Vehicle
The choice of vehicle was a major issue as neither Alison nor I knew too much about 4x4s, but come to think of it some of the sales persons we met while in the process of choosing one, were also in the same boat.
I was worried that we would not meet the setting off target date of 1 May 2008 and was blinded by my personal requirement of a new affordable seven seater vehicle, to be purchased free of VAT. Our first stop was at an abandoned Volvo showroom which had been closed months before we got there, thanks to Stratstone’s inefficiency in not updating its website. We found an alternative showroom near Collindale the next weekend and excitedly discussed the possibilities with the sales person on the XC90. Seats were folded down flat, measurements made and we could see that the three of us could easily use the space for sleeping in bad weather if most of the things got thrown out into the tent. We must have looked like a pair of comedians to the sales staff but they did not offer any advice either.
When I received a negative response from Volvo to my enquiry about back up support in case of emergencies, the focus shifted to the Audi Q7. Apparently the Q7 was said to be munching tyres without any thoughts for the owners’ wallets. The size of the tyres looked massive too (wondered if I would be able to replace a flat) and the spare had it own compressor ….. what more does one need?!! Next consideration was the Discovery 3 and by then I had found out that it was not possible to buy a vehicle free of VAT as I still needed it to remain registered (similar to a person needing travel documents) as long as it was on the road… blast! I would have to consider a used vehicle as I would not enjoy any savings on VAT buying new!!
We were impressed with the Disco 3 but the sales person at Nene Overland was not! This time we must looked like a pair of idiots to him and he showed that he was unimpressed with our knowledge. Too much electronics he said and, why not consider one of their Defenders? I was not overly excited looking at the square boxes that they were and Alison didn’t help by declaring that I would have to go on my own if that was my choice of vehicle. So, forward with the Disco 3!!!
The evening before we were to view the Disco 3, I discovered that it needed to run on low sulphur content fuel and that was the reason the Diesel version was not sold in the USA. Low sulphur diesel was and still is, not readily available in many countries. The Disco was therefore out of contention.
We next spoke to John Jennings, (JJ as he is fondly known), of Frogs Island 4x4, who suggested the Land Cruiser or the Patrol, while confirming that the Disco 3 should really not be considered seriously. While I researched the two possibilities, Alison managed to speak to Ollie of The Long Way Down team and from the report she received, the Patrol won hands down.
"Tuah" was located in Leicester and with fast talking Mitch Robinson of Nissan Sturgess at the other end of the line I was soon convinced to view him, (Tuah, I mean not Mitch), the next weekend. Mitch even convinced me to put a small token sum as earnest money, that’s how good he was. A deal was struck and we agreed on a delivery date of Saturday 26 January 2008.
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