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thanks for your help
well I will have the truck in the shop tomorrow for new front brakes. Looked at the 2001 b2500 and 3000 the dealer pushing the v6 but gas mileage a bit worse.. thks again
If you are looking at 2001s, hold out for the new B2300. Mileage should be the same as the B25, but the horsepower goes up from 119 to 140. It's a new dual overhead cam engine that should be pretty nice. I have mine on order, but I won't see it until the end of April. Otherwise, the B2300 should be hitting dealers during March.
Do you happen to recall the official MPG rating for the 2.3L? Is it the same as the 22/26 for the 2.5L? Sites like carpoint still either list the 2.5 or just show an approx number. Thanks.
Yes, malt barley. Have you seen me lately, if so, probably too much. Remember kids, don't drink and drive!
Please note: This is not an uninformed flame; I owned this vehicle for five years (finally got rid of it last May, about a month after I posted the following message). I also spoke with other owners of B2300s/Ranger 2.3L's who had the same problem. If you want more proof, go check out the 2.3L message board at www.fordranger.com. I have never been so upset with a vehicle before; I purchased it new and hated it from the fourth month on. Good luck, and here's the post from last year:
Rlaukaitis, don't expect your engine clatter to go away. My 1994 B2300 has been pinging since it had 8,000 miles on the odometer; five years later it's still doing it at 117,000. Early on I was my dealer's worst enemy -- my truck must've been in the shop 100 times for this. I'd take up a lot of space telling you all the things that have been replaced -- some two or three times. Suffice to say we've replaced EVERY sensor, the ENTIRE EGR system (not just the valve), the truck's computer (twice), entire exhaust system, MAF sensor, intake manifold, and even remanufactured the head. The only positive thing I can say about my experience owning this truck is that I've learned a lot about how engines work (or don't work), and oh yes, I've learned -- too late for me -- how my state's lemon law works. I'll tell you this: I'm trading in my piecajunk Mazford in a few months and I will never own another Ford-built product. The pinging was only part of the whole problem. The final nail in the coffin came when the Mazda factory tech rep, at the request of my dealership's service manager, rode with me in the truck, admitted he heard the noise, and then got back out at the dealership and told the service manager there was nothing wrong with my truck. Mazda will not help you solve this problem. My advice is to check your state's lemon law, get documentation of the times you've taken the truck in for the same problem, and then pursue getting your dealership to buy you out of your loan. I would have done it if I'd known soon enough. Good luck!
There you have it. I assumed (and we all know what that means!) that the re-boring of the 2.3L engine to make it a 2.5L a couple of years ago would've helped the engine breathe easier and solve the problem. By what I've been reading here, it looks like the problem still exists. If anyone is lurking here, wondering whether to purchase a Mazda B-series truck or a Ford Ranger, my advice (to be taken as such, but remember: I warned you) is not to get the four-cylinder engine. It appears Ford is still using their customers to test an unproven engine design. That's sad.
Meade in Virginia
B2300s are in production now, so when I get my hands on one I'll post my 2 cents.
Meade, sorry to hear about your negative experience with the truck and your Mazda rep(do you recall his name?). I think we all wish these trucks were still made in Hofu, Japan.
The new 2.3L has a lower compression ratio than the current 2.5L, I'm hoping this helps the pinging problem. I'll be test-driving the new 2.3L this spring some time, I'll post any comments.
As far as DS being the problem, I don't think so. I've driven various configs of B-trucks and height has not seemed to matter; the 4x4 is always slower though.
Note that the engine is rated at 150hp not 170hp. Since the DS has a lot of the features of the 4x4, it weighs more than a "regular" 4x2. This might explain some of the lack of performance.
The new 4.0L SOHC has a little over 200hp.
Now has 152,000 miles.Has been excellent truck
since new- solidly built too. Engine uses a timing chain.Have gone through a couple of exhausts
though I do live in the Northeast and right now
My head Gasket is leaking and will have to be replaced. Other than that, No problems.Plan to
keep it at least till 200,000 miles
http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/Engines/Mazda/B-Series/2001.asp
Have you calculated your MPG? What are you getting?
Yes, you should get slightly better MPG after the first couple of thousand miles (after the engine breaks in completely).
Any assistance will be appreciated.
Also how is hwy gas mileage with the 112 hp?
Thanks
In 1996, the four cylinder was a B2300, i.e. a 2.3L(basically a smaller version of the 2.5L).
EPA estimates are:
M/T 23/28
A/T 21/25
With my B2500 M/T, I averaged about 21mpg, but I have a heavy foot.
Leo dC
Sincerely,
Paul
http://www.mazdausa.com/trucks/specs/default.asp?vehicle=trucks&did=50706#7
Congrats on your truck purchase.
That gap you see is actually on both sides and is normal since the '99 model year when they deleted some little rubber strips. I too was a little freaked about it when I got mine and I've thought about adding something just so I don't get bummed when backing up.
As far as break-in, just give the truck 750 miles or so of easy driving and you should be fine.
Lisa
Did you say you liked that truck?
Sincerely,
Paul
Can't help on the Chicago dealers but in Sacramento Great Valley Mazda was real good. Can't ever recall a 40 minute buying session on a vehicle before. Might have helped they had had the truck I was looking for on the lot for almost three months but regardless got it for a couple hundred over dealer invoice.
Kind of weird getting used to a 6 after driving a 4 for to many years but getting it all broke in and decent mileage. 22mpg last tank driving up and down hill and off the beaten track in the country out here. Still have to find a camper for it those guys are worse than car salesmen. Anyone has suggestions I'm listening.
Good truck and no buyers remorse after almost a month and 1500 miles, always a good sign. Now if I can just get used to a gas gauge that is the opposite of my old toy. I'm always filling up with 4-5 gallons left.
Adam
I drove EVERY small truck. The Toyota is a real nice but the doors sounded very tinny. It was a little pricey for me with the options I wanted. (Sorry Tacoma if you're still reading.) Dakota was really nice, too, but I read about some problems others were having in another discussion area and decided against it even though my husband is a contractor with Chrysler and could have received a small discount. The GMC Sonoma was a GREAT truck. Again, price was a bit high especially with the high rider suspension package.
All-in-all the Mazda was the best deal for me for price, quality, standard equipment, aesthetics, and performance. I love the fact the 4000 has both back doors that open. Very nice feature.
Whatever you decide, good luck. I know where you are. I've been there. It's a tough decision.
Lisa
As far as off roading goes, I have taken both a Trib and a B4000 off road and both have capable 4wd and you wouldn't notice much of a difference until you get into areas where lots of suspension travel is needed. For the vast majority of folks this is never the case.
When I want to do any serious 4 wheeling, the '71 Land Cruiser comes out of the garage.
Actually, I once owned a 1988 Dodge Power Ram 50. Remember those? Dodge stuck a sticker on a Mitsubishi. It had a little 4 cylinder, but that little truck kicked some butt on the trails and sand hills. I didn't always live in the city and most days wish I still didn't. Mother's day weekend I will be trying out the off-road capabilities of the new ride as I will be in a place I will be able to do so. Should be fun. It's been way too long.
I forgive you Barley. Have one for me. That's been a while, too.
Lisa
I understand about the Ford country thing. My first time in Detroit was a real shocker. I kept wondering where they were hiding all the import cars? At least the folks in Ann Arbor seemed to have it a little more together as far finding good cars to drive.
As you may notice, I can sometimes be brutally honest.
I may take out a B4000 this weekend to do a bit of off roading, so I'll think of you lisbey, especially when I go to get gas.