On the odometer? 486 302 km

How many owners has it had?
Only one – I bought the vehicle new in 1991.

Does the vehicle have a nickname?
Knersus. The vehicle creaked and groaned a lot before I replaced the worn-out bushes on the front suspension. My colleagues started calling it Knersus.

How much did it cost?
We bought it for R63 436, which included the canopy, air-conditioning, immobiliser and the rubberised load bay.

Why a Mazda?
The cab is spacious – I’m almost 2 m tall and can fit in comfortably. This reliable vehicle is also ideal for the bush. Regarding the interior, the floor is covered in vinyl, so if it gets dirty and muddy, it’s easy to clean.

Where have you travelled in it?
In South Africa we’ve been all the way from Cape Point to Beit Bridge, and from Kosi Bay to Elands Bay. Then we’ve also been to Mozambique, Swazi¬land, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Your dream destination?
I’d like to explore Angola properly.

Repairs?
Very little. I decided to have the gearbox replaced at 260 000 km because the original was a little noisy.
The following was also replaced: the clutch (twice), water pump (for only R142 in 2006!), bushes on the front suspension, universal joints on the rear drive shaft (twice) and the front brake discs. Furthermore, the alternator and ignition were reconditioned, and the seat has been reupholstered once.
By the way, the engine’s top has never been removed.
I’ve just fitted the seventh set of tyres. The vehicle also has its fourth battery and fourth set of shock absorbers.
I had to have a new key cut because the original key had been worn paper thin after all the driving. In 1994, at about 80 000 km, I had a stainless steel exhaust fitted. The same system is still on the vehicle.

Modifications?
When I bought it new, I had air-conditioning fitted, which wasn’t standard equipment yet in 1991.

What do you like?
It’s incredibly reliable, very tough and simple enough to work on yourself, should this be necessary.

And what don’t you like?
The fuel consumption: with the bakkie loaded I get 8 km/litre at 120 km/h on tar road. In sand and in the city it’s much lower.
The new-generation diesel 4x4 bakkies perform a bit better in this aspect.

If you could change something?
Nothing – you don’t mess with a winning formula.

Do you pack anything special for a long trip?
A chain – I’ve had to tow many a vehicle out of a tight spot.

Best memory?
In 2002 my wife and I got lost in the Kalahari – between Mabuasehube in Botswana and Nossob in the Kgalagadi – after missing a turnoff. By the time we realised our mistake, the rest of the group was nowhere to be seen.
To get back to Nossob we had to drive up steep dunes.
We arrived at Nossob just as Sanparks’ plane was about to take off to search for us – the rest of the group had arrived long before and were very concerned.

Worst memory?
After the vehicle had had its 400 000 km service and I’d driven it about 15 km on the way home, I realised with a shock the radiator contained nothing but anti-freeze. It had no water! I had to pour 4 litres of water into the radiator. Fortunately, the engine wasn’t damaged, but I can’t say the same of the mechanics …

If it were a celebrity?
Riaan Cruywagen – after all these years he’s still doing his job conscientiously.
With R10 000 … I’d fit a rooftop tent and a dual-battery system.

Originally published in Drive Out #33 | October - November 2009