Out here, the terrain decides which 4x4. Dare you object?

When you’re facing a landslide, your best friend is your 4x4. Mr. Foo from Kota Bharu knows this too well. “You don’t take chances out here,” says this Isuzu owner.

In 1996, with a convoy of 4x4’s, he drove his then brand new Isuzu pick-up to India. From Kelantan to Yunan, Tibet, Nepal, and from the foothill of Mount Everest into India.

36 days and a nightmare

Along the border of Nepal and China, a massive landslide interrupted the journey. The ‘Tien Lu’ road was closed off by authorities, but the convoy was granted special permission to detour using another treacherous road.

“We picked our best drivers for each vehicle and were told to drive only at night.”

Why at night?

“When you can’t see the ravine below, you are less likely to panic.”

“According to the authorities, the ravine had claimed 600 vehicles officially.” Heaven only knows the number of unreported cases.

Not for ordinary boys scouts, nor for ordinary vehicles

Mr. Foo’s leisure pursuits are by no means leisurely! Any moment is potentially a life-threatening moment. So how does one choose a 4x4? “By how it takes on demanding terrains. At the end of the day, you want a reliable car for all your journeys.”

Choose the right vehicle by survival instinct

What’s most important about the vehicle? Mr. Foo’s vote is for the engine. “When parts are damaged along the way, we have the spares to replace. But if the engine dies, you’re stuck.”

Mr. Foo has been an active enthusiast for over 20 years. (Maybe as many close shaves as Indiana Jones!)

The next trip is already in plan. A 6,800km drive to Hainan Island, China. For this journey, Mr. Foo bought the new Isuzu D-Max. A necessary purchase, no question about it.