Faults:

The Manual Transmission need to be rebuilt.

The Throwout bearing had to be replaced.

Just recently the alternator pulley went out.

It has needed new brake pads.

General Comments:

My sister drove this truck while she was in college and put a severe beating on it. But it still runs like a champ. After my sister didn't want it anymore it became my dad's daily driver not bad since he works about 4 miles away. It gets babied a lot since we don't take it over 60 most of the time, but it has been on the expressway doing about 85. I now have inherited it and it's my baby.

For only 98 horsepower it sure can get up and move.

Faults:

Nothing outside of the standards (tail light bulb, air filter, wipers etc.)

General Comments:

I took a chance and bought this pickup at a used car lot about one year ago for $2k. It had 115K miles at the time and the condition of the bed indicated it had seen some hard work.

Well it has now been over a year and 15K miles and this truck hasn't had one single problem. I am confident in it getting me from point A to B and running smoothly in 100 degrees or -10.

Its not the most comfortable without power steering or AC, but for a guy who drives a lot and needs to lug things around, it gets decent gas mileage (average 24), parts are cheap (filters, bulbs) and is very reliable. If you need an inexpensive pickup and you don't have an ego to worry about, I recommend the B2300.

Faults:

Replaced Mass Air flow sensor (truck will not stay started)

Water Pump Leaking/Replaced.

EGR Valve replaced.

Door handle broke, but still works.

Heat shield on catalytic converter rattles.

Replaced clutch and throw bearings.

Timing belt/chain broke.

Driver side coil on the bench seat broke and rip in seat.

Broke rear leaf spring.

General Comments:

This truck is great if you need a reliable no frills truck. I purchased the truck brand new in '94 and problems did not arise till '04. Some service could have been avoided with regular service intervals.

The vehicle was purchased as transportation to and from college. Great highway gas mileage. 23-30 mpg.

Gets me from A to B and sometimes C.

Does very well in the snow at slower speeds and if the rear is weighted correctly. i.e. not to much, not to little.

All around decent truck for the price and aside from all the recent problems should be a decent vehicle for years to come.

Faults:

The throwout bearing in the clutch "threw out" taking the clutch with it for a tune of $800.00.

The a/c needed a charge and the mechanic told me the thermostat must be bad because the temperature gauge would barely come up past cold. I replaced the thermostat with no change in the gauge reading. However, since that time my gas mileage went from 28 mpg to 20 mpg.

The brake light will not come on unless the pedal is pushed to the limit of the stroke and there doesn't appear to be any adjustment for this problem.

General Comments:

I am actually looking for advice if anyone else has a Mazda pickup and knows who I can contact or how I can fix these problems (gas mileage, brake light adjustment)