Soliciting Opinions: Mazda Bongo Friendee

[OTEP]

My pal is seriously considering purchasing an ex-JDM Mazda Bongo Friendee. He claims he can acquire a basic unit for around Php 230K give or take a little. The unit is to be used as his dog hauler and runabout in Bulacan. He has a Civic for a daily driver.

I don't know much about this vehicle. Any info, opinions, reactions, would be most appreciated. We might check out some units soon.

Thanks!

[vinj]

I see some of those on the road but i dunno what its based on (if it shares components with the E2000) or what engine it runs. Usually yung nakikita kong units may hawig sa Mazda 626 yung front facia. First thing on my mind is if spare parts would be readily available for such a model if compared with the more popular JDM Delicas, etc.

Kung pang haul ng doggies and runabout, how about checking out also a Nissan AdMax? Malaki din ata yung likod nito, uses Sentra B13 components, and it runs on a 2.0 diesel engine AFAIK (and can sell for less than 200K).

[OTEP]

Kukulangin kasi ng space yung AdMax. Dapat talaga van. Ayaw naman ng forward control (flat nose) for safety reasons.

I'm guessing that the Bongo used the 2.5TDi MPV engine. Same din ba ito sa engine ng Ranger? Salamat!

[carlocaraddict]

hmm....di ba may Ford version din yan?

[Bogeyman]

It's an 8-seater MPV/camper van, also known as the Ford Freda, SGL or Montague. Mazda first made them around 1995. They are said to usually come with a 4-speed automatic transmission, though there are accounts of a 5-speed manual tranny as well. 2500cc turbodiesel engines is said to be standard, with the occasional V6 gas engine thrown in. Post '99 models are reportedly equipped with different engines (probably the 2200cc diesel and 2000cc gas powerplants). They come in either 2WD (SGL3) or 4WD (SGL5) versions.

One cool feature the Bongo has is an "Auto Free Top" elevating roof that is said to provide interior bedspace for an additional 2 people, aside from the fold-down seats that convert to a double-bed. There's also the flat top version (or Bongolows, as the Brits call them). The Bongo Friendee is said to be very popular in the UK.

[OTEP]

Yun kayang 2.5 diesel ay shared with the MPV and the Ford Ranger? Esep-esep.

[carlocaraddict]

ayun! Ford Freda

[5Speed]

hehehe nagulat ako...unang basa ko sa post ni carlo eh "ford fiera".....

me mga mazda friendee din dito sa HK...not a bongo friendee though...

maluwag nga tapos pedeng gawing bed yung 2nd and 3rd row seat...

pero luma na yang model na yan.....late 90's pa yata yan....

[nugundam93]

hmmm...looks nice. though the ford freda yung nakikita ko usually sa makati area. :D

[caloyski5]

ganyan ba mismo? yung nakikita ko kasi parang one generation older. . .kung ganyan, nice lookin'!

yung nakita ko dito kasi likod parang mazda power van. .

sowry, dunno the specs. problem lang na nakikita ko diyan is spare exterior parts pag nabangga

[nugundam93]

caloyski: ay...onga. now that you mentioned it, it looked a gen older. tapos usually in a brown-looking color scheme.

[vinj]

If it's a 2.5 TDIC chances are same siya with the Ranger/EVE. Can you get a pic or engine code?

[OTEP]

Mali nga ata ang pic ko. Medyo one generation older ang hitsua (1995 model ata yun). Parang sa Mazda MPV ang headlamps.

Try ko makahanap ng unit na makikilatis. Para masilip na din ang engine.

[nitram]

hello guys,
the engine of mazda friendee and ford freda is the same with ford ranger and
ford everest. 2.5 tdic.as per sbmc personnel.

[impulzz]

nung minsa may nakita akong ex-jdm na hi-ace at parang ganyan din config nya, may nguso... hi-ace ang badge sa likod... maganda rin itsura

[pastillas]

bumping this thread, im seriously considering this unit but im worried about maintenance, mas marami na kaya ngayon ang parts nito sa market, they say na madali ang parts para sa engine pero panu na ang ibang parts kamukha ng mga pang ilalim nya mas madami na kaya ngayon

[rheas]

Pareho ng engine with the ranger. Puro sariwa ang mga yan at ang gaganda pa ng interiors pero laking problema sa spare parts, wala mabilhan kahit yata brakepads iba.
Wala mabili kahit surplus.

[vinj]

Saw one in Banawe having tint at the same shop were i was having my foglamps installed: the engine seems to be under the car.

If its the same engine then walang problem with that but suspension and other bits may pose a problem as the others mentioned.

[etneroll]

According to a friend, parehas daw yan ng engine ng Ford Ranger 2.5 WL. If this is so, readily available ba parts nyan?

[alwayz_yummy]

i saw this upclose..although no the one withe the auto free top versions..(personally i like this one also...but parts wise i wonder...

ganito, it comes in either 2wd or AWD(full-time AWD to be exact).
2.5TD is same from local ranger/everest, but not mounted in the front..its beside you!(the engine compartment is so mahirap and troublesome to open(not because its converted, pero ganun talaga siya..ung sa hood, pag binuksan mo makikita mo lang the usual(oil fillers, rad,etc).

the rear seat glide on floor rails, means hindi stowable and limited lang cargo height sa likod..

ok humatak ung full-time AWD, and it seats like a elf-truck high..maganda sana, pero mas ok pa ung:
toyota hi-ace regulus/granvia (1996+ model)
toyota lite-/town-ace NOAH (1996+ model)
mitsu spacegear (1994+ models)
a 1998 jdm nissan van bigger than the local serena na may late model patrol engine na nakita ko sa ortigas , i think "el-grand" ata ung name...hanapin ko ung pic..