MAZDA Drifter 2600i SLX Double Cab 4x4
Current Vehicle "Out of Country/Off Road" History:
Bought: March 2003 - New
Retail: R294000 before any discounts
Warranty: 3 years (160 000kms) plus additional 2 years purchased - FULL 5 YEAR WARRANTY
|
Date |
Countries |
Route |
Bad Things / Good Things |
|
June 2003 |
Lesotho |
Sani Pass, Tlaeng Pass, Oxbow, Mahlasele Pass, Mateng Pass, Mafika Lisiu Pass, Nkaobee Pass, Laitsoka Pass, Katse Dam, Fouriesburg, Clarens | Vehicle performed 100%, good fuel economy and very good performance for non-turbo vehicle at these altitudes - over 3000 metres. Very nice to drive on this trip, carried +- 1 ton with ease. Gearing perfect for tight Lesotho pass bends and drivable on the gears all the way. The suspension mods we do improves road holding and handling. Seems to run best with a load. Exceptionally happy (100%) with overall performance & economy - both impressive. |
|
November 2003 |
Botswana & Namibia (Walvis Bay) |
Randburg, Lobatse, Kang, Mamuno, Gobabis, Windhoek, Okahanja, Karibib, Rossing, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay return | No problems on this very long 4200km trip in 5 days EXCEPT for DONKEYS, GOATS & CATTLE all over Botswana's roads. Vehicle handles intense heat well with air con running all the time. Although the Trans-Kalahari Highway is the shortest route to the West Coast of Namibia it has nothing to recommend it. |
| January 2004 | Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe | A trip to deliver trucks in Namibia. Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Etosha, North through Caprivi Strip, back through Zimbabwe | No problems with the vehicle - handled very well on a somewhat taxing round trip of 6000kms+ in some bad conditions with storms and heavy rain on deviations etc. Fuel average 14.1 litres/100km which is not too bad |
| February 2004 | Mozambique, Zimbabwe | A trip to deliver a tipper truck to Beira | 4000kms round trip, some good roads, mostly mediocre to bad. Bakkie did very well. No problems. Hit an ox in Zim - killed the bloody thing. Minor damage to bull bar & bumper |
|
April - May 2004 |
Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe & South Africa | The "monster" trip. Delivering trucks to Kenya and Mozambique and visiting clients & Dealers in all countries. Also combined as an 8 Country, 8 Game Parks, 8 Waterfalls, 8 Mountains & 8 Lakes trip |
Previous Vehicle "Out of Country/Off Road" History:
Bought: July 2001 - New
Retail: R235900 before any discounts
Warranty: 3 years (160 000kms) plus additional 4 years purchased - FULL 7 YEAR WARRANTY
|
Date |
Countries |
Route |
Bad Things / Good Things |
|
Sep 2001 |
Mozambique |
Randburg - Komatipoort - Maputo - Vilanculos - Randburg | Electrical - 40A main fuse burnt out and caused much aggravation. Ford sub-supplier problem. Ruined the trip completely. Ford South Africa got involved with excellent results |
|
Sep 2001 |
Mozambique - Zimbabwe |
Randburg - Komatipoort - Maputo - Vilanculos - Rio Save - Inchope - Beira - Mutare - Birchenough Bridge - Masvingo - Beit Bridge - Randburg | Lighting insufficient for road conditions - extra set spots fitted at our cost. Air conditioner pipe came loose. More aggravation. Outstanding in sand river crossings, heavy sand and for comfort. Beira - Randburg in a day of easy driving with stops en route. High cab comfort levels are superb. Air con pipe modified by factory |
|
Comments for 2001 |
Apart from a few "man-made" hiccups the vehicle has been a pleasure so far and we have a high degree of confidence in its ability to perform both on and off-road. Servicing intervals have been kept to 5000kms with check-up before long trips. So far we are happy with vehicle but dealer service is VERY scratchy at best. Factory support has been exceptional. | ||
| Sep 2002 |
20000 km report |
The more we use this vehicle the more impressed we are. The worse the going, the better it performs and in sand it's unbeatable. A very good every day vehicle with very good off road performance. Very impressive. | |
|
Comments for 2002 |
A virtually trouble free year - The dealer has improved in performance thanks to the Workshop Manager. This vehicle continues to impress and we will buy again in the future. |
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|
Overall |
The vehicle has been used off road on numerous occasions doing Game Park Fence patrols and in game parks. Performance has been very good under these conditions. | ||