458 Spider + UAE + Jebel Hafeet Mountain for the day :)
Discussion
Some of you may remember i posted a quandary, "do i hire a 458 Spider or Hurcan for the day in the UAE". I have to say i always have been a Ferrari fanboy, but loved some aspects of the Hurcan, however went for the 458 as it was a Spider, and the weather in the UAE in December was perfect.
Its been a while since i had driven something fast, i think 30 and sensible life kicked in, new house, got married, setting up the future investments....the days of being in my late 20's rolling around in a 360 Spider, having a race car were long gone! So we were heading to Dubai for our honeymoon for 10 nights, I've been several times before however the wife had not. This time i took a look at renting a car as someone mentioned Jebel Hafeet Mountain road, and it looked fantastic! So of i went getting quotes. In the end i got a great deal, a 458 Spider with unlimited mileage for 4200AED, which works out at £751. I think thats a bargain! Oh and Fridays are a day off so the roads are as quite as you will ever find them, we had no traffic like you would at peak times on other days.
This is Jebel Hafeet
Having the car all day, i thought id make use of the unlimited mileage, and planned a route with stops the wife would also enjoy. So the route was, Dubai > Jebel Hafeet > Abu Dhabi > Dubai > Dinner. It looked like a lot of driving, it was, and it was too much for one day in this car.
So the car arrives at the Hotel in Jumeirah at 0900, i have had breakfast, everything is ready and out we go. Where is the RED 458, they bought a white one. Slight disappointment, but hey ho. Quick check around the car as with any rental, paperwork completed, payment done and off we go.
The misses wanted to see the Palm in daylight (Even though we had a Heli Tour) so we decided to go first. Dropped the roof, and we were going, straight into Race mode so the flaps open earlier hehe. I put my foot down just a tiny bit and my balls tingle, feck me this feels fast already! I used HERE Maps, great for offline Maps. We drove to the Palm, checked out Atlantis and parked up. I hoped out and took some pictures and then noticed....WTF thats a 675LT, the thing look brtual!
We drove of the Palm heading to Al Ain, where Jebel Hafeet mountain lives. It was all boring motorway driving, and there are speed camera's everywhere. Sign posts are good however Here Maps has the speed limit displayed. Speed camera's here always catch at 20k more than the speed limit, so even though its 120kmph, we were able to sit at 140kmph. We stopped quite quickly to put the roof up. Ahh its alot quieter, and we can have a chat and listen to some tunes. I really could have done with cruise control i'm thinking, "slap your self you tool, your in a 458".
So we get to Jebel Hafeet, the road its nice smooth tarmac. As mentioned I've not driven a fast car in a while, so this thing feels flippin' fast! But soon enough you get used to it. We drive to the top of the mountain stopping at a few view points. We got to the top everyone's eyes were on the 458, phones out pictures pictures. We park up and leave the car and take some pictures of the views. We are both dying for a wee, but the toilets are closed for cleaning, for 30+ minutes!! So back in the car and there is a hotel 1/4 of the way down. We stopped here and took a few pictures also, its build on the edge of the mountain. We both had a bit of headache at this point, i don't know if it was the sun, (but the roof was up) or the drone at 3000rpm for 2 hours, i presume the latter. So i put down 2 paracetamol, nothings stopping me!
