What Car? - Mongol Rally

[GC8]

Smitters said:

An old school-mate of mine did it in a Bedford Rascal and I believe was part of a team of two vehicles. The benefit of running two identical objects means sharing some spares and lots of knowledge. There was an engine change in a Belgian campsite though.

Looks brilliant. What about an old Fiat Panda part time 4x4? They had a lever to engage 4wd, but as a 2wd bit of kit were high, softly sprung and jolly basic. Just peel the 4x4 stickers off/promise not to engage it. You could only go 30mph with it engaged anyway!

Id guess that Mongolia is already full of old Pandas and ine if the reasons that there are harldy any left...

I believe that Mongolia wont allow anything over ten years old in now, limiting options.

[DonkeyApple]

I'd be tempted to only take a spares kit that comprised of a bundle of USD and a flagon of serious industrial cleaner and then just buy a replacement car locally at each terminal break down.

[Matt Sketch]

I've been ummm'ing and ahhh'ing about doing this for a while now. Quick question for those that have run in one.
What would you consider a realistic overall budget for doing it? I'm thinking fuel, food, spares, visas, flights home etc?

[msduk]

I'm still thinking about how to do this. For one I really CBA with a 1 litre car. I don't buy this whole, breaking down is part of the fun crap. For me the adventure is seeing plenty of amazing places and going wherever I want. With that in mind I am thinking a Jimny or Forester.

I am also unsure about how to play returning the car. I assume shipping it back will be getting on for 1k. I thought about driving back. Other options are selling the car in Russia/China/Thailand and flying back from there. Any ideas around this are v welcome...