[shivshanker]

Originally Posted by Spinnerr

On the same lines,

Is there a shortage of 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Sahara edition in the Middle east?

In Qatar, the dealer has been saying the shipment would reach 'next month' since Feb'14. Today when I inquired, the response is 'maybe end of April'.
Tried searching online to see if the Jeep plant has had some production issues, but none that I could find.

How is the scene in Dubai? Are 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited available?

Try contacting the JEEP Mid East office in Dubai, looks like your sales man is trying to sell you something that he has in mind, as a 6 week wait for a Jeep in the region is unheard of.

[raj_5004]

I could not think of a better thread to post my query -

I am a newbie in Dubai and I will be soon applying for my driving license. I understand that I have to give only 20 lessons (instead of 40) as I have my Indian driving license.

Now,

1) My Indian license is very old and is of the book type, not the smart card. Is that okay and recognized?
2) Which is the best driving school where I can get a license the quickest and cheapest?!
3) What will be approximate overall cost to get a license, assuming I clear in the first test?

I will be posting my car buying queries very soon, once I get a license!

[Alfa Romeo]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

I could not think of a better thread to post my query -

I am a newbie in Dubai and I will be soon applying for my driving license. I understand that I have to give only 20 lessons (instead of 40) as I have my Indian driving license.

Now,

1) My Indian license is very old and is of the book type, not the smart card. Is that okay and recognized?
2) Which is the best driving school where I can get a license the quickest and cheapest?!
3) What will be approximate overall cost to get a license, assuming I clear in the first test?

I will be posting my car buying queries very soon, once I get a license!

Hi raj . answer to your queries

1) In case your license is less than 2 years old - full 40 classes. Between 2 to 4 its 30 classes. Above 4 its 20. i suppose you would fall in the last category.
2) you need to get translation of your license book while getting admission from any institute. i suppose typing centers in Dubai can help you with that.
3) there are majorly three players in the market . Al galadari, Al Ahli and Emirates driving school. the cost also increases as in the scale mentioned above.
4) in case you clear in first attempt you would still need a cut of around 3500- 4500 DHS (for 20 classes depending on weekday / weekend classes)
it all depends on your confidence of driving while a local is taking your test and there is no quick way in that ya, luck also matters. you get written off even at the slightest mistake, which we never would thought while driving 15 years in India or we would be doing it subconsciously till now.
Hope this helps and all the best . Welcome to Dubai.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by Alfa Romeo

Hi raj . answer to your queries

Thank you for the quick response.

1) In case your license is less than 2 years old - full 40 classes. Between 2 to 4 its 30 classes. Above 4 its 20. i suppose you would fall in the last category.

Yes, I need only 20 classes.

I would have to enrol on the Fri/Sat class only and I believe they take 4 classes (2 hours) at one time, which means 5 weeks of classes for me (assuming 4 classes in one week).

2) you need to get translation of your license book while getting admission from any institute. i suppose typing centers in Dubai can help you with that.

Glad to know that. In some website, I read that I need a letter from the consulate and something.

3) there are majorly three players in the market . Al galadari, Al Ahli and Emirates driving school. the cost also increases as in the scale mentioned above.

My cousin in Dubai recently joined Dubai driving school and did not give me a good feedback about them. Apparently, she says that they sometimes fail students on purpose, for extra revenue! I do not know how far this is true though.

4) in case you clear in first attempt you would still need a cut of around 3500- 4500 DHS (for 20 classes depending on weekday / weekend classes)
it all depends on your confidence of driving while a local is taking your test and there is no quick way in that ya, luck also matters. you get written off even at the slightest mistake, which we never would thought while driving 15 years in India or we would be doing it subconsciously till now.
Hope this helps and all the best . Welcome to Dubai.

[Alfa Romeo]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

Thank you for the quick response.



Yes, I need only 20 classes.

I would have to enrol on the Fri/Sat class only and I believe they take 4 classes (2 hours) at one time, which means 5 weeks of classes for me (assuming 4 classes in one week).



Glad to know that. In some website, I read that I need a letter from the consulate and something.



My cousin in Dubai recently joined Dubai driving school and did not give me a good feedback about them. Apparently, she says that they sometimes fail students on purpose, for extra revenue! I do not know how far this is true though.

hey raj, just do check on the translation bit. I know this as one other guy was in the EDI while i was taking admission and the OTC guy told him this. There are rumours that they fail on purpose and stuff, but there are many instances of getting in the first attempt as well. And before the classes there are theory classes as well which you need to attend and clear theory test as well. Rest is do what you can do best

[Alfa Romeo]

Hey guys,

I have got my license in UAE and now i am deciding upon the below three options:

1) Nissan Pathfinder
2) Mazda CX9
3) Dodge durango

More or less all of the above are in the same range for the top end model. Praveen has already given me his views on these but would like more you you guys/experts to comment on the same.

Planning to buy it sooner than i thought so please let me know your views asap. thanks

[Spinnerr]

Originally Posted by Alfa Romeo

...please let me know your views asap. thanks

I would suggest that you test drive Dodge Durango; and try kerb parking before deciding on that. I always felt its front bumpers were a little too low and one has to be careful while parking, like in cars, to avoid the bumpers from scraping the kerb.

