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Negotiations are still continuing, the swingometer is moving from yes to no regularly! Looking quite positive at the moment so decided to start looking at some cars.......
Some questions :-
1) Why do cars have so many km's on them? How do people drive so far in such a small place?
2) How comes some cars are so much cheaper than other comparable cars? eg Range Rover sport much cheaper than Porsche Cayenne? In UK they would be similarly priced.
3) I notice that US imports seem to be much cheaper than local vehicles. Is that for same reason as in UK?
Ideally I would want a 4x4 and it would be rude not to have a V8 with fuel so cheap!
2nd car an American muscle V8 - like a Charger/Camaro/Challenger. Apologies for the poor choice in cars!
Some questions :-
1) Why do cars have so many km's on them? How do people drive so far in such a small place?
2) How comes some cars are so much cheaper than other comparable cars? eg Range Rover sport much cheaper than Porsche Cayenne? In UK they would be similarly priced.
3) I notice that US imports seem to be much cheaper than local vehicles. Is that for same reason as in UK?
Ideally I would want a 4x4 and it would be rude not to have a V8 with fuel so cheap!
2nd car an American muscle V8 - like a Charger/Camaro/Challenger. Apologies for the poor choice in cars!
Fats25 said:
Negotiations are still continuing, the swingometer is moving from yes to no regularly! Looking quite positive at the moment so decided to start looking at some cars.......
Some questions :-
1) Why do cars have so many km's on them? How do people drive so far in such a small place?
It actually isn't that small a place, to drive from my house to the airport is 36km, to the mall is nearly 20kmSome questions :-
1) Why do cars have so many km's on them? How do people drive so far in such a small place?
One of the things to remember is that within moments of leaving your house you will likely be on a motorway style road travelling at 120kph, it's very easy to rack up lots of distance without even trying.
There are also a lot of people who live a long way from work and commute huge distances each day as rent is a great deal cheaper the further out you get.
Fats25 said:
2) How comes some cars are so much cheaper than other comparable cars? eg Range Rover sport much cheaper than Porsche Cayenne? In UK they would be similarly priced.
Perception... Porsche is a premium brand here, Land Rover isn't. Sadly Porsches are also more mechanically reliable than LR and when dealers are as useless as they are here it pays to have something that isn't going to throw endless obsure faults.Fats25 said:
3) I notice that US imports seem to be much cheaper than local vehicles. Is that for same reason as in UK?
There is no logical reason for this, in fact in some cases buying a US import can actually be less risky as CarFax searches will show if it's been written off (that happens a lot here, written off cars are imported, repaired cheaply and then put on the road) There are some vehicles though where a GCC spec car is desireable due to different spec (uprated a/c, increased cooling, extra oil and transmission coolers etc)
Fats25 said:
Ideally I would want a 4x4 and it would be rude not to have a V8 with fuel so cheap!
Couldn't agree more, I've owned 5 V8 SUVs in the 3 years I've been here and loved every one!!Fats25 said:
2nd car an American muscle V8 - like a Charger/Camaro/Challenger. Apologies for the poor choice in cars!
Same here, started with a Corvette (GCC car as it has larger coolers and better a/c) and have recently moved to a Ferrari 360.Fats25 said:
1) Why do cars have so many km's on them? How do people drive so far in such a small place?
it's not a small place, compare the size of the city to where you are now. there are 3 major [6 lane] highways running north to south so whilst journey times are comparable to uk, you're doing 2-3 times the distance. Fats25 said:
2) How comes some cars are so much cheaper than other comparable cars? eg Range Rover sport much cheaper than Porsche Cayenne? In UK they would be similarly priced.
provide links and we'll look at why. personally is think RR is viewed as a luxury brand here. prices to tend to suffer once a new model is released.Fats25 said:
3) I notice that US imports seem to be much cheaper than local vehicles. Is that for same reason as in UK?
this has been done to death recently. basically locals and expats alike both think that car manufacturers make a specific GCC spec vehicle [aircon etc.] as they are ignorant to global spec. and forget that parts of the US are hotter than here. an import will be cheaper and subsequently suffer at resale, but everything is relative so shouldn't be a concern. you could actually make very good money re-exporting certain niche vehicles to the EU.shirt said:
this has been done to death recently. basically locals and expats alike both think that car manufacturers make a specific GCC spec vehicle [aircon etc.] as they are ignorant to global spec. and forget that parts of the US are hotter than here.
True for a lot of vehicles but not all Phil, my Corvette actually did have some fairly major modifications for GCC spec, enough that it's an actual model designation code for the factory build sheet... it includes a larger capacity a/c system and additional oil and transmission coolers amongst a few other bits (and deletes heated seats!!)
Fair point on the distances. I have not been to Dubai for 15 years, so my perception of the distance is probably all wrong.
Shirt mentioned re the RR prices dropping when new mode is released. I could see that from the prices when I was looking last night. The new ones are AED 450K+, the older model is 180k+. Also noted from K50 DEL around reliability!
The import thing is interesting - I suppose as long as you know what you are getting into, i.e. cheap purchase, cheap sale, then it works. Providing there are other likeminded people that will purchase when you come to sell. As long as the market is there if you go in with your eyes open, it would work.
Also - I read THAT thread yesterday. Chilli - why are you still looking at X5's?!!
