1989 Mazda B2200 from North America

Summary:

My 1989 Mazda B2200 continues to be reliable, comfortable, inexpensive to maintain, and good on gas

Faults:

Twice in 20 years I had to get a new muffler... Otherwise, other than regular maintenance, nothing at all has gone wrong with my B2200.

General Comments:

I bought this little gem new 21 1/2 years ago in September 1989, and still drive it everyday.

All I have spent is regular maintenance costs. The seat is extremely comfortable for me, and yet I have chronic back pain. In almost 22 years, I've had 2 mufflers, new brakes maybe 4 times, one new set of tires when the old ones started to fade (the last ones are still good), one new pair of headlights, and had the screen in front of the windshield repainted as its paint started peeling.

And that's it!!!

I traveled with a camper on it for 6 weeks, reaching the Yukon from my home on Vancouver Island, and driving over 7000 kilometers on isolated Northern roads, alone with my dog. I trusted my truck completely as I had it serviced before leaving at my local excellent Mazda dealership. The truck and service center are both simply awesome.

I believe that regular maintenance is the key here, and yes, I did get a good vehicle to start with and agree that sometimes, one gets the rotten apple, luckily, that's not me this time.

I really love my little truck and will use it as long as possible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st March, 2011

11th Aug 2011, 20:43

I just bought my first vehicle and it's a B2200 Sport :) Wondering if anyone had an idea on common places oil leaks.. I went through 3 quarts of oil in 1100km; I'm told this is a lot. I love this truck, the 1100km was awesome. I really really don't want to see this thing go. Please respond.

1989 Mazda B2200 from North America

Summary:

Help help help

Faults:

Carburetor, manifold, and #3 cylinder.

General Comments:

I bought it and the dealer said it just needed some gas cleaner called "Seafoam".

The truck has to be started 5 - 6 times just to keep it running, and I have to ride around the block a couple of times to make sure it keeps running before I will take it on a main road.

I bought this for my son under the impression it was just old gas in the system; yeah right.

Now I've been told we needed a new carburetor, it has a cracked manifold, and the third cylinder is weak. I was told if we put a new carburetor in it, we may still have the problem of it trying to stall and spitting and sputtering; it could also be the computer. I was told it would be $1500.00 to install, and if it works, great, if not, then they would give me another price on the computer.

So now the vehicle I bought for $1700.00 so far has cost me another $1200.00 from taking it to different repair shops to get fixed, just to run worse than before.

I was told that Mazdas are great vehicles. My father in law even went out and bought a new one about the same time, because I told him they were great vehicles. I'm not really sure what to do at this point, any suggestions?

My 16 year old son bought this truck with his own money, and has not been able to drive it yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th May, 2010

27th May 2010, 04:47

Isn't the B2200 just a rebadged Ford? I'm not sure about the 1989. In any case, when a used car salesman tells you that your car needs "snake oil", it should set off red lights. Sounds like you need a reliable mechanic. But there may be no easy fix, read cheap, to buying a can of worms that some used car salesman unloaded on you.

7th Jan 2012, 08:15

Although many parts can interchange between the two trucks, the 1986-1993 Mazda B-Series truck is NOT a re-badged Ford Ranger.

Starting in 1983, Ford began selling its own design, the Ranger, while Mazda continued on with its own truck.

The two companies did not share a common truck again until the 1994 model year.

I agree with the other commenter - the reviewer needs to seek the advice of a learned and trusted mechanic.

One thing I do know, the F2 engine is still as expensive as it ever was.

Generally, I'm seeing prices in the $1500 range. Same price as it was in 1995 and why (back then) I opted to have my F2 engine rebuilt, which ended up at a little over half the cost of a new engine (about $800, if memory serves).

These days, I fear even rebuilding it yourself may not be much cheaper than getting a reman'd long block (figure $1000, at least).

11th Oct 2015, 02:35

Honestly I would have bought a carb rebuild kit for $20, computer & manifold at the junkyard. $70-$80. Fixed and going up the road.