A what car for up to 150K Dhs thread for a slow Wednesday...
Discussion
Hi All
Any help or suggestions appreciated - Having been here for more than two years (and more importantly having been without a toy for that long) I've started to get an itch that I'd like to scratch.
At the moment I have a very sensible (albeit very nice) Merc GLK 350. Lovely engine, build etc but I live and work in the Marina so have a hankering to replace it with something a bit more fun.
Have always had a soft spot for German cars having owned various beemers in the past, but fancy something a bit more fun and with a big engine to take advantage of the fact that petrol is so cheap. Any suggestions? No real criteria apart from ideally 6 cylinder or above, something that won't break down on the weekend when I want to break out of the Marina traffic chaos and finally must put a smile on my face. Having put 50K miles on a Lotus before as a daily driver, I'm not adverse to silly or odd ball suggestions... I appreciate that with my budget the valets are never going to clear a space at the front of any hotel for me to pull in, but there must be some unusual or quirky cars out here that could satisfy my itch?
Got to admit that at the moment I'm leaning towards a Boxster which is neither unusual or quirky but stuck for other ideas. Dubizzle surfing is becoming almost a daily obsession!
TIA, Chris
Any help or suggestions appreciated - Having been here for more than two years (and more importantly having been without a toy for that long) I've started to get an itch that I'd like to scratch.
At the moment I have a very sensible (albeit very nice) Merc GLK 350. Lovely engine, build etc but I live and work in the Marina so have a hankering to replace it with something a bit more fun.
Have always had a soft spot for German cars having owned various beemers in the past, but fancy something a bit more fun and with a big engine to take advantage of the fact that petrol is so cheap. Any suggestions? No real criteria apart from ideally 6 cylinder or above, something that won't break down on the weekend when I want to break out of the Marina traffic chaos and finally must put a smile on my face. Having put 50K miles on a Lotus before as a daily driver, I'm not adverse to silly or odd ball suggestions... I appreciate that with my budget the valets are never going to clear a space at the front of any hotel for me to pull in, but there must be some unusual or quirky cars out here that could satisfy my itch?
Got to admit that at the moment I'm leaning towards a Boxster which is neither unusual or quirky but stuck for other ideas. Dubizzle surfing is becoming almost a daily obsession!
TIA, Chris
http://tnydu.biz/DOpZta
this, all day long. you'll not lose money on it and nothing will match it for a sense of occasion/classic car/reliability all round package. tiptronics ok for dubai.
or this and get the doors de-chavved:
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/porsche...
this, all day long. you'll not lose money on it and nothing will match it for a sense of occasion/classic car/reliability all round package. tiptronics ok for dubai.
or this and get the doors de-chavved:
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/porsche...
The 964 looks fantastic. I used to think they were the ugly duckling of 911's, especially next to the 993, but they have really aged well, and are now nearer the top of my 911 list.
Always a shame when an advert is so poor, no decent pictures, crap text, but still worth a call especially at that price.
Always a shame when an advert is so poor, no decent pictures, crap text, but still worth a call especially at that price.
if its the same car, i tried buying it 2yrs ago for 95ish but missed out by a couple of hours. used to live in my old building [al sahab in the marina] and looks stunning in midnight blue. if it is the same car it'll have a massive history file from renners.
personally think the 993 has aged badly due to the headlight treatment. 964's were built in the golden age of german engineering, i'd love to have that in my parking space.
personally think the 993 has aged badly due to the headlight treatment. 964's were built in the golden age of german engineering, i'd love to have that in my parking space.
Well watch this space as I've dropped the person a message....
Why can I not draw myself away from looking at Porsche? You originally think there must be so much choice of different cars over here due to different marques etc, yet I've found it's the same story as anywhere, there isn't a lot of choice when you really get down to it.
I even tried to see a beautiful 1974 Mercedes 280CE coupe (vertical stacked headlamps) a couple of weeks back in an effort to go for style over speed, sold quicker than I could get to it
Any other thoughts?
Why can I not draw myself away from looking at Porsche? You originally think there must be so much choice of different cars over here due to different marques etc, yet I've found it's the same story as anywhere, there isn't a lot of choice when you really get down to it.
I even tried to see a beautiful 1974 Mercedes 280CE coupe (vertical stacked headlamps) a couple of weeks back in an effort to go for style over speed, sold quicker than I could get to it
Any other thoughts?
For that money I'd be looking hard at this:
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/chevrol...
Or with a little stretch on your part and some negotiation on his, this:
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/aston-m...
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/chevrol...
Or with a little stretch on your part and some negotiation on his, this:
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/aston-m...
If I may chime in...the 964 is Tiptronic. Looks great but having owned a 964 C2 (manual) before, I would not buy it with the auto gearbox, regardless of the condition.
The silver 997...not sure either, it's a very early 997 and these engines are not the most solid. Also does not look like the car got a lot of love...
The Aston is at the Al Awir car market - a place where I would not buy a car. There are no good deals, and if it looks like a good offer it's probably too good to be true...
With your affinity to Porsche and when looking for a reliable yet somewhat exotic and fun performance car, I'd go for a clean and well-serviced 996 Turbo. Still one of the fastest cars around, bullet-proof engine and a true everyday sports car. 150k will get you a very nice one, with hardly any depreciation and low maintenance.
The silver 997...not sure either, it's a very early 997 and these engines are not the most solid. Also does not look like the car got a lot of love...
The Aston is at the Al Awir car market - a place where I would not buy a car. There are no good deals, and if it looks like a good offer it's probably too good to be true...
With your affinity to Porsche and when looking for a reliable yet somewhat exotic and fun performance car, I'd go for a clean and well-serviced 996 Turbo. Still one of the fastest cars around, bullet-proof engine and a true everyday sports car. 150k will get you a very nice one, with hardly any depreciation and low maintenance.
http://tnydu.biz/DOp9A0
A similar 964 - also with Tiptronic and I'm not a fan of the Turbo wing on a Carrera...otherwise seems to be a very clean and well-kept car!
A similar 964 - also with Tiptronic and I'm not a fan of the Turbo wing on a Carrera...otherwise seems to be a very clean and well-kept car!
Thanks all for responses and suggestions - sorry, been offline for a few days whilst moving etc.
Have been in contact with the guy selling the 964 who is overseas at the moment. Apparently it's had a fair bit of interest but I've arranged to see it when he returns from vacation. Will wait and see.
Did have a drive in the meantime in a SLK55 AMG. A friend of mine has a pretty well sorted one over here, great noise, very smooth and fair bit of shove in the back so I had high hopes for the one I took out.... couldn't have been more different. Car was grumpy, reluctant to go, phrase 'all mouth and no trousers' sprang to mind as it just seemed to make a lot of noise without going anywhere. When id did actually get going it was skipping and bumping and felt almost over-powered? Same age car, you'd think similar underneath, couldn't have felt more different. Shame as I reckon they could be a bit of fun if you find the right one.
Has got me thinking about maybe a ZM though... always loved the breadvan and then the later Z4M coupe if anyone finds one let me know - seems they are rarer than anything!
Have been in contact with the guy selling the 964 who is overseas at the moment. Apparently it's had a fair bit of interest but I've arranged to see it when he returns from vacation. Will wait and see.
Did have a drive in the meantime in a SLK55 AMG. A friend of mine has a pretty well sorted one over here, great noise, very smooth and fair bit of shove in the back so I had high hopes for the one I took out.... couldn't have been more different. Car was grumpy, reluctant to go, phrase 'all mouth and no trousers' sprang to mind as it just seemed to make a lot of noise without going anywhere. When id did actually get going it was skipping and bumping and felt almost over-powered? Same age car, you'd think similar underneath, couldn't have felt more different. Shame as I reckon they could be a bit of fun if you find the right one.
Has got me thinking about maybe a ZM though... always loved the breadvan and then the later Z4M coupe if anyone finds one let me know - seems they are rarer than anything!
The Z4 in ADH? I thought the same. Shame as there were a few knocking around on here when I wasn't really looking. Not even any decent looking 3 litre Coupes at the moment. Haven't looked at the S2.