Shirt mentioned re the RR prices dropping when new mode is released. I could see that from the prices when I was looking last night. The new ones are AED 450K+, the older model is 180k+. Also noted from K50 DEL around reliability!
The import thing is interesting - I suppose as long as you know what you are getting into, i.e. cheap purchase, cheap sale, then it works. Providing there are other likeminded people that will purchase when you come to sell. As long as the market is there if you go in with your eyes open, it would work.
Also - I read THAT thread yesterday. Chilli - why are you still looking at X5's?!!
I am getting through my list. If I don't come out - I will have lots of information for anyone else that considers it.
So far I have asked about:-
Cats
Golf
Houses
Financial
Cars
Insurance
Utility Bills
Today's question is on electronics. I have found from a quick google that Dubai is 3pin 220V power, so I guess I am good with most of my toys if I decide to bring them?
How about TV's NTSC vs PAL? wireless 802.11 b/g/n? Or are there any funny frequency laws that dictate something else?
Effectively this could be the best thing about coming to Dubai that a Brit has over an American from what I have seen so far!
So far I have asked about:-
Cats
Golf
Houses
Financial
Cars
Insurance
Utility Bills
Today's question is on electronics. I have found from a quick google that Dubai is 3pin 220V power, so I guess I am good with most of my toys if I decide to bring them?
How about TV's NTSC vs PAL? wireless 802.11 b/g/n? Or are there any funny frequency laws that dictate something else?
Effectively this could be the best thing about coming to Dubai that a Brit has over an American from what I have seen so far!
Yes electrics are the same as the UK, many places here will still you appliances with euro plugs on though, so ability to write a plug or several adaptors will be needed!!
TV system is PAL though DVD players bought here all seem to be multi region.
Wireless is exactly the same as UK, I've swapped routers between countries a few times.
TV system is PAL though DVD players bought here all seem to be multi region.
Wireless is exactly the same as UK, I've swapped routers between countries a few times.
Thrashed the deal out today finally verbally. Just need to ensure the written offer matches what has been discussed. So looks like I will be heading over for a meet and greet with the staff, and customers over the next few weeks, and then getting a date for being over there permanently. Will try and setup a meet and greet with some of you PHers at the same time.
Will feel like a long business trip to start with, as I have to be backwards and forwards a lot through June, July and August to UK due to social engagements. However should be settled with wife by September to begin properly.
Once we have the written offer, then she can begin to try and progress her transfer with her company.
Exciting/Scary times.
Will feel like a long business trip to start with, as I have to be backwards and forwards a lot through June, July and August to UK due to social engagements. However should be settled with wife by September to begin properly.
Once we have the written offer, then she can begin to try and progress her transfer with her company.
Exciting/Scary times.
Well I never managed to match XB70 for his speed of immigration!
However today I have finally agreed a package, and got it in writing. Have had to back down on a few bits I was pushing for, but from our sighting visit last month we should be able to get by financially, but perhaps have to put the savings on hold for a few years whilst we are there and living the high life.
So just waiting for a confirmed start date now. I have said I need 8 weeks to get my s
t together (that also gets me past Ramadan - I was in two minds whether to arrive during it, or after, and have decided on afterwards!), and I hope to arrive on 4th August. Will need to pop back to UK for a weekend a couple of weeks after, and then should be able to get settled and start looking for property around the 19th August.
Is exciting - but still bricking it a bit........
However today I have finally agreed a package, and got it in writing. Have had to back down on a few bits I was pushing for, but from our sighting visit last month we should be able to get by financially, but perhaps have to put the savings on hold for a few years whilst we are there and living the high life.
So just waiting for a confirmed start date now. I have said I need 8 weeks to get my s
t together (that also gets me past Ramadan - I was in two minds whether to arrive during it, or after, and have decided on afterwards!), and I hope to arrive on 4th August. Will need to pop back to UK for a weekend a couple of weeks after, and then should be able to get settled and start looking for property around the 19th August.Is exciting - but still bricking it a bit........
Just be aware that you cannot (legally) rent a property until you have your visa, emirates ID card etc
There used to be ways around this but with the recent tightening up of all paperwork I doubt that it's still possible.
Also you should note that you are arriving at the busiest time of year for arrivals therefore the scrum surrounding rental properties will be even more obvious than normal.
There used to be ways around this but with the recent tightening up of all paperwork I doubt that it's still possible.
Also you should note that you are arriving at the busiest time of year for arrivals therefore the scrum surrounding rental properties will be even more obvious than normal.
Cheers for info Del. From what HR said when I met them a few weeks ago, will take approximately 2 weeks to have my paperwork in order from when I arrive, and have bank accounts set up etc, and can begin to get a house, car etc.
My plan is to come in on my sighting visit trip for first 12 days including my return flights, and then I get another 45 days paid accommodation after this along with one way moving ticket, so no massive hurry on the property.
Out of interest why is this busiest time for property's? Is it due to school years?
My plan is to come in on my sighting visit trip for first 12 days including my return flights, and then I get another 45 days paid accommodation after this along with one way moving ticket, so no massive hurry on the property.
Out of interest why is this busiest time for property's? Is it due to school years?
Fats25 said:
Out of interest why is this busiest time for property's? Is it due to school years?
Exactly that.... many companies move their expat staff around the world according to school years, means that lots of people leave here toward the end of June and lots of new arrivals land around end August... Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff