Do you enjoy driving in the UAE?
Discussion
I’ve been in the UAE for around 3 years on and off and whilst there are a lot of good things for petrolheads I still find driving a chore rather than a pleasure. I have a company car but have often considered treating myself to a Boxster or Z4. My list of positives and negatives about driving in the UAE.
Positives
1. Cheap petrol
2. Good quality road surfaces
3. Good selection of new and used cars
4. Good racetracks (Yas Marina and Dubai Autodrome)
Negatives
1. Appalling standard of driving (no lane discipline, tail-gaiting, inappropriate use of speed, most cars appear to have broken indicators!)
2. Boring scenery.
3. Boring roads.
4. Cars don’t look all that cheap now that the pound is weak. I know that the price in Dirhams hasn’t really changed but I still convert back into pounds when assessing a big purchase like a car.
5. Rush hour traffic (I live in the centre of Abu Dhabi).
Do any PH’s enjoy driving here?
Martin.
Positives
1. Cheap petrol
2. Good quality road surfaces
3. Good selection of new and used cars
4. Good racetracks (Yas Marina and Dubai Autodrome)
Negatives
1. Appalling standard of driving (no lane discipline, tail-gaiting, inappropriate use of speed, most cars appear to have broken indicators!)
2. Boring scenery.
3. Boring roads.
4. Cars don’t look all that cheap now that the pound is weak. I know that the price in Dirhams hasn’t really changed but I still convert back into pounds when assessing a big purchase like a car.
5. Rush hour traffic (I live in the centre of Abu Dhabi).
Do any PH’s enjoy driving here?
Martin.
Edited by Ecosseven on Monday 1st March 06:21
I'm trading my 987 Boxster S in for a luxo-barge after just four months because the only fun I have in it in Dubai (apart from mistakenly attempting a vmax run under the potential observation of the Police) is around the curved slip roads at major road junctions. There is nothing fun about commuting down the Emirates Road in small fast car. I don't really have the time, balls or money for brakes and tyres that tracking it would need but that seems a pretty easy way of solving the shortage of good hooning opportunities. Unfortunately I've already started upgrading my potential targets from 530/40s to anything wearing an AMG badge so my speeding fines are likely to continue...
On a more general note I wish people would consider the road around them rather than just directly in front of them a little more and I would feel safer if those Patrol driving death-wish loons got some lessons in the likely outcome of hitting something at 120mph in a 2.5t car.
If I'm honest my most pleasurable driving is in my Wrangler as it's so slow, s
t around corners and brakes so badly on it's massive BFGs that I have to take it easy so have a much more relaxed time of things!
On a more general note I wish people would consider the road around them rather than just directly in front of them a little more and I would feel safer if those Patrol driving death-wish loons got some lessons in the likely outcome of hitting something at 120mph in a 2.5t car.
If I'm honest my most pleasurable driving is in my Wrangler as it's so slow, s
t around corners and brakes so badly on it's massive BFGs that I have to take it easy so have a much more relaxed time of things!I've heard there are some cracking roads in Al Ain or on the way to Hatt/Oman. Mountains etc.
I think the quaility of the roads is superb...not a single manhole cover, due to there being nothing underneath the roads, and they're wet twice a year! I cna see sand being a pain when on the bike, but other than that, an excellent place to drive/ride.......apart form one thing.......
EVERYONE ELSE. I know it's been said before, but it's worth repeating. Everyone out here is a complete idiot behind the wheel. Even the police drivers are useless. Not a clue, anyone. I've seen a driving school instructor struggle to change lanes safely as he was on the phone.
For those not living here, how about tailgating at 120kph, 1 inch from your rear end. This isn't an aggressive stance, or an objection to anything, it's just normal driving for some around here. Lane discipline? Doesn't exist. It seems impossible for people here to keep the car/4x4 in a single lane.
