auzdafluff

I finally got my driving licence sorted out today (it's only taken me just over 10 months) .

I've been looking at hiring a car until Ramadan, but to be honest, the cost is making me question whether it's worth it.

I'm looking at getting something like a Kia Sportage, which will set me back about AED2000-2500 a month. It's going to cost around that to hire a Yaris month by month.

What I want to know is, in your experience, is it worth holding off till Ramadan to buy a car, or would will it not make much of a difference?

MAV_DXB

How are you getting around at the moment, and how much does that cost you? Less than it costs to hire? If so, maybe it's an option to continue doing that for now.

Deals in Ramadan - no idea.

Oyibopeppeh

The best time to score a deal on a new car is Dec/Jan/Feb when the dealers are trying to clear out their last year's stock. Ramadamadingdong deals are nothing special.

auzdafluff

I've been getting around by taxi, which has been fine since October/November, but I live in JBR and with the temperature and humidity rising again, standing around for upwards of 20-30 minutes in the morning like I sometimes have to is no longer an option; especially as I frequently interview senior executives at some of the biggest companies in the Middle East and so sweat and body oder are a huge no-no.

I've been told we can get a Yaris through a deal in work for 1600-ish a month. I might go with that for a month or two, get my experience up on the roads and then look at buying around then. But if the deals aren't that great in Ramadan, then I may just buy earlier.

hnd

Haven't you tried 04 2080808?

Once they have your details you don't have to give them again and, providing you pre-book you should be fine for taxis - there must be loads in the area. If you find one you like and who knows where you want to go get his personal mobile and try and book him in advance in person.

kittycat1

Fluffy why dont you get the number of one of the drivers and get him to pick you up every day- I had a regular guy for the frist year then he vanished off the face of the earth. Now there is a small army of drivers outside mine every day and I never have to wait.

And if you are driving myabe you could do a car pool and get some money back on the car hire? Even if you just do it one way might be worth doing...

Millhouse

get a second hand 3 door, 2006 model Pajero. Buy it for 42k - sell it 2 years later for 30k.

lullabelle

Don't get a sportage. Effin awful car. I hired one as I like sitting higher up in a car. It was underpowered and slow. Only kept it cos it was a good deal through the company. Every other hire car I've liked in some way but that one really had nothing going for it.

My mates all got pretty good deals in Ramadan - the best one was a landcruiser. He got tons of money off it. So much in fact that when he sold it back to a dealer eight months later he only lost 5000 dhs.
Depends how long you're going to have the car for though... I bought a new car in the uk (through a broker with added scrappage discount) but it was going to be my car for years and years. Because this is such a temporary place it wouldn't cross my mind tobuy new now.
I second millhouse about buying second hand.

flares

agree I'm selling my 2006 Nissan X-trail 90k on the clock full service mystery - 25k final price, Muroor, Abu Dhabi

kittycat1

Will you take 5k for it?

Maxima

DEC/JAN/FEB is definitely not a good time to buy new cars. as thats when prices are higher plus many people rush to spend their bonuses.

Traditionally some brands have offered good deals during Ramadan; this includes Lexus/Infiniti/Nissan/Toyota/Honda . Ford often does not.

I am going for a car in Ramadan but thats because I dont to buy a new car and drive it during the hottest period of the year; June to Early August. I'd rather than a rental take the brunt of driving in 45C.

flares

GBP I would

Oyibopeppeh

So how come I got 47,000 discount on the list price of a 205,000 Volvo?

kittycat1

205K Volvo? Why would anyone pay that for a Volvo???

Oyibopeppeh

Because it's the safest car in it's class and comes fully loaded with extras, for a start. BMW and Audi ask another 30K for the same.