I have been asked for some advice on what to buy as a base vehicle for overlanding. They want a 110 hard top TDI, preferably unprepared so as they can do the work themselves and keep within a total budget of 8-10K for the vehicle and preperation. Any advice on what to buy what to look out for would be apprecieated.

My thoughts would be to buy a 200 or 300TDI, which ever comes along that is best value for money, a nice late model will demand good money, but for similar money you might find a nice 200 with quite a few extra`s.

A good rust free chassis and body would be a major selling point, followed buy reciepts or proof of a new timing belt, clutch gearbox etc have been fitted.

Any good quality extra`s such as rock slidders, Mantec rear wheel carrier, twin batteries, good ally roof rack, snorkel, wolf wheels, HD suspension, diff gaurds, additional fuel tanks etc would be a bonus.

Any other advice out there on what to look for when buying a vehicle.


My next question is if you were to do it all again would you build your own vehicle or buy something ready preped or nearly finished ready to go. I have found trying to prepare a vehicle to a budget is a pretty hard task, they are bottomless pits and just suck money, where spending a bit more on initial outlay and not having the fun or knowledge of prepring your own vehicle would work out quite a bit cheaper in the long run.

Any thoughts.

Thanks

Col Campbell

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An aussie escaped from london, now in Dubai.