5 people 8,000 miles £2k budget what 4x4

[JDMc]

Next year I will be driving approximately 8,000 miles over mixed terrain and in both heat and cold.

I need a car that is going to be reliable and capable.

So far I have looked at Pajeros, Troopers and Surfs and all seem to be the right size and are rated well at my budget. Can anyone suggest anything that I have potentially missed?

Also a suggestion of what commonly wears out on these would help.

I will be travelling through Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan with NGO volunteers and so something with 7 seats and easily repairable is preferable.

I look forward to your suggestions.

J

[Lionsden]

Mitsubishi Delica. 7/8 seats, loads of room, capable 4x4, plenty of them over there so parts should be fairly easy to source. see this post on MDOCUK... they are doing a similar trip...

http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=343...

[Johnboy Mac]

Imo your budget is not enough.

[JDMc]

Johnboy Mac said:

Imo your budget is not enough.

Can you suggest where it is lacking? I am not in disagreement but it would be good to understand where it needs to be in order to purchase a suitable vehicle.

From my research thus far, £2000 buys me any of the above in working order - I have commitment from dealerships to ensure it is in full working order prior to departure also.

[JDMc]

Lionsden said:

Mitsubishi Delica. 7/8 seats, loads of room, capable 4x4, plenty of them over there so parts should be fairly easy to source. see this post on MDOCUK... they are doing a similar trip...

http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=343...

Great resource, many thanks for the information! Just reading through the thread now.

[Johnboy Mac]

JDMc said:

I have commitment from dealerships to ensure it is in full working order prior to departure also.

That sure helps especially at your budget. Maybe, 2k will be o.k..

Personally, I'd looking at something like a Toyota LandCruiser Colorado or Amazon, but you're looking at 5k+

I wish you well & good luck

[anonymous-user]

JDMc said:

Johnboy Mac said:

Imo your budget is not enough.

Can you suggest where it is lacking? I am not in disagreement but it would be good to understand where it needs to be in order to purchase a suitable vehicle.

From my research thus far, £2000 buys me any of the above in working order - I have commitment from dealerships to ensure it is in full working order prior to departure also.

I agree with Johnboy. You haven't said where exactly you're planning to go which could have a big impact. The more remote it gets, for example, the more you have to allow for either having parts made and repairs done locally or having OEM parts flown (?) out to you.
All the promises in the world from a dealer....a £2k wagon is gonna need some TLC en-route unless you have a very open-ended schedule where you can spend your own time sourcing bits and fixing the thing instead of driving it.

[bluebear]

Pajeros every time

[scrwright]

2 Lada Nivas?

[anonymous-user]

scrwright said:

2 Lada Nivas?

There is/was a pair (yep, both of them) for £600 on eBay.

[JDMc]

The trip is open ended and we will be stationed in certain areas for weeks at a time. I am willing to spend over the initial investment to get it to a good standard also.

I will not be purposefully leaving the beaten track however those who have travelled in Russia and the 'stans will know the roads are often pot hole riddled dirt tracks. I will also encounter snow in the more mountainous areas and heat during the summer months in the lower lying areas.

Excuse my ignorance, but reading other forums and posts many people have bought reliable 4x4's at £2k. What will likely need replacing on a Pajero for example to give a little more confidence in reliability? Or am I genuinely better off looking at Nivas and spending the cash getting it up to standard?

Thanks.

[Johnboy Mac]

JDMc said:

.

I will be travelling through Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan with NGO volunteers and so something with 7 seats and easily repairable is preferable.

Right, here's a couple of questions for you to ponder:

What are the most popular makes of 4x4's in the above areas? When in Rome.....
And of those makes what are available within a reasonable budget on the UK market?

[anonymous-user]

JDMc said:

those who have travelled in Russia and the 'stans will know the roads are often pot hole riddled dirt tracks......am I genuinely better off looking at Nivas?

Thanks.

Ermmm.......... remind me where Nivas come from?

Bit over-budget but have you considered something like this?

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 5th December 23:11

[West4x4]

I'd go for the most simple truck you could get. Look into what fuel is like out there is petrol or diesel the best choice and what's the quality like? What about an old 109 landrover? Or look at what the locals drive. Gaz 66 is indestructable Russian squadies couldn't kill them.

[JDMc]

Again, thank you for being patient!

I have started looking into Nivas, from a price point ones in good running order with less rust go for around £700 meaning I can comfortably buy 2 and spend the remainder buying spares/repairing. With the commitment I have from the dealership (not Lada) I will be able to get them to a good standard.

I am also relatively handy with a spanner and so the less complex the car the better for roadside repair.

The support network and forums seems good in the UK also and to your points they are very common in Russia/'stans.

Also to note petrol is easier to come by than diesel and so that is a very valid point.

I will keep you updated on my progress and no doubt heart ache.

[s_zigmond]

If serious about nivas, get on lada.co.uk site. There is one on there for £800 at the moment which should be perfect (not mine). also google baxters niva site

Edited by s_zigmond on Tuesday 6th December 12:47

[Johnboy Mac]

JDMc said:

I have started looking into Nivas,

Is there a seven version?????

[JDMc]

s_zigmond said:

If serious about nivas, get on lada.co.uk site. There is one on there for £800 at the moment which should be perfect (not mine). also google baxters niva site

Edited by s_zigmond on Tuesday 6th December 12:47

I have dropped Rick a call already, thanks for the heads up.

Johnboy Mac said:

Is there a seven version?????

If you are referring to seats, I am considering the option of 2 Nivas.

Edited by JDMc on Tuesday 6th December 15:00

[Johnboy Mac]

JDMc said:

If you are referring to seats, I am considering the option of 2 Nivas.

Yes sorry, I ment seats. Would one tip top vehicle not make more sense? Or will you just make sure you're in the one that hasn't broken down?

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Tuesday 6th December 15:33

[JDMc]

Johnboy Mac said:

Yes sorry, I ment seats. Would one tip top vehicle not make more sense? Or will you just makes sure you're in the one that hasn't broken down?

No problem, would be great if Lada did a 7 seater!

In a perfect world yes it just depends if I can offload the other NGO to another vehicle/transporter

I think the key part about the Niva is the lack of technology and weight, meaning there are less electrical niggles to worry of and no need to carry a 2 tonne hydraulic jack in the case of a flat tyre.