I went for a nice 4.8 X5. I doubt I'll ever own something like this again, so thought I'd get one for a while. Add to that, there seems to be millions af camers around, so silly speeds are rare....although there are roads out of town with no camera's.
I think the quaility of the roads is superb...not a single manhole cover, due to there being nothing underneath the roads, and they're wet twice a year! I cna see sand being a pain when on the bike, but other than that, an excellent place to drive/ride.......apart form one thing.......
EVERYONE ELSE. I know it's been said before, but it's worth repeating. Everyone out here is a complete idiot behind the wheel. Even the police drivers are useless. Not a clue, anyone. I've seen a driving school instructor struggle to change lanes safely as he was on the phone.
For those not living here, how about tailgating at 120kph, 1 inch from your rear end. This isn't an aggressive stance, or an objection to anything, it's just normal driving for some around here. Lane discipline? Doesn't exist. It seems impossible for people here to keep the car/4x4 in a single lane.
I went for a nice 4.8 X5. I doubt I'll ever own something like this again, so thought I'd get one for a while. Add to that, there seems to be millions af camers around, so silly speeds are rare....although there are roads out of town with no camera's.
Also forgot to mention...................MANUAL GEARBOXES!
I asked the sales rep in the Dubai Porsche showroom about the possibility of getting a manual Boxster. "Why on earth would you want a car with a manual gearbox" was his reply. I can understand the desire for an auto on big luxo barges but not sports cars.
I asked the sales rep in the Dubai Porsche showroom about the possibility of getting a manual Boxster. "Why on earth would you want a car with a manual gearbox" was his reply. I can understand the desire for an auto on big luxo barges but not sports cars.
I actually do enjoy driving in the UAE - yes, the drive to and from the office is a boring speed camera-filled chore, but it only takes me 15mins (20 on a bad day) so I'm not that fussed. Compare that to the 2 hours I used to drive to get into central London on a daily basis, and then the 2 and a half to get home again, I'm laughing. And that drive was boring a hell too.
However, there are some absolute cracking roads around here - you've just got to take the time to find them. If I've ever got a spare couple of hours and a nice motor to burn I like nothing more than the run down to Kalba. Yes, it's pretty boring to start with but it's an arrow straight motorway with no cameras, so a bit of VMax action is always a good start. But the closer you get to the coast, the better the road gets. There's plenty of other roads in the area, so I can drive loops until I run out of petrol - go and refuel - and then do it all again.
The road in Musandam's great too, as is the stretch down to Moreeb Hill in Liwa - admittedly the 3 hours it takes to get there is dull, but sometimes you have to endure a bit of hardship. I've driven down to Liwa in the pissing rain in a blooming X-Bow, so any other car would be a dream compared to that. If you've got the time and money and a decent motor, take a couple of weeks off and head into Oman - the roads just south of Muscat are mega - not to forget the awesome hairpins towards the Yemen border near Salalah (think of it as the Middle Eastern Stelvio Pass).
The Hatta squiggle's good too, and Jebel Hafeet's a bit of a laugh if you're in the area - though I wouldn't go down to Al Ain just for the road.
The benefits of the roads here are that they are generally absolutely empty of traffic, or wide and well sighted enough for any traffic not to be a other. Speed cameras are minimal away from the highways - especially out of Dubai. And as I previously said, where else in the world could you do VMax runs without any worry?
Oh and as for the OP's point about boring scenery - have you ever been out to the East Coast? Some of the mountain passes there are epic. Don't judge all the roads in region by the Abu Dhabi-Dubai stretch.
However, there are some absolute cracking roads around here - you've just got to take the time to find them. If I've ever got a spare couple of hours and a nice motor to burn I like nothing more than the run down to Kalba. Yes, it's pretty boring to start with but it's an arrow straight motorway with no cameras, so a bit of VMax action is always a good start. But the closer you get to the coast, the better the road gets. There's plenty of other roads in the area, so I can drive loops until I run out of petrol - go and refuel - and then do it all again.
The road in Musandam's great too, as is the stretch down to Moreeb Hill in Liwa - admittedly the 3 hours it takes to get there is dull, but sometimes you have to endure a bit of hardship. I've driven down to Liwa in the pissing rain in a blooming X-Bow, so any other car would be a dream compared to that. If you've got the time and money and a decent motor, take a couple of weeks off and head into Oman - the roads just south of Muscat are mega - not to forget the awesome hairpins towards the Yemen border near Salalah (think of it as the Middle Eastern Stelvio Pass).
The Hatta squiggle's good too, and Jebel Hafeet's a bit of a laugh if you're in the area - though I wouldn't go down to Al Ain just for the road.
The benefits of the roads here are that they are generally absolutely empty of traffic, or wide and well sighted enough for any traffic not to be a other. Speed cameras are minimal away from the highways - especially out of Dubai. And as I previously said, where else in the world could you do VMax runs without any worry?
Oh and as for the OP's point about boring scenery - have you ever been out to the East Coast? Some of the mountain passes there are epic. Don't judge all the roads in region by the Abu Dhabi-Dubai stretch.
thb said:
I actually do enjoy driving in the UAE - yes, the drive to and from the office is a boring speed camera-filled chore, but it only takes me 15mins (20 on a bad day) so I'm not that fussed. Compare that to the 2 hours I used to drive to get into central London on a daily basis, and then the 2 and a half to get home again, I'm laughing. And that drive was boring a hell too.
However, there are some absolute cracking roads around here - you've just got to take the time to find them. If I've ever got a spare couple of hours and a nice motor to burn I like nothing more than the run down to Kalba. Yes, it's pretty boring to start with but it's an arrow straight motorway with no cameras, so a bit of VMax action is always a good start. But the closer you get to the coast, the better the road gets. There's plenty of other roads in the area, so I can drive loops until I run out of petrol - go and refuel - and then do it all again.
The road in Musandam's great too, as is the stretch down to Moreeb Hill in Liwa - admittedly the 3 hours it takes to get there is dull, but sometimes you have to endure a bit of hardship. I've driven down to Liwa in the pissing rain in a blooming X-Bow, so any other car would be a dream compared to that. If you've got the time and money and a decent motor, take a couple of weeks off and head into Oman - the roads just south of Muscat are mega - not to forget the awesome hairpins towards the Yemen border near Salalah (think of it as the Middle Eastern Stelvio Pass).
The Hatta squiggle's good too, and Jebel Hafeet's a bit of a laugh if you're in the area - though I wouldn't go down to Al Ain just for the road.
The benefits of the roads here are that they are generally absolutely empty of traffic, or wide and well sighted enough for any traffic not to be a other. Speed cameras are minimal away from the highways - especially out of Dubai. And as I previously said, where else in the world could you do VMax runs without any worry?
Oh and as for the OP's point about boring scenery - have you ever been out to the East Coast? Some of the mountain passes there are epic. Don't judge all the roads in region by the Abu Dhabi-Dubai stretch.
I'm sure there are plenty of nice roads in the UAE but I haven’t found any near Abu Dhabi. Driving to east coast for a blast is just too far. It’s like living in Edinburgh and saying “I fancy going for a spirited drive on decent roads” and heading off to North Yorkshire! There is a lot I like about the UAE but I think I’ll be saving my money and buying something nice when I eventually go home.However, there are some absolute cracking roads around here - you've just got to take the time to find them. If I've ever got a spare couple of hours and a nice motor to burn I like nothing more than the run down to Kalba. Yes, it's pretty boring to start with but it's an arrow straight motorway with no cameras, so a bit of VMax action is always a good start. But the closer you get to the coast, the better the road gets. There's plenty of other roads in the area, so I can drive loops until I run out of petrol - go and refuel - and then do it all again.
