Things start itching again.

I'm looking for a 4x4, mainly to travel around in the south-eastern part of Africa (between ethiopia and south-africa), and I'm planning to spend the € on the trip rather then the car.

Reasonable young vehicles at an affordable price popping up in the adds here are:
Daihatsu Rocky/Fourtrak
Nissan Patrol
Land Rover Discovery
Mitsubischi Pajero
Opel/vauxhall frontera
Suzuki Vitara

Also on my shortlist, but typically too expensive are:
Hi-lux
Hi-ace 4x4
Mitsubischi L300 4x3
and nissan/mitsubichi pick-ups.

I know the disco pretty well (did trans africa in one), and I'm pretty confident about the patrol and the Pajero, but what about the rest? (I'm less concerned about off road capabillities, more about spares and repairabillity).
Especially the Daihatsu (I have a 130kkm 1992 example that's never been off road for 2500€ in mind)

Thanks for the input

Rob

Robbert,
I notice there is no up to date reply so I will give u my slightly outdated opinion.

During the 90's I saw many Daihatsus performing well in the Middle East both on and off road.They have a well founded reputation for being very reliable and unbreakable.The downside for touring will be lack of space and possibly spares but you know that already.If u r thinking of much offroading in heavy mud or sand u will find them underpowered BUT definately up to as many rough tracks as u care to throw at them on your trip.

Avoid Opel/Vauxhall and Suzuki-crap cars that will fall apart.

Thanks Tony,

That's one of the list, and sort of confirmation of the Dahiatsu.

Rob

Plenty of 4Runners / Surfs in the UK, East and Southern Africa - although most are grey imports you can still get the spares.

Go for a 3.0l TD, manual, bit cramped for more than two adults but tons of load space.

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Enzo

Robbert,

The idea that if a car can be bought cheap, it will be cheap to run is rather misguided. Buy a cheap car here and you will be amazed how much you will have to pay for getting it fixed with imported parts, like DHL deliveries, bribing customs officials, delays and frustration. Look what the locals are up to and then see if it's up to the job.

Which leaves you with rather limited choices: Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol and LR SIII (if you prefer being sentimental to comfortable).

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Roman (UK)

4Runners / Hilux Surfs (esp. 1st and 2nd Gens) are cheap because they are a VERY undererrated vehicle.

In reality you do not have to take an American "shock & awe" approach to overlanding - many peple overland in the most basic of 2wd vehicles - last week I met a Dutch couple in a DAF panel van: white of course!

If you get the 3.0TD (1KZ-T) turbo'd engine it shares this engine with the thousands of old Prado's and LC II's kicking around and/or it's major parts with all the new Prado's (1KZ-TE) turbo'd, intercooled and SCU'd engine.

The chassis is your basic Hilux ladder but with IFS and torsion bars up front. I upgraded the suspension (OME), wheels (16" steel LC rims) and the radiator (3 to 5 core) before I left the UK.

My only problems (I have a 3.0 TD 4Runner) have been the after market immobiliser (which I stripped out yesterday) and the severe wear and tear that East Africa's roads have subjected the car to:

Steering arm & idler arm
Drive shaft boot
Ball Joints
Gear box mountings
Lower and Upper steering arms bushes
Trailing arm bushes
Engine Mountings
& Rear bump stops

As Africa's corrugations will soon wear them out or shake them loose!

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Enzo

I knew I would be pushed for toyota

Roman,

Except for the Western Sahara and kameroon I haven't seen that many SIII at all in africa. Those I saw where troublesome cars. Toyota's are several 1000€ more then disco's/range rovers and Patrols (not Defenders though). Having done Trans Africa ones in Disco, I wouldn't hesitate doing it again, knowing that what it will cost me (including repairs and fuel) will still be several months worth of traveling less then what I would need to buy a decent toyota (there are enough well cared for disco's at around 5000€, but I haven't seen many decent toyota's for less then 15000). And even driving a toyota is not a guarantee for having spares available (I witnessed a german washing out the oil filter of his 60 in Acra because the 60's there had different filters then in Germany. Can happen) .

