Buying a 4x4 - Advice

Author
Discussion

TravelTheWorldJB

Original Poster:

6 posts

106 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
So, a friend and I are planning a long distance trip from London to Sydney via car, we expect the journey to be at least 15-18k miles.

We're looking for a car with both good MPG and something that's going to be durable enough to actually get us there. We'll be living out of this truck/car/whatever for around 8+ months so something that can carry a fair amount of gear would also be fantastic.

We're going to be crossing rough terrain, deserts, mountains, beaches and rain forests so 4x4 is essential for us.

So far I've been looking at Isuzu troopers, but as we know little about cars we would love to get some outside advice.

Maximum spend would be about £3500.


Any tips, tricks, links, sites and knowledge welcome! smile

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
Amazon Land Cruiser is the default answer but not many (if any at all) in your budget. Something robust like a Trooper would be a safe bet I think.

PS spare seat? Would love to do that kind of thing some day.

TravelTheWorldJB

Original Poster:

6 posts

106 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the tips, trooper is something I've been looking at for sure.

When I was about 11, my mother drove from Texas to Argentina (The entire length of Central and South America) and we had an old beat up Isuzu then too.

Also, yes we will have a spare seat for a third, however we are still in early stages of planning and wont be setting off another 10 months or so.

smile

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
Wouldn't a Hilux and a tent be a better bet? They are sold all over the place, so parts needn't be such an issue, they are plentiful and not too expensive use. You could just nick one like those cheeky chappies did to ours.

TurboHatchback

4,151 posts

152 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
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An 80 series Landcruiser is the ultimate answer but you would probably need at least another grand to get a decent one ready for such a trip. One of the smaller Landcruisers would also be a good bet or the Nissan Patrol is good value for a full size Agri-spec 4x4.

Swampy1982

3,305 posts

110 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
good point above, I think parts availability will have to come into the decision making somewhere. You don't want to buy a UK popular car to find a garage in the rain-forest scratching their heads as they work out what it is.

Also, maybe not useful, but have you considered a left hand drive. I imagine you will pick one up cheaper in the UK, and also that most of the roads you will be travelling on will have the steering wheel on the wrong side.

Might be more difficult to source, but if you have 10 months then you have time.

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
How rough is the terrain you will encounter? If it is tarmac all the way you don't need a full-on 4x4.

996TT02

3,308 posts

139 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
Double cab Hilux probably best bet, with a glassfibre canopy for the rear so you can store stuff semi-securely and at least protected from the elements. With a boggo 2.8D "3L" engine.

Good enough for the Taliban!

TravelTheWorldJB

Original Poster:

6 posts

106 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
It wont all be tarmac, we're looking to really get off the beaten track and will most definitely need to do some offroading.

I've been looking at the Toyota land cruiser 80's series and most seem to be north of £6k for something reasonable.

Also, do they do a decent MPG? While we do want something offroad capable, we will also be covering A LOT of mileage and need something that wont guzzle too much gas.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
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Some fairly complicated cars suggested here- big, heavy stuff with 4WD...

Depends on terrain etc of course, but for running repairs you want simplicity, parts availability and good access, and lightness means easier to get moving if stuck and generally lighter on tyres and suspension.

Hilux is a good shout, working vehicle, uncomplicated, recognised the world over.

TurboHatchback

4,151 posts

152 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
TravelTheWorldJB said:
It wont all be tarmac, we're looking to really get off the beaten track and will most definitely need to do some offroading.

I've been looking at the Toyota land cruiser 80's series and most seem to be north of £6k for something reasonable.

Also, do they do a decent MPG? While we do want something offroad capable, we will also be covering A LOT of mileage and need something that wont guzzle too much gas.
They do pop up for less than £6k but you have to keep your eyes open and snap it up when a good one appears for a good price, there aren't many good ones coming up for sale. I've fairly recently bought one which I am taking to Iceland this summer which will probably owe me £4.5k by the time it's completely ready to go but I got it for a very good price and looked at quite a few before finding one in such good condition.

As for fuel economy the manual ones are very good (for a huge heavy duty 4x4), I've got an average ~30mpg out of both of mine.

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
A while back a PHer (Rachel) did a similar route iirc in a VW Beetle.

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
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JB8

381 posts

144 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
I drove to Mongolia a few years ago and Landcruisers were everywhere, shortly followed by the Hilux. They seem to be the default answer.

I wouldn't worry about fuel consumption, not sure what route you're taking, but the price of fuel plummets once you're outside of the EU.

The difference between 20 and 30 mpg is going to be negligible given the total cost of the trip (presuming close to £10k between you). Assuming 15k miles at an average £1 per litre, the difference between total fuel cost at 20 and 30 mpg is about £800, or £400 each.

Bottom line, I wouldn't compromise on vehicle choice given those numbers.

Sounds like it will be an epic trip either way!


valiant

10,066 posts

159 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
TravelTheWorldJB said:
Thanks for the tips, trooper is something I've been looking at for sure.

When I was about 11, my mother drove from Texas to Argentina (The entire length of Central and South America) and we had an old beat up Isuzu then too.

Also, yes we will have a spare seat for a third, however we are still in early stages of planning and wont be setting off another 10 months or so.

smile
There was a Vauxhall equivalent of the Trooper called the Monteray although good luck finding one as they're thin on the ground (only one on AT at the moment), but they tend to be much cheaper than the equiv Trooper despite being virtually the same car.

Or, a Mitsubishi Shogun would fit the bil and there are plenty available at your price point.

shielsy

826 posts

128 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
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Shogun/Pajeros are hard to beat for value, especially the petrol versions.

Rickyy

6,618 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
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Toyota Hilix Surf? There's a few on eBay for less than £3k.

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
TravelTheWorldJB said:
When I was about 11, my mother drove the entire length of Central and South America

smile
I can pretty much guarantee you that she didn't!



TravelTheWorldJB

Original Poster:

6 posts

106 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
With the exception of the Panamanian gap, yes she did. smile


Thanks for all the info guys, the toyota hillux looks pretty cool. I'm going to research it a little more, are there any suggested places to pick up second hand cars in the UK? Perhaps auctions etc?

Once again, thanks for any and all info. smile

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 5th May 2015
quotequote all
TravelTheWorldJB said:
With the exception of the Panamanian gap smile
Indeed, only ever been crossed by one Jeep, two series Land Rovers and two Range Rovers.

Never by a Japanese vehicle.