What Shed to drive to Africa?

[Vytalis]

Looks like it is time to buy my shed to take on the Banjul Challenge (www.dakarchallenge.co.uk) in December (want to spend some time getting used to it and ironing out any nastiness in the UK), but I'm unsure what to go with. Criteria:

Economy entirely unimportant (I'll be driving it once and donating it to charity when we get there)
Not expensive
Reliable OR easy to fix the essentials with a lump hammer and some duct tape (or both, but where is the fun in that?)
Fun to drive (in the way that I need to look back on this and say 'that was fun/we survived', not 'the dynamic poise of the chassis allowed me to clip that last apex perfectly'.
Likely to appeal to the bidders at the Charity auction
Doesn't need to be 4x4 btw.
Cheap (less than £1,000, ideally less than £500)

Edit: And it should be LHD.

My thoughts so far:

Lexus LS400
Rover 75
BMW 7 series
fiat 126
Austin Metro
Maestro

Edited by Vytalis on Saturday 25th June 11:13

[Shuvi Tupya]

Vytalis said:

My thoughts so far:

Lexus LS400
Rover 75
BMW 7 series
fiat 126
Austin Metro
Maestro

Strange list if you ask me!

I would immediatley rule out all the big heavy stuff!

[tomsugden]

Range rover classic

[carreauchompeur]

OP, not to piss on your chips, or add another layer of complexity, but the website appears to suggest it's open to LHD vehicles only

[R12HCO]

Old suzuki vitara. Reliable. Easy to fix (older carb ones especially) and should get one for around 500

[TRUENOSAM]

tomsugden said:

Range rover classic

For less than £1000 it is going to be a wreck unless your very lucky.

A 5 series would be my choice (E34)

[SVX]

I'd be looking at a Mercedes W123/124 - preferably a 6 cylinder, diesel if pace isn't important.

[ambuletz]

buy one of the older 'good' mercs. w124 or earlier. they are gods chariots down there.

[Fort Jefferson]

carreauchompeur said:

OP, not to piss on your chips, or add another layer of complexity, but the website appears to suggest it's open to LHD vehicles only

[Parrot of Doom]

SVX said:

I'd be looking at a Mercedes W123/124 - preferably a 6 cylinder, diesel if pace isn't important.

This, lots of Mercs down there, the locals will know how to fix them.

[davepoth]

Yup, AIUI that's a requirement of the country you finish up in - they only allow LHD cars on the road.

Mercedes W123 diesel saloon if you can find one, you'll make money on it when you get there.

Other than that a Peugeot 504 would be a good move (also a very popular taxi in that part of the world) and then anything with a basic diesel engine and decent ground clearance after that.

[Lancs Jag Boy]

I took a £100 Audi 100 2.0 on a rally to Cassablanca in 2007. To date it is still one of the best cars I've ever owned. No water, oil or anything in five days of very, very hard driving. For a £1000 you'd get a A6.

[Vytalis]

carreauchompeur said:

OP, not to piss on your chips, or add another layer of complexity, but the website appears to suggest it's open to LHD vehicles only

Thanks, forgot to add that to the list.

[Vytalis]

Vytalis said:

Thanks, forgot to add that to the list.

But the Timbuktu challenge is open to LHD and RHD, so that should make things a bit easier. LHD would be nice if possible though.

[Fish]

My brother did this a few years ago and used a ciroen bx which was an ideal choice on the sand, french high ground clearance, light when striped out ran like a dream. Alot of the 4x4 and heavier cars will struggle on sand. Weight is you enemy.

[Vytalis]

Shuvi Tupya said:

Strange list if you ask me!

I would immediatley rule out all the big heavy stuff!

Of course it's a strange list, it's a strange thing to do. Reasoning was: barge=high resale value and should be reliable, old lightweight = cheap and easy to fix and good for someone to run once it gets there.

[Pontoneer]

Mercedes-Benz - W123's are a bit thin on the ground now - good ones are expensive , those who have them are keeping them , and the sheds are either scrapped or already in Africa

W124 or W126 is a good option , as there are still plenty around at bargain prices (W126 will be most comfortable for that long journey and will be welcomed as it is basically a big W123 with same suspension components etc , but then I'm biased as I have two ) .

A 190 or 190E (W201) would be another good option , there are plenty of sound ones around at bargain prices

W202 can also be picked up cheaply , but too much electronics on board has led to many being scrapped prematurely and they won't be relished by bush mechanics in the way that the earlier ones will .

[LuS1fer]

A Toyota of some sort.

[wackojacko]

W124 Merc or old Volvo !


Built like tanks !

[MartyPubes]

I was in Banjul last year and the place is swarming with W201 190s. That'd be my choice - although I suspect the LHD requirement will limit your options somewhat. You'll either have to take whatever LHD you can find in the U.K, and I imagine prices in the continent will be much higher as all the cars that would be considered 'bangers' here drift east.