Looking to do a trip next September. My daughter and I are looking to camp drive from Vic up to the Tip and I was looking at a car to purchase, modify and then take up. Circa $10K budget to buy a car and ensure it's up to the task.
We're not doing tracks and serious offroad like the Teletrack or Gunshot or crazy stuff like that, but we do want 4x4 at the very least (low range would be good).
We're looking at a wagon as I'm thinking of actually sleeping in the back so converting it for 2 beds and some small divider down the side so she has some personal space as she is 16 now and sharing a matress might be a bit weird…although she doesn't care, I do.
Auto would be good as she wants to drive some of the way as she will have her L's
Roof rack so we can pack swags as well for places where we can get some decent outside camping
At some point my son and my wife will fly up to Cairns or Sunshine Coast and meet us for a weeks holiday as a family so we will use that car for getting around for the week so I will unconvert the back quickly to accommodate so flip down back seats would be good.
Diesel or Petrol ? I think petrol would be fine and cheaper possibly. I'd even do gas (I have a dedicated gas car now and it's awesome @ 78cents per litre) but dual fuel would be necessary as I imagine the Cape has only Diesel and Unleaded.
Initially I thought about Pajero (02 - 03) V6 $6-$7K ?
other options:
06 Kia Sorento Diesel (not sure whats considered high K's for this) has 4wd low range
01-05 Prado V6 (not sure I can get a decent one in my budget)
Euro AWD like Mercedes ML wagon (are these even proper 4wd ?, too many issues????) Same goes for Toureg ??
Don't want a ute as I don't want a canopy setup
Au Falcon on gas