What Car/4x4 ??? Help - Horizons Unlimited

**Gionatill** · #1 4 Jul 2009

hello there im sure this is an oldy but here we go!! I want to do a trip to south america of around a year i like go get off the beaten track but im not one off there people who gets lost in the jungle and starts eating monkey to survive!! hehe i should thinnk it be better a 4x4 because i do like the dirt!! but my budget is not the bigget and i rather spend the money on petrol/diesel than a expensive car!!! also important is it likekly to get spares for the car!! i have had a few thoughts: land cruiser the old ones, land rove? suzuki samurai, panda 4x4. anything will do as long as it last, not to expensive (€4000-5000) what do you think?? thank you

**Bertrand** · #2 4 Jul 2009

TOYOTA Hilux - Diesel -no contest

but then I'm biased, I've got one - Diesel deffo 4 Africa- Sth America don't know -
Giving 32mpg, a pickup so can sleep in the back- a ton load carrying capacity- tried and tested engines and transmissions- I trust mine-
Landy owners - please, no pelting!

**RussG** · #3 4 Jul 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertrand

TOYOTA Hilux - Diesel -no contest

but then I'm biased, I've got one - Diesel deffo 4 Africa- Sth America don't know -
Giving 32mpg, a pickup so can sleep in the back- a ton load carrying capacity- tried and tested engines and transmissions- I trust mine-
Landy owners - please, no pelting!

Given your criteria that seems pretty good advice and I don’t have one so I’m not biased

Rust is the only major killer of HiLux’s IMHO. Have no knowledge of spares availability in South America though.

Suzuki. Amazing things off road, simple, robust, cheap. But absolutely horrible to travel any sort of distance in

**Gionatill** · #4 4 Jul 2009

how about a mitzubishi pajero late 80's modle is that any good saw a couple of them quite cheap but nobod seems to mention them??

**brethouwer** · #5 5 Jul 2009

You know, it doesn't really matter, as long as it's not too 'new'. The less electronics the better, no computer, no electronic fuel injection and you'll pretty much be right in anything...

The Zapps travelled all of South America in a Graham Page from 1928, reasonable ground clearance but 2wd, wooden spokes in the wheels and a top speed of 50km/hour...

**Gionatill** · #6 5 Jul 2009

thats amazing what they did!!! might read the book!!! love the old car

**ilesmark** · #7 6 Jul 2009

And avoid Landrovers like the plague. They're RUBBISH!

**JulianVoelcker** · #8 10 Jul 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilesmark

And avoid Landrovers like the plague. They're RUBBISH!

Now, now Mark

**ilesmark** · #9 10 Jul 2009

You love it really !!

**JulianVoelcker** · #10 13 Jul 2009

You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment

**Gionatill** · #11 20 Jul 2009

hello there guys great replyes so far!! i have another quiestion witch popped up??? disel is it

or

for south america???? is it good to get to??? can anyone tell me the rough prices??? any answere to any question i'd be grateful thanxx

**Gionatill** · #12 26 Aug 2009

hello there guys!! been looking at a cotroen c15 disel!! they are cheap got plenty of space in the back!! and there archaic build means that it be aasy to fix?? anyone got one or knows some storys about them or any onether citronen!!1 be happy to hear from you guys!!!

**JulianVoelcker** · #13 27 Aug 2009

I have no idea about the citreon, but the key thing is to check to see how common they are in S. America.

With your budget you are probably better off trying to contact some people in S. America and then aim to buy a vehicle over there - that way you save on shipping costs and also by getting a local vehicle you can ensure that you can get local parts.

**Alexlebrit** · #14 27 Aug 2009

Didn't Dangel do a 4X4 Citroen C15? I know they're archaic but they do seem to last for ever. And with a production run from 1984-2005, I guess there's plenty of spares, both new and scondhand still available.

I found a Brazilian page with the C15 on so that'd suggest they're in some parts of South America. Chile has its own Citroën plant, they used to produce a modified 2CV, so I imagine they were available there too. And I've seen photos of Visas in Ecuador and Uruguay too. I guess being a cheap and rugged vehicle they made sense for SA roads.

I've got a book somewhere about a round the world trip made in a bunch of Citroën Visa 4X4's for France 3 (I think) and as the C15 is a Visa van. Well it suggests it's very do-able. When I'm back at home I'll look up the title if you'd like, there's stuff in there on the vehicle preparation.

Oh and Citroën Visa, Axel, LNA and C15. Citroen 's small cars of the eighties. might be of use.

**Richard K** · #15 27 Aug 2009

Brilliant little van with an excellent diesel. Visavision

I expect the 4x4 is horribly rare, better to go with weight-stripping and underbody plating to get offroad capability. Maybe taller tires and a little lift?

If you are going for 'small and French' you could look at picking up a R4 van in Columbia (i think they were made there?) another awesome mini.