Mazda Marathon 10-/16-seater

0 to 100 km/h: 21,6 sec Top speed: 147 km/h Power: 77 kw Torque: 174 N.m CO : 283 g/km CAR fuel index: 14,56 L/100 km

2 THESE capable minibuses are somewhat long in the tooth now and, like the Hi-ace, almost all have seen extensive use as taxis. This vehicle enjoyed a long lifespan, from 1991 to 2002, but with competition like the Toyota, Mazda managed to sell only about 300 a year, so there aren’t many around today.

Unlike the Microbus, the interior is sparse and the seats thin, purposely made so as to accommodate extra passengers. No seat belts are tted to the rear, so you will have to have these added for safety.

Like the Hi-ace, both 10and 16-seater versions were sold. The powertrain layout was also rear-wheel drive, with a front-mid-mounted engine of 2,2 litres (codenamed F2) and a ve-speed gearbox.

The Marathon is a reliable people mover with a single overhead camshaft driving eight hydraulic-tappeted valves. Maintenance shouldn’t be a problem, although some parts may be tricky to source. Incidentally, the Ford Spectron was sold in South Africa and is almost identical to the Marathon. This was the time of Ford and Mazda collaboration, with most of the engines coming from the Mazda stable.

As an aside, other 10-seater options include the Ford Husky and the Mitsubishi Starwagon. These have the same specs and use a 2,0-litre Mitsubishi engine. There is also the Mitsubishi Space Gear that seats eight and the more sophisticated Toyota Previa.