Hi

I am searching for a car with an engine less than 1.2l for an attempt at this years Mongol Rally. Basically this involves trying to drive from London, Milan or Barcelona to the capital of Mongolia in a totally unsuitable car and leaving it there should you make it.

I've found a 2003 Seicento Sporting for a reasonable price with just over 25K miles on the clock that looks to be in relatively good condition.

As the car is not for keeping I don't want to spend a fortune on it but I would like to protect the sump and tank with some sort of guard and perhaps raise and beef up the suspension a little to cater for some of the rougher parts of the trip.

Can anyone tell me if there is anywhere that can supply such guards for the Seicento or do I have to get one made myself?

With 25K miles on the clock and being just over 6 years old is there anything mechanically likely to be needed on this model? I've read that the timing belt needs changing at 45 - 50K miles which is a fair distance away.

I'm guessing that the Seicento isn't the strongest of cars but it looks like it could be a hoot to drive a few thousands miles across Europe and into Asia in.

Thanks for any advice you all may have...

Matthew

Check the 'beast lives' thread for sumpguard details.

Put new springs from the non Sporting model, they are 20mm higher.

Cheers

SPD

What a planned waste of an 2003 sei sporting

go in a £100 quid banger if you fancy a challenge not something as new and with as low mileage as this that that would easily do this with no modification and would be a decent car for someone else who wants to use and needs a car for everyday, rather than destroy it larking about on the mongol rally

if he wants to waste his money and a car thats his choice (not trying to have a dig, its just the best way i can word it)

unfortunately ive not really got any knowledge to help you though

It'll be interesting, anyway, to get posts from Mongolia............

Maybe steel 14" wheels off a Punto with high profile tyres to further increase ground clearance? It'll be horrible to drive on the road sections, but seeing the trouble that Panda was having in the desert (wotsis name's son).........