Well, I have always been a two wheel fan, only veering off the"path" when I bought a Ural sidecar.

That was (and is) my choice of overland vehicle, given that we have two dogs as well as my wife.

However, as time has gone by, and the option of a family is also on the cards, I feel I cannot ignore the possibility of our next trip (still Tallinn to Kamchatka and still no closer!!) will be in a car/van/truck of some sort.

I don't claim to know everything about bikes, but I do claim to know next to nothing about cars!!

So this is where you come in with viable options based on the following criteria.

• Buying should not break the bank. I guess under €10K, kitted up, would be ideal.
• Newer the better, of course: I lack any mechanical know-how unlike for a bike which I comprehend more or less.
• Should be big enough for at least three people and 2 pooches + kit
• Should have a rear section that we could at least lie in at night
• Preferably with either a soft top or hard top covering to that area
• Failing the tail boot option, scope for a roof tent contraption
• Mechanically reliable.
• Relatively easy to acquire in Europe (Estonia does not have the biggest market so the nearest used car market of note is either Russia or Germany. The latter would be easiest)

To give you an idea, I had first thought of a Mitsubishi Delica, but they are now old and long in the tooth, mostly and I think are diesel: how available is diesel out in the wilds: I don't know.

Then I thought about the other end of the scale: some Pinz-gauer (Sp?)type thingy, or the Volvo equivalent that I've seen parked at a local mechanic's. Then I've see a long wheel base Mitsubishi 4 seat pickup, but I'm not sure two adults could sleep in the back, comfortably etc.

No offence to the affecionados, but I don't think a landie is for me: it seems you do need a degree of mechanical skill: they look very cool though!!

What do you suggest?

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)