How safe is the Bongo?

[MattK]

Can we all calm down a bit here please.

Javednazeer has raised some serious issues which I believe warrant a full and open discussion.

The tone of the some of the replies smacks of denial rather than any kind of sensible argument and I think some of them are actually quite rude.

Javednazeer - could I ask exactly what it is you don't think is safe about your Bongo?

[dobby]

MattK,

I think Javednazeer made it pretty clear, I'd like to see the source of his info substantiated. For reference, this was the test of a 1998 model (I am not aware of the differences between that model and the pre facelift ones but the structure looks the same and Ian has said that there are no differences):


http://www.nasva.go.jp/mamoru/english/2000/e00f065.html

I think the truth is that the fuel economy was a shock to him maybe due to the kilometres and miles error and then someone in the trade has given him some 'advice' on safety. I hope he doesn't sell it until he's had the chance to enjoy the full benefits of it over the summer.

My postings are from a position of confidence in the vehicle I bought after a lot of research.

[Biddy]

We are not too cornecerned with impact/safety problems ever since July 2006, a Ford Fiesta doing at least 40mph hit our Bongo, it smashed into our driver door side wheel arch support pillar thingy full on broadside lie a "T". Our Bongo was dented, buckled the door and pillar it was still drivable. THE FRONT OF THE FIESTA FELL OFF INTO THE ROAD ON IMPACT ! I BELIEVE HE DID NOT DRIVE HIS AWAY..... Most vehicles are only wheel height to us so in general impacts we should come off better pax wise. High Strong winds are a different matter.
Say what you will J I LOVE MY BONGO AND SO DO MY CHILDREN We have had her since Aug 2003 and TOUCHWOOD just this one bump which she survived . We feel safe, and we drive safe

[MattK]

Thanks Dobby and Biddy, both very reasuring, but I've already seen the positive reports about safety.

I'd now like to hear a fuller account of the other side of the argument so I can form a more balanced opinion....I'm particularly interested in the specifics of Javednazeer's coversation with his Japanese contacts. Did they mention the causes behind the high levels of accidents involving Bongos?

[bigdaddycain]

Im wondering how all these bongo's have managed to get in a crash in the first place? Have you ever stomped on the brakes? It peels the tarmac from the road! The rear discs are nearly as big as the front discs. I find that a lot of manufacturers penny pinch with rear brakes, not so with the bongo! That leads me to beleive that safety wasn't overlooked by mazda/ford... I hope i never find out safe the bongo is in a crash,but i think i'd be better off in the bongo than in either of my ford focus'. Thats not taking anything away from the focus, that too is an excellent safe car, but at least you are a couple of feet higher up in a bongo!

[clogger]

javednazeer

where are you and how much
to take it away
serious
today if it`s close enough and cheap enough
e mail me

[antique]

hi i go to the jap auctions every week ,see 30/50 bongos sold per week,i no most dealers that buy them, never heard anything like this statement,this sounds like a anti jap import dealer? there is a model report for bongos under 10 years old,so that means one has bean crash tested in this country and meets british standards?

[dandywarhol]

http://www.bongo.mazda.co.jp/van/grade4.html

javed.......is this the type of Bongo you have?...........the link you posted is of the old, pre Friendee Bongo which was still available when the Friendee was introduced in 1995 until it was finally phased out.



This van did not have the safety record of the Friendee



As far as I can make out, apart from the addition of airbags, there's no structural difference between a 1995 and '98 Bongo Friendee.

I've seen a few structurally weak 10/12 year old VW Type 4 and Fiat Ducatos through corrosion - Bongos seem to avoid that problem in the main.

Good luck with your new purchase javed

[dandywarhol]

hi i go to the jap auctions every week ,see 30/50 bongos sold per week,i no most dealers that buy them, never heard anything like this statement,this sounds like a anti jap import dealer? there is a model report for bongos under 10 years old,so that means one has bean crash tested in this country and meets ENGLISH standards?

Ermmmm.....excuse me?? ..BRITISH?

[Veg_Ian]

Ermmmm.....excuse me?? ..BRITISH?

Ah is this the same as when the tennis player Andy Murray is doing well then he's British and when he loses he's referred to as Scottish ?

Back to the topic of the thread. IMO no MPVs are particularly good in terms of safety in a collision BUT as per Dandy's pics of the earlier Bongo along with the design of similar older MPVs like the Toyota Townace, Litace and Hiace - these all have the driving position above the wheels with nothing between you and the third party but a steering wheel and a thin piece of steel. The current Bongo shape has quite a bit more between the driver and the front impact area, including the all important bulkhead. Also as has been said before, the higher seating position should also be a bonus in the event of a smash. So methinks young Javed is over reacting a tad. Personally I feel a lot safer in the Bongo than most vehicles on the road and as for the Multiplas, is there an uglier car on the road than one of those?

[francophile1947]

as for the Multiplas, is there an uglier car on the road than one of those?

Yes - my Fiat Doblo!!

[Veg_Ian]

Same thing - it's a Fiat. Maybe they should try and entice a designer over from Ferrari cos they've always made crap looking cars.

[andyfb78]

oh dear, oh dear...
the hype over safe cars/not safe cars, is ludicrous.
all cars are dangerous when they are crashed..... the gap between a well rated car and a poor car is very thin and in reality what you hit and how fast is all that really matters.
then it is the size of your vehicle versus the other one...
there are some better than others but modernish (last 15years) cars are all very close.
the bongo is no worse than any other big car...
if you really belive the car is dangerous then go get another one and miss the fun. but please don't read marketing hype and media 'exclusive' reports and run off in a panic, or likewise feel you are immortal coz you drive a volvo...it is simply not true.
if you want to be able to really judge this study the engineering, not the marketing.
I'm an automotive engineer and understand the facts etc in crash safety, the way you load the car, and drive it is far far far more important.
Please continue to enjoy your vans...

[Ozric]

Talk about 'thin' metal!! Mines made out of foil

[dobby]

Oh Ozric, you really have opened a can of worms now!