Newbie UAE questions
Discussion
Hello all.
I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
Onetrackmind said:
Hello all.
I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
Matt, I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
Don't know where to start. I am a CR8 owner, she's a 2008 (first reg in Dec 2007) model with the LS2 lump and a 6 sp M/T. Not many around and anything newer will be Auto only (worst auto box out there IMHO). Interior is as plain as plain can be. Services are every 10,000km which I do in about 2 months. Services at the Stealership are expensive but I have to do it as I have a 5 year extended warranty. Replacing any parts is also god damn "Bank Robbing" numbers. Brake discs will set you back AED19,000, brake pads AED7,000 (all 4 corners), however, I went aftermarket but was still expensive (I have been told that they have reduced their prices!!!).
She is a great car to drive, loads of fun and has "presence" on the road but the boring interior soon weighs on you. Plastics and rubbers on the car also deteriorate rapidly. To sum up - get something different.
Onetrackmind said:
Hello all.
I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
Welcome firstly!I'll be moving to Dubai in August to start a new contract. I'm really looking forward to living in Dubai and I was wondering if anyone could help with some PH questions.
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them. What's the situation like in Dubai? I'm currently thinking that to avoid hastle I'm going to buy a Chevrolet CR8 (VXR8 in UK) as these can be picked up quite reasonably, say AED 90k for a 2008-9 with reasonable mileage. As most petrolheads moving to a country where fuel is very cheap, I fancy something with a stupidly big engine that can be used occaisionally on track but it has to be big enough to fit a baby seat and two full sized passengers in the back. However, if it won't be too much hastle to run an older E39 M5, C5 RS6 or B7 RS4 I may go for something like this.
I've read that insurance is approximately 5-7% of a cars value. Is this still the case with performance cars? I've also read that if you get a car through a trader, which I may well do to avoid worries over clocking and accident damage etc, the trader will arrange the insurance. I presume if you buy privately you have to arrange your own insurance.
If I were to buy privately, are there any ways of checking a vehicles history for accidents, clocking etc? I notice most Dubizzle ads state 'no history of mechanical failure and revious accidents', i gues there's a reason for this.
Finally, what is the attitude towards speeding out there? I obviously don't drive like a nutter on the road, but if i'm going to get locked up and lashed for exceeding the speed limit slightly, I think I'll just buy a Land cruiser for dune bashing. It's my intention to do some track days. I take it Dubai Autodrome is a pretty quick and open track that would be suitable for a super saloon. if not, I may get two cars, one sensible family wagon and a more suitable track focussed car.
Sorry for all the questions. I really appresciate any advice. I also hope to get involved socially if any of you regularly meet up to talk cars go drinking etc.
Cheers,
Matt
The older cars you mention would potentially be even more ruinous to run than the same in the UK.
Cars are generally worse maintained than the UK, especially if local owned and the climate does take a toll (nb - if you can make it through your first 2 months you are into the good weather). Unless you are very handy with a spanner?
I paid 5% of the value of the Mustang when I bought it, that was a year old car at the time. I went with a insurer I had heard of (AXA) and had to prove NCB as under 30 and a 'performance car'.
Probably no necessary in hindsight but gave me piece of mind. Down to 3.2% of the value (which I provide
) 4 years later.Attitude to speeding is same as UK, you get caught you pay!
Welcome Matt! Hope you get settled in quickly and enjoy the cheap petrol here in Dubai.
I think it's true that a lot of cars don't get the maintenance they should, hence all the warnings about second hand cars. You can ask always ask a mechanic to take a look at any potential purchase before taking the plunge. . .
Me and a few others on here use Saluki Motorsport for servicing and repairs. Mark (Desert Dog) and Claire (Gaffer) are both on PH and are very helpful.
Good luck!
Onetrackmind said:
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them.
Me too. This is exactly what I did in the UK and, against everyone else's advice, this is what I did here. Currently running an Arab spec 2004 Chevy Tahoe with 165,000km on the clock. It's nothing to write home about but it suits my needs at the moment.I think it's true that a lot of cars don't get the maintenance they should, hence all the warnings about second hand cars. You can ask always ask a mechanic to take a look at any potential purchase before taking the plunge. . .
Me and a few others on here use Saluki Motorsport for servicing and repairs. Mark (Desert Dog) and Claire (Gaffer) are both on PH and are very helpful.
Good luck!
Another tip is if you are buying something 'relatively' new is to ring up the main stealer and give them the VIN. If it's been maintained in the UAE at one of their branches and has been crashed quote often they will have the details.
- I only found this out when I sold my last bike. A timewaster wanted the full service history (I only had the history from my time of ownership). I looked into it and found the previous owner and dropped it twice ....... pretty hard. No wonder it was in such good nick, most of the parts must have been half the age of the bike!
Gentleman Geoff said:
Welcome Matt! Hope you get settled in quickly and enjoy the cheap petrol here in Dubai.
I think it's true that a lot of cars don't get the maintenance they should, hence all the warnings about second hand cars. You can ask always ask a mechanic to take a look at any potential purchase before taking the plunge. . .
Me and a few others on here use Saluki Motorsport for servicing and repairs. Mark (Desert Dog) and Claire (Gaffer) are both on PH and are very helpful.
Good luck!
Add me as another on the list of old-car runners.Onetrackmind said:
I usually go for older (5+ yrs) cars and use independent garages to maintain them.
Me too. This is exactly what I did in the UK and, against everyone else's advice, this is what I did here. Currently running an Arab spec 2004 Chevy Tahoe with 165,000km on the clock. It's nothing to write home about but it suits my needs at the moment.I think it's true that a lot of cars don't get the maintenance they should, hence all the warnings about second hand cars. You can ask always ask a mechanic to take a look at any potential purchase before taking the plunge. . .
Me and a few others on here use Saluki Motorsport for servicing and repairs. Mark (Desert Dog) and Claire (Gaffer) are both on PH and are very helpful.
Good luck!
I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2005 Corvette.
Both bought here second hand and maintained by Saluki.
You definately need to buy carefully, crashed, badly maintained and downright dodgy cars are far more prevalent here, but as mentioned above, the dealerships are pretty helpful and it is possible to buy good cars for sensible prices.
Saluki will do a full pre-purchase inspection for less than $100 which I wish I'd done on the Jeep at least!
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff