UK - Mongolia... What car?

[aponting389]

Hi, a friend and I have entered the 2011 Mongol Rally, our prep is already under way but we are unsure as to what car to go out and buy!

The requirements for the vehicle for the rally are..

1. Newer than 10 years old, so MY 2002 or later.
2. Maximum 1200cc engine size (bigger is permitted, but has to be approved by the organisers, and there is a £100 penalty per 100cc payable to the official event charities)
3. Our budget is likely to be around £1500.

Bearing in mind the terrain that we are likely to encounter travelling through countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. Any suggestions and/or advice for the car would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

[HellDiver]

Fiat Panda. There is no other choice.

[crmcatee]

2CV.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Yeah a friend of mine did it a few years back in a 4x4 panda. (Although it was 4x2 from Russia onwards )


Newer than 10yrs old? Is that a new rule?

[Papa Hotel]

Fiat Panda.

[Hugo a Gogo]

a selection of cheap crap from piss-poor manufacturers from crappy little countries
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-DAEWOO-MATIZ-SE-PLUS-GR...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KIA-RIO-LX-5-Door-Hatch-2003...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-SUZUKI-ALTO-GL-SILVER-/...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-MG-ZR-TD-YELLOW-damaged...

and a Ford
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-KA-SILVER-2004-04-REG-F...

[Uhura fighter]

Was it Rach who did this last year?

See if I can find the thread, don't use a beetle


ETA: It was 2007 - Look through this posters previous posts, Oz Rally/Mongol Rally/Afganistan etc.

Rach*
Big adventure thread
her blog

Edited by Uhura fighter on Monday 27th September 12:21

[plasticpig]

Suzuki Jimmy. It's a 1.3 though. 4 wheel drive with a low ratio box and they are very tough.

[jbi]

The Mongol Rally isn't about comfort and it doesn't have a great deal to do with style; what we seek is adventure. So the one litre rule was born. What's the point of setting out on an adventure if the end result is a foregone conclusion?

What makes a 1 litre car any less likely to finish than a 2 litre?

Stupid rule if you ask me... your basically limiting the possibility's

Edited by jbi on Monday 27th September 12:12

[rallycross]

so you have to have a car less than 1200 cc and less than ten years old?

its hardly going to be the sort of car that is rugged and can be fixed by the side of the road in any country, what a daft set of rules.

[koolchris99]

Friends just did it in a Mazda Demio LX

no breakdowns, lots of bribes to police though..

can read about it here

http://mongolrally10.theadventurists.com/index.php...

[BoRED S2upid]

LEss than 10 years old? Thats a rediculous rule.

[Mr Gear]

I think the trick to this is to buy a car that is made in the millions, and no-one does "world cars" quite as well as the Japanese. A Suzuki Swift is ideal. Maybe a Micra. Something with high but crude suspension and an engine you can fix with a hammer.... or even better, one that won't break in the first place.

[LC2]

rallycross said:

so you have to have a car less than 1200 cc and less than ten years old?

its hardly going to be the sort of car that is rugged and can be fixed by the side of the road in any country, what a daft set of rules.

Just been reading the rules. It would seem it's a requirement placed upon the organisers by the Mongolian govt.
It seems they don't want a bunch of really old cars being left there each year, but newish ones are okay.
Personally, I'd want to do it in an old SJ410. At least it can be generally fixed with a hammer and / or gas welder.

[Papa Hotel]

BoRED S2upid said:

LEss than 10 years old? Thats a rediculous rule.

Well it's not though, is it? The cars get left in Mongolia, donated or sold. The Mongolian authorities don't want ancient crap getting left that'll only clog the place up so have requested the cars are a little newer.

[aponting389]

Thanks for the replies guys, just reading some of Rach's stuff now.

I think we will go along these lines

Mr Gear said:

I think the trick to this is to buy a car that is made in the millions, and no-one does "world cars" quite as well as the Japanese. A Suzuki Swift is ideal. Maybe a Micra. Something with high but crude suspension and an engine you can fix with a hammer.... or even better, one that won't break in the first place.

I'd love to take a Panda, or an SJ410, but the rules wont allow either!

A Jimny is a great idea, have to have a look for some, another idea i've been contemplating is buying something crash damaged but mechanically sound then fixing it up to a degree. could be a cheaper way of getting something more reliable?

[HellDiver]

aponting389 said:

I'd love to take a Panda, or an SJ410, but the rules wont allow either!

Why don't the rules allow a Panda?

[aponting389]

HellDiver said:

Why don't the rules allow a Panda?

Sorry, they do, I discounted the Panda in my head for being too new, and therefore too expensive. Didnt realise they were made back in 02/03. Are they tough/reliable? Against the spirit of the rally I know, but it would help!

[koolchris99]

HellDiver said:

aponting389 said:

I'd love to take a Panda, or an SJ410, but the rules wont allow either!

Why don't the rules allow a Panda?

the panda is allowed? there just fking expensive for one under 10 years old.

[Papa Hotel]

HellDiver said:

aponting389 said:

I'd love to take a Panda, or an SJ410, but the rules wont allow either!

Why don't the rules allow a Panda?

Less than ten years, 1.2 engine or less, the rules do include a Panda.

There's a Cat C here for 750 quid, should leave enough for spares in the kitty after repairs!

Edited by Papa Hotel on Monday 27th September 13:28