I bought a truck!....for $400

[deathpunk dan]

I always wanted a small, 4 cyl 2wd pickup truck for going to the dump, hauling stuff from home depot etc...and last week a 95 Mazda B2300 5 spd fell into my lap for the princely sum of $400. Score! My uncle still has an 88 that refuses to die and it serves him well in a similar capacity.

No frame rot, but not so pretty around the fender arches. Might look for another bed for it. It runs great and has a recent inspection sticker.

PS the previous owner found a bedliner in the woods and hacksawed it to fit.
We are now a 3 mazda household: 08 Mazda3, 05 Mazda6 wagon, and this.

I guess I can reluctantly stop looking for a modern TDI-swapped rabbit pickup now...

[EarlyPorsche]

4BT time!

[Rick Lee]

I had that truck, but mine was a '96 and with king cab. It was great. Sort of gutless, but ran like a top and I used it a ton when moving into my last house.

[rnln]

u r lucky.

[Mr.Puff]

My mechanic's special truck I picked up in January. Only $1,000! Then less than $200 in parts to get her running like new.

[VINMAN]

Wow! Nice score, Puff!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by deathpunk dan

95 Mazda B2300 5 spd

Old trucks in these parts get rattle can army camouflage, flat black, olive drab, zebra stripes, tiger stripes and so forth paint schemes to conceal the fact they are rust buckets and toys on their last leg.

Post a picture, lets turn that bad boy into an "Art Car".

The old Ford is a classic, don't touch it. Is that a 1972? My family had a 1968 with a two barrel 390, 3-on-a-tree in when I was in High School (and just after). I used to drive it to the steel mill and work 16 hour shifts in summer, takes be back to another life.

[cashflyer]

Sometimes we get lucky.

In 1992 I bought a 1972 Dodge Stepside from a farmers pasture for $200.
Dropped in a used engine and trans (318 + auto).
Installed disc front brakes reclaimed from a junker.
Installed new tires.
Total investment was ~ $1000.
Drove it for 3 years and it was still going strong when it got totaled.

I'm just shelled out more than that to get a new ECM on my current truck.

[Scuba Steve]

I'll second not touching that F-100. It's a '72 BTW (see sig). Wish my '70 looks half as good as that one does.

[Oracle]

I bought this one for $400 used it like a mule then I sold it for $900

[Joeaksa]

I had the same Mazda years ago and it was a good beater. Bought it for next to nothing and sold it for a profit.

[jkarolyi]

If I recall, aren't the 1994-up Mazda trucks rebadged Ford Rangers? The '93-older Mazda trucks were truly bulletproof, but they are Japanese made trucks that have nothing to do with the Ranger-based ones. Always thought it was interesting that Mazda backdated from selling a 1986 vintage truck ('86-93) to a 1983 vintage truck. Ford Ranger was introduced in 1983, and after a few minor facelifts they still make it!

[Oracle]

the best forum for Mazda trucks is: Mazdatruckin.com Forum
the Jap pickups (old) are growing to a cult form.. kind of the 911

Originally Posted by jkarolyi

If I recall, aren't the 1994-up Mazda trucks rebadged Ford Rangers? The '93-older Mazda trucks were truly bulletproof, but they are Japanese made trucks that have nothing to do the Ranger-based ones. Always thought it was interesting that Mazda backdated from selling a 1986 vintage truck ('86-93) to a 1983 vintage truck. Ford Ranger was introduced in 1983, and after a few minor facelifts they still make it!

[Mr.Puff]

I won't molest the truck . The best part is that it happens to be the 4WD low model!

[Oracle]

I bought a 4x4 too but it didn't pass inspection so I cancelled the deal, really nice truck...