Rotary Challenge
Which car lends itself to a trip to The Gambia?
NO BARREL!


Which car you want to drive is your own choice, but it is wise to choose a car which is also driven in The Gambia.
The technical condition of the car is more important than its age.
What is very important is that there must be parts available in The Gambia for the car you have brought with you.

One thing is certain:

There is plenty of scrap in The Gambia, partly due to the import of cars that are certainly not suitable for the tropics. So make sure that the car is in good condition!

Vehicles which are suitable for The Gambia:

Cars that are not new, but still in good condition;

Cars that can take a beating and are not sensitive to failures;

Cars which contain as less as possible electronics;

Cars that people know and can maintain;

Cars of which parts are available in The Gambia;

Cars with as little bells and whistles as possible;

Cars that do not have to shine and may have a dent;

Cars which preferably drive on diesel.

Cars which are common in The Gambia

Take care for a car without:
Turbo, which breaks down quickly and is difficult to repair;
Light metal rims, in The Gambia they will damage and deform quickly;
Automatic, it will break down quickly and is difficult to repair;
Hydraulic suspension, is not suitable for the tropics, because of the fine dust and sand.

Suitable makes and models

CITROËN Berlingo, (same as Peugeot Partner), the rest are less or not suitable;

DAIHATSU Rockey;

FORD Transit (limited) is used as a Bush taxi;

HYUNDAI H 100 and H 200 (Excel and Lantra very limited);

LANDROVER All types, but second choice! (prone to breakdowns, expensive parts, suitable for Senegal);

MAZDA E 2200 bus;

MERCEDES 190 and 200 and all buses except 100MB (poor front suspension);

MITSUBISHI Lancer, Pagero, L 200 double cab pick-up and L 300;

NISSAN Sunny, Primera, Patrol is second choice. Better 3.3 without than 2.8 with Turbo;

PEUGEOT 404, 405, 504, 505 and 309 Partner;

SUZUKI S 10, S 13, Cabrio, and Vitara (all petrol) and Grand Vitara diesel;

TOYOTA Landcruiser all types, preferably the long version (very expensive second hand) Hiace, Hi-Lux with double
Hiace, Hi-Lux with double cabin, the big sedans and station wagons.

Two and three-door cars are less suitable, for pick-ups preferably a double cabin.

Not or less suitable models:
(WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FORD TRANSIT, CITROËN BERLINGO AND RENAULT GRAND ESPACE)

CITROËN - AUDI - BMW - VW - CHEVROLET - DODGE - SKODA - DACIA - SSANGYOUNG -ALFA ROMEO - HONDA - FIAT - DAEWOO - LANCIA - LADA - KIA - ROVER - SUBARU - RENAULT - OPEL - FORD - SAAB -
VOLVO