What do you think of this ute 2003 Mazda Bravo B2500 DX Plus

Mauricio,
I drive a Ford Courier as a work vehicle (same ute as above).Fifth gear went the very day it clocked over 100k (actually 100017k).
Also I wouldn't recommend this vehicle off-road,as they have nothing down low until the turbo cuts in at about 2200rpm.
I use mine off road most days and constantly have to use low range to take off on slight inclines.
Quite a nice comfortable car on the open round but dangerous when taking off from intersections due to lack of power.
Also,I have an ARB 120 litre fuel tank fitted and have run out of fuel several times,never having got more than 720 klms per tank.(you do the sums).
It is nearly as thirsty as my petrol cruiser.
I would advise you to take it for a thorough test run before parting with your petrol unit,don't be fooled into thinking you'll be getting better performance or economy.
Cheers,
Dean

thank you for your replays and all the good information about the Mazda/fords think I going to pass on this vehicle and keep looking hopefully I will try to find a hilux or another navara but they will have to be a diesel

Oops
the 10l/100km was a typo, should read about 13L/100km.

Still would be horses for courses in deciding what use you need and the price you can afford, unfortunately we cannot all afford >$50K for a vehicle.

Cheers

Hi Mauricio

I have that very same vehicle with Ford Courier badges on it as the base model GL version.

If you have a look at my rig details in my profile you will see what I have done to it, but in summary of key points:

ARB bar & winch (on it when I bought it)
120litre LRA tank
Canopy
Drawers
Snorkel
Lots of other nice to have but not necessarily need to have stuff.

I bought it as a reasonably stock ex Gov't vehicle (so had dual a'bags too) in 2004 with 50,00km on it for $31000.

Since I have owned it, it has done thousands of kms off road in the Victorian High Country, steep up/down stuff, loaded up with a families worth of gear. It has done Victorian Desert Country trips in sand, and in October did a 5000km trip up the through the Flinders Ranges & up the Oodnadatta before returning to Vic towing an off road camper (in 4th gear) averaging 20l/100km towing the camper. It gets on average over the last 50,000km (log book on every fill) 13.5 ltrs /100km on highway and about 15 around town. Compared to the Gen III Berlina I owned before that it's cheap to run (that was 23l/100km in town with the wife driving it gentley.)

It has never let me down once, though it is well maintained and I never tow in 5th. It performs faultlessly in the high country crawling up and down all it has ever been pointed at. It has been under water up to the windscreen and all over the Strathbogies in the mud. Towed the tinnie up and back to the NSW south coast a few times too. Long trips was the reason i replaced the undersized factory fuel tank.

I reckon for the money it's a great little truck, and it has more rear seat leg room than the competition and a 200mm longer tray too. One day when I save the pennies I'll trade it up for a 4.2 TD Patrol Wagon but until that day comes I'll keep going.

Next week it'll clock over 100,000km over around Lake Gairdner or Goog's track somewhere (or maybe on the way home).

I'm really happy with mine and presented with the same choice again (ie. not enough money for the Patrol I wanted but needing a 4wd to go do what I want to do) I'd buy it all over again.

I've heard the horror stories about the gearbox and 5th, but treated properly it's no different to other vehicles. You shouldn't tow in 5th anyway in many (not necessarily all) vehicles. I would have bought a TD3.0 Patrol 2 years ago if I had the money and maybe would have struck the problems people have found with them too. Life's full of uncertainty.

They are a good honest truck with few vices in my opinion.

Dave

I own a 2002 Bravo 4x4 2.5 lt diesel with 83,000ks
I tow a 16ft Millard pop top caravan with it. I tow in 5th gear most of the time
travel at 90 to 100k/h

Economy is much better than the petrol version but it does need a larger tank.

The only problems i have had were the clutch slave cylinder packed it in on a trip with the van last August and the turbo intercooler pipe popped off a couple of times

Comfortable on the highway

No speed machine off the lights but what the heck it's a truck

Would i buy one again?? Yes

Price is about right on that one advertised

What other vehicle can you go to either a ford or mazda dealer for most of your parts?

Compared to a Navara mmm bit slower more comfortable
Allan

I am happy to hear some people are having some good luck with these utes...
the one I drive at work is not what I would call a great work 4x4.
2003 model space cab, bought brand new, will not take off without stalling up a 3% grade in 1st or reverse, you have to give it a bit extra, every other diesel I have driven would idle up this incline, no throttle at all
750k's from a 120l tank, serviced every 5000k's by workshop, nothing wrong they say
would I buy one, I would buy a brand new one if I owned a company to use for light duty and get rid of it before the warranty was up (yes This one has had 5th gear replaced, no towing at all, was never in 5th gear below 80kph), very comfy, plenty of power in the top end for cruising & passing
I would not buy one new or second hand to use as a work horse which this one is used for, 4wding through the bush fully loaded, not built for it, not high enough, no low down torque....
these are the facts for this particular vehicle

Again thanking everybody for all yours helpful comments

I am going to test drive this tomorrow

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!dealer_content.dealer_vehicle?vehicle_id=2534636¤t_rec=1&total_rec=1&sort_type=1&dealer_id=10327&make_id=8&model_id=9

hopefully it will be a good