Our search for the perfect shitbox continued for months; a Toyota Tarago or similar 7 seat family cruiser for $1500 is not easy to find, if you are picky and want things like an engine.

Here are few more examples of the types of vehicle advertisements one encounters when scraping through this ‘market segment’. You can read the first installment here.

1997 Saab 900S

Blends both performance and luxury into one irresistable package.

Roof doesn’t open. Clutch needs replacing. Front seats are munted. Radio antenna broken. I’m selling it because maybe someone wants to repair it and give the old girl a new life.

Use of the past-tense verb ‘munted’ was truly wonderful.

Daihatsu Pyzar

Unregistered, no plates. Selling as have upgraded to a car that actually runs. Buyer will need to tow away (at buyer’s expense. NOTE the sale does not include towing costs. The buyer must pay for and arrange to get the car towed away.)

I sent a private message to confirm who would pay for towing but didn’t receive a response.

2006 Holden Astra

Solid and reliable – hell yes! I bought this car from a friend last year after my Subaru wagon was written off. I needed something fairly quickly and this was perfect. I paid him $1000 and spent $2000 getting it cleaned, serviced and roadworthy. He bought it new in 2006 and always had it serviced and maintained. The kms are now high but the engine is in great condition. It had never skipped a beat and runs perfectly. Cosmetically however it is showing sings of age! My friend had a dog and for the life of me I cannot get all the dog hair out! To be honest it is a bit of a grandpa car! If you want quick off the mark then this isn’t it. If you want great mileage then this certainly is it. The cons: The rear left passenger door doesn’t lock and the electric window on it doesn’t work. I’ve bought a new car so keen to just get rid of this one. It’s cheap and reliable but don’t expect any class or style. It’s had a life and many stains will never come out. And dog hair…!

One must also navigate numerous Facebook Marketplace conversations like this:

(18 January) ME: Hi Rafat, how are you? Is the vehicle currently registered and if so when does the rego expire? Thank you very much.

(18 January) RAFAT: Yes, are you interested?

(19 January) ME: Hello thanks very much. Yes, maybe. How long does the rego go for? The car runs doesn’t in?

(20 January) RAFAT: No rego car stop long time. Good for parts or mechanic to start it.

(20 January) ME: Oh, OK thanks Rafat. It might not be the car for us.

(21 January) RAFAT: Thumbs up emoji.

But after much searching we have now secured our beloved 2003 Kia Carnival, only a little munted, and ready to set sail next Wednesday (12 June) for the first segment of its unlikely journey from Sydney to Melbourne, and then Melbourne to Alice Springs via Hay, Silverton, Tibooburra, Windorah, Bedourie and Tobermorey. Internet-willing I will send updates from the bush…

More to come.

Ready for customization