What vehicle would you drive to... in ?

[moorfield]

I am shooting the breeze here.

Lady M & I are thoroughly fed up with the pandemic and now planning some post-pandemic/early-retirement expeditions, one of which will involve driving from UK to Australia to visit my brother and the lucky country. This is realistically 5-7 years at away at least so we have plenty of time to start planning it now.

Starting with the vehicle. What would you use, and why?

(Disco 4 is the default option, being what we have currently.)

[AsleepInYorkshire]

I am shooting the breeze here.

Lady M & I are thoroughly fed up with the pandemic and now planning some post-pandemic/early-retirement expeditions, one of which will involve driving from UK to Australia to visit my brother. This is realistically 5-7 years at away at least so we have plenty of time to start planning it now.

Starting with the vehicle. What would you use, and why?

(Disco 4 is the default option, being what we have currently.)

I think you could get to Australia in less time than 5 years as the roads are much better these days

You're going to need something comfortable, reliable and reasonably economical. And I'd say that the Disco 4 is as good as any for this sort of trip (but I'm not sure about fuel and "repair" costs).

Much is going to depend on your route. And if you want to go through the Sahara Desert for the scenery then it's got to be that which really dictates your choice.

AiY

[staffordian]

Toyota Landcruiser.

They seem as ubiquitous as Land Rovers were thirty or forty years ago, but unlike their British predecessor, they apparently never break down.

But if they ever do, given they are everywhere, the necessary spares and a mechanic able to repair them are bound to be nearby...

[bungeejumper]

Bearing in mind the most obvious issue, I'd guess that one of these ought to do the trick:BJ

[moorfield]

Hah, that's brilliant. Yes I've have been inspired by the chap who recently jet ski'd from Scotland to Isle of Man, and thought it would take 45 mins , but the route TBC will likely be through Europe north of the Caspian and Black Seas (want to avoid the Middle East) then through China. A ferry at some point obviously.

[Mike4]

Oh, and I was gonna suggest a DUKW.

Mind you, make sure you take your water wings....

https://www.focustransport.org/2013/06/ ... docks.html

[Mike88]

There is no way I would drive anywhere in a Discovery let alone Australia. The vehicles are hugely unreliable as this extract from What Car affirms:

Is a used Land Rover Discovery 4x4 reliable?

The Discovery didn't cover itself in glory in our most recent reliability survey. .................................................

............................ Land Rover as a brand came last, 31st out of 31 manufacturers, in the same survey.

Once I owned a Range Rover. It was an absolute disaster.

The car I would go for would be an old Mercedes saloon with air conditioning. They are everywhere on the route you are likely to take.

One thing you should check are the restrictions on importing vehicles to Australia. To say the rules are stringent is an understatement so any vehicle you use be prepared to leave somewhere before entering the country. Presumably you intend to fly back. If not there are difficult issues to confront.

[MonsterMork]

(Disco 4 is the default option, being what we have currently.)

Nope. Avoid. Too heavy, too reliant on electronic complexity, no spare vehicles broken down in th boonies to rob parts off, no local knowledge of repairs. And utterly unreliable for that kind of trip. The list goes on. And I say this as a worshipper of the green oval!

If it must be a Solihull Supertanker then an old nail Series 3 or a Defender. Disco 1 with a 300tdi engine and manual box is also a good choice.

If not Land Rover then as mentioned most would opt for a Toyota Land Crusher.

MM

[bungeejumper]

There is no way I would drive anywhere in a Discovery let alone Australia. The vehicles are hugely unreliable as this extract from What Car affirms:

What is it the Australians say? "If you want to get out into the bush, you want a Land Rover. If you want to get back again, you want a Landcruiser."

BJ

[servodude]

There is no way I would drive anywhere in a Discovery let alone Australia. The vehicles are hugely unreliable as this extract from What Car affirms:

What is it the Australians say? "If you want to get out into the bush, you want a Land Rover. If you want to get back again, you want a Landcruiser."

BJ

Yes that's pretty much what they say
but they might use the term "Troupo" depending on the kit out of the "Lando"
- but yes they just f***ING run and run
- check "Bush Mechanics" on YouTube
-sd

[BT63]

1. Something reliable.
2. Something reliable.
3. Something reliable.

Did I mention it needs to be reliable?

It will also need to be able to run on lower fuel grades than EU cars. One of my cars cannot run on less than 95 octane without risk of engine damage, for example.

When your vehicle breaks down, will parts be readily available and will it be easily fixed by whichever mechanic you can find in an isolated, sparsely populated area?

[servodude]

One of my cars cannot run on less than 95 octane without risk of engine damage, for example

This is a legitimate consideration
- take something that can survive on 91 for a while (I've been to service stations in AUS where it is that or diesel as your only choice)
- and that's probably better serviced than some places

- sd

[DrFfybes]

Already covered - Land Cruiser for comfort and reliability.

Used all over the world, so spares and expertise available, especially given your chosen route.

The other alternative is also a Toyota, a Hilux pickup. Used by famers and insurgents all over the world. Even Top Gear failed to kill one.

Otherwise look at some sort of Camper Van. I know a few people who've retired and moved into a 20 foot box for a year to travel the world. Howels can get quite expensive after a few months.

Paul

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Sheesh with all the issues driving there is going to create have you thought of walking?

AiY

[kiloran]

And for a long journey on that route, would LHD be preferable?

--kiloran

[bungeejumper]

And for a long journey on that route, would LHD be preferable?

Is true wotty say. Although the further south east you get, the more difficult the call becomes.


BJ

[redsturgeon]

Having driven around the USA in the 1980s in a Ford F250 pickup with a cabover camper on the back I would second the idea of a Toyota HiLux with a camper on the back. Would diesel not be the better option than petrol too?

https://www.google.com/search?hl=EN&gl= ... h%20camper

I'd also go for something a bit older but fully serviced and overhauled rather than something new. It is best not to look too out of place in some localities.

John

[DrFfybes]

Having driven around the USA in the 1980s in a Ford F250 pickup with a cabover camper on the back I would second the idea of a Toyota HiLux with a camper on the back. Would diesel not be the better option than petrol too?

https://www.google.com/search?hl=EN&gl= ... h%20camper

I'd also go for something a bit older but fully serviced and overhauled rather than something new. It is best not to look too out of place in some localities.

John

Not sure about the diesel/petrolbalance, but certainly something older. Not only for the lack of desirability (although in some places anythig is desiarble) but also for the lower number of complicated and unfixable electronics.

Here you go, rugged, reliable, and welome everywhere

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 2046772978

Paul

[bungeejumper]

Here you go, rugged, reliable, and welome everywhere

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 2046772978

A water bed? Nice touch.

BJ

[csearle]

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