We bought an ex-govt HJ47 troopie in '84 for our round Oz working holiday. Sold it this year and bought a 2002 troopie. Just couldn't consider anything else but a troopie. For us it has always been a means to an end - able to get to great places but also able to cart all the gear one takes on a long trip. Our learning curve involved:
1) Being amazed at where it would go.
2) Being disappointed when we found where it wouldn't go.
3) Discovering how hard it can be to extract a bogged 4WD.
4) Learing to drive within our means.
Mostly the 'disappointments' were minor, and none were dangerous. Since we mostly travel alone we are conservative about where we go, but still get to great spots. We have a basic set of recovery gear, a reasonable first-aid kit, and we always have enough spare food and water that getting stranded shouldn't become dangerous.
BTW we kitted out the 47 for travel and found that one of the most useful extras is one that is least mentioned - a water tank. We had a 45l tank mounted on the pasengers side between the chassis and the body in front of the rear wheel with the tap above the bottom of the side panel (if you know the car). If you ever get to the point where you do much traveling you will find it much easier and eficient than carrying jerry cans (though we also carried these for remote desert travel). We've been at a bit of a lost without it, but the water tank will be in the new troopie before xmas.
