1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup Review
1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup Review
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Used B-Series Pickup for sale
Appraise This CarMazda B-Series Pickup model years
Mazda B-Series Pickup types
- Extended Cab
- Regular Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Comfortable interior, rattle-free construction, great warranty, optional passenger airbag
Cons
- No third door option
What’s new
The lineup is trimmed, leaving just B2300 and B4000 models available. SE-5 designation returns to bolster marketing efforts. B4000 pickups can be equipped with a new five-speed automatic transmission.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup B2300 SE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$188/mo for B-Series Pickup B2300 SE
B-Series Pickup B2300 SE
vs
$233/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
Kinship of Mazda's B-Series with Ford's Ranger is evident both on the surface and beneath. That's because both compact pickups are built at the same New Jersey factory, from the same design, and employ virtually identical powertrains and four-wheel-drive setups. Both are competent and attractive, differing only in detail and pricing structure.
Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard on all 4WD models. SE models equipped with the SE-5 Plus package also include this safety feature. A rear-wheel system is standard on all other B-Series trucks. All B-Series models come standard with a driver's side airbag. A passenger's side airbag is available as part of the SE-5 Plus option package, and the airbag can be deactivated for those times when small children must ride in the front seat.
Horsepower of the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that powers B2300 models measures 112. Those who like to flex their truck's muscle are likely to be attracted to the B4000 end of the scale. Its 4.0-liter V6 delivers 160 horsepower, plus a 220 foot-pounds torque wallop--just right for heavy hauling and easy merging/passing on the highway. For 1997, this engine can be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 5,900 pounds when properly equipped.
Two cab configurations are available with either two- or four-wheel drive. Two trim levels are marketed, down from three in 1996: base and sporty SE. The slow-selling luxury-oriented LE trim level is dropped this year. Your ticket to the options list is the SE trim level. Base models can only be equipped with air conditioning, power steering, an automatic transmission, and a bedliner.
A B2300 pickup looks truly basic inside, but carries full gauges (without graduations) and simple climate controls. In base form, a Mazda with a simple vinyl bench seat looks to be all truck--pristine and practical, almost like a cargo hauler out of the 1940s. Add such amenities as air conditioning and power steering, though, and you get a comfortable-driving, highly functional machine for only a moderate financial outlay.
Select any Mazda truck, and you get rugged construction, good looks and with the B4000, a spirited powertrain. Best of all, Mazda offers one of the best comprehensive truck warranties in the business. It's hard to go wrong with a Mazda B-Series pickup.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup.
5 star(43%)
4 star(43%)
3 star(6%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
My little truck
paulst2419, 07/19/2012
1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup B2300 SE 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Bought this truck in 2008 without knowing how many miles on it. Odometer was broken at 98k and the owner said he didn't even know. Looked up a carfax history report to learn it had 98k miles 4 years before we bought it. Estimations say that the truck now has about 200k miles on it. All we've done is drive it and do preventative maintenance and the truck runs good. I plan to run it until … it doesn't run anymore and get a newer B3000. The truck does lack power but it is still the best investment I ever made. Bought it to keep miles off my nice car and it has done just that. With new Hankook tires it seems to float down the road. Not much of a "truck" but great value nonetheless.
5 out of 5 stars
Excelent first truck
Vapor, 04/28/2002
1996 Mazda B-Series Pickup B2300 SE 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Every kid or parent should consider
this truck for his or her first
vehicle. First off it is one of the
most well built pieces of machinery I
have seen on the road, truly built to
last. With 112hp and 135ft-lbs torque
it has excellent acceleration if you
know how to drive it well. I have toped
out speed around 105mph and I think it
still had just a bit more power left … in
her. She will probably do 110 which is
plenty fast for any truck. I have never
had to replace a part on this truck and
I merely do basic maintenance. Regular
oil changes, fluid checks, tune-ups,
spark plugs, filters, cables, etcetera,
etcetera. Anyone interested in a small
pickup I recommend u look at this one
first.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Not fancy, but functional
Tom B., 06/06/2008
1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup B2300 SE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
The B2300 is not the biggest, baddest truck out there. But for light hauling, home renovations, or city deliveries it is easy to maneuver and easy to park. Gas mileage is okay. Unfortunately, my wife is so fond of driving it to the garden store and the big-box outlet mall, I never see my truck anymore.
1.75 out of 5 stars
Timing belt breaks, engine is no good
chris, 04/05/2009
1996 Mazda B-Series Pickup B2300 SE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
I was beyond shocked to find out that my engine was no good after my timing belt broke. My 1996 Mazda B2300 SE extended cab pickup broke the timing belt at engine idle. The mechanic informed me that the 2.3 liter engines in these pickups are considered to be interference engines, which means when the timing belt breaks, the pistons will destroy the and bend the valves in the engine, … making the engine useless.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Mazda B-Series Pickup, so we've included reviews for other years of the B-Series Pickup since its last redesign.
1997 B-Series Pickup Highlights
Extended Cab
B2300 SE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $188/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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