Thoughts on Best Car for the "Grand Tour"

[Crazy Dazz]

Ok, so my idea of a Grand Tour is probably different from the classic.

At some point, when this ****storm is over, I plan to start travelling. I'll basically be going when and where I feel like, not the usual tourist destinations, just anywhere that interests me, dependent on weather and such. Might take my son with me, maybe a dog.

Not really interested in paying to stay in roach motels, so plan on camping and sleeping in the car when necessary.
I've no interest in Caravans. Anything comfortable enough to make a difference would be too big, too expensive, and too much hassle.
Similarly with a camper or bus, the cost of making something decent and reliable just isn't worth it. I thought of a van, but extra space comes at the cost of usability.

I am strongly attracted to the idea of 4wd, and therefore a little torn. It's not that I plan on any hard-core offroading, but there will be plenty of unsealed roads and tracks, and it just gives an extra level of security and independence.

The car must be comfortable and able to handle long highway drives with aplomb. So I have "narrowed" it down to; Ute, Wagon, SUV, 4wd, or 4wd ute. With the rider that the cargo area must be at least 6ft long. Not a troupy, as they are too unstable.

[Franco Cozzo]

Kia Carnival (2015 onwards YP model)
Lexus LX470/Toyota Land Cruiser

Kia Carnival - seats out the back and boom - bed big enough for a 6 footer.

3.3L V6 variant so its not a slow piece of ****, 206KW.

Cheap on second hand market, examples around $20K.

[naddis01]

Ram 1500

[Tote]

You need to consider how much weight you want to carry, some of the more comfortable 4wds such as a 200 series may only have 600KG payload. After you add a bullbar, fridge, and all the camping gear you might be close to the limit.
With utes you are in a better place with load carrying capacity but there is a lack of lockable space unless you fit a canopy and a ute will not be as comfortable.
Dual cabs you have pretty much ruled out with your requirement for a 6 foot bed unless you go to an F truck or a Dodge Ram.

From experience a Falcon Ute wont stand up to large amounts of rough gravel without regular rebuilds like a 4wd will but will be more comfortable. Ive done 800KM days in my RTV and been fresh as a daisy, 800KM a day in my my Defender 130 is much more of a chore. Its worth noting the Defender has muddies on it though which make bitumen less pleasant.

Everything is a trade off I think maybe some more thought about where you want to go will help.

Regards,
Tote

[FlipXW]

You knocked off by far the best the vehicle for doing this in your last sentence. The troopy is hands down the best choice for what you want to do. Too unstable for what? A troopy with the right mods will handle pretty decent 4x4 tracks, way more that what you sound like you’ll do. Sure they can get a blown around on the highway but nothing that’s dangerous. 4x4 ability with the room of a van what’s not to love. A 4x4 wagon just doesn’t offer the level of space and comfort for camping that a troopy does.

I loved the fact you could pull up anywhere and it didn’t matter what the weathers like just crawl into the back and have a damn comfortable sleep without having to set anything up or even shuffling stuff around to get the the bed. You can also just park and sleep literally anywhere. Can’t set up a rooftop tent in a pub or beach car park. Sleeping in the back of a ute with a canopy is ok, I’ve done it heaps but it’s no where near as secure or private. That’s ok when you’re in the middle of nowhere but not so good if you want to sleep a night in town.

Trade off is old ones are as slow as a wet week and a boring drive but a newer V8 with a tune does go pretty well for what it is. If you can get a pop top even better. I think I want another troopy.

[Sprintey]

Beat me to it. Troopy ftw
If you want some inspiration for some out-of-the-way travel spots that aren't on the tourist beat, send a PM. My work and curiosity and HJ60 took me to some awesome places.


Edit: 1HD-FTE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pVBATiI7o8

And if you really don't want a troopy, 76 series GXL wagon.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Mitsubishi Outlander - the middle row seats fold flat and you can sleep in it comfortably.

Around 6 foot length as well.

[roKWiz]

Now you know what I would pick if you could find one.

[FairmontGS]

You know it makes sense

[Swordie]

Prado

http://www.off-road-drive.ru/fi/15/tops/TLCPrado_1.jpg

Link says Cruiser looks like Prado

https://newatlas.com/toyota-land-cru...-camper/55703/

[roKWiz]

Nice. cruising in that. Fairmont

[LUV DE COUPE]

My father had a XBGS V8 wagon and clocked up in excess 500k miles towing a van.

[raised by monkeys]

Friends of mine are teachers and travel bloggers. Fell pregnant. BOOM! Twins.
They built a camper van from a Mitsubishi express I believe with solar, lighting, bed and cooking. Its for sale. Think they only did 2 small day trips in it. In SA though.

[Sprintey]

This will exist soon, which is very interesting:

https://www.carexpert.com.au/news/in...ckup-revealed/

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by FlipXW

You knocked off by far the best the vehicle for doing this in your last sentence. The troopy is hands down the best choice for what you want to do.

I've driven a lot of Troopies. They are, without question, the 2nd worst vehicle I have ever driven, for high-speed transit on un-sealed roads.
Furthermore, 2nd hand Toyotas are over-priced, their 4wds worse, 70 series the worst of the bunch, and Troopies are the king of the hill.
Not to mention rare. Good 2nd hand model actually go for more than new, due to the wait-list.
Even crapped-out ex-mining models go for over $50k. No Thanks.

[MercuryT]

Toyota Landcruiser.

80 Series.

Buy cheap and just custom the back for bedding (1K max)

Will go anywhere and reliable as ****.

[Crazy Dazz]

A Falcon ute is not a bad idea. The SSB tray might be just long enough. Similarly with a wagon, but how long is the cargo space with seats down?

Any ute would necessarily have a canopy. I prefer the lower height of a SSB, but flat tray gives more length and width, and more options for tanks and storage.

