4x4 vehicle Zambia

Hi All,

We are looking for advise and for a 4x4 vehicle. We since recently work in Zambia (Livingstone) and would like to buy a 4x4 vehicle to go on private safaris. There are vehicles around but we prefer not to buy from dealers. Local dealers are a bit shabby here and there and all is second hand import from Japan. Mostly Hi Lux Surf 4x4's. Not that we don't want to go for such a vehicle, but we prefer to buy one that has been imported to the country new and then resold. You can than at least track most of its history. The imported vhicles you find at the dealers here are without history and get no garantuee at all. Though you are looking at an investment varying between 8000 - 10000 USD. You want a bit more secureness for that if possible.

The following we would liek to have a few thoughts/comments on: how well recognised is the Hi Lux Surf as a proper 4x4 vehicle? What more would be recommended in terms of vehicle types? What are places to look for them? Do 4x4 's keep their value (obviously if they are well looked after) in Zambia as much as in African countries? Other general suggestions or tips that we might overlook in our quest for a 4x4 vehicle.

Thanks and regards,

Bas and Suzanne

Second hand from Japan can be considered as new compared to the majority of second hand African vehicles! So you shouldn't have any problems there. All Surfs are grey imports - that model was never released in Africa. You should also be able to import 80/100 series Landcruisers second hand from Japan or Singapore to order if you want a heavier duty 4x4.

As to the Hilux Surf not being a real 4x4: I have been driving a Surf in Africa since 2004 - we've driven from SA to Kenya numerous times and have visited many national parks including the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Amboseli and Hwange.

Hi Bundubasher,

Thanks a lot for your informative reply. The reason we initially didn't want to focus on a Japan imported vehicle is that around Livingstone numerous cardealers told that some of the cars are being adjusted if it comes to the mileage. Not in Japan, but more so in SA or Zambia. We thought it was just a better and safer idea to go for a vehicle that has been bought here and has a service record.

Would you mind buying a vehicle without a service history? I realise it will always be a bit of a gamble, but I wanted to try and see if that would be probably a safer bet (and certainly a harder to find one... ) It is probably a lot easier to sell if we manage to find any. At the same time it's harder to come across and Zambia by no means has a selection on offer like SA.

Also as much as I would like a toyota, we were offered a mitsubishi Pajero, and i have to say it looks much like a nice car. What would be your idea on that? It's a 1989 2,5 liter diesel engine (4D56) and is in a different price range. Though our first preference would be to actually go for a vehicle that we have experience with, the toyota hi lux.

Thanks for your help.

Bas and Suzanne

Check out availability in Botswana. Their vehicles run cheaper there because of lower taxes and a 'friendlier' business climate. You should be able to get a much better vehicle for the $$.

If you are going to get all worked up about a vehicle's history then you are fighting a loosing battle in Africa! If you're working in Zambia for a good span of time then you can choose and order a vehicle from a "menu" of foreign vehicles - you just need an agent to help with the importation process. Local cars may be adjusted but the Jap or Singapore ones shouldn't be - they are all generally low mileage due to the incredibably swift turnover in vehicles there - every 3 years I think?

Whatever the mileage is and whatever the "service history" is it is always best to take it with a pinch of salt - find a mechanic who you can trust (pref pers recomendation) and get him to check the vehicle out. I've only had to deal with one garage in Zambia and that was the one on Kafue Road, Lusaka: Autoworld (manager was Gary) seem OK if you stand over them.

Don't worry about Pajeros - old and simple - still 10-12,500USD should buy a decent example.

Bas - Ben has a vehicle for sale in Zambia (full service record!): benmcmurdo(at)gmail.com

I don't really understand your thinking. I would much prefer to buy a vehicle which is sitting in the dealer's yard in Livingstone (as you probably know, there's a dealer's at Crossroads and another behind Fawlty Towers on Mosi Oa Tunya Rd) and awaiting ZRA clearance than one that has been driven on Zambian roads for 5 years. I'd much rather have a 5 year-old Japanese car (which has to have passed a technical test before being shipped to Durban) than a 5.year old Zambian one.

As Bundubasher points out, you'll fight a bit of a battle if you go around looking for full service history on a Zambian vehicle (although he seems to have found you one).

The other thing you've probably found out is that there are no established dealers of second-hand African vehicles in Livingstone. You'd have to go to somewhere like A and M traders in Lusaka for that kind of thing. The daily newspapers and the advertisements posted on trees seem the only source of information.

All vehicles in Zambia represent exceptionally bad value for money due to the import duties/excise/VAT that are charged on all imported vehicles and, as Zambia has no car industry, all vehicles are subject to this.

How goes it?