Overland/Touring vehicle choice

**Kausie** · 2022/11/12, 06:03 PM

Good day fellow ‘forumers’,

Apologies in advance for re-opening this age-old discussion. Admin please transfer this thread as needed. Brand-new to the forum. I’m deciding on a trip ~3-6 months in the New Year Jan travelling S.A., Namibia, Zim, Botswana possibly heading further North.

Had my sights on a Toyota Hilux D/C 3.0L D4D 4x4 but current exorbitant used bakkie prices and thefts are my major concerns. My aim is to use the bakkie as daily driver and eventually family vehicle in the future (single currently). I’m currently based in Kimberley, Northern Cape but will eventually be relocating to the Eastern Cape coast.

Really keen on a Hilux long-term, but trying to stay realistic and pragmatic with our current social climate. Isuzu D-max and Ford Ranger are viable options but equally as lucrative for poachers. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kausie

**heyyahhey** · 2022/11/12, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Kausie

Good day fellow ‘forumers’,

Apologies in advance for re-opening this age-old discussion. Admin please transfer this thread as needed. Brand-new to the forum. I’m deciding on a trip ~3-6 months in the New Year Jan travelling S.A., Namibia, Zim, Botswana possibly heading further North.

Had my sights on a Toyota Hilux D/C 3.0L D4D 4x4 but current exorbitant used bakkie prices and thefts are my major concerns. My aim is to use the bakkie as daily driver and eventually family vehicle in the future (single currently). I’m currently based in Kimberley, Northern Cape but will eventually be relocating to the Eastern Cape coast.

Really keen on a Hilux long-term, but trying to stay realistic and pragmatic with our current social climate. Isuzu D-max and Ford Ranger are viable options but equally as lucrative for poachers. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kausie

Love the Nissan Patrol (suv) - must it be a bakkie?

**Mark Petzer** · 2022/11/12, 07:10 PM

Mahindra Scorpio D/C Karoo or SUV.

**Jens78** · 2022/11/12, 07:20 PM

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, current or previous model.

GH · 2022/11/12, 07:31 PM

I'm wondering if a used Amarok can compare to a used Hilux or Isuzu?

**Kausie** · 2022/11/12, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

I like the practicality of a bakkie and the idea was to fit an aluminium canopy with the possibility of sleeping in the bak worst case scenario and enough space for ammo boxes and a fridge for touring.

I like the Mahindra Pik-up but haven’t seen any with a canopy custom or otherwise.

**Tony Weaver** · 2022/11/12, 08:54 PM

For extended cross-border travel, stick with Toyota. Hijack risk is mainly in SA.

**Schambies** · 2022/11/13, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Kausie

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

I like the practicality of a bakkie and the idea was to fit an aluminium canopy with the possibility of sleeping in the bak worst case scenario and enough space for ammo boxes and a fridge for touring.

I like the Mahindra Pik-up but haven’t seen any with a canopy custom or otherwise.

If you need it for remote touring stick to Toyota. Breaking down near some remote Namibian dorpie in a Mahindra will cost you more time and money compared to a Toyota. That was one of the reasons I sold my Mahindra - once you are out in the bush and something goes wrong you are at the mercy of the nearest dealership which is some cases can be 100s of kms away. You will always find parts for a Hilux... Isuzu would be my second choice, followed by Nissan and Mitsubishi in no particular order.

**Schambies** · 2022/11/13, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Schambies

If you need it for remote touring stick to Toyota. Breaking down near some remote Namibian dorpie in a Mahindra will cost you more time and money compared to a Toyota. That was one of the reasons I sold my Mahindra - once you are out in the bush and something goes wrong you are at the mercy of the nearest dealership which is some cases can be 100s of kms away. You will always find parts for a Hilux... Isuzu would be my second choice, followed by Nissan and Mitsubishi in no particular order.

I should also add - my brand new Mahindra was not close to being as solid as my 10 y/o Toyota. I work my vehicles hard and the Mahindra, new out of the box, was full issues. They are good value for money but cannot be compared to a Japanese counterpart, at least not yet.