Are GCC Specs Important?

[KC1]

We are trying to buy a car and have been told that it's important to get a car with GCC specs, but it seems like there are lots of cars without. We are looking at getting something we can take into the desert and drive to Oman, as well as obviously driving around Dubai. How important is it really to get GCC specs? Also, we heard that if we go to a dealer, we may get better rates during Ramadan. Is this true? Thanks!

[cobragb]

There are always Ramadan specials every year.

If you are going to drive out in the desert, then you need the GCC specs. They include bigger cooling radiators, etc.

[Felixtoo2]

Bigger radiators, really? Which makes do that? IMHO the biggest difference in GCC specs comes when you are reselling the car. All car companies do hot and cold weather testing to ensure their cars work worldwide and I can't imagine any designer optimising their design then leaving space for a larger radiator.

[indoMLA]

Originally Posted by Felixtoo2

Bigger radiators, really? Which makes do that? IMHO the biggest difference in GCC specs comes when you are reselling the car. All car companies do hot and cold weather testing to ensure their cars work worldwide and I can't imagine any designer optimising their design then leaving space for a larger radiator.

Many car manufacturers do that (Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota). Cars in the southern US are different then the ones in the north. Southern states do get bigger radiators and norther states get engine block warmers. Most GCC spec'ed cars are usually manufactured for the southern US states.

[Warold]

Also some cars have different, things done to them... AC is much more stronger... Also some cars have their fans stay on after the car is turned off to cool the engine, which isn't needed in cold countries.

[KC1]

I guess we wil keep with that advice then. Thanks all!

[Canuck_Sens]

Originally Posted by KC1

I guess we wil keep with that advice then. Thanks all!

Brought my car from Canada almost 2 years ago and it has been performing ROCK Solid. And it does not have a big radiator.

There are tons of American specs cars and they fare well.

[CDN2012]

Originally Posted by Canuck_Sens

Brought my car from Canada almost 2 years ago and it has been performing ROCK Solid. And it does not have a big radiator.

There are tons of American specs cars and they fare well.

Same here, brought my pickup, and it had no issues so far. Got my AC coolant topped up when i got down here and it blows cold air.

Sent from my iPad using ExpatForum

[TandA]

Just wondering how you're going to drive through the desert to Oman. You do realise there's a huge fence you'll have to jump don't you?

[KC1]

Originally Posted by TandA

Just wondering how you're going to drive through the desert to Oman. You do realise there's a huge fence you'll have to jump don't you?

Hahaha... I guess I should check my punctuation before posting! I meant "take into the desert, and drive to Oman." But thank you for checking - that would be an unfortunate situation!