Club der Ehemaligen
Status: Immer da - Ehrlich
Du bist daheim :-)
...und hat diesen Thread vor 6513 Tagen gestartet!
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 Verfasst am: 29.06.2006 17:10:15 Titel: |
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Exactly 178 days, 3 hours, 32 minutes and 29,131km later than 15th of October, 2005 when I left home at Istanbul,
me and my white land Rover are here in the southernmost point of Africa! It is a dream come true! | |
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Club der Ehemaligen
Status: Immer da - Ehrlich
Du bist daheim :-)
...und hat diesen Thread vor 6513 Tagen gestartet!
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|
| Verfasst am: 29.06.2006 17:31:04 Titel: |
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Toyota vs Land Rover
As per the vehicle choice of the expeditor, there are two groups of people. Toyota guys and Land Rover guys. A third group prefers trucks: Unimog, Bedford, Pinzgauer and Iveco are a few of the preferred manufacturers; generally the 4x4 models manufactured for military purpose.
The most popular model of Toyota is the HJZ75 of the Land Cruiser, otherwise known as the Troop Carrier. It is simple, extremely well-made and reliable, hence the most popular among the expeditioners. Other Toyota models such as Land Cruiser 80 and 100 , Hi-Lux, are not as popular as the 75 , although rarely used.
Production of Land Rover's classic (Series I, II and III), 110 and the Defender models started in 1948 and since then have been an essential part of the landscape in Africa. It is uncomfortable, not ergonomic and its models manufactured during the last few years all come with default problems, yet it is still on top of the list for the expeditioners because it is the most widely known / promoted vehicle in Africa. Because it is widely known, mechanics have extensive experience on it and it is easy to find spare parts for this model. There is no shortage of second-hand stock, thanks to the abundance of scrap vehicles. Lastly, it is the easiest vehicle to camouflage; it doesn't attract much attention compared to its peers.
It is impossible to find an HJZ Toyota Land Cruiser in Turkey. In this country, a Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Tuareg or a Lincoln Navigator -especially black ones- is mistaken for a 4WD, and 4WD is seen as an indicator of social status. ToyotaSa, the Toyota manufacturer in Turkey must have thought this, hence a primitive looking and a noisy bundle of metal as HJZ75 has never found its place in Turkish market. Therefore, there is no homologation and you can't even get this vehicle delivered into the country. In this case, if you are considering traveling through Africa with your own vehicle, you don't have a choice other than Land Rover Defender.
Verdict : Land Rover
I chose Land Rover Defender 110. Well first of all, it was going to be impossible to find its alternative, Toyota HJZ75, but also, having driven a variety of Land Rovers for a long period of time and due to my obsession with Camel Trophy, I have a "nostalgic" attachment to Land Rover. At the end of 2004, following a failed effort to find a "clean" second-hand Defender 110 300T di, I decided to put in an order with Otokar for a custom made vehicle for the trip. It was going to be a Land Rover Defender 110 HT (hard top). Work on the technical specs and pricing commenced on January and I placed my order on February 25, 2005. Due credit goes here to the management and staff of Otokar who braved my "difficult customer" demands during the entire process.
Wieder was glernt! | |
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