Durango felt the most spacious of the lot. (3rd row perspective)
Note - I haven't been in a Pathfinder.

[methecupid]

Originally Posted by Alfa Romeo

Hey guys,

I have got my license in UAE and now i am deciding upon the below three options:

1) Nissan Pathfinder
2) Mazda CX9
3) Dodge durango

More or less all of the above are in the same range for the top end model. Praveen has already given me his views on these but would like more you you guys/experts to comment on the same.

Planning to buy it sooner than i thought so please let me know your views asap. thanks

Try the Ford Explorer. I have heard good reviews about the features, space and VFM aspect for the car.

[Raag Sandhu]

Dear all,

I had recently purchased a brand new 2013 Tahoe LTZ which I feel is great VFM as it ticks all the right boxes in my list. Contrary to popular belief, it is a cheap to run vehicle, considering it weighs almost 3 tons, as the service costs are low and the fuel mileage is great on all highway runs with each tankful dishing out amost 660kms. Safety is great with six airbags and the necassary traction and braking nannies. A perfect vehicle if you have a newborn in the house who needs all the space with the pram and baby bags in tow.

Just my super-mini review on the Tahoe to help you all get a practical perspective of this great automobile.

Regards,

Sandhu

[RacerByHeart]

I have recently relocated to Doha, Qatar. Since petrol here is affordable, I have been dreaming of buying a used American Muscle car. My budget is 70k QAR. There are a few 2010 Mustangs, Challengers and Chargers, run less than 50k Kms available. I liked the Camaro too, but it is 10k more than the other cars. My wife might drive here, if she is comfortable. So I ruled out the V8 engines, and am looking only for the V6 engine models. My daughter is 2.5 years old. I think she should be able to sit inside a baby seat on the rear seat.

<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/mustang-2010>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/dodge-challenger-2010-v6>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/dodge-charger-2006>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/camaro-sale-5>>

My Questions.
1. Is it legal if 2 adults and a kid OR 2 kids and an adult, sit in the rear seat?

2. Can somebody let me know regarding the Reliability, Maintenance, Service frequency, Insurance Cost, Tyre Change costs on these American muscle cars.

3. Is 50k Kms mileage too much? My Swift back home has run 70k Kms and it runs perfect. Should I look at buying another car with less mileage?

4. Is there any good re seller I can approach or should I look for ads and approach the seller directly. Is it difficult to get a ownership transfer?

5. Any idea about the resale value. I plan to sell it in 3-4 years.

It will take another month for me to get the DL here, till then I can decide on which vehicle to buy. My actual budget for vehicles is about 100k QAR. I am planning to stretch the budget a little more and buy a car and a super bike. I plan to use the super bike at the Losail circuit here.
Car will be used as a daily Commute to office with daily usage of 40Kms. Most of my colleagues have bought SUVs, but I am not interested in them.

Please help with answers to my questions. Request you to provide suggestions.

[zebo]

[quote=RacerByHeart;3471847]I have recently relocated to Doha, Qatar. Since petrol here is affordable, I have been dreaming of buying a used American Muscle car. My budget is 70k QAR. There are a few 2010 Mustangs, Challengers and Chargers, run less than 50k Kms available. I liked the Camaro too, but it is 10k more than the other cars. My wife might drive here, if she is comfortable. So I ruled out the V8 engines, and am looking only for the V6 engine models. My daughter is 2.5 years old. I think she should be able to sit inside a baby seat on the rear seat.

<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/mustang-2010>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/dodge-challenger-2010-v6>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/dodge-charger-2006>>
<<http://www.qatarliving.com/vehicles/carsedan/advert/camaro-sale-5>>

My Questions.
1. Is it legal if 2 adults and a kid OR 2 kids and an adult, sit in the rear seat?
Yes, it is, as long as the kids can be buckled up
2. Can somebody let me know regarding the Reliability, Maintenance, Service frequency, Insurance Cost, Tyre Change costs on these American muscle cars.
American cars are the least reliable, maintenance & service costs are definitely higher than most other japanese and european makes,
3. Is 50k Kms mileage too much? My Swift back home has run 70k Kms and it runs perfect. Should I look at buying another car with less mileage?
Depends on how old the car is, if its atleast 3-4 yrs old, then should be fine, more than mileage its important that the car is maintained well by the current owner.
4. Is there any good re seller I can approach or should I look for ads and approach the seller directly. Is it difficult to get a ownership transfer?
Appraoch private sellers only,
5. Any idea about the resale value. I plan to sell it in 3-4 years.
In 4 yrs from now, You will get anywhere between 30-35K Qrs if you are lucky and car is in great shape. FYI, american cars have worst resale value in the market
It will take another month for me to get the DL here, till then I can decide on which vehicle to buy. My actual budget for vehicles is about 100k QAR. I am planning to stretch the budget a little more and buy a car and a super bike. I plan to use the super bike at the Losail circuit here.
Car will be used as a daily Commute to office with daily usage of 40Kms. Most of my colleagues have bought SUVs, but I am not interested in them.

