Mazda bt-50

[richc]

I know these are the same thing as a ford ranger but I don't do fords

They seem to be reasonably priced 2nd hand, can't seem to find the fault complaints people seem to list for navarras, isuzu rodeos and l200's

140 odd bhp which is good for a demountable carrier

So anyone any comments ? do you run one ?

Rich

[zildjian]

Well, their owners seem a very reticent bunch of people, at least on the net
Can't easily find much reference to any group of owners,
Maybe they are indeed ultra-reliable and very little to discuss.

They look OK, there's certainly one not far from me although I've never spoken to owner

[Haggis100]

Morning Richc. I looked at the Mazda when on my search too. My interest was based on a couple of builder mates who run them and have had a good few between them. Both swear by them and like me agree that even having a Japanese badge makes them more reliable than a Ford!

[Mike]

Just read your other thread about cambelt sorry to hear that. And hopefully not too expensive!
my understanding is mazda is the same as ford just different badges so probably look at ford ranger group for any information on what goes wrong. The good thing about Rangers is that they have quite good MGW and load capacity at least the 06 on do, so would expect mazda to be same. Good hunting

[richc]

Morning Richc. I looked at the Mazda when on my search too. My interest was based on a couple of builder mates who run them and have had a good few between them. Both swear by them and like me agree that even having a Japanese badge makes them more reliable than a Ford!

yeah is it badge engineering or the badge improves the engineering, saying that my anti ford stuff goes all the way back to sierra 1.8 company cars and an escort that was delivered to me brand new as my new company car with no 3rd gear

I think it may be more than the cambelt from the smoke and steam that issued from the vehicle, I've put a speculative advert for spares or repair l200 on ebay as I think I was probably expecting too much of the truck, oversized tyres, maxium load on the back means this engine was working hard all the time so maybe a more standard truck would be good and theres that mazda for sale locally that looks good as I can't afford my 1st choice of an Isuzu D-Max

Rich

[zildjian]

didn't you contact great wall though as well?

[richc]

Well i did give them my email on the basis that there might be some freebies going but nothing so far

and a new one still out of my budget

rich

[rubberrat]

Lots of builder types and farmers aroud here run Rangers - the Mazda is a purely badge engineering excersise. No real problems reported worth worrying about where L200s have fragile engines, early Navaras explosive, but worth buying if already gone bang and fixed.
Late models have thin chassis, but a Plasma cut plate is available in Oz, budget to have it retrofitted.

Invest in duplex timing chain as the simplex is well known to let go at 90k mies.

Great Wall needs to only be bought if ridiculously cheap due to free falling depreciation and Chinese steel. If is a bargain then think about it.

All generations of Rodeos are bulletproof, but because of that no-one sells them until they get to space shuttle mileage.
Mine is a badge engineered Chevrolet or Holden - only 140hp, adequate, but the more horses the merrier. Avoid early 2.5, nowhere near enough power for a demountable.
No cambelt's to fail.

Toyotas equally last forever but are therefore expensive. Lots of horses, but they like best quality hay.

Amarok the dream ticket but no real Change out of £30k for latest model

As with most things automotive, it's all about the budget.

I found a low mileage 2006 Chevrolet at a dealer in Liverpool recently for £5k, so there are bargains out there. No one googles/ searches the oddball models so they sell at a discount.

[zildjian]

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[zildjian]

Should have mentioned this is the 2.5
(you didn't mention engine size)