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Post by bob4mmi on May 14, 2009 19:23:37 GMT
My search for a campervan with 'auto gearbox' has brought me to The Mazda Bongo, about which I know very little.
They appear to be a little smaller than the VW T4 conversion I once owned - but thats good as I have a narrow drive to my house.
Any advice on which way to go about getting one i.e. Purchase van from importer and then get it converted or buy ready converted, will be much appreciated.
Also need to know the cost of Road Fund Licence for say 2.5L diesel and insurance (average cost)
Many thanks , in anticipation,
Bob.
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Post by marc4242 on May 14, 2009 20:54:12 GMT
Hi Bob
The Bongo Fury website looks like quite a good source.
Marc
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Post by yamaha on May 14, 2009 21:10:33 GMT
My search for a campervan with 'auto gearbox' has brought me to The Mazda Bongo, about which I know very little. They appear to be a little smaller than the VW T4 conversion I once owned - but thats good as I have a narrow drive to my house. Any advice on which way to go about getting one i.e. Purchase van from importer and then get it converted or buy ready converted, will be much appreciated. Also need to know the cost of Road Fund Licence for say 2.5L diesel and insurance (average cost) Many thanks , in anticipation, Bob. Hello Bob - and welcome to our Forum. It would be a good idea to put your location in your profile, so anyone nearby could help you. I am a very happy Bongo owner - bought ours about 2.5 years ago, and haven't looked back since - quite the best vehicle I've ever owned - and I've owned a few in 50 years!! It's an automatic 2.5 diesel 2WD Freetop - may I suggest joining THE forum for Bongo owners - www.bongofury.co.uk/Mine is a 1995 unconverted model, Road Tax is £185. There a a lot of different conversion options available - side - rear - full. I would personally recommend giving serious though to which option would suit you by seeing as many different models as possible. It'll cost you £12 to become a full Bongo Fury member, and be able to access ALL the vast amount of knowledge about the vehicle, but it's well worth the money, and will help you weigh up whether it's the vehicle for you or not. We did own previously a 2004 Romahome Hylo which was a great van - but found we never used either the cooker or the sink - preferring to "live" in the awning attached to it - so we sold it and bought the Bongo - and have never looked back. It's a lovely vehicle to drive - you sit high up, overlooking other traffic and hedgerows - and when we get on site simply erect our Khyam awning - then loads of space to eat - cook - and wash!! Here's a few pics of ours:- ( click to enlarge )    If you have any question I can help with, please ask away. All I will say is, if you are shopping for one, don't go for the first one you see - as with any vehicle, there are some dogs about - but, equally, some genuine ones. The mint ones are getting scarcer from Japan now - but a well sorted one is out there somewhere waiting for you!! Mike |
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Post by Dabs on May 14, 2009 21:37:52 GMT
Hello and welcome Bob What can I say other than Im very pleased with my Bongo.Having searched quite a bit for a "campervan" and looked at allsorts I found that pound for pound the Bongo is very good value for money. Owned mine now for coming up to 3 years with no major problems to report its been a lovely van to own. Agree with what Yamaha has said Bongo Fury is THE best website for information on them and the forum members are very freindly and helpfull. Couple of pics of mine taken at the latest SMF meet at Greenhill farm. Any questions please ask away. Good Luck in the search Dabs   |
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Post by Graham on May 15, 2009 8:06:35 GMT
It'll cost you £12 to become a full Bongo Fury member, and be able to access ALL the vast amount of knowledge about the vehicle Alternatively you could stick around here and tap into Yamaha's and Dab's vast knowledge for absolutely FREE. ;D Welcome Bob, hope you find the van of your dreams. Graham |
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Post by bob4mmi on May 15, 2009 9:36:14 GMT
Very many thanks for your encouragiung replies. Have ammended my profile to show my location in East Anglia.
Am looking into Bongo Fury but will enjoy the best oif both worlds , if I may. As you all say I must not rush into anything - perhaps hire one first and see how it goes, if that is possible ?
My main reservation is the question of high mileage having had a VW T4 conversion a few years ago which had high mileage and in the end 'blew a gasket' literaly and cost me a fortune to repair ! As you say 'Buyer Beware'.
Any further ideas always welcome.
Bob.
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Post by Dabs on May 15, 2009 17:11:46 GMT
Hi again Bob
You will find quite a few members of Bongo Fury hail from East Anglia.The most important and widely reported achilles heal with a Bongo is the cooling system for the engine,plenty of pipes etc run through and around the engine which given the general age of the vehicles need thorough inspection pre purchase.Good servicing and care is crucial with a Bongo this twinned with observation by the owner should ensure you have good reliable relationship with it.I have had a couple of very minor leaks on the hoses and spotted them purely by a weekly check and observation.There is also a coolant alarm available which is a good help as its an audible alarm which goes off warning of coolant level drop,its just another tool in the arsenal of care.
As an idea for you in June in Stourport we hold the annual Bongo Bash which is 4 days of Bongo heaven at Lickhill Manor site.We usually get around the 300 mark attending,its a must for all Bongo owners or potential buyers and believe this or not every Bongo on site is different with various conversions and set ups to see.You would be made more than welcome to pop along for a visit.
Cheers
Dabs
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