1989 Mazda B2200 extended cab from North America - Comments

I've had recurrent problems with oil leaks, from blown gaskets. And in our recent -40 C weather something has given and a stream of oil comes out if I start the engine.

I had to replace the clutch at 220,000 miles.

All other repairs combined (brakes, filters, belts, etc) have come in at less than $500, which is pretty darn good for 95,000 miles.

The biggest problem is its performance in the cold. Below freezing the idle can set at an extremely high pace, and may or may not return to normal with tapping the accelerator or switching off the engine. Fuel consumption becomes very poor in the winter too.

At temperatures below -30 C the performance is so tenuous (engine stutters, and lack of acceleration) that I avoid driving altogether.

For a truck that spent 11 years on the coast, and 3 years on the Canadian prairies, it has remarkably little rust. Only some rust blemishes.

For yard work or moving furniture it's great.

I would not recommend this truck for anyone relying on it for transportation in very cold climates.

I would agree with that, I just let it warm up for 2 minutes and off I go, I find warming up your truck will lead to better preformance in the long run. I own an 1989 B2200.

Very true about the cold weather performance. Gas mileage goes down, vehicle (with carbeuretor, fuel injected versions probably don't have this problem) becomes harder to drive due to loss of power and general disinterest in leaving the driveway. I find it will always start, but might need some warm-up time, and just sitting in the driveway running means it is burning gas, but not warming up very fast... it has to be driven at highway speed to get any heat going if it is below -20c.

The fast idle when cold started is adjustable so its not so fast. Simply bend part of the actuator on the cam that is connected to the choke. Having a spare carbeuretor to play with can help you to see how this works, and could be useful for spare parts.

I would only recommend this vehicle at this age (15 years!) to someone who does not mind doing their own repairs, and does not have to drive in the snow/cold regularly. There are likely to be a lot of small things go wrong that can all be solved with patience and some mechanical aptitude, if you are willing to put in the hours.