Anyone here own a Mazda Truck? How are they?
 

Are they reliable? I know they are built by Ford, but is any of it Mazda parts? I am looking to buy a truck, and wanted to get some view on Mazda trucks. I am also looking at Nissan (Frontier)and Toyota (Tacoma).

i've got a 91 B2600i extended cab 4x4. its a 'true mazda' - 94 was the year when they changed to the Ranger platform.

if you want used, IMHO the 89-93 B-series (esp the b2600i) have a very good overall reputation. a known problem with them however is their mitsubishi made ecu. due to some bad capacitors, it eventually will create problems. There is a company in florida who specializes in repairing them for ~$150.

Otherwise its a great truck - roomy, reliable 4x4 system (designed such that you don't have to get out and turn the hubs...), fuel injected 2.6l 4cyl, decent mileage, etc

as far as the newer ranger based mazdas, overall i've heard pretty good things about them as well.

If you are going to go for new, I'd strongly suggest checking out the toyota... as from what I've heard the rangers of the past two years aren't the greatest reliably. The 94ish ranger I drove was pretty nice, first stick I ever drove, pretty easy, small though.

I want to get a used truck, probably a '95-'98.

Get a tacoma, I've been wanting one for a long time... They hold their resale really well... Coincidentally, they're not cheap :D

Yes, I like them alot, and they arent cheap. I did see a couple of used ones in the paper for decent price. I am skeptical tho, since they have low milage. One guy is selling a 1999 with 30k for $6995. This seems rather low. Ive only bought used cars from dealerships with a warranty before.

If anyone has any tips on buying used cars/trucks, please let me know. I have read the "What to look at when buying a used car" on yahoo. Its pretty detailed, but its always nice to get peoples responses. Thanks

Yea, that seems awfully low for a Tacoma... However, if it's a 4x2 non offroad package one, I can believe it. I kinda also want a truck, so I can get a 4 wheeler or dirtbike or something, but if I were to get something, it would have to be 4wd for the winter months.

I have a 96 ranger,and I have to say that I like it very well. If you get an extended cab or 4 wheel drive I would go with the 4.0 liter V-6. My truck is a regular cab 2.3 liter 4 banger, and yes it is very slow. My truck has been very dependable though. I would probably stay away from the 3.0 liter V-6, because it is slow and really doesn't get much better gas mileage than the 4.0.

Later,

James

p.s.- the transmission is made by mazda on mine.

Manual or Auto?

I test drove a '98 Mazda B4000 (4l engine) 4x4 with an auto tranny, and it was quite peppy, maybe on par with my protege... Can't say for sure, though. I could get the back end to come around at stop signs quite easily :D

It is a manual transmission (wouldn't have it any other way).

later,

james

i was looking over @ www.edmunds.com and the 92 B-series has the highest customer rating - 9.8 -out of any of the mazdas....they really are excellent trucks; as one of the customer reviews said, 'if you can find one, buy it'

For some reason, there arent to many early '90s Mazda trucks in the New Orleans area. Either A.) They are very reliable and people dont want to get rid of them or B.) The arent reliable, and sitting in junkyards.

From your comment, it sounds like they are very reliable. How much of the truck is Japanese made?

Even if I found one, it will more than likely have high mileage.

THanks for the tip :D

I had an '86 Mazda b2200 that I got from my dad, that thing was more reliable than another other vehicle so far. We had over 200k on it, and it was still running well when we got rid of it :( I miss it!

Does anyone know or know where i can get this info? I want to know what percentage of the truck is made in Japan, and what parts are Japanese.