Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Sep 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Posts: 10
What car is suitable?

In January we go for 3 months overland (with 2 toddlers of 20 months). Morocco, through piece of desert to Atar in Mauretania, then Senegal, Gambia, to Bamako in Mali, Timbouktou and then return to Segou to sell our car and fly back from Bamako.

At this moment I am searching for a second hand car to do the trip. Our total budget for car-expenses (buy+repair) may not exceed 3500 euro.

I see two main possibilities:
a) buy a Mitsubishi Pajero `85 or Nissan Patrol for 2500 euro and have it checked well before the journey
b) agree with a dealer to pay him after we return. `buy` a Toyoya LandCruiser `85 from him for 7000 euro, sell it in Mali and come back home with the money to pay the dealer. (this option I checked and is techinacally possible for the dealer)

1. What do you suggest?
2. What should we take into account to consider these two options?
3. Do you have another option for our situation?
4. How big is the risk our Toyota LandCruiser gets stolen and we can not pay the dealer back? If we mainly stick to guarded hotels/campings and sleep next to the car in the desert? Which countries from our list have a large risk?
5. How much larger is the chance that a Mitsubishi (or cheaper car) gets stuck on the way and not be able to repair it easily? How much safer/reliable will a trip with a LandCruiser be?
6. A LandCruiser will probably sell easy in Mali.. Will a Mitsubishi too? Will we get more or less for a Mitsubishi in Mali
7. What country on our way is the best to sell our car in?

Thank you for your help!
greetings,
Maja and Patryk
www.twinplanet.net
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Sep 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: France and UK
Posts: 156
Dear Maja and Patryk
I think you are placing certain restrictions upon yourselves for your African trip. Desert travel doesn’t work like that... You can’t do deals with the unknown, you can only do, as you are doing, a bit of research in advance and travel with an open mind and a flexible approach to breakdowns, theft, accident, injury.
1) Your toddlers will be fine – what is good for you… is good for them. I have travelled far with my youngsters. (They are now grown up…)
2) I do not like to assume anything in advance, and that includes selling your vehicle. Selling a car in an African country is a hazardous pursuit, accompanied by changing regulations, graft, bribes, police restrictions, false money, un-discharged carnet and possibility of theft after the deal is done… Try and avoid it unless you are an experienced car-dealer. Plan a return trip instead, even if this means restricting your itinerary.
3) Take any car you are comfortable with, but Toyota Land-Cruiser and Land-Rover are the best choice for spares, saleability and reliability.
4) Theft of your car is a smaller likelihood than theft of your money and possessions. A stolen car will not get far, due to local road checks, but you might have to pay a large bribe to get it back from the police…
5) In a nutshell, take AS MUCH money as you can, and bring home AS MUCH money as you can save. Be prepared to abandon the car en-route; some problems are beyond economic recovery.
6) I guess this advice applies to long-distance European travel too, not just Africa.
Good luck

------------------
Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com
__________________
Kitmax
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Sep 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Horncastle,Lincolnshire,UK
Posts: 226
I have never seen a Mitsubishi in Mali so I think you would have huge trouble selling one. Landcruisers are very common and spares are readily available-certainly in Bamako. There is a big dealership on the North side of the river heading West. Nissan Patrols are also very common and reckoned to be better vehicles than Landcruisers but spares are more expensive than for LCs. A word of warning though. The favoured vehicles are ones without turbos which don't last for long because of the dust. Hence all the local LCs and Patrols have big 4 litre engines. This will mean that you'll get much less than you might expect for a standard European spec. vehicle.

However, I would reitterate the earlier advice. You will have huge problems selling any vehicle in Mali, the Tax to pay will be high and the paperwork necessary VERY complex. Don't try it would be my advice.

Q
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:49.