With a Lada Niva to Cape York

[Svenska]

Hey there,

my name is Sven and i am from Germany. These days i travell through Australia.
In the next weeks i wanna buy an 4X4. Then travell from Melbourne to Cape York.
The idea is to get on the trip there a lot experience in Off Road driving.
I think i will do about 1500km tracks in this time.
The car i thought about is an Lada Niva. Do you guys think it is possible to do this Trip with it?
How good is it realy in Off Road?
Is there any other car you think it is good for this?
But i really travelling on a budget.

Thanks for your help, Sven

[Struth]

Try a cheap GQ patrol.

Cheers

[80's_delirious]

I think you would be better off with one of the Japanese made four wheel drives. The Lada were a reasonably capable 4x4, but they are getting old now and getting parts, if repairs are needed could be difficult.
They are also a bit difficult to work on compared to Japanese cars.
They commonly had electrical problems too.

I had one for a few years, and it let me down a couple of times. They are very basic and agricultural in terms of comfort etc (like a tractor)

Also they are very small, so not much room for camping gear and provisions etc, especially if you have a companion with you.

A 60series Landcruiser or a GQ Patrol would be my choice if on a tight budget. They are tough, comfortable, capable offroad, parts will be available anywhere, also someone will be able to help you fix it anywhere you go. They are bigger too so much more room for equipment etc.

[-Scott-]

I think you would be better off with one of the Japanese made four wheel drives. The Lada were a reasonably capable 4x4, but they are getting old now and getting parts, if repairs are needed could be difficult.
They are also a bit difficult to work on compared to Japanese cars.
They commonly had electrical problems too.

I had one for a few years, and it let me down a couple of times. They are very basic and agricultural in terms of comfort etc (like a tractor)

Also they are very small, so not much room for camping gear and provisions etc, especially if you have a companion with you.

A 60series Landcruiser or a GQ Patrol would be my choice if on a tight budget. They are tough, comfortable, capable offroad, parts will be available anywhere, also someone will be able to help you fix it anywhere you go. They are bigger too so much more room for equipment etc.

What he said ----^

[Mr DJ]

Agree with Struth a cheap GQ Patrol, 60 series or 80 series (if you can find one) would be good choices IMO.
Just remember that you usually will need to spend some $$$'s on it to make sure it will get you there and back, depending on where you want to go it's possible not to see any other vehicles/people for days so vehicle will need to be well prepared.

[Tiny]

Hey there,

my name is Sven and i am from Germany. These days i travell through Australia.
In the next weeks i wanna buy an 4X4. Then travell from Melbourne to Cape York.
The idea is to get on the trip there a lot experience in Off Road driving.
I think i will do about 1500km tracks in this time.
The car i thought about is an Lada Niva. Do you guys think it is possible to do this Trip with it?
How good is it realy in Off Road?
Is there any other car you think it is good for this?
But i really travelling on a budget.

Thanks for your help, Sven

I hope you dont think its 1500km from melbourne to the cape

[mhgill]

I was expecting a joke when I read the thread title.

[DamTriton]

Count on just over 4000km each way between Melbourne and the Cape, and the last 1000 km up to the Cape is a hell of a lot more isolated than you would believe.

People still die from being inadequately prepared in similar country to this. You can be hundreds of km from help, although there is a bit of traffic in the area that may be able to assist.

Please DO A LOT OF RESEARCH before even contemplating this trip.

It is over 1600 km by road to Brisbane, a further 1800km to Cairns, and then a further 800km or so to the Cape

[Guy]

Troll?

A patrol may well be suitable ...

http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/council/Road ... atus.shtml

[Eddy]

I would be happy to take a Niva up the cape;- but then I have a couple years experience with them, and know them quite well.

For a first timer, I don't think so. They have their own little foibles, although no more than an old Patrol or cruiser. Neither would be any more reliable (or unreliable for that matter).
I have one for off-road comps, and bought another as a parts car. The parts car is still intact and drivable, as Ive not broken anything on the comp car ...

The main stumbling block is in the fact that fewer people know about them than the jappers, so you are less likely to be able to get help fixing any breakages, whereas lots of people know how to fix the jappers ... they gotta do it all the time.

[flyology]

Not many 4x4's are going to get to the cape for at least another 2 months or so.......

Dont even think about trying it in the wet season (December to April/May) if you have never done it in the dry...........

[Svenska]

Hey there,

sorry for the late reply. But it is a bit dificult for me to find internet round here.
Im in Melbourne now, looking for some work and an car.
First of all, THANKS! for that good advices.
I talked to some 4X4 guys i met on my way. They all said the same like you.
So i go to find a Patrol or an Landcruiser.
The only point you mentioned i cant follow is about gwtting the car repaired. I think there is no problem for me to get everything on an Niva repaired. I used to fix every kind of cars for about 15 years now. Im not a professionel car mechanic. But quite good enough for old cars.
But if i cant get spareparts...

To calm you guys a bit down, im not a troll. I really like to do this trip.
Im not that crazy to risk my life. I do a lot of research about this trip and will do a lot of different off road till go to the Cape. I will start with easy tracks and then get slowly to the hard stuff.

Have you got any good advises how to figure out witch Landcruiser/Patrol is realy good?
I like to know about this special carrelated problems. Not the general stuff like rust on the mainparts, strange noises from the engine...

THX Sven

[nicbeer]

if u are def keen and want some comfort /space.

have a look at the GQ patrols either SWB or LWB ones, all coils with plenty of parts easy to find.

88-96 i think they are.

[1patrol]

Yeah if u want cheap but reliable i would seriously go a GQ with the big (4.2 litre) petrol motor , while a diesel would be my choice the petrols are dirt cheap and fairly reliable and bloody strong for a petrol.

I have had a GQ, 60 series and now hilux but i would choose the GQ without a second thought for what your after HTH