I'm going to Dubai: What must a car guy check out?

I'm going to Dubai: What must a car guy check out?

Author
Discussion

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
I've dreamed of visiting Dubai for many years, finally the ticket's in my pocket (Thursday).

What do I HAVE to check out?

I want to do some laps at the Dubai Autodrome, go on offroading in the desert and rent a Ferrari. I would like to visit Ferrari World also (heard that it's not good at all, but what the hell..).

Any car spotting locations you guys recommend?

Are there any decent roads down there or is everything too digested?

How are the local speeding authorities?

What are the best shopping areas?

I
'm first and foremost going on a business trip to Sharjah, but I'm certain that I will have a lot of spare time because it's Ramadan.

Contigo

3,115 posts

215 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Jumeirah Beach Road on a Thursday night for Supercar spotting.

A Trip to the Supercar showroom at Alain Class.

Ferrari World is in Abu Dhabi which is a good hour and a half drive from Dubai but worth a trip.

Never done dune bashing but could be a good shout especially in the Buggies they have which will undoubtedly be more fun that the usual Landcruiser tours.

K50 DEL

9,333 posts

234 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Give me a bell when you get here (056 785 5840)
Happy to meet for a beer and chat cars and locations.

How long are you in town for?

General Zod

334 posts

137 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Dune bashing as a passenger is fun for the first 5 minutes then becomes annoying.

Autodrome tracks days are great and going to watch the "run what you bring" is good. See some amazing machines.

Ferrari world is a bit crap apart from the fast thing but queues for it were ridiculous when i was there.

One of the best things was going to a used supercar dealer. Full of SLRs and other cool stuff.

Look out for low number plates on the road. The lower the richer and closer to ruling family.

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the info guys smile

Any car rental companies your would recommend? I'm thinking a Ferrari for a day, might never get the chance again... Would loved a Z4 for the weekends though, they seem reasonable enough!


K50 DEL: I don't drink, but maybe we can meet up. I'll note your number. I'll be there from this Friday and until Monday 5th August!
There will be several trips in the future though, so I'm certain there's a good opportunity to meet up sometime.

anonymous-user

60 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
The valet at Mall of the Emirates is usually good for some nice cars, likewise the Atlantis.

Ferrari World only 50 mins away so well worth a visit.

The kartdrome at the Autodrome is fantastic fun, great circuit and a lot of fun in the rentals.

Be careful of the rental companies, some require massive deposits and some nutters even ask for your passport.

Bjam99

231 posts

141 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Good that you're thinking about car hire. I made the error of not really paying my attention to it. Saw 'Lancer' on the email and just went with it. BIG mistake. It was a hateful, HATEFUL little thing. Badly built auto, limited speed and hideous to drive. (still managed to get a speeding ticket in it)

Get something fun! I think I would have really enjoyed driving in Dubai if it wasn't for the car I was driving. Defo hang around the posh entrances of the malls for the best show off metal.

Chilli

17,320 posts

242 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Post in the Middle East section...

K50 DEL

9,333 posts

234 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
caraddict said:
K50 DEL: I don't drink, but maybe we can meet up. I'll note your number. I'll be there from this Friday and until Monday 5th August!
There will be several trips in the future though, so I'm certain there's a good opportunity to meet up sometime.
Metaphorical beer, I'm just as happy with a diet coke.... If you want to fill your supercar quota then head to The Walk at JBR on a Thurs or Fri night... plenty of places to eat along there (after Iftar obviously) and much automotive porn to see.
If you're cabbing it, ask the cabbie for the Hilton JBR, they all know it.

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Very thankful for the info guys smile

I'm heading to the airport in one hour. Tomorrow evening I'll be outside JBR Hilton, then smile

drocter81

311 posts

212 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
They're all in Knightsbridge over Summer (minus Ramadan). If gold chrome wrapped Aventadors are your thing, then JBR is fine. The real machinery is over in Qatar.

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
So yeah... They got some decent cars here, LOL. Saw a killer Mp4 12C in white with black accents, they look so much better in real life!

Surprised to see so much American Muscle.

Don't have much time to write here but oh my God, the Dubai Mall and the Burj Al Khalifa. WOW.

aspirated

2,539 posts

152 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
I'm here right now too! Don't drink either but would be happy to go car spotting and talk cars smile I'm here until 9th August.

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
Sweet! Maybe us three could get together one day for a cup of coffee/tea? I will know more tomorrow about how long we will be busy with the business part... But I'm assuming I'm off duty Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August smile

aspirated

2,539 posts

152 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
caraddict said:
Sweet! Maybe us three could get together one day for a cup of coffee/tea? I will know more tomorrow about how long we will be busy with the business part... But I'm assuming I'm off duty Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August smile

2nd and 3rd sounds good to me, I'll be able confirm closer to the time as I'm back to Abu Dhabi for a few days now but will be back in Dubai soon smile

dvs_dave

9,003 posts

231 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
I admire your enthusiasm for the place but in my experience London is far better for true exotics.

aspirated

2,539 posts

152 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
At this time of year maybe, however I've seen a few 458's, MP12's, Murcielagos and Aventador's that should keep us going, no Gallardos though strangely.

shirt

23,241 posts

207 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
the gallardo is getting old, the locals who buy these kinds of cars tend to move to the latest thing. something like an f360 is very rare.

there isn't much on at the circuits through summer, although you can check the timetables here:

http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/events/
http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/Activities_and_...

as an experience, i'd say yas is the better choice. also a much better range of cars to choose from.

i would avoid dune bashing. can't think of much worse than being in the desert in the heat.

caraddict

Original Poster:

1,092 posts

150 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
aspirated said:
caraddict said:
Sweet! Maybe us three could get together one day for a cup of coffee/tea? I will know more tomorrow about how long we will be busy with the business part... But I'm assuming I'm off duty Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August smile

2nd and 3rd sounds good to me, I'll be able confirm closer to the time as I'm back to Abu Dhabi for a few days now but will be back in Dubai soon smile
Keep in touch here smile

aspirated said:
At this time of year maybe, however I've seen a few 458's, MP12's, Murcielagos and Aventador's that should keep us going, no Gallardos though strangely.
I saw one of the later ones yesterday at the Marina. Performante or what it's called. Had what looked like an original wing and newer style wheels.

dvs_dave said:
I admire your enthusiasm for the place but in my experience London is far better for true exotics.
I know that there are few places that can top London (maybe just Monanco and California?)

But I live in Oslo... Compared to that city, Dubai is filled with automotive porn... So I'm happy smile

shirt said:
the gallardo is getting old, the locals who buy these kinds of cars tend to move to the latest thing. something like an f360 is very rare.

there isn't much on at the circuits through summer, although you can check the timetables here:

http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/events/
http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/Activities_and_...

as an experience, i'd say yas is the better choice. also a much better range of cars to choose from.

i would avoid dune bashing. can't think of much worse than being in the desert in the heat.
Thanks!

I didn't even think of the Yasmarina Circuit..!

Yes, a lot of the latest and greatest stuff here! Along with the occasional fellas in their older models trying to get some attention too smile

Actually saw several GT86s, that made me happy.

thb

303 posts

180 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
As far as I know, Forumla Rossa (the super-fast roller coaster) at Ferrari World is under maintenance at the moment. Might be worth calling before you go to double-check as it's kinda the only reason to go there.