Talk to me about your Mazda Bongo camper

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

I’m hankering after a small motorhome, and have been researching for a while.
I’d ruled out small campers as I want a loo on board, but recently seen Mazda Bongos on eBay etc, very affordable and I guess we could use as our second car?
what about the loo?
is it too cramped?
it is just a stupid idea?

I sold mine earlier this year. I have to be honest and say that even with just me and a small dog it felt quite cramped. When the bed is down you can’t actually move around the van, there’s just no space. They are expensive to run, mine did about 20 to the gallon and I needed to use E5, the engine doesn’t like E10. They are very prone to rust. Make sure you have a really good look at it, especially underneath and around the wheel arches. Also do your research on what sort of conversion will work - I had full side but in hindsight a rear may have been better.

They are however great fun to drive and really comfortable on long journeys.

Happy to answer questions.

thank you @Iheartmysmart , in hindsight would you have preferred a small motorhome? How did you manage loo situations? Was it comfy to sleep in?
were there mechanics around who knew about under sealing etc?
thanks again 😊

We had one for 5 years, couldn't fault it.
They are not undersealed in Japan as they don't put salt on the roads, we had ours undersealed, its about 50/50 some importers underseal them on arrival some don't.
It was a 2.5 diesel auto but only did around 25-30 MPG
They are a great people carrier, but small as a camper but hang on it can fit any place a car can go so thats a bonus.
What about a Pop top? Sleep upstairs?
You must Join the Bongo Fury Forum as loads of info there.
You should be able to see various conversions and see something that will work for you
You need a low coolant alarm and a separate Engine temp alarm, most Bongos now already have them fitted.
In 5 years we spent very little on it, routine servicing and a Radiator.
I don't know where in the UK you are but this place in Wigan looked after ours and are nice honest people, they also sell them, best to phone as many get sold whilst still on route so never make it to the website.
They will also advise you on some of the Newer Bongo type vehicles the Alphard etc
https://wheelquick.co.uk/

We are on Camper number 4 I think and they are always too big or too small, its a matter of finding whats the best combination of size and being able tp park

I think my main issue was it had to work as an everyday vehicle because I couldn’t afford to run a car as well. It was expensive as an everyday run around and a bit too small for a camper. I did sleep in the pop up roof which was fine but wasn’t sure of the long term practicalities of getting up there as I’m already in my mid fifties!

I didn’t bother with portaloo as there wasn’t really anywhere to keep one or space to use it!

I bought mine as a 8 seater and had it converted to my specifications as I couldn’t find one I liked. It was undersealed and had all the alarms fitted by the company who imported it.

A motor home wouldn’t have worked for me but I did see someone at a site who had a long wheel base transit conversion and that was much more spacious inside.

I’ve now gone back to camping in a tent and it’s so much easier.

Ooh thanks @Funf and @Iheartmysmart , so helpful!
im in SW so a long way from Wigan (is that where Hacker the dog is from?)
we have two cars but the second is used maybe once a week- though can definitely consider having a camper van in addition.

No problem.
We used the Bongo as a people carrier it was great it was a spare car as we only needed two and had one each plus the Bongo, I think we managed to insure it as a classic camper on limited miles so it was cheap.
Never heard of Hacker?
Have a look around and see if you can hire a camper similar to what you want then you can test the lay out, we have had a few now, current one has a garage for all the junk you need to take with you and a fixed bed to avoid a game of musical chairs each night making the bed. Its about 1.5 car park spaces long. Thats just what suits us best after having a few different campers over the years. The best thing is you can just jump in and go on the spare of the moment, park where you want have a look at Park 4 the night app. We have a few pubs who let us park on the carpark over night as long as we buy beer or food in the pub.

That’s a good idea to hire something similar, I’ll look into that.