Newbie question: A bongo as everyday transport?

[Dogtanian]

Hello, first post.

I've never owned a van before, in fact I've barely even driven a van before, but I'm really starting to like the idea of owning one as a fun vehicle to take out on weekends; it's not too big, not too small, and I'm rather taken by the looks of the Bongo. I want one. But, the big question - apart from how much it would cost to buy, is whether or not a van like the Mazda Bongo is a practical option to get to work (20 miles down the motorway) and back 5 days a week, or should I stick to driving a car? Would a Bongo be an expensive way to get to work?

I love the idea of owning a Bongo, but I know nothing about the practicalities of owning one, and I can't afford to waste money.
I'm looking to buy some time next year; my budget is roughly around the £4,000 to £5,000 mark.

[mikeonb4c]

As a concept the Bongo is a really nice everyday drive. I've used mine every day for nearly 10 years and it still delights. Motorway and open road driving between 50-70 mph suit it very well and return very acceptable mpg with my diesel (typically 30 mpg @ 70 mph and i've had 40 mpg exceptionally by sticking to 60mph max on the motorway).

But the Bongo is an ageing and specialist vehicle so not quite like owning tbe average car. And the AFT model especially can be blown about in a crosswind with its height, narrow track and top heaviness (nothing you can't get the hang of mind you and for me it adds to the fun). If you don't need an AFT (which is also another thing to go wrong) a tintop is lighter, and thus nippier and better handling plus cheaper to buy usually.

For me the diesel is king for long distance chugging and load lugging, but the v6 is powerful smooth and super silent and the 2 litre, though as thirsty as the v6, is nippy around town, simpler and cheaper to maintain, and fine for touring even though it has rather less load lugging power.

Your budget should give you a chance at something unconverted and that is in tidy condition if you are happy to buy privately. Try and keep some cash in reserve in case of teething problems, and don't rush but get to know your Bongos.

[another bongo]

I use mine for everyday (it's all I have), have done for a long time, ok its not as economical as a small car but it's a lovely drive!

[Dogtanian]

Thankyou Mike.

I like to drive at 70-80 on the motorway, but I don't have any difficulty keeping my speed down either, so I could roll along quite happily at 60-65 when I'm not overtaking HGV's. By the sounds of it, the V6 is the one I would enjoy the most, but the 2 litre is the one that would be more practical for me since I don't go long distances very often, and I do drive round town frequently.

If I might tag on another question, is there a "best" generation of Bongo for me? I've read that rusted rear-wheel arches are pandemic in the older models, so I'm thinking that the Bongo Friendee would be the safest choice. If I had lots of money to play with, I'd buy the 1980's 3rd gen Bongo - they make me smile to look at them - but if I am going to buy one at all, it's got to be a vehicle that doesn't make me worry when my bank account is down to the last £100.

Definitely a tintop for me btw.

@another bongo - Can I ask what version yours is and the mileage? My dad - who is sometimes annoyingly sensible - advises me against buying anything over 40K miles because I need reliable transport for work. He's probably right, but I bet low-mileage examples don't come cheap.

[mikeonb4c]

Tintop should give you a great drive (mid engine makes for nicely balanced handling too) and v6 should be great fun. From what i've read both petrol models struggle to get more than 25mpg even with careful driving. Many fit lpg conversions to sort that. Fuel consumption will plummet over 70mph but Bongos generally enourage more relaxed driving. 2 litre will probably be less of a worry on maintenance than v6. Early models have more rust issues generally because they're older and been in uk longer - some have said build quality not as good on later models but not sure how true that is. But late models can rust too so length of time in uk and care on undersealing are probably the key issues.

Someone has been posting on here about a late model 2 litre tintop they're trying to sell - maybe worth investigating?

P.S. As a general rule, and within reason, condition not mileage is what matters with Bongos. A car of that age thats done a very low mileage could have sat around a lot doing nothing. Cars / Bongos don't generally like that.

[sotal]

You say you want something that you don't need to worry about breaking down when you are down to your last £100 - if that really is the case then I don't think a Bongo is for you.


We absolutely love our Bongo - had it nearly a year now.

Ours is a 1999 so it is the newer shape. We purchased it with about 70k on the clock. Ours is a 2.5TD - for the journeys you are doing I reckon the diesel would be best.

In the year that we've had ours it has had...

Rear anti roll bars replaced
Rear arches cut out and new ones welded in
Gearbox cooler pipe replaced (it was leaking)

My wife drives the Bongo to work and back every day. I have another car but luckily I only work 2 miles away and on the odd occasion that it has had to go to the garage for repairs, I have just got a lift from friends to work and back.

They aren't new enough or reliable enough in my honest opinion to be counted on to be ready every day.

As I say we love ours though, we try to get away in it as much as possible and it is used as a 'day van' every week when the wife goes to her horse with the kids.

Just this weekend we went to a wedding - the venue had 3 pitches at the back so we booked one for the night - was great to both be able to drink then stumble outside and sleep in the Bongo!

[Dogtanian]

Thanks Sotal. I suspect I may have to give up on the idea unless ( or as I like to think, until) I start earning more money, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for a low-mileage Bongo in my local area. I want one, I really, really want one; but on the other hand I've lost count of the number of things I've wanted and bought and then the novelty wore off.. But even so, I think I'd seriously enjoy owning a Bongo van.

[sotal]

I'm sure you would enjoy one - I wouldn't get hung up on the mileage though - as someone above has said a car getting on for 20 years old with only 30,000 miles on the clock is unlikely to be the best buy as cars don't like standing around doing nothing - nor do they like only doing very short journeys.

I'd be looking at ones that had done 70-120,000 miles.

[cmm303]

Worth checking out insurance as well. All depends so much on circumstances but choice of companies is a bit restricted.
Have you got a garage or mechanic familiar with Bongos convenient to your commute? Whilst many jobs don't need a specialist there will be jobs best suited to an expert.

Sotal has pipped me to this point! ... There are plenty who commute in a Bongo. I don't think it matters really how old it is. The newest ones are still old enough to be unreliable if neglected. There are older Bongos that have done tons of miles. With good proactive maintenance they are quite reliable but they all take money and commitment.

[janie]

Mine is a 96 and has done 147000 miles. It's fab and I wouldn't be without it. I use it every day for work, shopping, running kids about, as well as for weekends all year and a number of weeks in Europe over the summer. Yes - it's quite expensive to run, but worth it

Jane

[dollyanna2]

Mine's a 96 2.5TD Freda, had it 7 years now and love it to bits. This year has needed the most work - welding done on wheel arches, sills, front cross member - and a new thermostat but other than that every MOT has been either passed or failed on normal stuff that is consumable anyway. I use it several days a week for 12-30mile commutes as well as much longer journeys, it maybe isn't as economical on fuel as many but I've never had a vehicle that is super economical so I don't notice any difference. I get average of 30mpg, I think my best was 34, worst 26-27.
It is so much fun to drive, and much easier to maneuver than my little car - I'd rather reverse park the bongo any day!
I did a lot of research beforehand and am constantly learning more (way out of my comfort zone but the van inspires me to want to know more so I can understand posts on the forum and monitor my van better!). I don't live near a "Bongo garage" but have a lovely local old fashioned guy who is happy to do any work my fiance can't do, and always asks if I can get parts/info etc before he starts.
The only time it has let me down was a flat tyre - other than that it has been stunningly reliable in all weathers and I feel much safer in the van than the little car in snow/ice, it handles much better. Only time I don't enjoy it so much is strong winds, it does blow around a bit - but then I just use side roads where I can for shelter and drop the speed as needed.
Oh, and I'd never driven a van before I got mine either, but it doesn't take long to get used to it!

[Dogtanian]

Thanks Janie and Dollyanna.

Crunching the numbers, I reckon it would cost me an extra £750 a year in fuel to drive the Bongo/Freda - that's almost enough money for me to go on holiday for two weeks, or to pay my car insurance, tax, MOT + service, and still have enough money left over for a stripper and ice cream. And my old Nissan hardly ever needs money spending on it, just tyres and light bulbs really.

Common sense says forget the Mazda Bongo. So, I shall depart this forum.. at least until I have a moment of recklessness in a year or two and give in to temptation and buy one.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Janie and Dollyanna.

Crunching the numbers, I reckon it would cost me an extra £750 a year in fuel to drive the Bongo/Freda - that's almost enough money for me to go on holiday for two weeks, or to pay my car insurance, tax, MOT + service, and still have enough money left over for a stripper and ice cream. And my old Nissan hardly ever needs money spending on it, just tyres and light bulbs really.

Common sense says forget the Mazda Bongo. So, I shall depart this forum.. at least until I have a moment of recklessness in a year or two and give in to temptation and buy one.

Sensible move. A Bongo is like getting a pet - its an extra cost over that of a simple car. Of course, it can give uou cheap holidays but.....

[another bongo]

Well, agree with all of the above! Mine is 21 now, done 168000 ml ( it's converted to miles) I don't know what " model" its called, it's 2.5 diesel 4 wd side conversion with lifting roof.
Yes they are " special" and not economical compared with small cars. Fun to drive though, I've just had a week away in it & now will go back to work in it, till the next time....