Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

What is the minimum car requirement for joining a newbie trip? As in, would a Honda CRV be enough, or a RAV4, Tucson?

Reason for asking is I am thinking of buying a new car to go dune bashing with. First choice would be Wrangler Unlimited, but it seems this is not a comfortable car for daily commute, so I am looking into a cheap alternative for daily commute yet allows me to participate in newbie trips until I have money enough to buy the real thing

Tucson or CRV is quite affordable, but will it do on newbie trips? Also, are second hand cars an option or would you recommend against this because the climate is so brutal?

Thanks

the minimum requirement would be :
- recovery point front and back (the tow point you screw in the body is not a recovery point).
- 4x4 wheel drive
- Seat belts front and back.

recommended :
- insurance that includes off road (AXA or additional with IATAC)
- mixed tyres. (vs road only tyres).

What will happen with SUV (opposed to off road cars) :
- you will damage your front and back bumper.
- you will get stuck because of poor clearance of car and lack of power and grip.
- you will get frustrated not to be able to go where you want to go.
- you will sell it and by a wrangler.

But for easy newbie drive, it can be ok.

My personal view :
on second hand, you can find cheap toys, far much capable than the one you proposed (pajero, wrangler TJ, cherokee, pathfinder...) No need to pay high price. Split your budget for a recent saloon car for the week and a big boy toy for the friday trips.

JK for commuting : depend on the distance. I have a JK that i'm using daily (that is my sole car). But i would not do AUH DXB return trip daily with it.

For same budget than new JK Unlimitted : Pajero 3.8, Xterra, Cherokee liberty would be more advisable and good for long distance

Hope this helps. Give us your budget for more info and check on dubizzle to find cheap cars.

ps: what's wrong with the climate?

Merci Xof for your detailed reply, much appreciated. The commute to/from work will be Dubai mostly, so maybe I should go directly for a Wrangler. I got a quote from the UAE dealer for an Unlimited with navigation and leather for 124K AED, which would be doable for me with a 2 year car loan. Leather would be nicer for on-road, and I guess you could always buy a cloth cover for off-road to prevent sliding off your leather seat while driving the desert

Still worried about the AC, in a reply to another posting, Belbassiouni wrote that the AC is not very strong for on-road, would that be your experience as well?

As for climate, i heard that cars don't last long in Dubai because of the influence of heat and salt?

Apologies if these questions are not relevant to the newbie forum, be happy to take it off-line, but then again, your insight might help others who are in similar position as I am.

Thanks!

JEEB

desertfun wrote:Merci Xof for your detailed reply, much appreciated. The commute to/from work will be Dubai mostly, so maybe I should go directly for a Wrangler. I got a quote from the UAE dealer for an Unlimited with navigation and leather for 124K AED, which would be doable for me with a 2 year car loan. Leather would be nicer for on-road, and I guess you could always buy a cloth cover for off-road to prevent sliding off your leather seat while driving the desert

Still worried about the AC, in a reply to another posting, Belbassiouni wrote that the AC is not very strong for on-road, would that be your experience as well?

As for climate, i heard that cars don't last long in Dubai because of the influence of heat and salt?

Apologies if these questions are not relevant to the newbie forum, be happy to take it off-line, but then again, your insight might help others who are in similar position as I am.

Thanks!

... Dont take unlimited... if you need a big car get better - Pajero 3.8, Xterra, Cherokee liberty , pathfinder
If you want wrangler - it has to be SWB or or else it no more a wrangler.

desertfun wrote:Merci Xof for your detailed reply, much appreciated. The commute to/from work will be Dubai mostly, so maybe I should go directly for a Wrangler. I got a quote from the UAE dealer for an Unlimited with navigation and leather for 124K AED, which would be doable for me with a 2 year car loan. Leather would be nicer for on-road, and I guess you could always buy a cloth cover for off-road to prevent sliding off your leather seat while driving the desert this is your choice. If this is your dream car, go for it! for this budget, you actually have choice. Navigation will not replace a real GPS. Leather... i was not aware there was leather seat in JK!

Still worried about the AC, in a reply to another posting, Belbassiouni wrote that the AC is not very strong for on-road, would that be your experience as well? THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH AC IN JK. the issue is that the hard top is spraying the heat on the top of your skull. There is no insulation. This is easy to fix by buying from AEV in Dubai the 3M insulation kit (very efficient).

As for climate, i heard that cars don't last long in Dubai because of the influence of heat and salt? as much as in California, Marseille or Alexandria... And in snow country too due to road salt...

Apologies if these questions are not relevant to the newbie forum, be happy to take it off-line, but then again, your insight might help others who are in similar position as I am. You are right... it is usefull for everybody... though, The good place would have been Chit chat, or Pit stop

Thanks!

cheers.

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated!

BTW, I took a test drive on mostly highway in a Wrangler Sahara SWB, and I was amazed by how comfortable the ride was. Guess no surprise for someone who's first car was a Lada 1200

desertfun wrote:Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated!

BTW, I took a test drive on mostly highway in a Wrangler Sahara SWB, and I was amazed by how comfortable the ride was. Guess no surprise for someone who's first car was a Lada 1200

LOL - yes Jeep will sure be more comfy Even my jimny is a full comfort compare to lets say Niva

I moved the topic to help for more answers....

Jo