If I ever stumble over an affordable toyota, I prommise I'll buy it (still regret not buying one of those ex UN toyota 80's that served in Bosinia. they wend for around 8000€ or so, but I was all set to leave with the disco and couldn't be bothered with another car)

The reason for Hi-luxes being expensive here (all pick-ups) is that they get a very intresting tax regime. Otherwise a hi-lux it would be very tempting.

The thing with disco's is that they are disproportionally cheap because they don't have the toyota reliabillity stigma nor the looks of a defender. And that's what I'm looking for I guess.

So how would a 2500€ 2.8 Diesel Daihatsu compare with a 5000€ Patrol or Disco or a 15000€ toyota?
(I've found that the Daihatsu is not totally absent in south-east africa, but I didn't find anyone that did overland a Daihatsu. But if you think about it, would you put up a website if you did?)

Enjoy your weekend!

looking for a cheap but capable expedition 4x4 in europe -has to be the patrol every time.
landcruisers fit the bill, but they aren't cheap. a cheap landrover can be a financial bottomless pit. a patrol is as tough as a 'cruiser and is known throughout west africa with parts widely available. I've had a soft spot for them ever since one pulled my 7.5tonne artic unit out of the mud after an agricultural fork lift failed!!

fourtracks are good, and very cheap to buy but you probably won't see another in Africa. they are also a bit on the small size, as is the vitara. Cerainly in the UK later fourrunners have independent front suspension, which isn't ideal, although anything based on a hilux has to be a good thing!!

Andy
TLC H60 (which are cheap in the UK!!)
landy 101ambie
1968 Morris minor traveller!!
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Captain-Mog...3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

Robbert,

Have you thought of getting a right hand drive LC from the UK? For example, prices for 80 series LCs are lower by some 30% in the UK compared to the continent.

And the steering wheel is only a drawback while overtaking a big lorry in right hand traffic.

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Roman (UK)

I can't comment on prices or even the diesel versions found in Europe but I have owned 2 petrol Nissan Patrols over the last 12 years. In 1997, I sold an automatic short-wheel base [1991] to buy a manual LWB [1993]. Both are still running well (I look after the LWB and always replace worn parts with original Nissan parts, sometimes from a breaker's yard.)

They are strong, rugged and reliable and have towed a lot of newer more expensive vehicles out of trouble. Also, very little falls off when you give them a good shaking on washboard or graded roads.

I recently replaced my worn out shock absorbers and springs with Old Man Emu and I must say they are very good.
Stephan

Hi Robbert,
Hows it going ?

The Diahatsu has a good engine - but as mentioned a bit cramped for space in the back - too rare and parts not very available where you are going...

Mitsubishi pajero is something I would avoid for overlanding - weak clutches and front suspension IMO - though engines OK

Defender 90 300Tdi would be rather nice - but too expensive in Belgium I think - Disco youve done - Toyota as mentioned is pricey... shame the Hilux is expensive over there - an good 80 @8000 Euros would have been a very good buy !!!

Which leaves the Patrol - Im not a big fan of the LWB - but the SWB is a good start - decent engine and spares OK.

If it cheers you up our Disco 2 NAS V8 just manages 19.5 mpg/6.8kpl !!! - but gas is only 0.50 Euro over here......

Cheers
Grif

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Hi Robbert

As mentioned above 80 series LC's are quite cheap over here, in the UK, and would probably make you easonable money if you decided to sell it on.

Alternatively the Discovery is a very cheap option which you have done before, so you probably know them mechanically, which is always a good start and they really are very cheap over here - a good servicable example would not cost more than 5-6000€, prepared.

Friend just bought himself a 96 Preg 300 Tdi for £500, it had failed the MOT on not having the rear anti rol bar fitted, so owner wanted rid quick. Said friend took it to his local MOT station and it passes with no work needing!!!
Seems that the ARB - anti roll bars are questionably needed or not neded, depeds on MOT tester.

Good luck in your search

Chris

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ChrisC

people like that really pxxx me off, why do cars like that never come my way!!!

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014