I hook up the Go Pro and head down the rest of the mountian, i start having fun, in the back of my mind thinking, this is a rental, do not crash it, and this is a public highway in the UAE, do not take anyone out. So i progressively start increasing my pace, not a time lap like the ring, but more a fun downhill, nothing was taken too seriously. I am a bit cautious on the brakes, its hot, but then i remember they are ceramic so should be fine, even on a downhill. But they do not inspire confidence, either i didn't get them hot enough, but the feel felt poor imo. So we get to the bottom and turn around and head back up again, I cannot believe i am in the UAE, with this great road, in a 458 Spider, with my Wife, hooooooning around like a 18 year old (a sensible one). It was this moment where i was really feeling freaking awesome! The road has a lot of tight bends, held 2nd gear, i'm not hammering the life out of it, its a rental and i don't have the skills, on the circuit id be prepared to let it hang out a bit but not here. The gear changes on the up shift my gosh, never felt anything like it they are awesome, the down shift too. The 458 has this sense of urgency and torque low down that was new to me. Its well balanced, was in Pilot Sports which were obviously warm as they were squealing there way up the mountain. On a tight uphill hairpin, the car wanted to step out, low speed so easy catch. The surface wasn't sandy so all good. Got to the top again and parked up. Left the roof off and go out smiling like a 5 year old. The misses was smiling also, although she seemed to have more adrenaline pumping than me
. Saw a GT3 having fun there and also a Cayman S. Time for an ice cream and then we head back down the mountain. Again the brakes, just no feel, i'm not confident on the them. Another thing i would have preferred is if the paddles were on the steering wheel and not the column. There is traffic on the way down, and its twisty this can really ruin the run. On the way up there are 2 lanes so its ok. I really wanted to go back up again but we needed to get to Abu Dhabi, a surprise late lunch i had planned for the good wife.
Here is a video of the runhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEOPwX1avT8
So roof backup, Go Pro off, we need some fuel i am down to 1/4 of a tank. Stopped at a fuel station in Al Ain, and the fuel attended comes around, i asked to fill it up with Special. Paid off we go, misses analysis the receipt. 105 AED, thats £18.88 haha crazy!!
Another motorway journey beings to Abu Dhabi, about 2 hours. The misses has a nap, the drone is back at 3000rpm in sport mode. My seat is not really that comfortable, my back is hurting, but the misses is fine. Im 5'7, 70kg, i fit in fine but i'm not finding it so comfortable. So we finally get to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers. I drop the car of at Valet Parking, VIP Sir, yeah sure ok. We head 300 meters up to the Observation Deck for a 360 degree view of Abu Dhabi from the 74th floor. The misses loves it, bonus points are in!! So we grab a sandwich, chill, take pics and its time to head back to Dubai, via Yas Island though!
Valet parking, i gave a tip of 10 AED which is less than £2, generally workers don't get paid much and they really rely on tips. This is normally a 50AED charge but they guy says "no sir, free for you" errm ok, thanks!
So off we go, its getting dark and we head towards Yas Island. The motorway opens up and i hear a few of the locals booting it, they must know where the camera's are right? I have bit of fun Then a local in a Dodge comes alone side me, i said to the wife "he wants to have a play" she laughs, so i take as approval haha. So we kicked a few gears down and have a little blip. Nothing really in it, its a just a short one. Once again he comes back and says lets go again. So we do, level but he must have 700hp, after a few gears he is gone! The road was 6 or 7 lanes and virtually empty and perfectly straight, what a playground.
So on to Yas Leisure Drive, quick stop for a photo open and cruise past Ferrari World. But we need to get back as i have a special dinner booked for the wife putting up with my none stop car talk during the honeymoon. I even went to car showrooms and look around and took pics, so she was deserved something special. Hotel, we have a bit of a chill, its been a long day and its now 19:45. Both our heads are booming, like we have come out of a club. Oh another thing, the car doesn't have an arm rest, yes i slapped myself for even thinking that!!
So an hour later, we are macked out, looking fly of to the Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel for dinner. The service was amazing, however the misses headache has gone work and now is a full migraine, the 458 had destroyed her. Within 2 hours and her not eating her main we settle up and head back to the hotel Get her into bed and quietly sit there, chatting to a few friends. I need to go fuel it up again ready for collection. The amazing wife says go have some fun in the car, i just need sleep and i will be ok. I was quite reluctant to leave her but i had to fuel it before collection.
So she falls asleep its 00:30. Jeans and hoody on..........im out. First i thought id just go up the palm, take some pictures and then fuel it up. So i do the palm, take some pictures, but then i come back, check on the misses, fast asleep, get the GoPro, hook it up, the roof is off and im out again. I drove the Palm, Jumeriah Beach, The Marina, the Walk, had a play with another 458, sounded awesome! And then decided its approaching 4am, i think thats enough. So i put in another £19 of special and head back.
