Bargain.....?

Anything non-technical about the Mazda Bongo Friendee van

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3daysforbobby
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Bargain.....?

Post by 3daysforbobby » Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:26 am

Hi all,

I'm in the process of purchasing my first bongo after a lot of searching Ive seen two that I think could be a good way to go. Both are tinnies and have about 75k miles on the clock. One is a private seller that had it imported via a Scottish company about 2 years ago the other is a importer who has already installed the leisure battery, table and turned the seats around etc which is what I would want, it is a catagory N though (formerly D) so it's suffered no structural damage but was written off anyway, I've seen pictures of the damage and it seems little to be back end bumper etc etc but nothing major at all. Apparently the cost of getting, sourcing parts, storing vehicle was the reason for the write off.

Both have very good MOT history and FSH since being in the UK. The one that isn't a write off was imported by campers Scotland in Grange mouth before the current owner got it and is 2001 2.0.

Enough rambling........ I suppose the questions I have is has anyone purchased a cat n (D) in the past ? If only cosmetic damage does that mean it's fine to take on? Or would you go for the one from a private seller which hasn't been wrote off? Does anyone know anything about campers Scotland? Reputable company?

Thanks, I'm looking forward to joing in the forum when I eventually get this bought!
Flanners
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Flanners » Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:40 am

Posted last week

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76822

Bargain you ask....what are the prices?
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Bob
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Bob » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:11 am

Campers Scotland are well thought of, and Flanners has posted a useful link.

Welcome aboard. 8)
3daysforbobby
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by 3daysforbobby » Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:44 pm

Hi, thank you for getting back to me so quickly. It's £5800 for the cat N with 80k and aero 03 edition, leisure battery and table installed.

The other is base MPV and hasn't had anything done to it since import, 01 75k for £4850.

What's people's thoughts?

Thank you, can't wait for my first trip away with the kids.
3daysforbobby
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by 3daysforbobby » Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:47 pm

Flanners wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:40 am Posted last week

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76822

Bargain you ask....what are the prices?
That's really helpful, I had been looking through the forum but must have missed this! Thank you flanners, what's your thoughts on the prices?
Bob
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Bob » Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:33 pm

Just a personal thought, but it's really not possible to value a vehicle we haven't seen, even experts would steer shy of that.

It is likely a good bet to look at all the ads you can then view as many as you can to get a 'feel' for what's right. :wink:

Sorry that's not terribly helpful, but you see where I'm coming from. 8)
Flanners
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Flanners » Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:01 am

Personally given some of the implications that such vehicle's may have .....minimal resale value, increased insurance costs; coupled with no warranty and the prices being asked for them I would be looking at trying to get a few more ££s together and going for a converted one from a private sale. But as Bob says we have not seen the van's so can't really say yay or nay. To illustrate a point I paid £6.5K privately (after negotiation)for my van which was already professionally converted, had been in the country 2 years (1 UK BF member owner), was immaculate and had at the time of purchase 40K miles.
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JulesMartin
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by JulesMartin » Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:23 am

Regarding the CAT D. This is a category where the cost of cosmetic repair is considered uneconomical. This will not usually be structural and is usually restricted to body damage dents and scratches. The price should reflect the fact that the vehicle has been written off by the insurance company. Remember that dealers are obligated to declare the CAT D where as private sellers do not. worth considering this when you come to selling the van later.
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Doone
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Doone » Tue Oct 22, 2019 10:52 am

And worthwhile checking if the CAT D will affect your insurance fee.
Allan's closed. We recommend PGS (Plymouth Garage Services) or Mayflower Auto Services in Plymouth.
3daysforbobby
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by 3daysforbobby » Thu Oct 31, 2019 1:48 am

Thanks everyone for your help. It's always a bit daunting when you aren't well versed with bongos! I decided against it in the end, wouldn't get the use of the bongo over the winter and as you say the resale value would be affected quite a lot. Still looking for my bongo, search goes on ....
Flanners
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Flanners » Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:30 am

Wise decision. However use in Winter.....a heater can help, we use the van as a day van for refuge and a cuppa after a walk on cliffs or beach or a MTB ride..in fact the van in the Winter is awesome; less motorhomes and Vdubs around this time of the year too! :D
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3daysforbobby
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by 3daysforbobby » Thu Oct 31, 2019 11:57 pm

I do have one more question..... Hope you don't mind.

Is it likely that bongos are going to become difficult to fix in the future? Ie are parts becoming hard to come by?

I'm not particularly mechanically minded so tinkering with engines is a bit past my skill set. I'd have to rely on garages to carry out work but I suppose it would have to be a garage that's bongo friendly?

Thanks again
Bob
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by Bob » Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:26 am

No worries asking a question, that's what the Forum is all about. 8)

Parts aren't really much of a problem, and Bongos are pretty low tech, but - I would recommend using a Bongo Friendly garage (list in the Members' Area) mainly due to the requirement to bleed the cooling system on the diesel and V6.

The 2 ltr is much simpler.

A Bongo savvy garage will indeed either have parts in stock or know where to get them. Other garages may well order parts from a Mazda main dealer resulting in long delays and high cost, if they will even sort it for you. As grey imports main dealers often don't want to know.

Hope that helps. :wink:
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by mikeonb4c » Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:32 am

3daysforbobby wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2019 11:57 pm I do have one more question..... Hope you don't mind.

Is it likely that bongos are going to become difficult to fix in the future? Ie are parts becoming hard to come by?

I'm not particularly mechanically minded so tinkering with engines is a bit past my skill set. I'd have to rely on garages to carry out work but I suppose it would have to be a garage that's bongo friendly?

Thanks again
As Bob says, parts can generally be got 2nd hand from people like Bongospares even if it's one of the (few) parts that can no longer be sourced new. But owning a Bongo requires more dedication than yer average car. The bleeding process is a bit specialist, a garage ok with dealing with the issues of older cars (rusty bolts etc) is good to have, and the willingness to get underneath and under the engine covers and inspect things is good. And rust and welding will inevitably need addressing and so knowing where to get that work done is important. But they are a great car and fun to drive and mine has been my only car for 13 years and never let me down (though we have had the odd crisis, rust or lifting roof related).
nth
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Re: Bargain.....?

Post by nth » Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:01 am

Check insurance first, When I was Bongo hunting I was going to buy a cat D but really struggled with getting anyone to insure it as it was an import AND a cat D. The few insurance companies that would entertain it was ridiculously priced. I had to let it go, shame as it was a nice one.
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