42K Original Miles: 1989 Mazda B2200 Pickup Truck – Sold?

December 28, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

One of the more striking phenomenons that almost every car enthusiast encounters is when a vehicle that was previously just a throwaway car suddenly becomes worth a few bucks because there are no good examples left. For a truck like the Mazda B2200, most of these small haulers met their demise ages ago due to rust and/or low values. As this 1989 B2200 goes to show us, survivors are worth holding onto as this 42,000-mile example was originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Newington, Connecticut as a strong runner with no major rust for $4,500. Comparing this price against the NADA Price Guide confirms this private seller has his truck priced right on the money of an “Average” example which carries a value of $4,925.

The B2200 is a rare find these days, along with its primary imported small truck competitors like the Mitsubishi Mighty Max, Dodge Ram 50, and Nissan Hardbody. They were easy targets as cheap workhorses used as fleet vehicles in a delivery capacity or beater work trucks for the job site. Cheap to run, fuel-efficient, and even mildly peppy, these entry-level pickups were quickly used up and cast aside when the fenders began to contain more rust than actual metal, or it simply made better fiscal sense to replace the dependable hauler. That’s why today these trucks stand out when they show up for sale, particularly in burly four-wheel-drive form, the likes of which have to be damn near extinct considering how few of them we see among the online classifieds pages. They were well-loved trucks when new, celebrated for the low running costs and respectable fuel economy.

The Rolan Fields YouTube Channel features this 1989 Mazda B2200 commercial:

The seller’s truck may not look like a showroom fresh example, but the low mileage is certainly believable given how clean the body and interior are. The paintwork may look a little faded and the original SE-5 decals have seen better days, but all of that can be improved. The cockpit features damage-free cloth upholstery and equally-clean carpeting. There is still some rust visible in the lower extremities of the body, but given the Mazda clearly wasn’t kept under lock-and-key in a museum-type environment, it’s actually amazing there’s not more rust considering it was clearly used as a driver. The market for light-duty pickups will never be a scorcher in terms of value, but it’s certainly one that is earning more respect as of late as enthusiasts realize there are very few decent examples left. Good luck with the purchase if you take this low-mileage Mazda home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1989 Mazda B2200 Pickup Truck….. ONLY 42,000 miles……5 Speed Manual transmission….2 wheel drive….The truck runs and drives amazingly well… The frame and undercarriage are in great condition for its age and mileage.

Serious buyers are welcome to call my cell phone any time between 9 a.m and 9 p.m “

Do you have a Mazda B-Series story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!