Hi there,

Hopefully driving to Africa in September so i'm after a cheap and cheerfull car to get us there. I'm hoping for an old Fiat Panda 4x4 orrr a citreon 2cv or anything similiar.

Many thanks,

Danny

2CV

Hahaha that made me laugh

I had a 2CV over the summer about 4 years ago. They're brilliant fun and simple to look after. Fuel economy was about 30-35 when commuting.
The most serious fault with them is a rusty chassis, they often get replaced with a galvanised one which sorts that problem.
I sold my one to a colleague for £400 which was quite cheap but was what I had paid for it. He has totally restored it and it's now worth about £3000! Even before the restoration he drove it all over the country to rallies and has been to the Czech Republic with no running problems at all.
Make sure you've got the starting handle when you buy it as it could prove useful if you're miles from anywhere with a flat battery.

Panda. 4x4 is cool, but the 900 will go most places with a fat bloke sat on the bonnet.

You can pretty much dismantle it with a 10mm spanner.

I'm not being funny Danny... but if you wanna stay alive, I'd avoid the 2CV. I speak from experience as I lost 2 of my mates in one 20 years ago. They hit a tree. The 2CV folded. And that was in a fairly new one. Wouldnt like to be in an accident in an old one.

[edit: how ironic is that advice, coming from someone who rides a bike?!]

Well TBH that's why I posted the link to the vid - I know it's funny, and I know the cars keep going - but they DO fall aprt!

I reckon the Panda is a much better option.

yeah, I'd agree, don't have that much experience of either, but my Aunty's 2cv set on fire on the motorway!
luckily noone was hurt + my aunt + cousins got out fine + I think they got all their stuff out

but could've easily been a different story!

the 4x4 panda is great, mate had one + he raved about it, but i don't know anything about the reliability of it!

here you go.. to put in the mood for the trip..

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MME0MGne7ng&...feature=related

When I was in school a young teacher bought a brand new 2CV as his first car.

Within days of buying it he drove into an empty wheel barrow.

The wheel barrow was unmarked; the 2CV looked like it'd been reversed into by a truck. He was gutted.

Haha thats brilliant. Made me laugh lots.

I got hold of a suzuki vitara softop instead but thanks for your advise anyway

I don't know how far it will get us but it looks good

.... Planning on making some travel cash as a hair dresser?

Hahahaha