The Bakkie-project: Part 7

So the end of 2010 came and went and as we were rubbing our eyes, January 2011 is almost finished as well. I don’t know whether it is the December-debt, but I have already been to have alook at three different bakkies.
The first one was that of the Capetonian. This 1998 2,4 Hilux is still in a very good condition with only 185 000km on the clock. Allan Venter, our Hilux-guru agrees and he feels it would be a good buy. But R85 000 is a bit more than we intended to spend. And that will leave us with only R35 000 to convert the bakkie into a dream safari vehicle. Maybe we can haggle with him, but he seemed pretty set on selling it for that price. Now we have to decide.
Next was ze German. He has a 1997 2,4 Hilux which he bought while he was still living in Germany. He did it over the phone without even seeing the bakkie. The bakkie was left standing at his holiday home in Melkbosstrand and he only drove it while he was in South Africa for holiday. A while back he moved to South Africa and his garage does not have space for this bakkie anymore and he is looking for a new owner. Rust is a major issue. Mechanically it still seems to be in fine fettle – it also has only 185 000km on the clock, but there is very little that is not covered in rust. So the German is also not meant to be the one.
Lastly was the Aussie. When we saw the pictures of the bakkie it looked a little strange to everyone. A 1993 2,8 diesel Hilux, but it looks like the next generation Hilux that we had in South Africa. And that is just it. The owner who had it for 13 years previous, imported it from Australia. It does not look like the Hilux’s we had in South Africa at that time. It also does not have a Solid Front Axle like we are used to for Hilux’s of that time. Maybe that is a sign that it is also not meant to be.
So that is that. Maybe we should put in a lower offer for the Capetonian and keep our fingers crossed. Or perhaps keep on looking.

die kapenaar