Fuel Consumption/Costs (comparisions)

Thanks Utemad,
Am thinking along the lines of a 3.0L-3.5L turbo diesel, definatly a diesel vechicle.
Have you used both senerio's yourself or know of people that have.
People that we know have gone around Auss with 4X4 + Caravan, and have just left for their 2nd trip, but this time have gone to a Bus, didnt get chance to ask why, and thought that fuel costs might have something to do with it.
Thanks
Japmel

I don't know anyone with a bus but a few with 4x4s and vans. However a turbo diesel 4x4 with van would get less than 20L/100km from what I have been told.

I based my opinion on more than just fuel economy. I would think that there are many places a bus would not go and when you want to go to these places you are going to need to load everything you want into the Suzuki. I know my fridge alone would take up most of the cargo space of a Suzuki. In fact it doesn't even fit in my mates Jimny.

I have seen all sorts on the highway from Coasters towing Suzukis with an A-frame to a huge new looking coach towing an equally new looking Range Rover on a trailer. Guess it depends on how much money you have.

I would think perhaps your friends that changed to buses might prefer the extra space the bus affords them and don't intend to do much 4x4 stuff? As if they were just chasing better fuel economy surely the changeover in time and money would far outweigh any benefits in fuel economy (if there are any?).

I don't really know how much a bus and small 4x4 setup costs but a new Cruiser and offroad van isn't be cheap either.

Whatever you decide I hope you have heaps of fun touring around Oz.

and sorry, no offence, but impossible to get gas in most places off the beaten track.

You need to get a converter and use litres per 100 clicks. It's easy and I even have a simple conversion for your calculator somewhere....I'll post it when I find it.
All official consumption figures these days use litres/100klms
Cheers

Hope this helps to work out liters per 100, for example using the 7.65 km/litre, if you have just put 60 liters in your car and done 459 km divide the 60 liters by 4 point 59
the answer is 13.07 or rounded equals 13.1 ltre/100
With the 4.89 Km/litre as the example at 60 liters at 290 km divide the 60 liters by 2 point 9 and the answer is 20.7 liters per 100.
Stew

Ok thanks for all the feed back.
We have now decided to drop the Motor Home idea and go with a 4x4.
My question on this subject is: With the number of makes and models available, can we have some feedback on which models people have found to be most economical, reliable and parts accessable, in the 3-3.5L Diesel catorgory, taking into account that some of the places we are wanting to travel, may be quite remote, not sticking to the main highways.
Thanks
japmel

Are you talking new or S/Hand.
If S/H Consider a Patrol GQ 4.2 diesel IF you can find a low klms well looked after one. (200,000 is low kays if looked after!) They tow beautifully, and my 2.2 tonne van behind mine tows like a dream and fuel varies between 10l/100k unladen(no van)- typical 16l/100 kays with van highway at 100kmph or as low 14l/100klms if I slow to say 85.

Worst ever- hilly terrain, headwinds etc still less than 20l/100klms. I have NEVER used more than 20 litres/100klms- (except serious 4wheel driving when anything is possible.)

(Mine is turboed)

New, you'd be very hard pressed to beat the 3.0 litre Patrol for value for money. My best mate tows a big van with his and he could not be happier.
Cheers

PS the van is 2.2 tonnes EMPTY, so read 2.5- 2.6 tonnes

I think the vehicles in the 3-3.5 diesel category are:
Pajero
Patrol
Jackaroo
Prado
Rodeo
Navara
Hilux
2nd hand imported Surf

So you have lots to choose from.