Mazda Bongo/Ford Freeda Auto 4WD for recovering

[TimMcC]

Hi

Anybody there use a Mazda Bongo/Ford Freeda Auto 4WD for recovering their rib ?
I’m not looking to off road just something better than my 2.0 TD Avensis for recovering . I sometimes recover on gravel . The Bongo seems check all the boxes i.e. can accommodate more than two passengers , can over night and plenty of space for gear all that providing that it makes a good tow vehicle . If I go for the camper van conversion I think it will also qualify for lower tax and insurance here as well .

Thanks All
Tim

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by TimMcC

Hi

Anybody there use a Mazda Bongo/Ford Freeda Auto 4WD for recovering their rib ?
I’m not looking to off road just something better than my 2.0 TD Avensis for recovering . I sometimes recover on gravel . The Bongo seems check all the boxes i.e. can accommodate more than two passengers , can over night and plenty of space for gear all that providing that it makes a good tow vehicle . If I go for the camper van conversion I think it will also qualify for lower tax and insurance here as well .

Thanks All
Tim

anybody use one ?.

Tim

[John Kennett]

Not used one for towing, but I hired a Ford Freeda a few weeks ago and the ride was appalling. I started to feel car sick, and I was driving! Certainly wouldn't want to own one based on that experience.

John

[Mollers]

My Sis and B-in-law have an imported 'Bungo'. It has 'lecky pop-up roof, blinds etc, etc. They love the thing.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Not used one for towing, but I hired a Ford Freeda a few weeks ago and the ride was appalling. I started to feel car sick, and I was driving! Certainly wouldn't want to own one based on that experience.

John

There is one for sale near me , its got quite big wheels and high ground clearance so i guess it would handle like a top heavy 4WD . It looks pretty good for about £3500

[Daniel]

yes used one for towing 6m rib no problem several hundred miles and the 4wd worked well launching off a sandy beach. they are wobbly and top heavy but good value for money and if i needed something like that to tow and launch would be on the list but so would a volvo estate AWD.

i had a V70 R AWD for some years, two can sleep in there (or carry a tent) tows lovely, launches well, even on sand plus when not towing does 150mph :-)

[rib-x450]

I had a bongo for two years, a reall good vehicle and would recomend one.......

But

It wont do more that 30mpg more like 25mpg.

It was however cheap to insure 160 fully comp...........

130 BHP is powerful but most are auto, I bought mine for 4500 and sold it two years later for 4300!!!!!!!!!!!! I sold mine as the cost of fuel to use it as an every day car was a bit pricey, we used it to camp near our baot and go away wekends 2 adults 2 small boys.....

I wouldnt bother with camper conversion, just take a 10 quide camping stove and folding table.

Beware some are quite rusty underneath, mine wasnt but may we looked at were, look on bongo fury web site...........

Chris

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by rib-x450

I had a bongo for two years, a reall good vehicle and would recomend one.......

But

It wont do more that 30mpg more like 25mpg.

It was however cheap to insure 160 fully comp...........

130 BHP is powerful but most are auto, I bought mine for 4500 and sold it two years later for 4300!!!!!!!!!!!! I sold mine as the cost of fuel to use it as an every day car was a bit pricey, we used it to camp near our baot and go away wekends 2 adults 2 small boys.....

I wouldnt bother with camper conversion, just take a 10 quide camping stove and folding table.

Beware some are quite rusty underneath, mine wasnt but may we looked at were, look on bongo fury web site...........

Chris

What are the beds like in them?

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

What are the beds like in them?

Too short for you , but they don't deflate

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Too short for you , but they don't deflate

That instant patch worked by the way-cheers mate! Had to buy a new bed in the morning though-the hole widened into a split during the night.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

That instant patch worked by the way-cheers mate! Had to buy a new bed in the morning though-the hole widened into a split during the night.

Must have been the curry

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Must have been the curry

Nah, that was the best curry I've ever tasted

[ian parkes]

[Simon B]

What is the Mitsubishi thing that looks a bit similar to the Bongo?

Some look like they have 2.8l diesel in?

[Hightower]

You meen the Delica, very tasty, I very nearly bought one of these till the wifey put her foot down .....However I was told of an artical the other day that one was inviolved in an accident and the investigation showed that these are too unstable for british roads which is why they are all imports.

[Hightower]

Did some searching and found this Artical it refers to the L300 which was the older Delica and suggests that the case was over sensationalised by the media. L300's have a bit of a cult following over here and I would suggest that there isn't many of these cars that haven't been modified for more extreme offroad use.

Read it and make your own opinions.

[Hightower]

And to keep on topic, one for the Bongo Too

[Simon B]

They look fairly similar having read both reviews. I'm considering becoming an ex-Land Rover owner! Dont tell Cods he'll never comunicate again (to me).

Mind you, there's 4.6 litre v8 in my shed awaiting a winter rebuild, if I dump LR now I'll never know what it's like - well apart from; old technology, thirsty etc etc.

Teurning to the Bongo once more do they all have pop up roofs?

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Simon B

Teurning to the Bongo once more do they all have pop up roofs?

no

[Nasher]

Delicia every time for me, they look great, are quite good off road, and because they are popular and share lots of drivechain parts with the 2.8TD Shogun, spares are easy to come by.

I wonder if the newer 3.2TD Shogun lump will drop in one easy
Mmmm

Nasher.