It was an amazing experience, i did 9am to 4am pretty much, nearly 420 miles, averaged 16mpg and only paid £40 in fuel! The weather was perfect, the roof was off the roads are nice and smooth, but there are speed camera's everywhere. The trip was too much for one day, split over two would have been better. But you learn for the next time. There are some other awesome roads in the region also which i will probably do in April when i am back there
Here are a few other pictures:
Its been a while since i had driven something fast, i think 30 and sensible life kicked in, new house, got married, setting up the future investments....the days of being in my late 20's rolling around in a 360 Spider, having a race car were long gone! So we were heading to Dubai for our honeymoon for 10 nights, I've been several times before however the wife had not. This time i took a look at renting a car as someone mentioned Jebel Hafeet Mountain road, and it looked fantastic! So of i went getting quotes. In the end i got a great deal, a 458 Spider with unlimited mileage for 4200AED, which works out at £751. I think thats a bargain! Oh and Fridays are a day off so the roads are as quite as you will ever find them, we had no traffic like you would at peak times on other days.
This is Jebel Hafeet
Having the car all day, i thought id make use of the unlimited mileage, and planned a route with stops the wife would also enjoy. So the route was, Dubai > Jebel Hafeet > Abu Dhabi > Dubai > Dinner. It looked like a lot of driving, it was, and it was too much for one day in this car.
So the car arrives at the Hotel in Jumeirah at 0900, i have had breakfast, everything is ready and out we go. Where is the RED 458, they bought a white one. Slight disappointment, but hey ho. Quick check around the car as with any rental, paperwork completed, payment done and off we go.
The misses wanted to see the Palm in daylight (Even though we had a Heli Tour) so we decided to go first. Dropped the roof, and we were going, straight into Race mode so the flaps open earlier hehe. I put my foot down just a tiny bit and my balls tingle, feck me this feels fast already! I used HERE Maps, great for offline Maps. We drove to the Palm, checked out Atlantis and parked up. I hoped out and took some pictures and then noticed....WTF thats a 675LT, the thing look brtual!
We drove of the Palm heading to Al Ain, where Jebel Hafeet mountain lives. It was all boring motorway driving, and there are speed camera's everywhere. Sign posts are good however Here Maps has the speed limit displayed. Speed camera's here always catch at 20k more than the speed limit, so even though its 120kmph, we were able to sit at 140kmph. We stopped quite quickly to put the roof up. Ahh its alot quieter, and we can have a chat and listen to some tunes. I really could have done with cruise control i'm thinking, "slap your self you tool, your in a 458".
So we get to Jebel Hafeet, the road its nice smooth tarmac. As mentioned I've not driven a fast car in a while, so this thing feels flippin' fast! But soon enough you get used to it. We drive to the top of the mountain stopping at a few view points. We got to the top everyone's eyes were on the 458, phones out pictures pictures. We park up and leave the car and take some pictures of the views. We are both dying for a wee, but the toilets are closed for cleaning, for 30+ minutes!! So back in the car and there is a hotel 1/4 of the way down. We stopped here and took a few pictures also, its build on the edge of the mountain. We both had a bit of headache at this point, i don't know if it was the sun, (but the roof was up) or the drone at 3000rpm for 2 hours, i presume the latter. So i put down 2 paracetamol, nothings stopping me!
