Budapest to Bamako rally
 

2 friends and I from Saskatchewan in Canada are planning to enter the Budapest to Bamako rally in January 2010: http://www.budapestbamako.org/en/
Budapest-Bamako - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Has anybody done this before? We would need a cheap (4 wheeled) vehicle to buy somewhere in or around Hungary. What is easy to get around there? I know Lada's are available, but I haven't heard great things about them. Any info, tips, suggestions, or anything at all would be very much appreciated.

After the race, I'd like to stay in either Europe or Africa, depending on where I can find a job. Where and what kinds of jobs would be available for about a 2 month stretch? What would be even better is if the job involved motorcycles... but thats asking a lot!

Lada's are good - they just have a bit of an image problem so are an easy target for people who think they know something about them. The Samara is probably your best bet - the engine is designed by Porche and the gearbox is bullet proof - plus they are very easy to work on and spare parts are seriously cheap. There is also the very popular 4x4 Niva. Strong cars, but the drive-train has been known for problems unless they are properly lined up and maintained. Heavy on fuel too, whereas the Samara you'll get 40 plus easy.

I think Ladas also have one of the highest success rates (if not the highest) of completing the Bamako and Mongolian rallies. And if I can make another suggestion - it's travel light. There will be three of you plus spares. Most of these rally breakdowns are the direct cause of overloading - overheating and suspension failures.

I've pm'd a link if you want to explore things further. Good luck with what ever you do.