for a past time but that was a five minute job before the MOT. Just so handy to wake up jump down through the hatch and stick some breakfast on etc. My kids miss it loads!

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Also consider a Mitsubishi delica ( yes another silly name).

I have towed up to 3 tons with mine and it makes a decent camper but with a proper shogun type 4wd ( low box diff locks etc).

Much better equipped than the bongo but doesnt come with lifting roof though.

Dave

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