My first what car thread in this forum......

[Fats25]

It has become apparent from my frequent looking at Dubizzle, that I am not going to find the cars that I want in the timeframe that I need to find them. I think I have said before I want a F150 Raptor, and either a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger for the wife eventually. However I want to take my time to find the right one, and not be rushed into buying the first one I see etc.

However I do need a car to get around in the meantime. I have a rental car coming this week for a month to get me around, but the price soon stacks up.

I was thinking this morning I need to get a temp car, that I can easily sell on later for not much loss in value. We can get by with only one car, so when my wife gets here we can look in earnest for her car, and sell the temp car. I can then look for the F150 for me. Also cash flow is going to be tight until salaries start to come in, and finances unravel in UK. So what car?

It needs to be reliable
It needs to be reasonably interesting
It needs to be sold on having not lost much money
I would like budget to be below AED75k. AED50k would be even better.

So what should I be looking for with this criteria?

Thanks

[Fats25]

e21jason said:

You want a unicorn, I am sure you can get them in sharjah,

But it will be tee total won't it? If I get a unicorn, I want it to at least be able to have a beer with me.

[Fats25]

6th Gear said:

Manual M3 well under budget.

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/bmw/m3/...

Sorry - not for me. Would be a good shed of the week on PH - but i'm afraid it does nothing for me. Looking for something a bit newer than that. I was still at school when that car came out, and that was a long time ago. I'd rather spend my money here:-

http://tnydu.biz/DOpMlm

Anything a bit newer, preferably auto as well?

[Fats25]

XB70 said:

Bit mainstream but someone here in the office has what appears to be a lovely VW Passat with all the options (roof, leather etc). I think he is looking for AED57K. I can ask for more details if of interest.

By all means find out the details.

I can then compare this sensible suggestion with some of the crazier ones listed above, and some of the crazy ones I have been looking at online today!

I have just rented a car for a month, as I am fed up with taxis, and want to do some exploring on my own, so I am covered until 3rd October. Hopefully that will give me enough time to find my own car just before EID.

[Fats25]

So after a bit of consideration - I have ignored all of the advice above, apart from SamNorthy, (you will get to notice this when you meet me) and am thinking about a less than AED 90K FJ Cruiser, hopefully with Full Toyota History, and/or warranty.

I think from the amount I see on the road, these will be easy to move on for not too much loss providing it has the above history, is GCC spec etc etc.

This car will do everything I need it to, whilst I spend the time looking for the permanent cars.

Thoughts?

Edited by Fats25 on Friday 19th September 08:13

[Fats25]

shirt said:

i thought i had the monopoly on ignoring sensible advice?

drive an FJ, they are big beasts but are like an inverse tardis. cramped cabin [with an adult in the back your front seat pax will have the dash rail on their shins] and rear boot space is severely compromised due to the bass bin.

they do ride well though and the 4.0l has decent shove both on and off road.

I have dropped Toyota an email (Which I expect to be ignored) to see if they have any "approved used" in stock. I will take a trip out tomorrow to take a look myself.

[Fats25]

Chilli said:

We had one at work. Rubbish cars. What you want is an SV8 in dark green for 150,000. I know the owner.

With broken wishbones?

[Fats25]

samnorthy said:

Fats25 let me know if you have any questions re the F150 Raptor - I got one in January and am loving every minuet of it!

I dropped you a PM last night, as going to view a Raptor this evening. Let me know if you did not receive ok, and I will try again.

Thanks

Chris

[Fats25]

I have just resent to you again.

[Fats25]

So today I finally got my first car in Dubai. Here it is:-











Experienced my own RTA story to go with the purchase, as the guy I purchased from has another car his wife dives, and his wife decided to get some black points yesterday, that showed up today, and they would not release the car until they were paid for and accepted on a licence.

It is like herding cats over here!

So far am loving the car, and was very pleased when it fitted in the car park at DIFC, as that was only something I thought of that may be an issue yesterday! At least height wise it works, have not actually tried parking it in a space yet. Will be in early tomorrow I think.

[Fats25]

Chilli said:

Nice work mate, it looks like a corker. Did you get your penis water pump yet?

Pump was easy
Tubing for inlet was harder - but I got it.

It is st and I will need a water dispenser as well! Basically I have a very expensive ice making machine.

[Fats25]

dxbtiger said:

Very nice!

Your RTA story will soon be replaced by Al Tayer stories!

I'll just leave this here for your perusal....

http://www.roushperformance.com/vehicles/raptor-20...

The two points you make do not correlate. If I wanted to go down the Rousch kit route, who would do it?! Obviously not Al Tayer (who I need to contact soon re service package) from your message above.

Besides I can imagine the ballache of a non-standard car at RTA for it's test etc. I think I will stay away from that - it is plenty quick enough for what I need. It is a truck!

The car will have the performance, and then there is still the bikes to come.

By the way - what is the site that everyone has said I should sign up to if I want car advice over here. I appreciate the irony that this is PH, but have heard another site mentioned previously where I can go and ask some questions.

[Fats25]

XB70 said:

That looks great! I will keep any eye out for it around the DIFC (we really need some Pistonheads sticker for here!)

It was a squeeze getting into the car park this morning........





However it has a very handy aerial as a height indicator!

Edited by Fats25 on Wednesday 15th October 10:36

[Fats25]

samnorthy said:

I have had my Raptor serviced by Premier Motors in Abu Dhabi, nothing but a great experience. Checking the car in, phone call updates as to when it will be ready to collect, a thorough explanation of the work that was carried out and a bill for 700aed for the privilege.

I understand that Premier and Al Tayer are the same company?

Fats25 it might be worth the 45min drive to abu Dhabi to get the servicing done??

Fats25 said:

However it has a very handy aerial as a height indicator!

Yes the aerial is a very useful height guage

The Al Tayer stories are not filling me with confidence, yet the seller raved about how good they had been!

Issue I have is that it has another 18 months/40,000km service package on it, and I doubt is transferrable to another branch. I will have to see. Have until January or 6000kms to figure out what I do (whichever comes first).