dominoman

Is that a problem? As an engineery-type I just can't imagine putting such a complex expensive machine spinning through dusty, gritty sand. It would make me wince on behalf of the poor car even though I know they're designed for it.

Bahtatboy

They're Japanese. Have faith.

scrubbedexpat141

You will just need a good eye to work out which bits have been replaced.
If driven by someone with less than half a brain, it's probably worth avoiding.

norsk

The biggest issue here is that a lot of people buy expensive cars but are unwilling to pay the premium that it costs to take care of it properly.

This often means chinese batteries from Satwa, indian tyres from Sharjah, knock-off drive-train parts. Add unprofessional servicing and god help you if there is an accident as some of the bodyshops cut massive corners. We're talking bits of wood inside beams for chassis repairs and replacing mesh hoses with metal pipes. Not easy to spot for someone who doesn't know what to look for though...

Get the car you are thinking of buying checked out by someone you trust. It will be the cheapest 500dhs (or whatever) you will ever spend.

dominoman

Thanks. That would be my worry. I've never owned this type of car so I wouldn't know what to look for. I'll have to find a trustworthy guy to check it over. Where would I find one though? I've not even moved to Abu Dhabi yet and don't know anyone in the region.

Perhaps, all things considered, I'm better off buying from a 2nd hand dealer. Though I guess that also doesn't give me much certainty that I'm not buying a lemon.

Final questions:

- Should I buy Petrol or Diesel if getting a big car like a Patrol?

- Should I buy off an European expat, an Emirate, or an Indian? I'm guessing the British expat is less likely to have scrimped on servicing and less likely to have thrashed it to death?

Thanks!

Bahtatboy

Largely, although I'm not so sure about a Brit not having thrashed it within an inch of its life. I strongly advise against buying a second-hand, black R36 first registered in 2009.

Diesel? Are you serious?

IKnowNothing

Petrol only and call these guys, to check it out - or they may have something that they guarantee. The guy who runs them is a Brit, been here for donkeys years and is very trustworthy in all things carwise.

Saluki Motorsport

Ask for Mark, he may have just the truck for you.

dominoman

Many thanks! Very helpful to have a contact. I'm going to be in Abu Dhabi though and they're Dubai

Bahtatboy

An hour apart, and there's bugger-all choice in AD.

IKnowNothing

What he said ^^^^^

OriginalSunshine

Volvo XC90, 4+L v8 (smaller engines aren't powerful enough for this tank)

dominoman

Any problems buying a car in Dubai and taking it to Abu Dhabi? Do I need to do any paperwork for that, or is it all the same?

IKnowNothing

Pay a company 300Dhs to get it all done on your behalf.

Millhouse

Use to be very easy - now, it's a nightmare to be honest. But I'm sure there is a man you can pay to do it all for you.

I wouldn't bother importing-exporting between emirates unless it's a great car or a bargin.

Seeing as you're in the 3 year old Pajero bracket, you can get them anywhere and they are all as generic as each other.

Also, easy to spot if a Pajero has been offroaded - the rear bumper will be hanging off (or at least loose).

scrubbedexpat141

Oh god. I don't ever want to hear XC90 again.

Ended up binning hers for pennies. Hatefully expensive to look after at Volvo and other garages didn't want them because they sat there for ages waiting for parts.

Lovely car, powerful and quick but looking after an older one was terrible.