Driving to Japan ideas for what vehicle
Discussion
Hi all,
I am planning to drive to Japan to the Rugby World Cup next year. Still in the initial planning stages. I was thinking of going in a Hilux or similar however I am now veering towards the idea of going in an estate. Why? Well I like the idea of a bit of a stealth camper type vehicle, e.g. something you can put a bed base in to use as and when is required. Plus hopefully better MPG, and also a better and more comfortable drive. I think the basic requirements would be AWD and enough room in the back for 6'3" (no issue with removing back seats if needed).
I saw this article on the Jalopnik site which sparked my interest (below). So i would like to ask a. what estate would you take, and why? and also b. what mods (if any) would you make to it (for example what the guy said in the article re suspension, skid plate, etc). Budget up to 10k although 5k would also work
. Cheers all.
"Mercedes Benz E320 or E350 4Matic Wagon (2000-2006) $10,000-25,000
Why a car on this list? Well, you will find a Mercedes Sedan on practically any road in any country of the world. Chris Scott has driven a Merc Saloon across big chunks of northern Africa too. The 4wd system is designed and built by Steyr in Graz, Austria (where the G-Wagen is made). Mercedes sedans are tough and plentiful and are the choice of local business owners, thugs and politicians (often the same person) in every city I have visited. You will travel well under the radar and in style. Parts and mechanical support will be easy to find. Unfortunately, the US did not get the diesel variant, although Canada has a few. Install a set of HD Eibach springs (in stock throughout New Jersey), Bilstein HD shocks, LT225/70 R16 Michelin LTX M/S tires and a full underbody skid plate. Remove the rear seat and do a dark window tint. You can sleep in the back, cruise in comfort, take nasty pothole hits, bad roads, snow, light mud and even drive out on the beach. You know it would be fun…"
I am planning to drive to Japan to the Rugby World Cup next year. Still in the initial planning stages. I was thinking of going in a Hilux or similar however I am now veering towards the idea of going in an estate. Why? Well I like the idea of a bit of a stealth camper type vehicle, e.g. something you can put a bed base in to use as and when is required. Plus hopefully better MPG, and also a better and more comfortable drive. I think the basic requirements would be AWD and enough room in the back for 6'3" (no issue with removing back seats if needed).
I saw this article on the Jalopnik site which sparked my interest (below). So i would like to ask a. what estate would you take, and why? and also b. what mods (if any) would you make to it (for example what the guy said in the article re suspension, skid plate, etc). Budget up to 10k although 5k would also work
. Cheers all."Mercedes Benz E320 or E350 4Matic Wagon (2000-2006) $10,000-25,000
Why a car on this list? Well, you will find a Mercedes Sedan on practically any road in any country of the world. Chris Scott has driven a Merc Saloon across big chunks of northern Africa too. The 4wd system is designed and built by Steyr in Graz, Austria (where the G-Wagen is made). Mercedes sedans are tough and plentiful and are the choice of local business owners, thugs and politicians (often the same person) in every city I have visited. You will travel well under the radar and in style. Parts and mechanical support will be easy to find. Unfortunately, the US did not get the diesel variant, although Canada has a few. Install a set of HD Eibach springs (in stock throughout New Jersey), Bilstein HD shocks, LT225/70 R16 Michelin LTX M/S tires and a full underbody skid plate. Remove the rear seat and do a dark window tint. You can sleep in the back, cruise in comfort, take nasty pothole hits, bad roads, snow, light mud and even drive out on the beach. You know it would be fun…"
Hi,
we really enjoy our long R-Class as stealth camper from time to time.
It is extremly comfortable, has got AWD and Airsuspension, which also lifts the car when needed
and also has some space left for luggage (compared to the E-Estate).
Downsides: Not that much "travelling under the radar" and a lot could go wrong on a loaded R-class.
That´s why we prefer the Defender for our adventurous travels.
Sounds like a great trip, but I think you need to reverse engineer it a bit.
What route would you take? What quality are the roads? Will you need more clearance? Is fuel quality an issue anywhere? Parts could be an issue for any car, but there is a reason that things like the Landcruiser are so popular.
