Bongo Fury

I am very close to putting a deposit down on a bongo. I have whittled it down to 3 and would appreciate peoples' thoughts based on my usage. I would primarily be using it as a second car and pootling about the suburbs, to nursery and the shops etc. At the weekends we would take our 2 year old to the country for picnics and occasionally camp with the use of a drive away awning/tent, up to 60-80 miles on A roads.. I also might have to lug a few cases and kegs of beer to festivals.
I am going for a tin-top as they are cheaper and handle better and it is our first bongo so we can upgrade if we start to use it a lot more. We have had a T4 and T5 in the past with a full conversion but a. don't have that kind of money now and b. Wouldn't get the full se of it and c. want something slightly smaller.
I will also be going for an unconverted van, i.e., an 8 seater and just use camping equipment when required. The vans I'm looking at are new imports and are very similarly priced.

1. 2001, 2.0 petrol, about 40k miles. This is a more desirable colour for us which makes me lean towards it slightly. 3 month warranty.

2. 2002, 2.5 V6 petrol, again around 40k miles. Two tone colour not as desirable, but ok and comes with a 36 month warranty (third party).

3. 2003, 2.0 petrol, 60k miles, colour acceptable, 3 month warranty.

All comments are welcome.
Ian

Welcome to the Forum.

If they are all very good condition then consider the V6 is very sooth and powerful, the 2 ltr is much simpler and so cheaper to run.


From what you say about your use I'd likely go for the 2 ltr then it's down to newer or the colour you like.

I would go newer, Mrs B would buy the colour she liked - therefor we would have the colour she wanted.

Cheers Bob.
Sounds like I have to let my wife decide! It also sounds like mileage differences aren't much of a deal and that newer is better.

Please bear in mind that the majority of 3rd Party Warranties in my experience are not worth the actual paper that they are printed on, especially so on a JDM import of elder years.

Cheers flanners. I'll write that off then!

For me the biggest factor would be rust or lack of it. The cleanest most rust free example would be my choice.

If the seller allows, remove the rear door pockets (one screw) as this lets you view the arches from inside and to check if they are rusty. Sometimes they get filled and sprayed on the outside but it doesn't last.

Another factor would be of any of them have the aero body kit as it makes it look, in my opinion, much more modern.

Thanks Sotal

I will ask some questions to them but as I am in Scotland I'll have to ask them to check this and check on pick up day.
All three have the Aero kit.

Cheers

Previous MOT'S may have picked up corrosion. If they have then check it's been repaired properly.

I'd check the service history and choose the one that's been lbest maintained.

Cheers Doone
All fresh imports so should hopefully be clean enough but no MOTs

Doone wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:10 am Previous MOT'S may have picked up corrosion. If they have then check it's been repaired properly.

I'd check the service history and choose the one that's been lbest maintained.

In your comprehensive experience on here are the new imports with the waxoyl seal protected for a certain period or can they arrive rusted too?
Are you familiar with importers in Middlesbrough and Stockport. The stock looks pretty good there and not too far south for me?

Cheers

They don't underseal in Japan but your importer may underseal as standard or as an extra. Or you can get it done elsewhere.

I'm not familiar with the areas you mentioned.
But a quick search on the forum found these mentioned -
"...Wheelquick, in Wigan, and Adrian at (I think) Jap Direct, in Bury..."
If it's either of those, I've only heard good things about them.

Both very well thought of.

Are you able to tell me if these guys sell Bongos and where they advertise them. Most I've seen are on Gumtree and Ebay but can't find Bongos from these guys.

Pointers on how to investigate would be welcome. Or maybe the old telephone system may be in order!

Adrian doesnt sell Bongos, just services them (I use him - he's excellent). Wheelquick are excellent also and certainly used to sell Bongo. Have a google for their website and stock