Transcontinental Roadtrip - Buying a car in Irkutsk

Hey guys!

Myself and a mate (both 24, male, Aussies) are planning a gap year roadtrip starting around February 2015. We're still in rough planning but currently the idea is to meet up in Vladivostok, take the train to Irkutsk, buy a car in Irkutsk and drive from there through Mongolia, China and a few other places ending in Kathmandu. And from there make our way (driving mostly) to London trying to see as much as we can on the way.

I was mainly looking for some advice on how much a car would cost in Irkutsk. We'd be looking for something with 4wd in relatively decent condition.

Of course any general advice on the idea would be appreciated as well!

Cheers!

Not sure this is a good idea. How much do you know about registration of cars in Russia?

You can check the prices here.

Due to high customs duties cars imported into Russia are expensive. That translates into a thriving "lemon market" with a high chance of spending your money on a rust bucket.
Most imported cars in the eastern part of Russia will be right-hand drive (originating from Japan).
Try looking at Russian brands of 4x4 vehicles, such as Lada Niva or UAZ. In this case the spare parts would be abundant and you can repair them in every service station, or by yourself (be prepared for that).

It may be easier to buy a car in Japan and file for "temporary import".

Thanks very much for your advice. Any idea if this would also be the case if we bought a car in Mongolia or China?

Sorry, I know nothing about the price or quality of cars in China and Mongolia.

Anyway you will not be able to drive through Tibet to Nepal with Russian or Mongolian number plates. I used to have a car with Beijing number plates and even with them was not allowed to drive to Tibet as a foreigner.

Forget this plan. In addition to the above mentioned hassles there is the issue of insurance.

Plus you can't drive anywhere in China without spending a huge amount of money for the government required "guide." I suggest you read this posting from 2008: self drive in China - the definitive thread: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=14359138&#14359138.

Ruth