Hello from Israel

[R-IK]

Although I have introduced myself at http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69849 I’ve decided to add quick facts about 4wdriving in Israel:
• In Israel the word "Jeep" is used generically to describe any 4X4 car.
• However, locally assembled CJ and YJ-L "Storm" Jeeps are the most popular hard-core trail rigs.
• Approximately half of Israel is desert - the Negev and Judea deserts, rich in natural beauty and historical trails and sites dating back three millennia and more.
• In Israel virtually no open land is privately owned or closed to travel. Freedom to roam off-road is well established.
• On the downside, government taxes cars, fuel and everything that has to do with them heavily. The cost of maintaining a Jeep in Israel (normalized by income) is many times higher than in the US.
• So we have fewer jeeps, older and not as well built - but we have tons of trails to explore!

Hereby is a link from track I did with my Aussie cousin near Jerusalem.
http://www.jeeptrip.com/page.aspx?div=Albums&group=3&item=9362

If you’d like too, I will translate it for your convenience.

[hillsjeep]

• On the downside, government taxes cars, fuel and everything that has to do with them heavily. The cost of maintaining a Jeep in Israel (normalized by income) is many times higher than in the US.


Welcome Arik, I suspect we have this in common ;)

[Israel]

Hey Arik,
Welcome... I am not from Israel but am Israel!
And yes half of me is desert... rich in natural beauty!!!

Love this shot!!!
http://www.jeeptrip.com/albums/byjjfm8o-2.jpg

[R-IK]

And yes half of me is desert... rich in natural beauty!!!

We almost had a match **)

[R-IK]

I suspect we have this in common ;)

As far as I understood the situation in AUS is much better than in IL.
Just to give a simple and clear explanation, in IL:
A stock XJ, 2001 will cost you ~25K USD.
A new stock Toyota landcruiser, will cost you ~82.5K USD.

I think that it is a scandal but, we still buy these vehicles.
I totaly agree with Steve’s signature: “There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness” :wall:

-- Arik.