I hook up the Go Pro and head down the rest of the mountian, i start having fun, in the back of my mind thinking, this is a rental, do not crash it, and this is a public highway in the UAE, do not take anyone out. So i progressively start increasing my pace, not a time lap like the ring, but more a fun downhill, nothing was taken too seriously. I am a bit cautious on the brakes, its hot, but then i remember they are ceramic so should be fine, even on a downhill. But they do not inspire confidence, either i didn't get them hot enough, but the feel felt poor imo. So we get to the bottom and turn around and head back up again, I cannot believe i am in the UAE, with this great road, in a 458 Spider, with my Wife, hooooooning around like a 18 year old (a sensible one). It was this moment where i was really feeling freaking awesome! The road has a lot of tight bends, held 2nd gear, i'm not hammering the life out of it, its a rental and i don't have the skills, on the circuit id be prepared to let it hang out a bit but not here. The gear changes on the up shift my gosh, never felt anything like it they are awesome, the down shift too. The 458 has this sense of urgency and torque low down that was new to me. Its well balanced, was in Pilot Sports which were obviously warm as they were squealing there way up the mountain. On a tight uphill hairpin, the car wanted to step out, low speed so easy catch. The surface wasn't sandy so all good. Got to the top again and parked up. Left the roof off and go out smiling like a 5 year old. The misses was smiling also, although she seemed to have more adrenaline pumping than me
. Saw a GT3 having fun there and also a Cayman S. Time for an ice cream and then we head back down the mountain. Again the brakes, just no feel, i'm not confident on the them. Another thing i would have preferred is if the paddles were on the steering wheel and not the column. There is traffic on the way down, and its twisty this can really ruin the run. On the way up there are 2 lanes so its ok. I really wanted to go back up again but we needed to get to Abu Dhabi, a surprise late lunch i had planned for the good wife. Here is a video of the runhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEOPwX1avT8
So roof backup, Go Pro off, we need some fuel i am down to 1/4 of a tank. Stopped at a fuel station in Al Ain, and the fuel attended comes around, i asked to fill it up with Special. Paid off we go, misses analysis the receipt. 105 AED, thats £18.88 haha crazy!!
Another motorway journey beings to Abu Dhabi, about 2 hours. The misses has a nap, the drone is back at 3000rpm in sport mode. My seat is not really that comfortable, my back is hurting, but the misses is fine. Im 5'7, 70kg, i fit in fine but i'm not finding it so comfortable. So we finally get to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers. I drop the car of at Valet Parking, VIP Sir, yeah sure ok. We head 300 meters up to the Observation Deck for a 360 degree view of Abu Dhabi from the 74th floor. The misses loves it, bonus points are in!! So we grab a sandwich, chill, take pics and its time to head back to Dubai, via Yas Island though!
Valet parking, i gave a tip of 10 AED which is less than £2, generally workers don't get paid much and they really rely on tips. This is normally a 50AED charge but they guy says "no sir, free for you" errm ok, thanks!
So off we go, its getting dark and we head towards Yas Island. The motorway opens up and i hear a few of the locals booting it, they must know where the camera's are right? I have bit of fun
Then a local in a Dodge comes alone side me, i said to the wife "he wants to have a play" she laughs, so i take as approval haha. So we kicked a few gears down and have a little blip. Nothing really in it, its a just a short one. Once again he comes back and says lets go again. So we do, level but he must have 700hp, after a few gears he is gone! The road was 6 or 7 lanes and virtually empty and perfectly straight, what a playground. So on to Yas Leisure Drive, quick stop for a photo open and cruise past Ferrari World. But we need to get back as i have a special dinner booked for the wife putting up with my none stop car talk during the honeymoon. I even went to car showrooms and look around and took pics, so she was deserved something special. Hotel, we have a bit of a chill, its been a long day and its now 19:45. Both our heads are booming, like we have come out of a club. Oh another thing, the car doesn't have an arm rest, yes i slapped myself for even thinking that!!
So an hour later, we are macked out, looking fly of to the Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel for dinner. The service was amazing, however the misses headache has gone work and now is a full migraine, the 458 had destroyed her. Within 2 hours and her not eating her main we settle up and head back to the hotel Get her into bed and quietly sit there, chatting to a few friends. I need to go fuel it up again ready for collection. The amazing wife says go have some fun in the car, i just need sleep and i will be ok. I was quite reluctant to leave her but i had to fuel it before collection.
So she falls asleep its 00:30. Jeans and hoody on..........im out. First i thought id just go up the palm, take some pictures and then fuel it up. So i do the palm, take some pictures, but then i come back, check on the misses, fast asleep, get the GoPro, hook it up, the roof is off and im out again. I drove the Palm, Jumeriah Beach, The Marina, the Walk, had a play with another 458, sounded awesome! And then decided its approaching 4am, i think thats enough. So i put in another £19 of special and head back.
