London to Oz

[Rach81]

Hi all,
I'm planning an overland trip from UK to Oz next June and I need a suitable chariot.
Has to be offroad capable, reliable, easy to fix, economical-ish, slightly quirky and cheap to buy! (1-2k)

I'm thinking: Hilux Surf, Pajero, Landy 90/110, Rangie, CV van???

Any opinions regarding petrol vs diesel, modifications, telling me I'm a nut are welcome.

Thanks

[Psimpson7]

1994-1998 300TDI Discovery 1, I reckon is the only choice. Easy to fix, very reliable, plenty of space, comfortable, good offroad, good spares availability etc etc..

Rgds
Pete

[J-K]

Hi rach, that sounds like a brilliant trip, i would love to do that. You planning on staying there or is it a round trip?
I agree with pete for the money your talking a disco would be my choice. If you had a little more I would say go for a 90/110.
Good luck with the adventure.

john

[Rach81]

I've got a few watches on ebay, Baja beetle, 2cv and a Lada Niva

I'm planning to get a work visa then I have the option to stay or come home if I've had enough. Going to the library tonight to pick up a Learn Chinese Cassette, my surgery stereo plays cassettes so my patients might learn something too

[onlynik]

TBH I'd go for a Toyota, part would be easy to get where ever you are. Seem to run forever too.

[J-K]

Rach81 said:

I've got a few watches on ebay, Baja beetle, 2cv and a Lada Niva

Quality......but mad!!

When ever you set off you will have to try and update us, I think that would be some hilarious reading...especially in a 2CV.

[Rach81]

One of my patients has just been in to tell me about a Ford Anglian for sale down the road, I'm going for a nosey after work

I'm so excited!

As soon as I think of a team name, I'll have a website and try to keep my blog up on the road, planning to be away 4-6 months

[Rach81]

Initally I was going to take something sensible, but I was told off! I drove an SJ410 to Mongolia but they break down too much and have been banned from the Oz rally lol

[GTIR]

I think a Toyota would be ideal, as spares are plentiful if your goinbg via africa and in Oz they are everywhere.

I would avoid a Disco, your better off with an older Landy, like a series ii or iii. Maybe even a Defender.

What about a nice white Subaru Justy 4x4?

[Rach*]

I'm not going via Africa... I had to cancel my Africa trip this summer
Something along the lines of Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, China, Thailand ish, Oz. (yep a real hot bed of political strife along the way)


Justy is on the list

A VW pal is checking out a Baja beetle for me before the weekend.

[agent006]

Having owned one, i'd never rely on a Landrover product to get me anywhere where there isn't a readily available recovery service. Yes they're easy to fix, but it's sod's law it'll be the part you didn't bring. Plus it's far nicer not to have it break in the first place. Patrol or Landcruiser. Look at what they drive in the outback where realiability is life or death and you'll be waiting a long time to see a landrover.
I'd seriously consider a rollcage too if you're tackling rough terrain in remote places.

2.4 Hilux surf is best avoided by all accounts. 3.0 much better but more expensive.

[300bhp/ton]

Rach81 said:

Hi all,
I'm planning an overland trip from UK to Oz next June and I need a suitable chariot.
Has to be offroad capable, reliable, easy to fix, economical-ish, slightly quirky and cheap to buy! (1-2k)

I'm thinking: Hilux Surf, Pajero, Landy 90/110, Rangie, CV van???

Any opinions regarding petrol vs diesel, modifications, telling me I'm a nut are welcome.

Thanks

Guess it depends on several things.

1. Will you be off roading?
2. Will you have a big bag of money for repairs or alternative transport if needed?
3. Are you doing it alone, small convoy or a larger scale expadition?
4. Do you care about keeping/selling the car afterwards?

By the sound of it you seem pretty experienced at this, so I guess in many ways you are probably better equipped to answer your own question than most of us here.

I guess what you need to consider is, just how wacky do you want to be?