Mazda Friendee Bongo 4x4
Discussion
My Mum had a diesel one of these for a couple of years and I always thought it was pretty cool. The headgasket did go on it on the motorway once but apart from that it was rather reliable. She sold it for the same amount she bought it for 2 years later, having covered around 12k in it.
My parents actually got divorced whilst they owned it and my Dad ended up living in it for 3 months or so, albeit parked on the drive so he could still use the wifi!
My parents actually got divorced whilst they owned it and my Dad ended up living in it for 3 months or so, albeit parked on the drive so he could still use the wifi!
IN51GHT said:
We collect the as yet un-named Bongo tomorrow. Can't wait.
Id it wrong to be excited about something that handles as well as the QE2 & goes about the same speed?
Camper or 8 seater?Id it wrong to be excited about something that handles as well as the QE2 & goes about the same speed?
You'll love it ...get the pics up soon. I take it you've found Bongo Fury? Good helpful bunch but with a strange view on customising!
E31Shrew said:
IN51GHT said:
We collect the as yet un-named Bongo tomorrow. Can't wait.
Id it wrong to be excited about something that handles as well as the QE2 & goes about the same speed?
Camper or 8 seater?Id it wrong to be excited about something that handles as well as the QE2 & goes about the same speed?
You'll love it ...get the pics up soon. I take it you've found Bongo Fury? Good helpful bunch but with a strange view on customising!
On a related note, I was surprised to see this morning what a bit of googling suggests was a Ford Freda, which appears to be a Bongo Friendee with a Ford badge, which Wikipedia suggests was for the Japanese domestic market. I can understand them building a Ford badged one for the US market, but seems weird that the Japanese would prefer to buy a Ford over a Mazda.
We've got a Ford Freda (identical to the Bongo Friendee apart from the badge) which we use to tow the Caterham to sprints and hillclimbs. They actually drive and handle pretty well for such a tall and narrow vehicle mainly due to a massive front anti-roll bar. They are mid engined (driver/front passenger sit above the engine) and either rear or 4 wheel drive. Ours is a RWD 2.5 turbo diesel (about 125bhp) which does about 23mpg when towing and 26-28 when trailer free. You can also get a 2.5 V6 petrol (about 160bhp) and a 2.0 petrol (wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding). They are pretty small inside and a side conversion (like a typical VW camper) will leave you with a 3ft wide bed. Ours has a rear conversion which gives a full width double bed but probably too short for anyone over about 5'6" (not a problem for me and my wife 
). The rear conversion has a proper fridge, 2 ring gas cooker and a small sink with cold water tap. There's a bit of cupboard space for food and crockery/pans/etc. Ours has the "auto-free-top" electric lift up roof which gives some reasonable headroom and we chuck our bags up there when parked up.
If you think of it as a "tin tent" then you'll love it but it's no motorhome and if you can't accept the compromises that brings then it won't be for you. We started off looking at VW campers but modern ones that could tow are very expensive. Bongo's are a lot better value than VW of equivalent age and come loaded with kit - ours has electric windows and mirrors, full climate control, electric blinds, reversing sensors (and all on a 1998 model year).
We've done a week away in it which worked out fine as well as the many weekends away competing in the Caterham.
). The rear conversion has a proper fridge, 2 ring gas cooker and a small sink with cold water tap. There's a bit of cupboard space for food and crockery/pans/etc. Ours has the "auto-free-top" electric lift up roof which gives some reasonable headroom and we chuck our bags up there when parked up.If you think of it as a "tin tent" then you'll love it but it's no motorhome and if you can't accept the compromises that brings then it won't be for you. We started off looking at VW campers but modern ones that could tow are very expensive. Bongo's are a lot better value than VW of equivalent age and come loaded with kit - ours has electric windows and mirrors, full climate control, electric blinds, reversing sensors (and all on a 1998 model year).
We've done a week away in it which worked out fine as well as the many weekends away competing in the Caterham.
IN51GHT said:
MPV, popping in some overhead cupboards & a driveaway awning & we'll see how we get on before converting.
Didn't quite go to plan, so much for "we'll see how we get on before converting"Had the roof plasti dipped after fitting the home brew solar kit, & fitted a small conversion.
Just the wheels & a respray (arches a little crusty) to go.
Two in the roof, or as mentioned, fold the table down & push the rear seat folded flat up to it, or (the most comfy way by far) is to pop the rear seat down & the front seats & push rear seats fwds to meet up. Really is super comfy (although the centre console can make some thnigs quite tricky).
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