I'm guessing you've seen the advert for the breadvan that starts as an M before magically changing in pictures 2 and 3 to a tatty looking 2.8 complete with chrome side vent?
As for your dilemma, can't comment on the Clio as I've never been in one, although I know a bloke who had a Mk 2 and he absolutely loved it. Predictably he sold it for a Boxster and regretted it ever since.
For me, it'd be Elise S1 every time. Seriously regret selling mine. Wish I'd have been in a position where I could've bought it over here. Are you thinking just track use or road as well? Supply of good S1's seriously dwindling as more and more are raced or sold abroad. And UK RHD not allowed over here obviously making an LHD even harder to find. If you can get a good one then values are going up. 800Kgs feels ridiculous as well and plenty quick enough if you make a few simple tweaks like filter, exhaust etc, plus if you have the space they're pretty easy to maintain yourself.
I'm guessing you've seen the advert for the breadvan that starts as an M before magically changing in pictures 2 and 3 to a tatty looking 2.8 complete with chrome side vent?
As for your dilemma, can't comment on the Clio as I've never been in one, although I know a bloke who had a Mk 2 and he absolutely loved it. Predictably he sold it for a Boxster and regretted it ever since.
For me, it'd be Elise S1 every time. Seriously regret selling mine. Wish I'd have been in a position where I could've bought it over here. Are you thinking just track use or road as well? Supply of good S1's seriously dwindling as more and more are raced or sold abroad. And UK RHD not allowed over here obviously making an LHD even harder to find. If you can get a good one then values are going up. 800Kgs feels ridiculous as well and plenty quick enough if you make a few simple tweaks like filter, exhaust etc, plus if you have the space they're pretty easy to maintain yourself.
haven't seen that one no. there's a few coupes up in al awir including a decent manual 3.0 for 28k. personally it has to be the M [full fat 321bhp not the federalised lump] or nothing. they do come up occasionally but you suffer the perennial dubai left field car buying problem - one or all of scruffy condition/high miles/no history but priced as if they were minters on mobile.de
the clio is the one at al hai. he wants 65k for it but i know it's been there 2.5yrs and wonder how flexible that price would be if i had a handful of 1000aed notes. i know they have a reputation and are not that quick, but i think they'd make a good dubai cruiser [lovely torquey v6] as when do you ever drive above 6/10th around here?
was thinking of doing the conversion on an s1 in the uk, having a euro roadtrip and then importing it. however i now know of one already here, registered, and for sale. it's very tempting, but the lack of aircon is a concern in what would be my daily drive.
the clio is the one at al hai. he wants 65k for it but i know it's been there 2.5yrs and wonder how flexible that price would be if i had a handful of 1000aed notes. i know they have a reputation and are not that quick, but i think they'd make a good dubai cruiser [lovely torquey v6] as when do you ever drive above 6/10th around here?
was thinking of doing the conversion on an s1 in the uk, having a euro roadtrip and then importing it. however i now know of one already here, registered, and for sale. it's very tempting, but the lack of aircon is a concern in what would be my daily drive.
I'll have a look....if it's been there that long then there may be some room to manoeuvre for cash... Your point about 6/10's and using the torque is almost one of the reasons why I don't think I want a Boxster. I like the big engine style of driving, giving it a squirt now and then and not being so obsessed about ultimate cornering ability... although maybe it's because my daily drive was an S1 for so long in the UK I've aged prematurely and grown out of it!!
I'd be tempted to trade a degree of cornering ability for a shove in the back and a wallop of torque..... maybe V8 American is a way to go...
I'd be tempted to trade a degree of cornering ability for a shove in the back and a wallop of torque..... maybe V8 American is a way to go...
its the same one showing on dubizzle for 60k. looks to be a jap import. really nice condition, inside is lovely. just a bit pimping is all!
yeah, its on salahuddin road next to the danube showroom.
they also have a maserati shamal which looks bloody fantastic awith a cracking interior. swb v8 italian exotica at its best.
yeah, its on salahuddin road next to the danube showroom.
they also have a maserati shamal which looks bloody fantastic awith a cracking interior. swb v8 italian exotica at its best.
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