Arnis Namajuns
New member
Hi everybody !
About 15 years do offrod and expedition in hard way - 4x4 sport. But now I have 3 kids, so for them, is no place in sport car
but they also want to see the wild nature.
That's why year ago sell all my sport cars and ATV.
Start to figure out, witch expedition car for me is the best. I am familiar with all 4x4 brands, because my work is build and fix all kind of 4x4 cars.
The main thinks,with have be in car:
After this i find out that under this list is only few cars:
MB G class
LandRover Defender
Nissan Patrol
Toyota LC 76 and 80 and 105
Jeep Wranlgler long
About Jeep and LR. I know many people who have them, and I also know how much money they leave for repairs
These two brands don't mach my first rule of list... so sorry
Nissan is a little better than previous two, but also have problems. All time we have to repair disel engines on these cars. One more issue - they all are rusted. Its impossible to find any car, witch have no rust.
For me is left Mercedes and Toyotas. Toyota 80? Maybe. But... car is very big, clumsy, big engine but not so much power. I think its good to go to Africa, where is no narrow roads, there this car is perfect. The same for LC105, witch actually have the axles and transmission same us 80. So 80 and 105 is too big for me, and engine also is nothing special.
So whats left? Mercedes G-class and Toyota 76. I know G-class very well, we use G-class axles in sport cars. Very reliable and bulletproof. But, one problem. Price for 5 door version is about 20 000 Eur (1998-2000 in these years was the best engines, newer is rubbish)
Than I start to look for TLC 76. New one cost from 22 000 - 30 000 Eur. (this price is for non EU countries) but I can register as a sport car, than I can drive in EU legal. But with new TLC76 is one problem - it is made for Asia market and have only old 4.2 disel engine, witch are without turbo and its good only for towing, but on highway will be too slow. Also it is very heavy. The better one is with V6 petrol engine, but petrol engine for expedition car isn't good idea. Also it have leaf springs at rear, witch I think, is 20th century.
But I figure out, how to get the car I want!!! I found out that Toyota for Japan market made Land Cruiser 76 at middle of 90. And it have the best engine ever made by Toyota 1KZ-T (3.0 Tdi 125 hp) Also It have automatic transmission witch also is very reliable. And it also have coil springs at rear.
Only problem - they are only Right hand drive... but not problem for me
I bought car in UK, get to my work shop and we rebuild it. This car have run 150 000 km and it have 18 years, but it cost me only 7000 Eur. And i know, It will get me to places I want, will get true all offroad, and will get back home. Why I think so?! Because this car mach all my terms in my "best expedition car" list!
Thats how I figure, witch car is the best for me...
But I know, not every body agree with that
About 15 years do offrod and expedition in hard way - 4x4 sport. But now I have 3 kids, so for them, is no place in sport car
but they also want to see the wild nature.That's why year ago sell all my sport cars and ATV.
Start to figure out, witch expedition car for me is the best. I am familiar with all 4x4 brands, because my work is build and fix all kind of 4x4 cars.
The main thinks,with have be in car:
- It have to be reliable,
- It must have frame,
- It must have 5 doors and comfortable seats for 5 persons,
- It must run on highway 130 km/h without problem,
- it must have front solid axle,
- it must have gears in transfer case (no chains and visco locks)
After this i find out that under this list is only few cars:
MB G class
LandRover Defender
Nissan Patrol
Toyota LC 76 and 80 and 105
Jeep Wranlgler long
About Jeep and LR. I know many people who have them, and I also know how much money they leave for repairs
These two brands don't mach my first rule of list... so sorry
Nissan is a little better than previous two, but also have problems. All time we have to repair disel engines on these cars. One more issue - they all are rusted. Its impossible to find any car, witch have no rust.
For me is left Mercedes and Toyotas. Toyota 80? Maybe. But... car is very big, clumsy, big engine but not so much power. I think its good to go to Africa, where is no narrow roads, there this car is perfect. The same for LC105, witch actually have the axles and transmission same us 80. So 80 and 105 is too big for me, and engine also is nothing special.
So whats left? Mercedes G-class and Toyota 76. I know G-class very well, we use G-class axles in sport cars. Very reliable and bulletproof. But, one problem. Price for 5 door version is about 20 000 Eur (1998-2000 in these years was the best engines, newer is rubbish)
Than I start to look for TLC 76. New one cost from 22 000 - 30 000 Eur. (this price is for non EU countries) but I can register as a sport car, than I can drive in EU legal. But with new TLC76 is one problem - it is made for Asia market and have only old 4.2 disel engine, witch are without turbo and its good only for towing, but on highway will be too slow. Also it is very heavy. The better one is with V6 petrol engine, but petrol engine for expedition car isn't good idea. Also it have leaf springs at rear, witch I think, is 20th century.
But I figure out, how to get the car I want!!! I found out that Toyota for Japan market made Land Cruiser 76 at middle of 90. And it have the best engine ever made by Toyota 1KZ-T (3.0 Tdi 125 hp) Also It have automatic transmission witch also is very reliable. And it also have coil springs at rear.
Only problem - they are only Right hand drive... but not problem for me
I bought car in UK, get to my work shop and we rebuild it. This car have run 150 000 km and it have 18 years, but it cost me only 7000 Eur. And i know, It will get me to places I want, will get true all offroad, and will get back home. Why I think so?! Because this car mach all my terms in my "best expedition car" list!
Thats how I figure, witch car is the best for me...
But I know, not every body agree with that
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