w_scott

Hi gurus

I have seen a few posts about cars in KSA but all are outdated.

I need your advice regarding cars in KSA. I will be moving from Doha to Dammam and have 2 options:
1-Selling my old car in Doha and purchasing another one in Dammam.
2-Selling my old car in Doha, buying another car in Doha and ship it to Dammam, knowing my old car can't be shipped as it is > 5 yrs old.
Re option 2 the employer will cover the cost of shipment (which may be around 20k SAR)

Is it better to go for option 1 or 2? are vehicles cheaper in Doha or in Dammam? If I am going to buy I am looking for a second hand SUV. In this case where to buy a good reliable car in Dammam/Khobar area?


Thanks

flares

Option 1 seems better. Option 2 maybe a little long winded although I've no idea about the difference between the markets - would've thought your money goes further in KSA though.

Ex-pat word of mouth for best deal on a second hand SUV I guess. Transient population n all that

Bonne chance!

nonthaburi

Definitely option 1. Even if all costs are covered by the employer it's still going to be a major ballache.

scot47

transporting cars ceoss-border can be a hassle. Have u considered leasing a car in KSA ?

w_scott

Thanks flares and nonthaburi for your feedback
Option 2 is ruled out. Now the next question is what is the most reliable SUV in KSA? in Qatar they like the landcruiser and Prado, but I don't think it is the same in KSA. Also, where is the best place to buy a good used SUV? any website?

psychopomp1

TBH you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Landcruiser or a Nissan Patrol anywhere in the Gulf - they’re built like tanks, are great off road and have fairly cheap replacement parts.

Having said all that, I’ve heard great things about the Kia Telluride, a brand new one costs here in Qatar around QAR 160k, which is considerably less than the Japanese models. Might be even cheaper in KSA, assuming it’s also available there.

I’ve seen quite a few Telluride’s around Doha, looks wise it looks like a high end Cadillac SUV, you’d never think it was a Kia! Might take one for a test drive soon.

w_scott

No
Leasing a SUV for one year is not cost-effective. Maybe it is ok for the first month until I get things sorted.
It costs no less than 3000 SAR per month, which means in one year a decent amount of money

w_scott

From previous experience, I won't buy a new car. It doesn't worth it, especially when I don't know for how long I am staying in the region. The market in the GCC is very uncertain and now with COVID19 impact looming, I suspect we are coming into a big recession worse than the 2008 one. Last year many GCC countries cut jobs and laid off many expats.

A reasonable second hand SUV from a leaving expat is what I am looking for.

scot47

On most of my contracts in KSA I managed quite well with no car

w_scott

With no public transport, I can't imagine being in this region without a car.

flares

He uses his magic carpet

Millhouse

You will telling me next that if you need to go faster you can use performance enhancing rugs.

weasel decentral

good one

scot47

"nO PUBLIC TRANSPORT " ? oPEN YOUR YEYESTHERERE ARE TAXIS EVERYWHERE