What are people’s views on Mazda Bongos? Are they any good?

What should you look out for if buying a second hand one?

Should the Automatics be avoided?

No, the autos are great.

There’s lots of little things that can go wrong, but the only really expensive thing is that any overheating causes the head to crack. So the cooling system is worth checking.

The only real downside to them is the fuel economy. 25-30mpg max.

If you’ve got a specialist Bongo garage in your area, then you’re sorted. I used to go to Ian Taylor in Stoke and he was superb.

It did always have something to spend money on though – maybe £400 a year.

I thought this was going to be about magazines. Imagine my disappointment.

There was me, expecting a good, frothing rant about hippies banging bongos outside a pub: imagine the crushing disappointment. 🙁

I thought this was going to be about 1970’s magicians on the TV, imagine my disappointment.

Not about a fruity beverage that’s popular in the Congo?

I hate hippies. I do, however, enjoy gentlemen’s relaxation magazines. This thread contains neither. Never mind disappointment, I am, frankly, furious.

THought a bit of highbrow Feynman chat was in the offing. Imagine my disappointment……

I wait 30 years for this thread to come along and it turns out it’s about a car? Imagine how un groovy I’m feeling now…

Me. Angry. Earlier. Banging.

You see him, up there? I can’t even form words right now, I’m practically spewing with fury.

And furthermore, he’d look bloody awful in a razzle pile up.

BM’s vibes are like heavy, man. That’s far out.

It takes a real man to wear dungarees.

Get a wash. And a job. And while you’re at it, GET THAT BLOODY HAIR CUT!

Can’t we come together on this, BM?

Here’s a little sweetener:

Can’t we come together on this, BM?

*feels dirty just reading the post*

Flowers? FLOWERS ? I think the larger of my testicles has just exploded. That’s how much I’m seething now.

Yeah, well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man:

Job, wash, haircut. That is all.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbAoXw_DqvM[/video]

BM earlier:

😆

That bloke’s playing a djembe, not bongos.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYj5o4kQsXs[/video]

That bloke’s playing a djembe, not bongos.

😳

Can’t tell the difference, man. I’m stoned off my tits.

GW owns a Bongo, you could ask him if he hadn’t been banned forever.

Rust and overheating are the main issues, the boxes are generally good and look for a 2wd rather than 4wd as they’re a bit better on juice with less to go wrong, good quality oil and antifreeze are a must..
And the split fold rear seats are better than the removable rear bench seat for carrying stuff..
If the body, box and engine are good everything else is pretty easy to fix if you’re not a numpty..

Thanks for the replies chaps! That’ll teach me!

And the split fold rear seats are better than the removable rear bench seat for carrying stuff..

Yes!

Try reading some bongo mags that might help?

Had one for 7 years, overall loved it.

Yes they can be a bit jucy but have plenty of grunt in 2.5 TD form.
Nearly all are auto and its a good sensible system.

Prices vary a lot, full camper conversions are usually 6K+. Depends what you need it for but as a camper they are so much better than the rest for the same money. You dont get electric roof,mirrors,blinds,door,windows etc in a VW for 6K.

They also hold their money very well my one cost nothing apart from the usual, servicing, fuel insurance Tax etc in 7 years and I got exactly the same money when I sold it back to the same guy 7 years later.
CHECK CAM BELT. They are all imported so if you seller cant prove cambelt was done haggle on price.
Lastly, get an Insurance quote in writing, some dont like imported cars or campers with unknown conversions.
Good luck.

Can’t tell the difference, man. I’m stoned off my tits.

😆

Quality thread

I know where there’s one for sale, I ate cake in it at Mayhem

Cake?

I think you mean Joss Ackland’s Spunky Backpack, surely!

GW owns a Bongo, you could ask him if he hadn’t been banned forever.

He hasn’t been banned forever, you’ll only be waiting nine years for a reply.

Ah, I thought he got the 9999 years. In that case, I look forward to his needlessly scathing reply in 2022.

I bet gw’s bongo is the fastest, raddest, most awesome one in the wholewide world!

I have a 2 wd, auto (ex khani) it’s done 170k miles and it has been almost faultless. The auto sometimes fails to shift up a gear but this sorts itself out pretty quickly. It is starting to rust though and the mpg is fairly scary.

Ace bike/roadtrip vans for the money.

http://www.bongofury.co.uk/
Wouldn’t be without ours. At least 3 big trips a year in it every year since the kids were small. As stated they can be a bit juicy but If you are not in a rush then they are tough to beat. Smaller than a van, same footprint as large car so easy to park and long enough to keep your longboard in at the beach.
Bongo fury website good place to start –

Does a 6’5″ bloke have any hope of sleeping comfortably in (a 4-berth) one?

just get a sprinter.
all of you.
im sick of saying it.