Toyota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but only if you don't want to stop and see the sites

__________________
Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

It isn't about the vehicle.......the critical issue is local availability of spares, and to a lesser extent, local knowledge. There really are only 2 universal choices in Africa......Landrover or Toyota. If you go for Landrover, you must be a competent mechanic. It will break down. However, they are easy to repair, and the whole of Africa has access to Landrover spares, or dead LRs lying by the side of the road that can be scavenged for parts.

If you go for Toyota, it has to be either one of the older Landcruisers without all the electronics, or a Hilux. Toyota spares are everywhere too...........but more expensive.

I drove a 20 year old HJ60 'cruiser the length of Africa 15 years ago, and the only thing that went wrong on the whole trip was the radiator cap failed. My brother took a series 11A Landrover on the same trip, same age car. Everything that moved on it broke at least once. However, his total repair bills, including rebuilding both the engine and the gearbox, plus all of the suspension times over, and clutches, UJs etc, came to less than it cost me to get a Toyota original radiator cap.

If you go for anything other than those two choices, you risk being stuck in the middle of nowhere waiting weeks for DHL to ship parts in for you. Ask yourself where you would get Lada water-pumps or wheel bearings or half-shafts if you broke down in Ethiopia or Tanzania. Same deal with Mercedes, or even Nissans, Mitsubishis, Isuzus etc.........They may be great cars but they aren't what you want for a trans-Africa. Don't go for anything exotic.

Mike

I say go in the Lada. If something goes wrong you can fix it. Anything can be repaired. So what if you have to wait a few days for DHL, find a nice hotel with a good restaurant and relax by the swimming pool!

DON'T just look at Land Rovers and Toyota's, they ALL break down! Any car can have a small problem that can cause you a lot of trouble if you're in the wrong place.

Go over the Lada and make sure it's as good as it can be. Replace any parts that are worn and give it a good full service.

That's what I think!
Cheers,
Matt



PS, the next person that's starts a Toyota vs Land Rover debate might get a hard stare from me, or even a Vulcan death grip!
Oh, more importantly than all that, you must try a Nature Valley Trail Mix bar, they are really, really nice..

__________________
www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...

Why not consider something a little more leftfield, a Toyota Hiace perhaps. Again well supported in respect of spares and pretty robust, and in use across most of the region. Can sleep in the back and keep your storage low(water/fuel etc) to keep the vehicle balanced

Sure they're only 2wd but how much 'hard' off road usage were you thinking about where you'll truly need a 4WD vehicle.

Merc 207 and Hiaces seem to appear in most places so why shouldn't you be able to get them to the same? It's a thought I keep having for a midi RWD van for touring without a 'gin palace' style camper or an under utilised 4wd system.

Good luck either way, whatever you choose!

You can do it in anything from a 2CV to a Hummer if you had plenty of time & money, however I would stick to the tried and trusted workhorse of Africa: the Toyota Hilux (that or a Peugot 504!).

__________________
Enzo

I think you are on the right track by looking at what is the right vehicle to prepare in Turkey (or wherever home is).

Home is where you will purchase the car, learn about it and otherwise do 90% of your input on it. It might also be where you sell it. So go for what makes sense there - anything robust and simple to work on will do - if that is a Niva then great.

__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011