Thread: Around Australia vehicle choice

I saw the heading for this thread and thought instantly 101 ambo diesel.. Then I read the first post talking about the two youngsters.. Bang goes the 101. I'm now 50/50 on the two suitable vehicles you have. The 110 fits the bill but you'll spend as much on it fitting a diesel and A/C as you would selling it and finding one to suit your needs.. Not knowing your budget limits our suggestions. The Disco would seem to be the logical choice with the family in mind.. Fuel economy, aircon, comfort etc, and as someone said before, get the best RAA rescue and allow time for an issue. I've heard loads about Discos and the electrical issues with the 3 Amegos, but ran a Defender Td5 for several years and had no issues... Might be suggesting something silly here not knowing Discos, but could a Defender ECU not be fitted and everything else simplified? All in all I'd be selling the V8 110 and throwing some cash at the Disco changing anything that might be a 'problem area' and taking the working bits you removed with you as spares. That includes hoses, belts, sensors, injector loom, and a few other things! Sounds like a great trip too!!!

The disco was our first thought, although the ongoing electrical dramas, (it failed to start yesterday and was towed by racv) auto trans that got to hot to easily on Fraser Island, alloy wheels, no spares and the fact that I know my may around rrc and defender drive trains and have spares.
We are looking at getting a camper caravan crossover, that has a pretty large price attached so can't afford a new vehicle as well. I really want to do a lot of the remote desert stuff so reliability has to be a high priority.

Consider this.... the best vehicle to take is one that YOU want to take...
Why?
- Because if you are happy / keen / fixated on it, the you will forgive all and every breakdown it suffers, and cheerfully pay whatever it takes.

As a leading WA winemaker advised us, "the best wine in the world is the one you like, right now. - Your palate will change in time, or not. Just don't force it and drink stuff you don't like..."

If taking a bootload of spares/tools/Diagnostics annoys you, then trade in the lot for a near-new Differant Brand 4WD. - At least you're assured of minimal silly failures... simply 'cos it's newer and carries a warranty. No comment on design or build-quality or materials selection....

Anyway, what percentage of km's & time is going to be spent traversing moonscapes & mud in the outer boondocks? - and how much on highway, byway and gravel road. ?
You may be better off in a vehicle that's comfortably pleasant - for you AND the Wife AND the kidlets - rather than a Every-Other-Brand-off-road-slayer... for the low (?) % of off-road bragging.


My 2p's worth from a card-carrying Silly Old B.....

Originally Posted by fitzy

The disco was our first thought, although the ongoing electrical dramas, (it failed to start yesterday and was towed by racv) auto trans that got to hot to easily on Fraser Island, alloy wheels, no spares and the fact that I know my may around rrc and defender drive trains and have spares.
We are looking at getting a camper caravan crossover, that has a pretty large price attached so can't afford a new vehicle as well. I really want to do a lot of the remote desert stuff so reliability has to be a high priority.

Just keep an eye out for the right isuzu county, it really does fall into the KISS category, and from what I gather that's what you want.

The decision has been made. The trip is on.
We are buying goingbush's td5 defender as its already set up, the rangie has been dismantled and the drive train has gone into the county, it will stay as a play car or daily driver if needed when we come back. The disco will stay as it is a known good thing and wifey loves it. We have a Camprite on order that is due late Jan.
My thoughts at this moment are to head west and hang around the south of W.A. until the weather cools down and then head through the deserts, the Kimberley, the north and then the top end.
Cheers Michael

Originally Posted by superquag

Consider this.... the best vehicle to take is one that YOU want to take...
Why?
- Because if you are happy / keen / fixated on it, the you will forgive all and every breakdown it suffers, and cheerfully pay whatever it takes.

As a leading WA winemaker advised us, "the best wine in the world is the one you like, right now. - Your palate will change in time, or not. Just don't force it and drink stuff you don't like..."

If taking a bootload of spares/tools/Diagnostics annoys you, then trade in the lot for a near-new Differant Brand 4WD. - At least you're assured of minimal silly failures... simply 'cos it's newer and carries a warranty. No comment on design or build-quality or materials selection....

Anyway, what percentage of km's & time is going to be spent traversing moonscapes & mud in the outer boondocks? - and how much on highway, byway and gravel road. ?
You may be better off in a vehicle that's comfortably pleasant - for you AND the Wife AND the kidlets - rather than a Every-Other-Brand-off-road-slayer... for the low (?) % of off-road bragging.


My 2p's worth from a card-carrying Silly Old B.....

An air-conditioned Cadillac and a good credit card, and don't bother with lesser establishments, only 5 star or better.