In January we go for 3 months overland (with 2 toddlers of 20 months). Morocco, through piece of desert to Atar in Mauretania, then Senegal, Gambia, to Bamako in Mali, Timbouktou and then return to Segou to sell our car and fly back from Bamako.

At this moment I am searching for a second hand car to do the trip. Our total budget for car-expenses (buy+repair) may not exceed 3500 euro.

I see two main possibilities:
a) buy a Mitsubishi Pajero `85 or Nissan Patrol for 2500 euro and have it checked well before the journey
b) agree with a dealer to pay him after we return. `buy` a Toyoya LandCruiser `85 from him for 7000 euro, sell it in Mali and come back home with the money to pay the dealer. (this option I checked and is techinacally possible for the dealer)

1. What do you suggest?
2. What should we take into account to consider these two options?
3. Do you have another option for our situation?
4. How big is the risk our Toyota LandCruiser gets stolen and we can not pay the dealer back? If we mainly stick to guarded hotels/campings and sleep next to the car in the desert? Which countries from our list have a large risk?
5. How much larger is the chance that a Mitsubishi (or cheaper car) gets stuck on the way and not be able to repair it easily? How much safer/reliable will a trip with a LandCruiser be?
6. A LandCruiser will probably sell easy in Mali.. Will a Mitsubishi too? Will we get more or less for a Mitsubishi in Mali
7. What country on our way is the best to sell our car in?

Thank you for your help!
greetings,
Maja and Patryk
www.twinplanet.net