Quote:
Originally Posted by ConradJ
I need to buy a 4WD vehicle. I'm a professional photographer heading out on a 3-month trip this summer to shoot Yellowstone National Park and areas around Yellowstone. I need a vehicle I can rely on to get me to some potentially difficult-to-reach spots so I can always get the best angle possible for my photos.
The thing is...I need to be able to rely on this vehicle. I have my eye on a 1973 Series III in good condition, and I like it for a lot of reasons -- some rational (it's a good vehicle to sleep in) and some not (it looks great). But after reading this forum and others it seems to me that buying a series Land Rover is basically committing to a vehicle that will constantly break down.
Being stranded in the middle of a national park with nobody around literally for miles is not a pleasant thought. Years ago I owned a 1970 VW Beetle on which I did all of my own repairs, so I can use a wrench. But learning how to fix a Land Rover alone in the field sounds like it may be a dumb move -- especially if breakdowns are not just likely, but virtually guaranteed.
Would I be foolish to buy a Series III, even one in good condition, to use as my primary vehicle for my trip?
If so, and I know this may be asking you to express heresy, what *would* be the right vehicle if my budget is $10K to $15K?
Thanks for any feedback.
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It is not that they are unreliable, it's that it is a 35 year old vehicle. With such an age, things are wearing out. Even if the vehicle has been well maintained, nothing will last forever.
They are a very basic vehicle and that makes it more reliable and fixable.
Not knowing the vehicle market in the states, I would assume that you could get a reasonably good 4WD "Pickup" for the money that you are wanting to spend. You could then put a canpoy over the tray area and have a good area to sleep, etc. If you want something reliable, stay with the basic models. Maybe something in the Toyota range of Tacoma, Pickup, T100, etc