The road in Musandam's great too, as is the stretch down to Moreeb Hill in Liwa - admittedly the 3 hours it takes to get there is dull, but sometimes you have to endure a bit of hardship. I've driven down to Liwa in the pissing rain in a blooming X-Bow, so any other car would be a dream compared to that. If you've got the time and money and a decent motor, take a couple of weeks off and head into Oman - the roads just south of Muscat are mega - not to forget the awesome hairpins towards the Yemen border near Salalah (think of it as the Middle Eastern Stelvio Pass).
The Hatta squiggle's good too, and Jebel Hafeet's a bit of a laugh if you're in the area - though I wouldn't go down to Al Ain just for the road.
The benefits of the roads here are that they are generally absolutely empty of traffic, or wide and well sighted enough for any traffic not to be a other. Speed cameras are minimal away from the highways - especially out of Dubai. And as I previously said, where else in the world could you do VMax runs without any worry?
Oh and as for the OP's point about boring scenery - have you ever been out to the East Coast? Some of the mountain passes there are epic. Don't judge all the roads in region by the Abu Dhabi-Dubai stretch.
Why wait? I picked up a cracking little manual Boxster here for the equivalent at the time of about 50% less than the basic price in the UK. (Pound was about the same then as it is now.) It has been absolutely brilliant, and still puts a grin on my face in the morning. For the other stuff, we've got a 5 liter V8 Jeep that costs around 15 quid to brim full, and you couldn't do that in a Fiat Panda in the UK. Treat yourself!
Roads may be more of a problem, but if you've got a 4x4, go off road. Again, you'll never find the same freedom to roam as there is here. The feeling of turning 90 degrees to the right and driving straight into the countryside is something everyone should experience at least once.
Driving in the UAE? Use your Roadcraft or IAM training and rise above it. You'll be a better driver wherever you go.
Love it here!
Roads may be more of a problem, but if you've got a 4x4, go off road. Again, you'll never find the same freedom to roam as there is here. The feeling of turning 90 degrees to the right and driving straight into the countryside is something everyone should experience at least once.
Driving in the UAE? Use your Roadcraft or IAM training and rise above it. You'll be a better driver wherever you go.
Love it here!
Agree, the roads here are very, very good; scenery - ok, can be a bit boring, but out of Dubai there are plenty of very, very good "hooning" roads to be found. As mentioned above - around Hatta/Kalba, Mussandam, Muscat in Oman is a damn must.
I have noticed a lot of people seeing police with handheld Laser/Radar on the outer highways and by-ways.
I have noticed a lot of people seeing police with handheld Laser/Radar on the outer highways and by-ways.
yorky500 said:
I have noticed a lot of people seeing police with handheld Laser/Radar on the outer highways and by-ways.
This just reminded me! Auto Middle East posted something about this on their twitter this morning, it read: Spotted, Dubai police with hand held speed guns perched above interchanges capturing speeding cars.Looks like they've been speaking to the UK plod on tips to catch more 'criminals'
I find the roads in Dubai to be very unrewarding. I know it depends where you live in the UK as to if you get to regularly play on any fun roads, but I was spoilt on the Cambs/Essex boarder as had some great lightly trafficked, twisty roads nearby.
12 months ago, here in Dubai, I was looking at getting a "fun" road car I could also do some track days in, but decided against it in the end, as I think it would just be a chore on the roads and compromised on the track. Living in the Marina and working in Emirates Towers, there's nothing fun about my road driving.
So instead I bought a race car and entered the Dubai GT Championship. A much better idea. Have the fun in the places designed for it, and buy something dull but comfortable for the roads (I went for a Pajero).
12 months ago, here in Dubai, I was looking at getting a "fun" road car I could also do some track days in, but decided against it in the end, as I think it would just be a chore on the roads and compromised on the track. Living in the Marina and working in Emirates Towers, there's nothing fun about my road driving.
So instead I bought a race car and entered the Dubai GT Championship. A much better idea. Have the fun in the places designed for it, and buy something dull but comfortable for the roads (I went for a Pajero).
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