But once there, its only a short leap to a 4wd ute, with the added advantage of diesel.

[MercuryT]

It's an extremely bad idea on a Ute if heading on off road tracks regularly.

[arronm]

VF V8 wagon

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

I've driven a lot of Troopies. They are, without question, the 2nd worst vehicle I have ever driven, for high-speed transit on un-sealed roads.
Furthermore, 2nd hand Toyotas are over-priced, their 4wds worse, 70 series the worst of the bunch, and Troopies are the king of the hill.
Not to mention rare. Good 2nd hand model actually go for more than new, due to the wait-list.
Even crapped-out ex-mining models go for over $50k. No Thanks.

Nail on the head. I think the poster didn’t read your criteria of comfortable with the ability to eat highway miles.
Get a 70 series if you want your body to feel like you’ve run a marathon every day, and a dead right leg because of no cruise control and the window winder digging into it the whole drive.

I’ve not long bought a Lexus LX470 (100 series). Petrol V8 a good $10-15k cheaper than any equalivent 1hd fte 100 series but a nicer interior (unless the 100 series had all the options ticked when new).
Good highway cruiser with decent ride quality and has the ability for mild off-roading with no mods - hydraulic suspension gives a factory lift. It only has around 100litre fuel capacity and returns high 12 per 100k cruising at 100kmh. So limited range.

I wanted a good condition GU patrol with the 4.8 as they’re better value for money and by all accounts just as/more reliable but there were no good ones on the market.

Out of left field check out the JK Wrangler Rubicon 3.6 petrol. Has all the standard gear for off road. Fun vehicles. Same as the other two, limited fuel range thanks to 80 litre tank.

I’d be choosing a rooftop tent for whatever you go, free up cargo space for necessities.

[roKWiz]

Thought for sure someone would suggest RTV. Something like GoTheFalcons wagon.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by smoo

Nail on the head. I think the poster didn’t read your criteria of comfortable with the ability to eat highway miles.
Get a 70 series if you want your body to feel like you’ve run a marathon every day, and a dead right leg because of no cruise control and the window winder digging into it the whole drive.

You’re kidding right? I drove my troppy from Newcastle to Darwin to Perth and everywhere in between over the course of 4 months then drove from WA back to Newcastle in 5 days. I had a set of XR6 seats fitted and I covered those miles with ease being comfortable driving and sleeping. Doesn’t have the ability to eat highway miles, please..

Sure most 4x4s will drive better but none will come even remotely close to a comfortable camp set up. When going on a long trip I know what I’d prefer. You’ll spend way more time enjoying your set up than you will driving.
I agree they are overpriced and un expiring to drive but that’s the trade off for having a go anywhere motor home. Sounds like I’m wasting my breath anyway so I’ll leave it at that.

[hawke]

I was looking for vehicle to do a trip from Sydney to London, and settled on one of these. . https://earthcruiser.com/

May not fit your definition of a car, but certinally suitable for a long distance trip to isolated places.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by hawke

I was looking for vehicle to do a trip from Sydney to London, and settled on one of these. . https://earthcruiser.com/

May not fit your definition of a car, but certinally suitable for a long distance trip to isolated places.

I could build you one if you like.

[Express]

wrong thread

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by arronm

VF V8 wagon

Nowhere near big enough. No offroad capability either which OP wants

[jstanovic]

But standard they are not very comfy. My mate had a 2012 GXL, I'm 198cm and I found it to be quite uncomfortable and I reckon a set of decent seats like yours would make a big difference. He didn't find it too comfortable either but it was the only 4x4 that suited his needs.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I could build you one if you like.

Surprised you haven't mentioned the Kamaz yet

[smoo]

Originally Posted by FlipXW

You’re kidding right? I drove my troppy from Newcastle to Darwin to Perth and everywhere in between over the course of 4 months then drove from WA back to Newcastle in 5 days. I had a set of XR6 seats fitted and I covered those miles with ease being comfortable driving and sleeping. Doesn’t have the ability to eat highway miles, please..

Sure most 4x4s will drive better but none will come even remotely close to a comfortable camp set up. When going on a long trip I know what I’d prefer. You’ll spend way more time enjoying your set up than you will driving.
I agree they are overpriced and un expiring to drive but that’s the trade off for having a go anywhere motor home. Sounds like I’m wasting my breath anyway so I’ll leave it at that.

I guess everyones idea of comfort is subjective.
Fitting twenty year old Falcon seats to a near on 6 figure rig is telling. It might make it slightly more bearable to drive but still a far cry from other 4wds that will sacrifice some camping practicality to be better at everything else.

A lack of cup holders, electric windows, elec mirrors, cruise control
High wind noise
No door card to rest you arm on long drives
**** poor 2 speaker stereo with a basic head unit that was in Corolla, Hilux and Rav4 ten years ago
Poor visibility and turning circle
Minimal interior storage space and cramped cab
Useless 5th gear ratio and asthmatic gas guzzling engine isn't my idea of something that can eat highway miles with ease. Or something I'd want to live with everyday (although I did, but every time I drove it I was getting paid).

All that aside I find the appeal of them and wouldn't rule out owning one.
This WA based pom/South African has a good youtube channel and has set up a Troopy over the last couple of years.

https://www.youtube.com/c/4xoverland

[Ross 1]

I picked up a cheap V8 04 Explorer at the start of year with plans of just using it as a budget work truck for throwing tools and bags of cement in. I'm now using it every day and just got back from a 1200km trip with a chunk of that on unsealed roads, it was comfier and nicer to be in than my couple of year old Nissan Navara 4x4 dual cab. Easy 6 foot behind the seats and they all fold flat. When on the open road my fuel usage was down to 9.8L per 100km.