subevo

for some strange reason i want one of these jap imports.anyone else fancy one?

tallsteve

Have seen a few around SE London, so you're not alone!

All the ones I've seen have been called the Bongo Friendee (no typo either, crazy jap spelling!) not sure if that's a special edition, spec level or just some mental Mazda bloke on acid..

Think they are 4wd - looked to have a fair amount of space and probably v.reliable.. Good luck, but if you get a "Friendee" be prepared for some odd looks!

Flingstam

You think Friendee is funny, the pick-up version is called the Bongo Brawny! Nissan used to make an equivalent MPV called the Homy (aiiiiii!!). Never seen one of those in the UK, though.

If I had 7 friends or a big family, I'd definitely 'ave a Bongo. Have to be careful who I tell that to...

GC8

I have considered importing a diesel Friendee more than once; I saw one with a Ford badge today actually, but I dont know if it was a JDM or a domestic model.

The Friendee is an MPV version of the Bongo van range; like a larger Efini.

Simon

GC8

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

its the mistsubishi delicia thats caught my eye, I dont know why either? theres only me and my partner and the dog. just like the look of them ish?

GC8

I cant decide whether I like them or whether theyre damned ugly; they certainly hold their value well, the 2800cc diesels especially. Delicias dont have the interior space that youd expect though as theyre based on a seperate chassis similar to a four wheel drive.

Simon

wide

They look like something top gear would throw off a cliff while trying to hit it with a cannon

clarence

The Ford is made by Mazda for Ford Japan, sold only in Japan. Just like those Ford Lasers and Telstars, essentially badge engineered Mazdas.
Btw, there's a version of the Friendee that has a retractable roof, which means u can use it as a camper.
Other cars for u to consider, if u want a big Jap MPV, including Toyota Granvia/Hiace Reguis (luxury MPV based on the UK Hiace Powervan), Toyota Hiace Wagon (based on the previous Hiace), Toyota Alphard (replacement of Granvia, likely to be expensive), & the king of luxury Jap MPV, the Nissan Elgrand.

GC8

Thanks Clarence; I'll look them up on my reference catalogue and see what theyre selling for. I say the Ford badged Friendee on a roundabout in Sheffield which confused me.....

It was the 'Auto Free-Top' that I was looking at; theyre nicely priced but the shipping is a minty as theyre over 16M3.....

Have you ever come across an Efini MPV; usually referred to simply as an 'MPV'?

Simon

kirby 32

i would stay clear of a bongo m8 , i bought one about seven months ago , and its only been on the road for two months , a night mare to get parts for honest kirby32

spufus

iTrader: (2)

I've got one for sale if you want it!

clarence

Yes, The Efini MPV is the same as the Mazda MPV sold in US/CDN & other export markets (don't think it was imported into the UK). It had a 3.0 V6 & a rather boxy shape. Those cars now are very cheap, & most are now either broken up or in a scrap yard. In Hong Kong for example, a 90/91 MPV goes for less than HK$9k (that's a few hundred quid), & ppl rather scrap them then try to sell them.
Btw, the Ford version of the Bongo Friendee is called 'Freda'.

DJFish

Friends parents have a Freda, it's very bling but is fully loaded, leccy blinds etc...with removable camping gear and goes fairly well also.

David_Dickson

I work at a caravan and motorhome dealership. We had a Bongo Friendee traded in a while back. It was a turbo diesel (cant remember the capacity) full time 4x4, electric EVERYTHING, even the blinds in the back were electric, the extending roof was electric. It also had that cool thing where if you dont shut a door properly, it pulls itsself fully closed. I was quite impressed with it. On the road its performance was pretty good, certainly way ahead of any other van of that size.

It was snapped up in no time.

GC8

Ive been looking at the earlier LVEW 1991 - 1995 3000c petrol models and the later LVLW/LVLR 2500cc diesel models; there is a steady supply of Grade IV cars at acution and theyre selling for peanuts; £400 will buy a very nice 1996 diesel. The four wheel drive diesels are selling for considerably more though, averaging about ¥350,000.

David; what sort of price did it go for? Do you remember the year too, as Im looking at landing a couple of these, Id assumed that they were well over the 16.25M3 that they actually so I might give one a go...

Simon

Simon

David_Dickson

I cant remember Im afraid, it was about a year ago. I do remember thinking "thats a bit steep for what it is though" but it was snapped up straight away anyway.

Steve V8

I work in a Mazda parts department, and I can guarantee you if you go in and ask for parts for a Bongo:

1: The person behind the counter will hate you
2: The parts will be unbelievably expensive
3: If the parts are available they will take 2 - 4 weeks to come in, assuming they are available in Japan.
4: The chances of the parts being available at all are 50/50 at best.


Don't do it.

Pauleds2

Do they have a bed in?

SPEN555

Bloody hell!!!

Mazda are worse than Subaru UK then when it comes to JDM imports!!!

My brother loves these motorhomes and wants one whereas I am a bit cagey about them.

Damian.

GC8

There are plenty of specialists who offer a far better service than manufacturer's concessionaires though.

This has taken me back to 1997........ Import? Dont do it; theyre made to last 3 years; theyre all death traps; theyre all MOT failures that were going to be scrapped; they have tiny brakes, theyre all rusty; theyre all stolen.....

Simon

spufus

iTrader: (2)

The seats all fold down to make beds & the roof lifts up electrically to make a separate sleeping compartment.

All you need to know is here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/bongo.htm

clarence

Why aren't the parts available from Japan?? Also, why it's 50/50?
No need to go thru the official routes for parts, there are always those who are more than willing to do business with u.

Steve V8

Mazda UK's official line with vehicles is that if it is an EU supplied vehicle, the appropriate warranty and support are available.

If the vehicle is sourced from outside the EU, then no warranty, service or spares support will be provided. We have access to a Japanese version of the EPC to order import parts, but only a limited number are available for import to the UK.

If the vehicle is sourced from South Africa or New Zealand then no parts support exists whatsoever. The customer has to contact the original company who imported the vehicles into SA or NZ and order through them, as the vehicles were supplied basically in kit form.

Tbh having driven a Bongo, they are pretty dismal to drive compared to most of the van based MPV's available today, even with the extra equipment.

I have nothing against imports. I myself am considering importing a car from the US at the moment.
Fact is though importing something like an MX-5 is one thing. If we can't source the Japanese spec part, then UK spec is usually compatible, even if it means the customer has to pay for what might have been a warranty job on a UK spec vehicle.
The Bongo is different. There is no UK alternative, and never has been, so if your vehicle suffers a major mechanical breakdown you may well have it stuck off the road for months instead of days, assuming you can get the parts at all. I priced up an alternator for a 1996 Bongo last week, and that was £347 + VAT with a four week lead time. I ordered a heater resistor for one in January that is still on backorder.
There are some companies that import parts, genuine or non genuine, but these can be very expensive.

If you really must have one I suggest you try that route.