Another Rally Car...

[Spinal]

Right... So planning another Saharan rally... (no idea how I got myself into this again...)

Car shortlist so far:

* Tata Musso (MB diesel engine)
* Daewoo/Ssanyong (MB diesel engine)
* Tata loadbeta
* Tata Mahindra (another MB diesel engine)
* W123
* 190d
* 250d
* 230d

The requirements are:
- Cheap (under £1k)
- Left Hand Drive
- Spare parts available in the UK and Western Africa
- RWD, 4WD or AWD
- Diesel
- "Few" electrics in the engine bay
(as always, these are flexible )

So 2 questions... can anyone spot a missing car that should be on the list; or one in the list that shouldn't be there?

Or any suggestions, advice, info on the cars?

M.

 

[neilz]

What happened to the W202?

 

[Igurisu]

Landrover Defender?

 

[Spinal]

Neil: By the W202, I presume you mean my old blue W202 C180? The story of it's end is on my website (footer of this message) and on this thread: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/ot-off-topic-forums/81416-end-legend.html (the thread is the first rally - which it came back from. It then went on a second rally and got to timbuktu Short story is - it's now a taxi in the Pays Dogon)

Landrovers are a no-no for 2 reasons - cost and spares. They are very expensive to buy, even in cr*p condition, and in Western africa spares are hard to come by. There's also a debate to them being too heavy to float on sand - but that's a different issue.

 

[neilz]

<£1000?

MERCEDES W123 240D MANUAL1981 LHD | eBay

There you go!

 

[Spinal]

Neil- that's one I'm watching already I would rather something that has an MOT in January (simply because it would mean no more MOTs for it... planning on leaving in December) but I'm watching it... (though I would then need to find some cloth seats... leather+desert = well... let's not go there )

M.

 

[bolide]

I know where there's a decent 300D Saloon for sale < £1k. Email me for details

Nick Froome

 

[Spinal]

Oh and before anyone asks - I still have the shogun... it's going on ebay this weekend as I can't justify 7 cars on the driveway (6 at the moment...)

The cost of driving the shogun down (V6 petrol) will be more than buying an older diesel car, so it's going. Nick, will email you this evening; TBH, I'm aiming for a 4x4 as it would let us do a bit more agressive off-roading... but I'm keeping my mind open

M.