compact(ish) campervan with 5 proper seatbelts

[Jimjams2]

Anyone know of one? Not bothered by sleeping as is more for use on day trips -with a cooker Would actually be great for us.

Hae found things like the lovely murvi, but that's 4 proper seat belts + lap belt.

Almost certainly unable to afford it at the moment, but hey I'm going back to work and dreaming.....

[Quadrophenia]

hey jimjams my favourite topic you could try here

[Jimjams2]

mazda bongo's??? anyone any experience?

[Jimjams2]

oh sorry quad- meant to say thanks! Will follow up that as well.

[kokeshi]

Funny you should ask jimjams...I just laid my hands on our new pre-loved Bongo tonight. I am in luuurve! We have the 4wd autofreetop 2.5 diesel model. It has a back conversion with a teeny hob, sink and cupboards and we counted 5 seats in the back with seatbelts. This conversion sleeps 2 plus 2 up top and is in great nick. There are many bongo enthusiasts aound and if you manage to pick one up, it should have been looked after. I'm so excited, we're planning our first trip very soon. Feel free to ask anything!

[kokeshi]

And two up front.

[Jimjams2]

kokeshi- sounds fab- and perfect for us, exactly the sort of thing we need. Having looked at it I would even try an overnight stay somewhere if we had a tent annexe for dh and I. Where did you get yours from? And can I be nosy and ask how much you paid.

And your name? Any link with Japan?

[kokeshi]

HI jimjams...sorry I didn't reply, we were so excited about the Bongo we couldn't wait, so just upped and left on Sunday afternoon and spent the night and all of today at the foot of Ben Lomond at Rowardennan on Loch Lomond. It was really amazing.

We got our van from a friend, who had spent months sourcing one in the UK and was even willing to import from Japan. Unfortunately it wasn't the right time for him to have one but he knows it's gone to a good home! Being a Jap import, all the extras like electric windows, roof and blinds as well as air con, alloys and 4wd come as standard.

Lots of people have commented on it already - it really is a smart wee number. Because our conversion is at the back it apparently is a little more expensive, but with only 40,000 miles on the clock we paid £6000. We have the top-end model, but you can pick up one with fewer "extras" for less than that I think. Oh, it's an "N" plate so it's 10years old but you wouldn't think it. I think the guide price for this age and condition is about £5500. What else can I tell you?

A great website, nay, community is bongo fury of which I'm a member and tells you all about them. Anyway I hope you find what you're looking for, it's definitely added loads to our lives already and we're planning maximum usage! Best of luck and let me know how you're getting on with it all!

[Kittypickle]

We've over a year dithering over whether to get a Bongo or not. One of the main dealers is not far from here and I've seen more and more of them on the road. The only thing that is putting me off is I'm worried that our fuel bill will go through the roof.

[kokeshi]

Hi kp, from what I can gather the fuel consumption for our bongo is around 35mpg, cruising at 60. I wouldn't recommend it for town driving...that was actually one of the reasons my friend decided find it a new home. He was commuting 100 miles per day into the city, which just runs them into the ground.

I worked out doing a 50 mile round trip camping last weekend cost between £12-£15, and that was on winding B roads at some points not getting above 20mph! Think I'll be taking the family this weekend too, it's a hit!