4x4 for Middle East

Bluefoam

I've moved to the Middle East & am getting to the stage where I need to buy a car... I want a car that will be good on the roads here, but also allow me to take it for some light offroading (no jumping over dunes) and camping in the desert...

I was originally considering an FJ Cruiser, but Toyota aren't giving any good offers and they are expensive... (Toyota command a premium here)

Next up, I was considering a short wheelbase Pajero. I still haven't given up on this, even though its an ancient platform and outdated. There are good offers on them including servicing, warranty and free insurance (which can be about €1000 on a 4x4)

Now I have turned my attention to the Nissan Xtrerra, but I'm confused by the 2x4/4x4 options. I'm not gonna go for the top of the range, which is full 4x4 with 6 speed manual. But the models below it are listed as 2x4 automatic, does this mean they have no 4x4 or just that you have to switch on when you go off road?

Land Rover Defender is no longer available in Gulf spec. The Jeep Wrangler is supposed to be a dog on the road...

Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks. Particularly if you know the answer to the Nissan 4x4/2x4 issue...

101sean

A lot of soft-roaders come with 4x2 options, ie front wheel drive ONLY. Even Land Rover have gone down this road with the the Freelander and Range Rover Evoque available with 2wd (it's the end of the world as we know it when Land Rover go this route )

Whatever you choose, at least you can have it with a proper big petrol engine out there

JohnBoy

Three words....


Toy

O

Ta

the choice of rebels, jihadis and people who rely on their car in hot places the world over.

Bluefoam

I'd really like the FJ, but its just a bit too much over my budget... They have some 2010 models they are selling off. I might head down & see if there are any left...

Eric Cartman

your in the middle east, fuel is cheap

Amazon with a lift kit

/THREAD

copacetic

Bluefoam wrote: »

I've moved to the Middle East & am getting to the stage where I need to buy a car... I want a car that will be good on the roads here, but also allow me to take it for some light offroading (no jumping over dunes) and camping in the desert...

I was originally considering an FJ Cruiser, but Toyota aren't giving any good offers and they are expensive... (Toyota command a premium here)

Next up, I was considering a short wheelbase Pajero. I still haven't given up on this, even though its an ancient platform and outdated. There are good offers on them including servicing, warranty and free insurance (which can be about €1000 on a 4x4)

Now I have turned my attention to the Nissan Xtrerra, but I'm confused by the 2x4/4x4 options. I'm not gonna go for the top of the range, which is full 4x4 with 6 speed manual. But the models below it are listed as 2x4 automatic, does this mean they have no 4x4 or just that you have to switch on when you go off road?

Land Rover Defender is no longer available in Gulf spec. The Jeep Wrangler is supposed to be a dog on the road...

Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks. Particularly if you know the answer to the Nissan 4x4/2x4 issue...

4x2 is 2 wheel drive only. I think manual is only available on 4x4 xterras.

Bluefoam

Cost of Petrol is not an issue, the bigger the engine the better, I just don't want to spend allot. Having said that, cars are cheap and interest rates are about 3.75%

Suckler

Living in the middle east myself, get yourself a Discovery 3. 4.4L V8, air suspension. One of the best I've ever driven.

Edit: +1 on the FJ Cruiser! Lovely machine- check out renting one instead of buying!

Bluefoam

I'll visit Toyota again this evening. BTW if I was really gonna splash the cash, I would go for the new Nissan Patrol over the Amazon. Its ****in massive!

maidhc

The Amazon was the weapon of choice Abu Dhabi when i was there.

johnos1984

I would research the dealership quality over there. The customer service and mechanics are not like ours according to a friend.

LR dealers are especially ****

Bluefoam

I could get a second hand Hummer H3. I don't know much about them, but would imagine they would be expensive to service or fix if anything went wrong... Anyone know anything about them?

101sean

They are a standard yank tank (Chevvy Colorado) under the skin. They are in no way related to the military vehicle and you'd be displaying a serious lack of taste getting one!

Bluefoam

101sean wrote: »

you'd be displaying a serious lack of taste getting one!

Thats the idea... I've gotta try to fit in. You have to drive the most crass, crude vehicle to be accepted here. I'm driving a 1.3 Lancer (rental) at the moment & am seen as a target by the local drivers...

Suckler

Bluefoam wrote: »

Thats the idea... I've gotta try to fit in. You have to drive the most crass, crude vehicle to be accepted here. I'm driving a 1.3 Lancer (rental) at the moment & am seen as a target by the local drivers...

Sounds like you're in my part of the middle east, dont think they know they meaning of "Bad Drivers" at home compared to here!


I'd look in to renting out here, it might seem expensive, but when you take in the cost of service + tyres + mileage + registering + insurance it all adds up and you're not far off the monthly payments on a rental. As well as that you wont be as worried about some clown ramming his H3 in to you, al you have to do is ring the hire company and tell them to replace it! Even if its your fault, you pay your 1,000.00 AED (€200) and your on your way again.

Pkiernan

4wd for the Middle East:

It needs the air conditioning option however.

Bluefoam

Pkiernan wrote: »

4wd for the Middle East:

It needs the air conditioning option however.

Are they off road slick tyres? Wow, where can I get one?

Bluefoam

Suckler wrote: »

Sounds like you're in my part of the middle east, dont think they know they meaning of "Bad Drivers" at home compared to here!


I'd look in to renting out here, it might seem expensive, but when you take in the cost of service + tyres + mileage + registering + insurance it all adds up and you're not far off the monthly payments on a rental. As well as that you wont be as worried about some clown ramming his H3 in to you, al you have to do is ring the hire company and tell them to replace it! Even if its your fault, you pay your 1,000.00 AED (€200) and your on your way again.

I'll check out the conditions for renting this evening. I'm back looking at the FJ, Toyota seems to be a no brainer. The guy in the loans dept of my bank freeked out when I said I was considering the Pajero - his advice was to steer clear - there is a reason its such a good bargain.

emptyshed

Travelling regularly in Africa, which I'd say is very similar weather and road conditions....Toyota all the way.

(I should tell ya that I have a landie here in paddyland, which I love to bits.... but for reliability in extreem climates...Toyota).

I spent some time on a reserve in Africa which had a huge fleet of 4x4's and could only be reached by a 20km offroad route via serious sanddunes and rutted tracks. Spoke to the owner about his fleet... he said landrover will get you anywhere...but it will let you down constantly. His favourites were the landcruisers.

Bluefoam

The FJ is winning right now. I'll make the decision in the next couple of days.
I'm planning to go for the standard model without the rear differential. Will this make any difference to me in normal use - mostly road use, with very light off road use... Camping etc.