Porsche in Dubai

[r_rich]

Hi all

I'm pretty new to Dubai but now starting to begin researching a car purchase. I'm potentially looking to treat myself to a 911 as I've wanted one for ages and it seems here is as good a place as any! I posted a bit of an info request thing on the Porsche forum but had to wade through anti-Dubai rantings. Some guys on here (link posted below) have offered me some pretty good advice but wondered if anyone could add anything. In particular I'm looking for potential sources of used car sales - especially individuals as I'm guessing this is where the bargains are currently to be had.

I'm aware of Dubizzle but the site doesn't appear to be updated too often.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rich

[Hitch78]

r_rich said:

Hi all

I'm pretty new to Dubai but now starting to begin researching a car purchase. I'm potentially looking to treat myself to a 911 as I've wanted one for ages and it seems here is as good a place as any! I posted a bit of an info request thing on the Porsche forum but had to wade through anti-Dubai rantings. Some guys on here (link posted below) have offered me some pretty good advice but wondered if anyone could add anything. In particular I'm looking for potential sources of used car sales - especially individuals as I'm guessing this is where the bargains are currently to be had.

I'm aware of Dubizzle but the site doesn't appear to be updated too often.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rich

Welcome Rich,

Had a quick look at the posts in the other forum and some of the snide comments reminded me why I had no problem making my decision to leave the UK. I've been here a couple of weeks too and am loving it.

Dubizzle is as good as I have found for personal ads and seems to be used by mainly expats so you do get the odd bargain popping up. I've been looking at Porsches here too but they seem expensive compared to UK prices and as I'm looking quite far down the pecking order second hand 911s don't seem that good value.

So, if you find a 2005/06 or later Boxster S that looks like a good deal please let me know!

Gary

[r_rich]

Hi Gary

Good to hear you're settling in as well. I have to agree with you that Porsches seem expensive here compared to the UK (prob a combination of 'crunch' hitting UK harder and weakening of GBP against AED).

I'm ideally looking for a late 996C4S and they generally seem to be 30+% more than the UK equivalent.

I'll keep my eye out for you and let you know if I find anything!

Rich

[Harris_I]

Hi again. Probably a wise move to ask here instead.

I think early 996 turbos have dropped to price levels similar to the UK - Alex Renner Motors may have a couple of TTs (around 2001 or so) which I believe might be in the AED 140-150k range. Needless to say, they will have higher running costs and be a bit older than a similarly priced 996C4S.

Alex is a very honest chap, knows his Porsches and I know for a fact makes a fairly minimal margin on cars he sells. Stop by his place and ask him or his sales manager (Paul Denby) to keep their eyes peeled for a spec you're after - unlike other places, they actually know the market, what's available for how much and from whom. Sometimes they can just broker a purchase for you.

[r_rich]

Hi Harris

Thanks again. Saw those on ARM last night actually and thought the TTs looked better value.

I'll definitely go and chat to Alex - he can give me guidance on servicing and running costs then I guess.

My only hesitation with buying a car of that age is this damn annoying 10 year car age thing. Would be a nightmare to shell out 150k on a car only to find it undriveable within a year or so! However, I guess a similar issue arises with a late 996, in that potential resale values would be significantly affected.

Cheers

Rich

[will_968]

r_rich said:

My only hesitation with buying a car of that age is this damn annoying 10 year car age thing. Would be a nightmare to shell out 150k on a car only to find it undriveable within a year or so! However, I guess a similar issue arises with a late 996, in that potential resale values would be significantly affected.

Hi Rich,

You've misunderstood it I'm afraid. As I think you know, the new rule you're referring to hasn't been introduced yet. But most importantly - it's not going to ban cars at the 10 year mark - it was supposed to just ban you selling them to someone else. You could continue to drive the car until it was 20 years old.

Anyway - the crux of the whole thing is that it's not been introduced, and I'm not aware of a plan for it to be at present.

I run an E500 Merc which would fall foul of the rule, and my back up plan is that I just keep it until I choose to export it and sell it elsewhere. This influenced what I bought though, as I wanted something that was worth more in another country then here in Dubai.

Will

[Hitch78]

I'm working with the RTA at the moment and it is still on the list, though without any plans for reintroduction in the near future. That said they still make policy decisions instantly so it could pop up tomorrow or in 10 years.

Other beauties include:
- Mandatory car park charging
- GPS based road charging
- Increased fuel tax
And my favourite...
- Reduction in allowance of licenses for lower paid workers

You've got to love this place....

[r_rich]

Thanks. My misunderstanding makes it less of a concern then I guess.

I've had a few people tell me to wait a few months before I buy as a 'mass exodus' is expected at the end of the school year. However, I'm not sure this will significantly affect used car prices. You guys have any thoughts?

As for the 'laws' on the list - this place is indeed one in a million. Someone told me last night that they have recently introduced a law that makes it illegal to fire a local. Still, choose to live in the country then you choose to accept everything that comes with it - and for me the positives massively outweigh any funny laws.

[Mattt]

r_rich said:

Still, choose to live in the country then you choose to accept everything that comes with it

- if only more people would remember that in other countries!

[Harris_I]

r_rich said:

I've had a few people tell me to wait a few months before I buy as a 'mass exodus' is expected at the end of the school year. However, I'm not sure this will significantly affect used car prices. You guys have any thoughts?

My wife is a teacher in a British school. Unlike previous years, a huge number of parents have not reconfirmed places for the new school year. I'm also noticing a lot more dads in casual clothes attending sports days and parents' evenings, so it looks pretty obvious to me.

I'd hang on personally and see how the market develops by June/early July.

[robsti]

removal firms fully booked for end of june the rats are leaving the sinking ship.

[Hitch78]

robsti said:

removal firms fully booked for end of june the rats are leaving the sinking ship.

Interesting barometer - I've heard all of the don't buy a car/furniture/electronics/rent a house stories linked to this but as there's nothing but rumours about an exodus it's hard to know what's true and what's not.

So far we've got school place bookings down and removal firms booked up. What other clues are out there?

A colleague who's joined the Creek golf club (with no waiting time whatsoever) suggested getting an application in now for places that will become available over the summer but as I don't play it seems a bit of a hard course to learn on. Lovely place for a colonial G&T by the creek though.

I was passing Ras al Khor the other day and noticed that some of the dealers are even putting prices on their cars these days which might be the end to the dutch auction 'best offer' system. Doubt we'll get a full on price war as they don't seem that concerned with shifting stock but the depreciation hit on some of those motors must be horrific.

On the Porsche front I've noted a few 2005/6 Boxster S's well below the average at 110k to 120k (though most owners appear to be dreaming anyway) and a couple of earlier 997s at 200k.

Maybe I'll stay in the hotel and drive the Hertz special Cherokee for another month!