1996 Mazda B2300 Ext cab review from North America
"This is good, mechanically solid, transportation"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The expensive spark plugs wear out too fast.
The rear end is too light on gravel roads.
Changing dashboard lights is nearly impossible and hugely expensive.
General comments?
I love my truck and have done so for almost 200,000 miles. 'Replaced the original clutch at 206,000 miles. Since I do a lot of driving (can't you tell?) I've averaged 24-24.5 miles per gallon. It does a little better with the middle grade gasoline.
The only major drawback is the feeling of lack of control on gravel roads. Without having 300 pounds of sand in the back, you get little to no traction in snow or mud. If this truck had front-wheel drive, all of this would be non-existent.
With gas approaching $3 a gallon, one wonders why they stopped making the extended cab in the B2300 model. One would think Ford/Mazda would be thinking more miles to the gallon instead of less with the B3000 and B4000 models.
Trying to find a replacement B2300 with an extended cab has been very difficult. Nobody is giving them up!
Recommended reviews
| 1997 - B2300 Standard Size 2.3ltr. Ford/Mazda engineering is a joke |
|
| Great reliable truck, but I consider it gas guzzler |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 15000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 209000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Accord |
| Date of Entry | 25th March, 2006 |