Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a new(ish) vehicle in the next 3 months as my older 1999 Subaru Outback is not something I'd be comfortable in to undertake the journey I'm planning.
The trip will take me from Melbourne (Australia) to Darwin via South Australia (Adelaide), and I plan on visiting the Alice (NT) and Kakdu along the way. Once in Darwin (NT) I will start my journey towards Broome (WA), making detours to Kununurra and a few other places as I leave the top end.
From Broome I'm thinking Karijini and Marble Bar, and maybe a few other places before heading towards Exmouth and Coral Bay. Eventually I'll probably drive back via Albany/Esperance, while visiting a few friends out west.
One of my main concerns is vehicle selection. I'm looking to spend no more than $60k AUD, and I'm open to potentially a second hand vehicle as long as it's been fully mechanically tested/certified and has full service history and is in excellent condition. This cost would be after all on road costs plus accessories, and I'll most likely sell the vehicle after my long trip.
I'm wondering if anyone here has done a similar trip, and whether they'd recommend a new(ish) MY17 outback for the journey, or if they'd suggest I buy a Hilux TDI or perhaps even a second hand Toyota Landcruiser instead, and have the ARB Frontier fuel tank (plus other accessories like Winch, flood lights) etc fitted?
I have concerns that a Subaru Outback - although a splendid vehicle in most aspects - might not be able to handle the outback as well as a larger 4WD like a Hilux/Landcruiser. That, and the lack of a long-range fuel tank and bull-bar (roo-bar?), plus low-ish clearance, is disconcerting. Then again, I don't think the 225mm clearance on the Hilux is much better (vs 213mm for SO), although the VW Amarok does have 230mm which is a significant improvement (although I'm not sure it's as comfortable a vehicle as the others).
Not sure which way to go to be honest. Renting a car for the trip would cost too much (~$200/day for a Landcruiser, so close to $6k/month, for 3 months = $15k inc. discount?), which is less than probably buying an ex-demo SO17 (~$40k?) or new VW Amarok ($42k?), accessorising, then selling (probably get 90% of cost price back) = ~$4k cost?
I'm looking to buy a new(ish) vehicle in the next 3 months as my older 1999 Subaru Outback is not something I'd be comfortable in to undertake the journey I'm planning.
The trip will take me from Melbourne (Australia) to Darwin via South Australia (Adelaide), and I plan on visiting the Alice (NT) and Kakdu along the way. Once in Darwin (NT) I will start my journey towards Broome (WA), making detours to Kununurra and a few other places as I leave the top end.
From Broome I'm thinking Karijini and Marble Bar, and maybe a few other places before heading towards Exmouth and Coral Bay. Eventually I'll probably drive back via Albany/Esperance, while visiting a few friends out west.
One of my main concerns is vehicle selection. I'm looking to spend no more than $60k AUD, and I'm open to potentially a second hand vehicle as long as it's been fully mechanically tested/certified and has full service history and is in excellent condition. This cost would be after all on road costs plus accessories, and I'll most likely sell the vehicle after my long trip.
I'm wondering if anyone here has done a similar trip, and whether they'd recommend a new(ish) MY17 outback for the journey, or if they'd suggest I buy a Hilux TDI or perhaps even a second hand Toyota Landcruiser instead, and have the ARB Frontier fuel tank (plus other accessories like Winch, flood lights) etc fitted?
I have concerns that a Subaru Outback - although a splendid vehicle in most aspects - might not be able to handle the outback as well as a larger 4WD like a Hilux/Landcruiser. That, and the lack of a long-range fuel tank and bull-bar (roo-bar?), plus low-ish clearance, is disconcerting. Then again, I don't think the 225mm clearance on the Hilux is much better (vs 213mm for SO), although the VW Amarok does have 230mm which is a significant improvement (although I'm not sure it's as comfortable a vehicle as the others).
Not sure which way to go to be honest. Renting a car for the trip would cost too much (~$200/day for a Landcruiser, so close to $6k/month, for 3 months = $15k inc. discount?), which is less than probably buying an ex-demo SO17 (~$40k?) or new VW Amarok ($42k?), accessorising, then selling (probably get 90% of cost price back) = ~$4k cost?