Cars and Driving Questions

[Dubai1970]

Same issue as Tricktrack - grateful for recommendations of fair priced / reputable car hire firms for a (say) two month hire. Clearly I wouldn't want to pay same rates as holidayers renting for weekend or a fortnight, if avoidable. Thanks all.

[Garth Vader]

Originally Posted by suzimack

No, he was happy to accept my word for it (although I do have my no claim certificate with me) as long as I presented my UK licence along with my UAE one! Can't say fairer than that! The dealer quoted me 4900 for insurance (without Oman cover, or driver & passenger)

Sweet, 10 years NCB it is then!

Originally Posted by Dubai1970

Same issue as Tricktrack - grateful for recommendations of fair priced / reputable car hire firms for a (say) two month hire. Clearly I wouldn't want to pay same rates as holidayers renting for weekend or a fortnight, if avoidable. Thanks all.

I went with Autorent in Oud Metha. Ask for Varun if you call, very helpful. Also, it's on a rolling one month contract as I've no idea how long i need it for which suits me perfick.

[Dubai1970]

Originally Posted by Garth Vader

Sweet, 10 years NCB it is then!




I went with Autorent in Oud Metha. Ask for Varun if you call, very helpful. Also, it's on a rolling one month contract as I've no idea how long i need it for which suits me perfick.

Thanks Garth - the force is strong in this one.

[ziokendo]

Originally Posted by Dubai1970

Same issue as Tricktrack - grateful for recommendations of fair priced / reputable car hire firms for a (say) two month hire. Clearly I wouldn't want to pay same rates as holidayers renting for weekend or a fortnight, if avoidable. Thanks all.

There are some reputable companies offering long term leases:
- Thrifty for a minimum one year committment is starting at 1450/mo for a Yaris
- Hertz minimum 24 months has a plan in the same price range for the yaris and a lot of other bigger cars (up to the Land Cruiser Prado) to choose.

If, like you say, you want just two months, the rates are higher, but not that much. We are talking about 1600-1700 for a yaris, and at least 2000/mo for a bigger car.

Buy wheels (the magazine, on fridays), it's usually full of ads of companies advertising monthly rentals. Buy also Gulf News that day, it has a classified additional tabloid full of competitive ads as well.

If you go to the small companies make sure about the car registration is updated and you have full insurance coverage and all, because some are dodgy.

I pay 2200/mo for a 2011 Tiida, with a small company which has an agreement with my employer, so it did not require a credit card on my side.
You can have better deals, up to 2000/2050 each month, if you go with bigger companies and have a credit card to give.

[Dubai1970]

Originally Posted by ziokendo

There are some reputable companies offering long term leases:
- Thrifty for a minimum one year committment is starting at 1450/mo for a Yaris
- Hertz minimum 24 months has a plan in the same price range for the yaris and a lot of other bigger cars (up to the Land Cruiser Prado) to choose.

If, like you say, you want just two months, the rates are higher, but not that much. We are talking about 1600-1700 for a yaris, and at least 2000/mo for a bigger car.

Buy wheels (the magazine, on fridays), it's usually full of ads of companies advertising monthly rentals. Buy also Gulf News that day, it has a classified additional tabloid full of competitive ads as well.

If you go to the small companies make sure about the car registration is updated and you have full insurance coverage and all, because some are dodgy.

I pay 2200/mo for a 2011 Tiida, with a small company which has an agreement with my employer, so it did not require a credit card on my side.
You can have better deals, up to 2000/2050 each month, if you go with bigger companies and have a credit card to give.

Thanks so much Ziokendo - I'll do that the moment I land over there. I'm thinking I'd like to rent something like a VW Golf that won't instantly convert into a crushed beer can if I'm T-boned at a junction. Any idea what that is likely to cost? Am assuming 2500 to allow for slight premium for German car.

[ziokendo]

Originally Posted by Dubai1970

Thanks so much Ziokendo - I'll do that the moment I land over there. I'm thinking I'd like to rent something like a VW Golf that won't instantly convert into a crushed beer can if I'm T-boned at a junction. Any idea what that is likely to cost? Am assuming 2500 to allow for slight premium for German car.

The problem is finding some rental company that actually has the Golf, I don't believe it has been sold as a fleet car ... very difficult and expensive to find bmw and benz as well.

In that size you will find a Nissan Tiida very likely, which of course costs 30% less than a comparable Golf (55 vs 80), so definitely not a premium car but it works for me.

If you prefer something bigger, rates for a Honda Accord would be in line of 2800/mo on the market for monthly standard rent, around 2100 for long term committment with hertz, and I have been quoted 2400 for a Mazda 6 which even if not german would meet your basic safety requirements I believe.

[Garth Vader]

Originally Posted by Dubai1970

Thanks so much Ziokendo - I'll do that the moment I land over there. I'm thinking I'd like to rent something like a VW Golf that won't instantly convert into a crushed beer can if I'm T-boned at a junction. Any idea what that is likely to cost? Am assuming 2500 to allow for slight premium for German car.

A Golf won't protect you from half the cars on the road, I wouldn't worry about it too much. A Toyota Seqoia/Nissan Armada/Hummer would crush a tank hitting it side-on.

[ziokendo]

Originally Posted by Garth Vader

A Golf won't protect you from half the cars on the road, I wouldn't worry about it too much. A Toyota Seqoia/Nissan Armada/Hummer would crush a tank hitting it side-on.

I can agree with you, full-size suvs (or let's say oversize for european standards) are the norm on the UAE roads, and a Golf cannot be regarded as a benchmark in this regard.

For the sake of argument I have to say that very light cars (ie a mazda2) would not fare necessarily bad in some common situation, altough - as you notice - the bigger the better.

[Standupspeakup]

Very exploratory question but have conducted a search on the thread and on other forums and cant find any real 'advice'.

I was recently convicted of drink driving in the UK and wont obtain my license until December of 2012 (12 month ban, reduced to 9 months having taken an awareness course). Yes I know this was stupid thing to do so please don't judge me or pm me with hate mail. I have learnt my lesson and the costs are a reminder of this.

My question is how does this conviction affect my ability to obtain a UAE driving license when I move to Dubai (my company is considering moving me to Dubai in 2013). I will have my photo and paper license back but the points will be on there.

Advice on obtaining license and/or potential insurance issues with this conviction would be greatly appreciated. Anyone been through or know someone who has been through this process previously?

[toneson]

Springs to park place on the zayed road. Probably by car, but also considering metro?