SUV Question

[danalwyn]

So, I'm looking for a reliable, tough, and fairly no-frills (and hopefully low-cost) SUV or light truck with significant off-road capability. This is not for me to buy (more for personal knowledge), but I'm trying to find a cheaper alternative to a Humvee. Do any of you have any sort of vehicle to recommend?

Comments

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good mix of vehicles. I wasn't actually expecting people to spend time on this, I was just sort of looking for limited experience. I also have the Toyota Hilux on the list, although I don't know how easy replacements would be. They manage it in northern Africa, but I don't know about southern Africa.

It might be an interesting trip, but I'm more of a green-terrain sort of person, so I'll leave it to you, although going out in the savanna would be interesting. I'm also not terribly fond of the heat, which would sort of doom me. Though Botswana seems relatively stable, and hopefully the tourist business will keep it that way. I never know about Caprivi though.

I was looking up prices too, but that's a pain. Most of the features that the Range Rover, Liberty, etc. come with are probably not what you want out in the bush. Unfortunately the only sites I can find with prices are clearly geared toward Americans.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

I knew there was another one bouncing around in my memory, but I couldn't pinipoint it "Land...Land...Not LandRover...". So I asked in the coffee room over lunch, since I work with offroad/adventure travel savvy people. Much entertaining discussion ensued (just like if you were to ask about the best rifle for elk hunting -- 5 people, 12 opinions. :D).

The concensus? Land Rover and Jeep, 100%. Also the one I couldn't bring to mind because I was stuck on "Land Rover" -- the Toyota Land *Cruiser*. I feel dumb now. Everyone agreed that they would go with those, because they can do the job, and because when they break you can get parts locally. Of course the word from this cabal is not official as we're sadly not in Africa.

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

But your particular cabal does have a great deal of experience, which is what I was looking for. I have to confess to getting Land Rover and Land Cruiser messed up all the time. But Land Rover and Jeep, eh? Sounds like a good mix. Thanks.

I just wish the sites that sold them around here didn't only sell the luxury models.