1993 Mazda B2600 i 2.6L Four

Summary:

Great value, I'd buy another Mazda truck

Faults:

204679km Muffler, catalytic converter, exhaust pipe, tail pipe were replaced

216000km Remove & replace clutch

225600km Fan clutch, cooling system

227520km Fuel leak, turned out to be a hose clamp that let loose.

Rear ABS has never really worked, but I don't think that its worth the cost to repair.

It has always leaked a lot of oil, 1 to 2 L per 10000 km. Various repairs to the seals and gaskets have helped over the years, but it still leaks.

The 4x4 has been very reliable, no problems with its use, but the "shift on the move" function just doesn't work any more. That is a bit of a hassle, but not too serious.

OEM parts are pretty expensive, the clutch was more than twice what I expected for part costs. But the overall reliability does compensate. I guess you get what you pay for.

General Comments:

Truck was in rough shape when purchased, it had probably been used commercially. I purchased the truck from a dealer who was repaired a 3rd gear transmission problem that I noticed on the test drive.

The body was badly scratched and marked, likely due to heavy off road use, so it has never looked pretty up close. However, a bit of rubbing compound and a coat of wax made it look great from a distance or if you squint a bit.

It has a great cargo capacity, in spite of fairly weak stock springs. I've hauled lots of dirt, rock, lumber, furniture, a whole 8x8 wood shed, whatever needs to be moved and it has never let me down.

The interior has held up reasonably well, for 250000 km. The driver's seat is showing some tears and rips.

The rear jump-seats face forward which makes it a lot better for kids than the sideways facing seats. It's quite comfortable with 2 adults and 2 kids (in car seats/booster seats). Not much inside storage left at that point though.

Inside storage is quite limited, glove-box is small, there is a small storage area under the rear jump-seats that seasonal stuff can go into.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2003

23rd Jun 2006, 19:07

23 June 2006 - I still have this truck (275000 km now) and it is still going strong. I figured out a workaround for the "shift on the fly" problem and that's OK now.

I am thinking about replacing it with something that can seat all 5 in my family - the B2600 only has seat-belts for 4. Kind of a shame, because I think the truck has plenty of life left in it. I still give the truck high marks for reliability, but the gas mileage is really not that great, especially with gas over $1/L.

1993 Mazda B2600 LE 2.6

Summary:

A rugged, reliable and nimble little truck

Faults:

It needed new half shafts at 110,000 miles.

It then required a new radiator at 120,000 miles.

General Comments:

This truck has proven to be an outstanding bang for the buck. Strong, and most importantly, ultra reliable!

It starts in -20 degree weather, runs like a deer through our heavy Colorado snow, yet it will run all day long in 90 degree heat at 70 mph without a whimper.

While the cab may not be as well appointed as others, it is well laid out and comfortable, controls are easy to operate.

The body/paint is holding up well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2003

1993 Mazda B2600 DX 2.6 ltr

Summary:

Reliable!

Faults:

The only recurring problem stems from the head gasket.

This truck has required a liter of oil every 2000kms since I bought it new.

The truck also requires regular exhaust, fuel sending unit work, and brake work.

The suspension also has proven to be a little on the light side for serious off road duty be extra leaf springs are a cheap and easy fix for the shade tree mechanic.

General Comments:

This truck has been reliable, provided I keep up on the maintenance. My only complaints lie in the cost of after market parts that don't appear to be of the same quality as original and that the truck could use a v6 (3.0 ltr. MPV motor?) to give some extra power for highway speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2002