Please help with answers to my questions. Request you to provide suggestions.
Attachment 1258299

Attachment 1258300

Attachment 1258301

Attachment 1258302[/Q


If you plan to use the bike in losail, ensure you got the right mechanics and spares in place, also remember that riding is not practical during summer, not sure if losail track days run during summers, if it does it would certainly be night runs only.

Personally i would never get an american muslce car as they have nothing to offer other than huge underpowered gas guzzling engines and space which is not optomally used, neither do they handle well nor do they have proper dynamics. In reality a smart driver on a Jap 6 cylinder or even a 4 will rip apart any american V6 or V8 car on a street or track run.

For your budget I would recommend getting a 2010-11 INFINITI G37 sedan, with 327 bhp, paddle shifts and RWD, there is no match to you from most, not even from BMW 335's or Audi 3.0's or similar cars in that range, let alone american heavy weights.

Well if you still do prefer an american muscle, you could get an older corvette, or the current running camaro. These have the best resale value.

Just my two cents, no offence to american muscle car lovers, but they just aint for fast and zippy driving.

[RacerByHeart]

Thank you Zebo for helping me.
After reading your reply, the american muscle cars do not make sense to me.

I was looking for used superbikes for 30k but most of the bikes are around 40k. Please suggest on the bike part too. I have seen a few Daytona 675R for around 40k. This forces me to reduce my budget to 60K for the car.

I was not able to find any G37 for that price range. Is there any other car that you suggest to me. I want most bhp for the price

Since I am new here, I dont know any mechanic here. I used to have a Ninja 250R back in India. I have done a few track days in the past.
Are you suggesting that I need a mechanic to setup the bike? Please help on what spares do I need to be ready with?

[prashant.dinkar]

Hi Guys,

I will come straight to the point. I am settled in Dubai from past 2 years. I currently drive a 2013 Honda Accord and am very happy with it.

I am planning to buy a used "fun" car. Since my office is very very near to my home, I might use it as my daily drive.

Maximum budget will be AEd 60K. Since I owned Mustang and Camaro while I was in US so I am not keen on getting American muscle this time.

I was searching the used car market and figured out that I can pick up a Mercedes SLK 200/350 or even a SLK 55 AMG in that price range with around 100,000 clicks on it and will be 2006-2008 model.

I want to understand that how much will be the maintenance cost for these babies if I get them repaired/serviced from independent garages and not from dealership.

Also please suggest other fun cars in similar price range. I dont care about the brand value , looks , comfort , interiors etc i just want maximum bhp 60K AED can buy.

Regards

[Aditya666]

Originally Posted by prashant.dinkar

Hi Guys,

I will come straight to the point. I am settled in Dubai from past 2 years. I currently drive a 2013 Honda Accord and am very happy with it.

I am planning to buy a used "fun" car. Since my office is very very near to my home, I might use it as my daily drive.

Maximum budget will be AEd 60K. Since I owned Mustang and Camaro while I was in US so I am not keen on getting American muscle this time.

I was searching the used car market and figured out that I can pick up a Mercedes SLK 200/350 or even a SLK 55 AMG in that price range with around 100,000 clicks on it and will be 2006-2008 model.

I want to understand that how much will be the maintenance cost for these babies if I get them repaired/serviced from independent garages and not from dealership.

Also please suggest other fun cars in similar price range. I dont care about the brand value , looks , comfort , interiors etc i just want maximum bhp 60K AED can buy.

Regards

Hey Prashant,

You are looking at some seriously good cars there, however please be careful when making a purchase as a lot of them are dressed up to hide damages in the past.

There are a host of independent garages around the Qusais area who are specialists in Mercedes. Your maintenance bills here will definitely be much cheaper than the authorized service centers.

I do know of one such Mercedes specialist garage though I have not had any first - hand experience with them, however a friend has had some good experience with them. I can give you the name over PM if you like.

Dubai is a car - lover's paradise and I'm sure one can get many options within the 60k budget such as a Golf GTI, Mini Cooper, Type - R Civics. Dodge Charger, some tasty BMW's and Audis even, etc. Also do check out non - AMG V8 Merc's of the 500 badging, eg. E500, etc. I am sure u can land a newer model / lower mileage in your budget compared to the AMG's.

I have seen an ad for a 2007 BMW 750i with less than 70k on the odometer for less than AED 60k. So you can see that the market is varied.

Also, a note of caution, stay away from the used car markets such as Al Aweer in Dubai and Abu Shagara in Sharjah. Also, try and avoid the bigger used car dealers as they are usually overpriced or have some damaged cars.

Regards,
Aditya

[RacerByHeart]

I have liked a 2013 Blue Ford Taurus Limited. 3.6 V6 FWD.
Car is imported to Qatar from Dubai. It has 3rd party insurance right now. It is due for 30000 service. Car is not very sporty. It is very big and luxurious.

I am checking if the 3rd party insurance can be changed to Comprehensive.
I will also get the car analyzed for electronics, battery, A/C etc at an testing center. I will purchase the car, if no issues.