Best Car for a west afrika Travel..

[McTravel]

Hello travelers,
I am looking for a good car to make my way trough west afrika.
I just came back from the Gambia and now I would like to drive there.. and further to different countries myself.
I’ve been looking at the Toyota hilux, mitsubitsi l200 for 4x4 pickup;s (maybe with a tent on the back) and 4x4s the Toyota landcruiser, mitsubitsi pajero and the landrover defender.
I want to do this on a budget.. I’ll graduate in a few months and I want to go away for 3-4 months.
So the car’s have to be 7-15 years of age and I have to be able to sell them when I’m done traveling and catch a plane back.

so what do you guys think?

[Sam Rutherford]

...is all you need.

Toyota spares are arguably easier to find.

Buy the car, not the accessories (ie don't be blinded by winches, snorkels etc.).

Sam.

[McTravel]

a lot of people were driving 4x4 but the people who were driving us around had a Peugeot 405 station.. I wouldn't want to try that car
so I thought a 4x4 would be a good choice.
so you would go for a toyota .. and what do you think about the sleeping possibilities of the 2 4x4 toyota's?


I live on the main land (Netherlands)..
what do you guys think about the durability and available parts?

[noel di pietro]

Depending where you are based, UK or main land!

If you are on the main land try the Landcruiser HJ61, BJ75 (3.5 ltr 4cyl and big enough to sleep in and not so expensive) or HZJ75 (same as BJ75 but with 6 cylinder engine and quite expensive).

If you'r based in the UK there are no 75 models but the HJ61 is available in the UK and does not have to be to expensive. All landcruisers are easily sold in West Africa after you'v finished the trip but the HJ61 is especially popular over there. You can probably even make a good profit.

With the HJ61 you will probably need a roof tent or be cramped up in the car.

And of course there are the Defenders/Series LR and if your from the UK, that is probably what you will end up with. The Brits seem to have an incurable sentimental preference for the LR.

cheers,

Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

[manfredschweda]

25-30 year old, very robust, they use them for bush taxis in Africa, very cheap in Europe, the last one I bought for 600 Euros, fully equipped camper van.
I have nothing against 4x4s, own a Defender myself waiting for me in Bamako.
But unless you plan going into the dunes or the dead end corners of Guinea and the Casamance. Maybe this is for you. A lot is sealed roads these days.
Rgds Manfred, in Casablanca

[gilghana1]

So many choices! If it was me I would try and get a old 60 series Landcruiser or an old Hilux - and maybe sell it in Mali. Don't pay extra for extras as when you sell it on locals will pay a 'premium' for the toyota badge, but nothing extra for snorkels, roof racks, etc. I was once offered about $5,000 for my defender and my mate $10,000 for his 80 series L/C on the basis of no real inspection and a really fast sale... Prices were set by the badge and nothing else!!! The Defender was arguably worth more than the L/C but the guy was not really interested. Mind you as has been said it don't have to be a 4x4. Corolla/Peugot/almost anything really is also a very marketable wagon! Tercel 4x4 station wagon is also popular, cheap in EU and while it is no camel trophy wagon it is 4x4.

"The Brits seem to have an incurable sentimental preference for the LR."

There is a cure... it is called a Toyota
Gil