It was an amazing experience, i did 9am to 4am pretty much, nearly 420 miles, averaged 16mpg and only paid £40 in fuel! The weather was perfect, the roof was off the roads are nice and smooth, but there are speed camera's everywhere. The trip was too much for one day, split over two would have been better. But you learn for the next time. There are some other awesome roads in the region also which i will probably do in April when i am back there
Here are a few other pictures:
Edited by JayK12 on Friday 18th December 20:30
BlackCup said:
Oh wow what a brilliant read- thanks for that! I've never been to Dubai or really wanted to but this completely changes my opinion, will put that on the bucket list.
Out of interest, what's the penalty for speeding, is it as reasonable as the fuel and tips lol?
Thanks, Matt
Glad you enjoyed it. Speeding fines are not so cheap in Dubai but in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain they are half the price. I really enjoy Dubai, so much to do for everyone. Car wise i also took the misses go karting at Dubai Kartdrome its such a great track with 390cc karts. Out of interest, what's the penalty for speeding, is it as reasonable as the fuel and tips lol?
Thanks, Matt
I also did the Ferrari F1 simulator in the Ferrari Store in the mall. It was very very difficult, 90% realism and i believe it, even the steering wheel was a "real" wheel he said. I actually couldn't not put a full lap together. I'll try again next time haha.
Dubai Autodrome has car experiences and events, i normally go to Abu Dhabi and drive F3000 around Yas Marina however this time i tried booking the Aston Martin GT4 drive as the misses really likes Aston's so a drive for her with an instructor would have been an experience, but there were no dates available. Again something to do when i am back in April.
good trip!
these things are a must! you only live once!
I borrowed a 458 out that way earlier in the year, the tarmac is so hot that traction is almost as bad as driving on cold wet roads! Not least of which they have no clue how to drive and which lane to use over there... to say you need to be alert is an understatement!
these things are a must! you only live once!
I borrowed a 458 out that way earlier in the year, the tarmac is so hot that traction is almost as bad as driving on cold wet roads! Not least of which they have no clue how to drive and which lane to use over there... to say you need to be alert is an understatement!
f1ten said:
good trip!
these things are a must! you only live once!
I borrowed a 458 out that way earlier in the year, the tarmac is so hot that traction is almost as bad as driving on cold wet roads! Not least of which they have no clue how to drive and which lane to use over there... to say you need to be alert is an understatement!
There not the greatest of drivers, however that's because there are so many nationalities on the road. However i didn't find it too bad. Just checked on the RTA website and i have no speeding fines, however someone who drove the car 6 hours after it was collected from me picked up a 100GBP speeding fine!these things are a must! you only live once!
I borrowed a 458 out that way earlier in the year, the tarmac is so hot that traction is almost as bad as driving on cold wet roads! Not least of which they have no clue how to drive and which lane to use over there... to say you need to be alert is an understatement!
Im heading back in April before it gets too hot. Probably get a 458 Spider again, although the 488GTB is now available, that would be interesting.
There is also another road called Jebel Al Jais that looks awesome, so probably try that one. Would be good if the rear view mirror came off to get better go pro footage
Edited by JayK12 on Friday 18th December 16:15
That was a fantastic read, thanks a lot for sharing. I love that you went for an extra blast after your wife went to bed hehe.
Great experience and a very good deal for how much usage you got out of it. Does it leave you wanting (/needing!?) to buy a 458?
P.S. I am sure the headaches are from driving, I think you get really dehydrated/tired out when driving reasonably hard, the adrenaline/stress has that effect. Has definitely happened to me before.
Great experience and a very good deal for how much usage you got out of it. Does it leave you wanting (/needing!?) to buy a 458?
