Japan’s Camper Van?!?! - Mazda Bongo Friendee (Auto Free Top) Full Review!!!

I’m back after surgery to bring you yet another JDM oddity. This time, in the form of Mazda’s Bongo Friendee - Auto Free Top version (that’s a mouthful!)

Enjoy learning about this magnificent van and let me know what your favorite feature is, as well as which car I should review next!

Take care, -Ben

[renatopiereck]

It has 2 batteries because it has the cold climate option, not because it has many accessories. This one probably came from northern Japan. Most Bongo Friendee only have one battery.

For the foot rest seat, just slide the front seats all the way forward, then flip the foot rest over to the front, and voila! You have two front seats facing back.

[hiroya]

I've ridden in this car that my uncle owned! I remember having a lot of fun as a child!

[MTBSamurai]

I live in Japan and used to own one, it was a great car.

[stephohashi]

My husband and I are the proud owners of this here van... Bingo the Bongo!
Many thanks to Southeast Imports for such an easy transaction.
We flew to Chattanooga, Peter picked us up at the airport, and sealed the deal that night.
2 weeks and 4, 011 miles later we got home to Portland, OR safe and sound. It gets 27-ish mpgs.😊❤
2 cool features not in the video - Bingo has a great ☀️skylight; and the front seats don't swivel, but leaned forward, those footrests flip to become rear facing seats.

Super cool to find this video. 🥰

[MrUkbeats]

I have this van here in the uk,
Full conversion, gas hob mini fridge, rock and roll bed.

[LynetteShawMcKone]

Those 'footrests' are actually called 'Dickie seats'. If you wind the back of the front seats towards the windscreen then the rest becomes a little seat, quite comfy too. Also, swivel seats are not standard. They're an after-market adaptation. I have what's known as a 'tin-top', which doesn't have the lifting roof, but I'm under 5ft so it doesn't bother me at all, (also she can pass under most carpark barriers!) Best vehicle I've ever bought, easy to drive, bit thirsty, but well worth it.

[rickreese]

300k ? Wow,
Diesel ?
How much ?
Brand new subscriber 😊

[buggs]

4:12 That light grey panel at the top of the shot is the sliding cover for a glass skylight.

[nicholasshort]

At around 4.30 when you talk about the front seats swivelling - they don't swivel but you can sit on them in reverse so to speak! To do this, slide the front seats fully forward, then use the handle on the side of them to flip them towards the dashboard. Then in the back of the van, flip the 'footrests' over completely to face the front of the van as well. Then you can sit on them with the front seat providing the backrest. It is actually called a 'dickie seat'!

[thatonecardude]

I have some of those "cupholders" in my car and I just call them cup seats because they don't go all the way down like a normal cupholder

[normanmunns]

Those so called foot rests are dickie seats.
Push the seat backs forward and you can sit on them facing the back.
My one in the UK has a fixed high top, cooker, sink, fridge,
Front passenger seat rotates through 180°, and a diesel night heater.
The rear seats convert into a double bed.( its known as a rock ans roll bed in the UK.)
Its also a 2.5 litre V6 petrol so its quite nippy.
It will cruise all day at 70mph on the highway.
Ive just spent 5 weeks in it travelling around France

[Agraxian]

Missed the fact that the entire roof pops up for standing area

[buhaycanada]

the more you see here in the states we get junk

[mark_p]

9:25 nah bud, it's a four-speed. You literally say ten seconds later "it just went into overdrive": "overdrive" is FOURTH! 😂

[TasinHannan]

the right ear has more audio then the left ear