The thing that makes me laugh is that every overlanding style trip report I read in the LR mags seems to feature at least one trip report.

Also, pretty well every LC owner I know who regularly does trips to N. Africa and beyond, started using LRs, but upgraded to an LC due to LR reliability problems and have never looked back. And despite comments on this board, they have

And yes, LCs can break down, but that is more often down to poor initial servicing or abuse, as opposed to due to inherent weaknesses.

As for finding a vehicle, get in touch with B A I L L I E ' S O F F R O A D & S A F A R I S - Chris C and others have highly recommended them - they may be able to put you in touch with someone selling an LC.

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Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

Perhaps the LR Vs LC debate should be taken off to a differnet thread? It would seem that Mr Marker is after some serious advice here .... and it would seem that he is aware of the reliability record of a LC over a LR ....

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Of course Ollie, you are right.

Interestingly I followed Graham's problems from the outset - he was very unlucky.

It seems it all stems from a leak in his power steering system - the pump overheated and seized, killing some timing gears which was then 'fixed' badly with the engine not being flushed properly and then cr*p getting into the oil system killing a big end bearing.

It's a shame he didn't spot the initial problems with the power steering pump, it's scary how quickly these things can escalate.

__________________
Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

My LR has been very reliable but there is always something going on that needs sorting, a little niggle here and a little niggle there, most of these niggles are as a result of my constant tinkering and at times it can really upset me, I sometimes threaten to get rid of it and buy a Jap but always, always! come to my senses.

There is something special about owning a LR, it can't be found anywhere else and it comes from the person that built it, the builders moods and attitudes are passed down to the vehicles and you just have to hope that you find one that was built with the right attitude otherwise its going to give you hell for as long as you own it!

Back to the thread, If youre looking in SA, have you considered a Nissan Hardbody? I would take one of these over a Toyota anyday.

Pete, any particular reason why you would choose a Hardbody?
Gil

Hi,
this is turning out to be a lot of attention for a quick three month trip.

The LR bashers are all ranting from the principle that we're talking about a car that comes from Solihull (just the name depresses me)

But in fact the query is about a LR built in SA; which means assembled in a BMW factory if I'm not mistaken.
Suddenly build quality takes on another meaning.

Does anyone actually know how much of the "Solihull rubbish" (which I presume refers to the electric and other niggly stuff) is re-used in the SA built cars? Or do they source their electronics elsewhere?

I lived 6 years in and around SA and I can't remember anywhere you couldn't get in a rear wheel drive with decent ground clearance; unless you really went looking to get stuck...

What about a combi? The SA built rear engine T3 are really fantastic and surprisingly capable, with a bit more living space. You could also ship it back at the end of the trip. The T3 campers still fetch amazing money, and a rust free SA built one would be snapped up rapidly.
Whatever.
Have a good trip (even if it's too short to enjoy everything SA has to offer)
Luke

Hi all

The old LC v LR debate again.......always fires people up! FWIW I am culturally and temperamentally more of a LR person than a LC one, but when I did my trip I wanted to be sure something would happen every time I pushed a pedal or turned a key in foreign parts. But for some people emotion plays a bigger part and, provided you have access to the necessary support, the lesser reliability of LRs may be outweighed by the greater character. Just a shame LRs don't have that lovely 6 cylinder diesel engine that LCs have!

Mark

overlandcruiser.net

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www.overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

Yes I know it is too short, but it is not exactly the first time I go to Africa, it is more a ´see again´ of some places and people after many years, although I have never been to Angola as that wasn´t possible in ´my time´ (1982 -2000)

Indeed I have been thinking of a Combi as well, but Moremi and Chobe will be too much fun for me with a Combi I am afraid (unless the ´roads´ were improved). And what I found on the internet they seem overpriced to me as well.
A pickup is not what I am looking for, otherwise the Nissan Hardbody would be a good choice indeed.

See that there is a Toyota Condor 4x4 in RSA, at reasonable secondhand prices. Never heard of that car before. Anyone experience with it?

Gil

Just my preference, you see I grew up with Nissans, Datsuns as they were called when my Dad got his first one. He used to run his own motor mech workshop and the Nissans were always the work horses, we used everything from 1400 bakkies right up to the Kingcab/double cab bakkies and never had any problems or break downs.

They are as reliable as Toyotas and in my opinion are also better looking vehicles and for the original poster who only wants it for 3 months, there is probably more choice and better value too. It all comes down to personal choice at the end of the day, the thing that grates my carrot is people that have done overland trips etc(have the T-shirt) and think that they know everything about vehicles because of one (or a few) trips in a certain vehicle and then go about imposing their opinions on other folk.

The other thing that I don't think is right is when someone comes onto this site looking for vehicle advice and that person is bombarded (generally) with posts which are openly and unashamedly biased to Toyotas and this is reflected in most of the relevant posts in the 4x4 section, this is after all a neutral forum? This is ALWAYS going to be a heated debate/discussion.

My views on LR? These cars and there after market parts are easily available and easily tinkered with, and lets be honest, some people have no business tinkering with vehicles, I mean that in a good way. This is probably why there are more failures, because most LR's have been thrashed to within an inch of there lives in every conceivable way then sold on to some poor bloke with a dream of overlanding and what does he buy? Problems, he buys problems and when things go pair shaped he then hops on to a forum like this and states that LR's are the worst vehicle ever built etc etc.

Peter

Thanks all for your responses. The trip was already last year and has been great with absolutely zero vehicle problems during the 16.000 kms.Changed our minds and were lucky that a friend lend us his car. A 1986 Landcruiser!

really!!!!!! toyota reliable read this as one example

Toyota 200 Series VX LandCruiser - Disaster @ ExplorOz