P.S. I am sure the headaches are from driving, I think you get really dehydrated/tired out when driving reasonably hard, the adrenaline/stress has that effect. Has definitely happened to me before.
sealtt said:
That was a fantastic read, thanks a lot for sharing. I love that you went for an extra blast after your wife went to bed hehe.
Great experience and a very good deal for how much usage you got out of it. Does it leave you wanting (/needing!?) to buy a 458?
P.S. I am sure the headaches are from driving, I think you get really dehydrated/tired out when driving reasonably hard, the adrenaline/stress has that effect. Has definitely happened to me before.
Hehe. It was crazy how 4 hours passed that night. 4AM roof of 19 degrees in between skyscrapers was pretty cool. Great experience and a very good deal for how much usage you got out of it. Does it leave you wanting (/needing!?) to buy a 458?
P.S. I am sure the headaches are from driving, I think you get really dehydrated/tired out when driving reasonably hard, the adrenaline/stress has that effect. Has definitely happened to me before.
The next day apart from sleeping on the beach lol, i was on Pistonheads/Autoscout etc looking for one or a 430, but deep down i know the 458 is much more than a 430 and i really want a 458 now! They wife saying get one doesn't really help either! On the last day i message the rental company to see how much they would do me the car from 7pm to 9am, price came in good but me and misses ended up putting down a fair few cocktails on the 52nd floor, with great views over the marina.
I don't think it was that that gave is headaches, although I know what you mean, I did 6 laps of the ring pretty much back to back and I was mentally and physically destroyed. But this was jus after 2 hours on the motorway. So probably from the cabin/engine drone noise.
Now i am back in the UK, its a totally different environment, and i don't really feel like i need a car here. Maybe because its winter. I distract myself with snowboarding now and off to the Alps. I am planning a trip back to Dubai in April and will get another car then and do the above road Jebel Jais, and then some track time in a race car at Yas Marina, so thats my fix. Will get a super when I'm 35, want to pay of the mortgage first.
My mate is coming around in his DBS soon, this is not going to help!!
Edited by JayK12 on Sunday 20th December 13:39
Butter Face said:
Thanks for sharing this mate, lovely pics!
Care to divulge how much the rental cost??
Thanks bud. The rental was 4200AED which worked out as £751 (Halifax Clarity Credit Card) gave 5.59 that day! Deposit is 5000AED which is £895, so pre auth on the card (cover speeding, tolls, any damage). And the best bit is fuel, 0.34p a ltr. Care to divulge how much the rental cost??
I must have watched the video at least 20 times now haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEOPwX1avT8
At least you have a 458 mate, lucky sod!
Here is a Video from the Ferrari F1 Simulator, 90% accurate. Real steering wheel. It was so difficult, I've done quite a few sim's and driven F3000 at 90% of is capability, but this was so so difficult. The steering and throttle was so sensitive, the balance of the car was so fine. The brake pedal had zero feel, it was a solid pedal, you had to slam it down it moved a few MM, and then if you pressed to hard it locked up. Just when i thought i go the hand of it, it spat me out.
Did 10 minutes. Will try again next time to put 1 lap together! haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOYs7V48ug
Here is a Video from the Ferrari F1 Simulator, 90% accurate. Real steering wheel. It was so difficult, I've done quite a few sim's and driven F3000 at 90% of is capability, but this was so so difficult. The steering and throttle was so sensitive, the balance of the car was so fine. The brake pedal had zero feel, it was a solid pedal, you had to slam it down it moved a few MM, and then if you pressed to hard it locked up. Just when i thought i go the hand of it, it spat me out.
Did 10 minutes. Will try again next time to put 1 lap together! haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOYs7V48ug
Great read, thanks for sharing.
I am going to Dubai in a few days and intend to go yas marina. Can you give a bit more detail about the whole car renting experience.
Is insurance included?
Is there an excess?
anything to be weary of?
What's the drive like getting to the yaks Marina circuit?
I am going to Dubai in a few days and intend to go yas marina. Can you give a bit more detail about the whole car renting experience.
Is insurance included?
Is there an excess?
anything to be weary of?
What's the drive like getting to the yaks Marina circuit?
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