Discussion
Hi Guys,
Moving to Abu Dhabi in August. I understand it gets quite warm at that time of year
What is the best way forward in terms of a car ?
Contract is for 3 years so would it be better to buy or rent ?
Have 2 little ones so safety is of real importance especially after reading some of the posts about the creative driving style.
Was thinking X5, like the way they look although heard they were rubbish off road.
I think 4 x 4 will be the way to go.
All advice/thoughts/musings gratefully received and it will be nice to meet some of you.
Moving to Abu Dhabi in August. I understand it gets quite warm at that time of year
What is the best way forward in terms of a car ?
Contract is for 3 years so would it be better to buy or rent ?
Have 2 little ones so safety is of real importance especially after reading some of the posts about the creative driving style.
Was thinking X5, like the way they look although heard they were rubbish off road.
I think 4 x 4 will be the way to go.
All advice/thoughts/musings gratefully received and it will be nice to meet some of you.
Many makes of new cars are very cheap out here compared with the U.K. Buying tends to make more sense then renting, esp for that period of time. I guess the choice depends on budget, but you will find a large difference between the price of an X5 and something like a Landcruiser. Anything BMW seems to be in short supply and holds its value very well. Also BMW servicing is very expensive here, 10K Kms service intervals don't help either.
If you want a top of the range SUV (assuming a 2nd hand purchase)then I'd also look at a Caynenne (tons and tons of them out here so large 2nd hand supply) or a ML - again loads to choose from. Most premium SUVs won't be that good in the desert. A Toureg might be a good compromise, some very good deals on new ones. If you just want something big, safe and good off-road then I'd go Landcuriser or Pajero, the locals choose them for good reason.
You may find that you don't need a 4x4 at all, most seem to be driven by American Expats and locals, everyone else goes for normal cars. Whatever you do, go for the biggest engine you can, petrol is basically free here compared to the U.K
www.dubizzle.com is the best place to get an idea of the market if you are not looking for a new car.
If you want a top of the range SUV (assuming a 2nd hand purchase)then I'd also look at a Caynenne (tons and tons of them out here so large 2nd hand supply) or a ML - again loads to choose from. Most premium SUVs won't be that good in the desert. A Toureg might be a good compromise, some very good deals on new ones. If you just want something big, safe and good off-road then I'd go Landcuriser or Pajero, the locals choose them for good reason.
You may find that you don't need a 4x4 at all, most seem to be driven by American Expats and locals, everyone else goes for normal cars. Whatever you do, go for the biggest engine you can, petrol is basically free here compared to the U.K
www.dubizzle.com is the best place to get an idea of the market if you are not looking for a new car.
Edited by TNW on Friday 17th May 14:55
Buy dont rent, its lost money.
Get a Landcruiser on a 3 year finance deal then sell it when you leave, it wont lose much in value being Japanese and the running costs arent horrendous. Only downside they dont have quite the safety levels of the European counterparts, but are still safer than the flock of rental cars flying about.
Get a Landcruiser on a 3 year finance deal then sell it when you leave, it wont lose much in value being Japanese and the running costs arent horrendous. Only downside they dont have quite the safety levels of the European counterparts, but are still safer than the flock of rental cars flying about.
shirt: it's a govt institute so I believe there is the option of a zero percent loan which would be good.
I like the idea of a Rangey. Do you have any links of your favs out there at the moment ? Or what I would be paying for a decent example.
I guess when petrol isn't a consideration we can indulge in gas guzzlers that we wouldn't touch in the U.K.
Thanks After Shock. The general consensus seems to be to buy. It's 3 years initially and if we like it, we envisage staying a lot longer. The weather in U.K truly ( to borrow an Americanism ) SUCKS.
I like the idea of a Rangey. Do you have any links of your favs out there at the moment ? Or what I would be paying for a decent example.
I guess when petrol isn't a consideration we can indulge in gas guzzlers that we wouldn't touch in the U.K.
Thanks After Shock. The general consensus seems to be to buy. It's 3 years initially and if we like it, we envisage staying a lot longer. The weather in U.K truly ( to borrow an Americanism ) SUCKS.
Doom Bar said:
shirt: it's a govt institute so I believe there is the option of a zero percent loan which would be good.
Definately buy then! Least you can sell it and pocket the money should you leave.Rangey's are popular here but beware of the monumental servicing costs once they are out of the free service period.
this is the lowest priced 2010 5.0 supercharged, and looks to be a good one
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/lan...
can't say i've looked at this price point. last year the floor seemed to be 100k+ for an L322, its dropped to less than half that now. am looking for a previous gen. patrol unless i buy something stupid as tends to happen....
there's a lot of landrovers here and a few well regarded independent specialists. AAA are one, saluki motorsport another which is run by a Pher - Mark/Desert Dog. They also do very thorough PPI's. the jag engined model seems to be much more robust than the bmw equivalent. remember most major items will be shared with the bmw range so parts availability is good outside the dealer network.
100-110k will see you in a same model year cherokee srt-8. they are somewhat of a bargain and the trade off in finesse is made up for in spades by reliability and parts costs.
main considerations here for enthusiast motoring is what garaging you have available and what you are prepared to do yourself. local parts prices can be horrific. easy enough to import but of course that can take a week or so.
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/lan...
can't say i've looked at this price point. last year the floor seemed to be 100k+ for an L322, its dropped to less than half that now. am looking for a previous gen. patrol unless i buy something stupid as tends to happen....
there's a lot of landrovers here and a few well regarded independent specialists. AAA are one, saluki motorsport another which is run by a Pher - Mark/Desert Dog. They also do very thorough PPI's. the jag engined model seems to be much more robust than the bmw equivalent. remember most major items will be shared with the bmw range so parts availability is good outside the dealer network.
100-110k will see you in a same model year cherokee srt-8. they are somewhat of a bargain and the trade off in finesse is made up for in spades by reliability and parts costs.
main considerations here for enthusiast motoring is what garaging you have available and what you are prepared to do yourself. local parts prices can be horrific. easy enough to import but of course that can take a week or so.
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