new HJZ76 - comments anyone?
I am considering a new HJZ76, the kind sold in the UAE, for desert trips. Still to find a good review of it. They are non EURO-4 compliant and thus cannot be legally sold in Europe. A couple of outfitters convert them and sell in Europe, but the end cost is ridiculous.
Are they genuinely Japan-made and not sub-standard quality? Is there rust protection at all (for those periods between the trips I would have to keep in the snowy and rainy North? How much would have to be changed/upgraded before the vehicle could be used in the Sahara?
I also heard from someone that the steel parts of the body are significantly thinner than on the 60 and 80 series vehicles, 'like a tin can'. Is that true?
In Dubai a new 76 five-door diesel with a 4.2 engine (or a 79 pick-up technical) is under 20 thousand euros. Anyone has any experience in buying there and driving straight out to Saudi or anywhere else in the region? What are the customs formalities like? Any recent personal experience appreciated. Are they sold in any other countries in North Africa/Arab world at comparable prices?
Peter
Last edited by famous_walker; 20 Aug 2010 at 00:26.
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