Mazda B-Series

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from private seller

Year / Model Reviewed:
1990 mazda 2600i

Summary:
i loved this truck! It was a 1990 mazda and it ran like no other. i wrecked it at 156,000 miles but in the 120,000 we owned it I never had one problem. This truck had a 5 speed manual transmission with a 2.6l 4 cyclender. engine undestructable, after kartwheeling over 2 times and landing on hood engine still ran.

Strengths:
4 wheel drive worked better than my 1990 chevy 2500. worked better than my dads 03 chevy 3500. easy to work with. reliable for the rated bed captivity we put 1500 pounds in the bed and hurt nothing.

Weaknesses:
lifted not a smooth ride, got 11 mpg, rusted easier than i liked

Similar Products Used:
1990 chevy 2500

Price Paid:  $30000.00 from Airport Mazda, Gande

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 B-4000 - 4x4

Summary:
This is my third Mazda B Series truck and my third leased vehicle. Hopefully it'll hold up as well as the first two. It does have a smoother shift leading to somewhat improved mileage. The interior is as comfortable as ever, even without the lumbar seats, and is a little quieter than the previous trucks I've had.
The dealership was absolutely fantastic but, that's more than I can say for Mazda Canada, who sent me a bill for $130.00 for some slight damage. They even called me about it. One would think they'd be more interested in congratulating me on my third consecutive Mazda truck. Having not received a letter of apology and not being at all partial to being insulted in that way, this will be my last Mazda ever.
I do, however, feel sorry for such a fine dealership.

Strengths:
Good solid truck with plenty of power, nice handling and interior comfort.

Weaknesses:
Mazda Canada.

Similar Products Used:
Chevey Silverado, Dodge Dakota, Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma

Price Paid:  $17000.00 from dealer in Omaha,Ne

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 B3000 extcab troy lee design

Summary:
Great truck. No leaks, fair gas mileage, pull a 16'Pro-Craft bass boat all over, 82K miles now and only replaced brakes once and tires once. Semi-truck backed into me today and the bed is totalled, hopefully frame isn't bent. Will continue driving it until it falls off the wheels. Only been in shop once for a rear sensor issue which did not cause any problems. Change oil every 3K miles and filter and you should have no problems.

Strengths:
Reliable, V6 150hp strong enough to pull a smaller boat and moderate loads, dependable. Drives nice and no knocks or squeaks after 80K miles.

Weaknesses:
A/C just went this year, haven't gotten around to fix it yet but that is it.

Similar Products Used:
Fords, Dodge, this is my 4th Mazda vehicle and I'd definitely purchase others.

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $11000.00 from Lancaster CA

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Mazda B 2300

Summary:
This truck ran and performed well for first 45000 miles. It then developed a knock in the engine. Eventually, the dealer replaced it. At 65000 miles that motor developed the same knock and then blew the head gasket. Out of warranty I
pulled motor to find out they cannot be rebuilt as no after market parts are available and the dealer has no parts available. Had to buy wreck motor for a swapout. At 105000 miles it now just blew
again. At teardown found bb size metal and shavings in 3 of 4 journals which caused severe scoring of rod bearings. Still am unable to locate parts to repair this motor. Was forced to tear my previously unrepaired motor apart which showed same severe scarring on one rod bearing to steal used bearings out of other three rods to get this motor working again.

Strengths:
This truck ran strong for me as a work truck. I loaded it heavy and ran it hard almost every day and it got decent mileage.

Weaknesses:
However, it would, with no warning, develop a loud knock. Every year! To make it the worst experience ever though is that the dealer does not sell parts. That has to be a crime. There answer was I could buy a rebuilt from them for $3200. I need to unload this vehicle, it has serious oiling problems with the rod bearings. May just be the 4 banger I don't know.

Similar Products Used:
74 Datsun, 80 Ford F 150,82 D 50 4x4,86 Chevy 2500, 90 Ford F 250 supercab, 98 Nissan,

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from small dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
1994 B3000 Extended Cab 2wd 5 speed

Summary:
First of all, for anyone considering buying a B-series, be aware that any Mazda truck built after 1993 is a re-badged Ford Ranger. I'll start with the good. The car doesn't leak any oil or coolant, although I had to fix a transmission leak. It always starts, it idles good, A/C still works, interior has held up. I drove this car on a 2000+ mile trip hauling a trailer, probably totalling around 3,000 lbs. of stuff. I was able to make it without problems, but I BARELY made it. Driving through the mountains I had the truck in 3rd with the pedal on the floor. I couldn't maintain highway speeds in 5th. But, I made it. Overall, this truck is nothing special, no more than average. I bought it nearly 3 years ago. I immediately had to get the transmission fixed as it leaked oil. This is a very common and well documented problem in mid-90's Ford Truck manual transmissions. Read all about it here: http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html The engine also burns oil, about 1.5 quarts every 3000 miles. At 100,000 miles I had to replace the clutch, clutch master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder. Don't waste your money and time on the 3.0 L engine - it's not worth it. The power is not amazing, more like barely adequate. If you really need the HP, get the 4.0. The problem is that the gas mileage isn't that great. I get ~ 17 mpg, and that's after I replaced both of the O2 sensors. So if you need gas mileage, I'd get the 2.5 L, and if you need HP, I'd get the 4.0 L. This engine is really the worst of both worlds. When I used to drive this truck in cold weather, the brakes would hang up sometimes. When you pushed the brake pedal, it would brak very jerky and hard. Speaking of cold weather, the 2wd is undriveable in any real snow. I had 300 lbs. of sand over the rear axle and very nice brand new tires and I still had to call in to work whenever it snowed. The tires spin and rear end swings around at the first sign of any real snow. I also have problems when it rains hard. I've also had problems with the tail-lights. They get moisture in them and stop working.

Strengths:
Better looks than Ford counterpart. Adequate power. Parts are easily available since it's mechanically identical to a Ford Ranger.

Weaknesses:
Not a Mazda - it's a Ford. Interior has held up ok but it's crappy plastic. Not a good powertrain. Engine burns oil and transmission / clutch needed work at 100,000 miles. Poor handling in bad weather, even with good tires and sand over the rear axle.

Similar Products Used:
88 Jeep Comanche, 91 Ford Explorer, 96 Dodge Dakota