Advice on buying new SUV for off-road

[Alexanderrr]

Beautiful and capable car!! Enjoy 👍

[Frederic]

On 8/24/2023 at 1:57 PM, Nilakantan Erode said:

So my Carnity friends...I have finally got a 2023 Bronco Wildtrak. Thanks @Gaurav@Looper@Rizwanm2 @Gautam Bank @Hisham Masaad @Frederic @Alexanderrr @Stumpy Flowers @Bravoecho @Krishna R @Pavel Pashkovskiy @Benjamin and all others those who had shared their wisdom and tips on the card ...ranging from Pajero, Prado, Patrol,  Safari. Rubicon and Bronco. Had something to learn from all your experiences / suggestions. Also explored some of the other chats on the car forums. Lots of insights there!

Last time i owned a 4WD in Dubai was 22 year back was when i had a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero (Classic Green).  Used to do some desert drives then but after that it has been only family sedans / other  cross overs since 2001 ...once i relocated to Singapore. But it is great to be back here in Dubai after 2 decades. The off road landscape and vehicles  have changed a lot. And...some really great  offroad communities are here now. 

Last couple of months  have been very exciting as i was looking for my off road car with all the advices, research and test drives . The new car prices (and availability) and used car prices (and the evaluations / conditions) have also been humbling revelations. Was also lucky to get some management contracts at Ford that facilitated the final Bronco purchase and delivery. But had nearly finalized and bought 4 other vehicles! 

Have  been the desert in the heat a couple of time now...and driven a (reluctant and worried!) friend's Nissan Patrol V8. Great experience. And..no nothing happened to his V8 Y62 ..though he was biting his nails (more worried about his car than me!!). 

Ultimately ..as per my learnings here in the Carnity Forum...it is the driver, temperament, skills (and willingness to continuously learn more from all) and the community (for support and encouragements ) and not entirely about vehicles and modifications. 

Looking forward to seeing some of you soon!

 

Wow looks fantastic!! Congrats on the prancing horse ! See you soon in one of the drives !!

[Mike M.]

Not sure how i missed such an interesting topic... I am adding the below not that i can add one cent of value to all the interesting contributions of very experienced off-roaders in the discussion but to give future Carnitists @Carnity another "toy" to consider when they go through this thread as it was not mentioned at the time:

The Ford Ranger Raptor

This vehicle in my personal opinion blurs all the lines and categories mentioned in the 7 pages of comments. In one weekend It can give the most capable, modified dune bashers and climbers the hardest time and a run for their money while also being a full-on armored and equipped Overlander the next weekend with 0 issues and constraints. It can also be parked at the front space of a hotel for a Gala dinner the following weekend. (Make sure to get a conservative color in this case )

It all depends on how you design and build it.

Other than a protective layer for the underbody, there is 0 AED additional cost to unlock new levels of fun in the outdoors, throughout all off-roading activities: 

- Dune bashing

- Overlanding / Scenic drives

- Camping/Picnics

- Outdoor adventures of all sorts

It is a perfectly-sized powerhouse that calmly states "I AM HERE" when the big toys are around while being a more comfortable ride than a Rolls Royce, on-road. (Exageration intended but not too far from reality as well  )

After having it for 8 months now, this thing is quite up there as the unicorn that can do it all for all purposes, needs and interests..... it does not look too bad as well (Exterior and Interior) for the "wifey" vote and approvals. 

One recommendation is to properly design it and not go overboard with what others do with bed racks, chase racks, molle panels and metal bumpers etc to keep it within this aspect of "One Toy to Conquer all Off-roading and On-road Needs".

 

Edited December 14, 2024 by Mike M.