wanderlust1

I've seen many adverts on Dubizzle.com for used suv's at ridiculously low prices.eg Porsche Cayenne for 30000 AED. Any advice for a first-time car buyer in Abu Dhabi?

Millhouse

don't expect it to last

wanderlust1

Thanks Millhouse. I was fairly sceptical as well, but as a newcomer to the region, some pointers from an old pro (such as yourself) would be invaluable.

Thanks in advance!

Millhouse

Ok, so bascially the rules are:

- Rent first, learn how to drive here before buying anything.
- Don't buy a car in Sharjah
- If you end up owning a really shit car, sell it in Sharjah
- If buying second-hand, buy from a decent dealer; and only a main-dealer garage if possible.
- Only buy Japanese brands -- this is especially true if you are buying anything over three years old. Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi
- Don't buy anything that is "USA spec" or "USA import" - best case it will be stolen, worse it will be a flood damage / cut-shut repair
- Get decent insurance, don't buy that from the dealer, instead use a broker like insureme.com
- Haggle and negotiation the price as much as you can - especially if its a private sale. This is harder (but not impossible) with the dealers.

archie159

I'd agree with all of Millhouse's points except possibly this one. I've bought several second hand cars, and none from a dealer. Search for ads on facebook (AD market place), spinneys/abela notice boards (the ones located near the places where western expats live) from western families etc leaving who bought new 2-3 years ago and have now finished their contracts. In many cases, they'll have bought a decent car new, had it serviced properly, and never taken it near the desert - and will be keen to sell it at the last safe moment, and so will accept a sensible offer if they think you'll not mess them around at the very last minute. Both sides are happy, and you get a decent, sensible mileage/aged car for a much better price than from a dealer.

Millhouse

ah, also very true. I've done this as well.
look for cars with chocolate ground into the rear seats by the kids, they will be pretty genuine.

wanderlust1

Thank you so much for the responses. I feel much better equipped to make a decision now.

And the "chocolate ground into the seats " comment-priceless!

Inselaffen

check with the main dealer on the service record.

my colleague bought and Audi A1 for his wife recently with 25k km on the clock. When he took it to the dealer for a minor repair they told him that last time they serviced it the car had done 75k km.
it may also have been an insurance right off to make things worse.

TGFKASE

Dubizzle also tends to fill up with the same scam ad's that some of the FB groups get hit with.

If it looks to good to be true, it is. Stock numbers in adverts, price in USD, photos of the vehicle without a background confirmable as at least the ME etc...

Some of the scammers are just getting so damn lazy..

Young people these days.. Humph.. No work ethic...

Bahtatboy

Just make sure it is chocolate