You can see the unique Mazda bed sides and front fenders in the photo above. This era of Mazda’s B-series pickups was basically a Ford Ranger, built in St. Paul, Minnesota, but it had a few unique styling touches to set it apart. The seller has this 2001 Mazda B2500 SX pickup posted here on craigslist in Vancouver, Washington, and they’re asking $10,995. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Just over three decades ago, in 1994, Mazda and Ford agreed to offer a Ranger-based pickup for Mazda as the B-series. They’re unmistakably Ranger-looking, but with a few touches that differentiate the Mazdas. The grille is, of course, different, but the aforementioned lines/flares on the bedsides and front fenders are also different than what Ranger customers got. I prefer the clean lines of the Ford Ranger, but that’s just me. Getting around the pesky 25% import tax (chicken tax) was another big factor in that agreement.
This truck appears to be a gem, and the selling dealer has added a lot of good photos showing almost every part of this truck. We don’t get to see underneath, but that’s really about the only missing photo. They show the inside of the bed, which is nice, but it’s showing some rust on the fasteners, and what’s the scary, flaking edge of the bed between the tailgate and floor? It looks a bit flakier than I would have imagined for a truck from the Pacific Northwest. I hope that isn’t rust forming, but the rest of the truck body looks almost like new, so I can’t imagine it is.
As a base model SX edition, this isn’t a fancy truck, and even the seller concludes that there aren’t a lot of options or features, but with the low miles (66,703), it should be good for years’ worth of service for the next owner. The all-important 5-speed manual is nice to see here, too. The following year, in 2002, Mazda renamed this small truck line the Mazda Truck, so no more B-series after 2001. Not being a SuperCab, there isn’t much space behind the seats, but the seller did a nice job showing what’s back there.
The engine is a 2.5-liter fuel-injected SOHC inline-four, which had 119 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the Mazda-sourced M5OD-R1 5-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, the seller doesn’t say how it runs, but I have to believe it works as well as it looks. Power steering and power brakes would make for a nice little daily driver. The price seems fairly aggressive, but it looks like a nice truck. What are your overall thoughts on this truck?
Overall its a very well preserved Mazda. The only concern is what Scotty already mentioned. I wonder if there was a small load of stone, or mulch or something in the bed at one time and some debris got in that crack and they just tried closing the tailgate? Just a thought. Otherwise, you don’t many base models like this in this kind of preserved condition. Curvette sure found a creampuff here, very nice one Scotty.
These are the basic little trucks manufacturers need to bring back I think it’son the high side for the price but its easily got another 200k miles left in it
Clean truck, but $11k?
Seen several 2wd trucks that did more backwoods cruising and real work than many 4wds. Amazing what a little ground clearance and good tires will do. Such a sensible and economical vehicle. Also fun to drive w stick. Love em.
Nice truck. Its worth 10k$ or more just for current utility value with low mileage.
Find me a new manual pickup that compares to this. You won’t.
Saved a couple thousand buying a new Ranger by threatening to go down the street and buying a Mazda for much less.
Always check rear shackles on these. They rust easily
I’m a Ranger freak, but I wouldn’t buy a Ranger or Mazda newer than 1999. When they went to the 2.5 they cheapened up.the engine internals and they don’t hold up like the 2.3 did. So just beware. The torsion bar front suspension has its own set of issues also. (But not terrible unless the vehicle has been beat ot crashed along the way.) I was very disappointed in Ford when they changed the Ranger for the worst. I guess the older ones were lasting so long that it cost new vehicle sales.
you will never see these great economical little trucks again. that would make too much sense. they don’t make enough off them.
After seeing that 11K price tag, I’ll bet that most of us are going to call that outrageous. But then, have a look at what is available on the used car market for 10K and this becomes a bit more attractive to those looking to recall the good old days when vehicles did just a few things, but did them very well.
I’m going to agree 100 percent with you PRA4SNW. And add also, that this truck is very clean as well. There is really not very much out there with these kind of miles and 11 Grand as well. And I personally like that there not much stuff to break or go wrong here either.
I’ve had 2 of these. One morning in the Sunday paper was the local Ford dealer (Oregon) selling new base Rangers for $9995. They had a long row of them, all colors, so I picked a red one, 4 Cyl 4 speed stick. What a great little truck. At about 50,000 miles I decided to upgrade to a similar B3000 with a V6, auto, A/C white king cab. At just under 50,000 miles, it was also $9995. Again a great truck that I had for many years and sold it for $5,000. I’d buy another in a heartbeat if I was shopping. :-) Terry J
Sold these 3 mazda dealerships ..I’d immediately replace the electric fuel pump their only good for 30k miles if it’s original long over due.
Mazda made a 4×4 2500 – suspension components easily available to make it more robust & cheaply.
Could even source an entire 4×4 assembly it all bolts right in.
Only other thing is Internal Rust easily addressed with Long Wand keyhole rustoluem application body panels box Rockers.
Be fun to swap in a Modded 13B Rotary- had one with 5th wheel for towing Zzzzrrraaappp BANG 💥
Price is right & it’s pristine.
Easy project truck
These were order for commercial fleets in mostly all cases. 5 speed Manual tranny / Vinyl seats / Plain Wheels & No A/C that I can see or was mentioned. still very nice plain truck.
The non-painted bumpers on any model pickup truck usually also gives away that they are fleet vehicles. Cheaper to repair / replace.
Bought 3 Rangers new.Still have the window stickers.94’XL $ 9,149 Next 98’XLT $ 15,165 and the one i should have kept 03′ Edge Plus Stepside in Black 3.0 L 5 speed auto for $ 17,795 ,trade it in on a 07′ Focus 4 door Hatchback.
I owned a 98 model B2500 with a 4 cyl and auto trans. It was a deluxe model with cloth seats and fancy aluminum wheels and some bright trim. I loved it. Had 160K miles on it when a guy pulled out in front me and I hit him. Ins company totaled it and I got $3500 for it. I wish that these small pickups were still made. There is a market for them. This one here is nice but it is still the bare bones entry model truck. $11 grand is about twice what it is worth.