What will you do with the vehicle on return? Ship it back? Sell it locally? Will Japan allow its entry given how strict they are on cars?
What route would you take? What quality are the roads? Will you need more clearance? Is fuel quality an issue anywhere? Parts could be an issue for any car, but there is a reason that things like the Landcruiser are so popular.
What will you do with the vehicle on return? Ship it back? Sell it locally? Will Japan allow its entry given how strict they are on cars?
Landcruiser or Hilux, Maybe a Mitsubishi Delica if you want to sleep in it. Given how bad the roads are in Western Russian Oblasts where most people live I dread to think what they are like in the forgotten eastern parts. You could always sell it too just before you get on the boat from Russia to Japan as most cars in those parts are RHD despite it being a LHD country.
oddball idea that comes to mind ... and not sure if you even can do this.
How about buy your chosen vehicle (whatever it may be) at auction in Japan (plenty of people to assist with this) but do not de-register it, have it temporarily imported to the UK, and then drive it on Jap rego back "home" so that it is easy(er) to sell?
Regards to what, I have driven over most of SE Asia (even Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and all the way to the China border in a 1975 Porsche 911 and in a Nissan 370Z on different occasions with no modifications (that would assist in the task at least) and no issues.
Also have a look at our fellow PH'er that recently drove a Chim from Norway to Patagonia, and previously a corvette from UK to Singapore with minimal mods
With a bit of route planning 4WD and offroad ground clearance are not essential pre-requisites, so perhaps chose the car that will provide the most enjoyment on the trip, and plan your route accordingly. You don't have to follow "the long way around"'s rather hardcore route unless that's your thing!
How about buy your chosen vehicle (whatever it may be) at auction in Japan (plenty of people to assist with this) but do not de-register it, have it temporarily imported to the UK, and then drive it on Jap rego back "home" so that it is easy(er) to sell?
Regards to what, I have driven over most of SE Asia (even Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and all the way to the China border in a 1975 Porsche 911 and in a Nissan 370Z on different occasions with no modifications (that would assist in the task at least) and no issues.
Also have a look at our fellow PH'er that recently drove a Chim from Norway to Patagonia, and previously a corvette from UK to Singapore with minimal mods
With a bit of route planning 4WD and offroad ground clearance are not essential pre-requisites, so perhaps chose the car that will provide the most enjoyment on the trip, and plan your route accordingly. You don't have to follow "the long way around"'s rather hardcore route unless that's your thing!
Eminently doable. I've got a mate who's Chinese, and when he came to the UK to work, he drove here, via the 'stans and Iran. Because of the way Chinese registration works, he had to take it back within the year - so he drove it back. Via Siberia. In winter.
That was in a Citroen C5. He's currently driving the family (missus and 4yo daughter) round-the-world in a 2cv, obv. They're in Mexico atm, having driven from the UK to China, then shipped the car to Alaska.
That was in a Citroen C5. He's currently driving the family (missus and 4yo daughter) round-the-world in a 2cv, obv. They're in Mexico atm, having driven from the UK to China, then shipped the car to Alaska.
aj520d said:
Watch the "Long Way Round" for an idea of what this type of route entails. I would say doing this without any type of support team would be next to impossible.
I think it would be possible, but hard. They were commercially filming so needed much more in terms of fixers and visas?It would take quite a while to do it. Would the goal would be to get to Shanghai or Vladivostok to pick up a car ferry to Japan (once a week, 40+ hours crossing)
Go via Kazakhstan, mongolia and down through China?
Personally I wouldn't do it alone, and a pair of cars would be safer?
OP, I think security, route, insurance, visas and ability to get the car into Japan should be your first point.
aj520d said:
Watch the "Long Way Round" for an idea of what this type of route entails. I would say doing this without any type of support team would be next to impossible.
The hardest part of their trail was the road of bones in east siberia, no need to go through there when going to japan. They very much took the scenic route, and wanted to cross to alaska. To Japan the route would be eastern europe, russia, and then presumably kazachtstan, china and then the ferry to japan.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff