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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/17/2015 in all areas

  1. There are several instruments in a car, which needs a little care from you, and it just springs back to life, just as new, irrespective of age or accidental damage. You really do not need to visit a mechanic for it. The headlights are one, which with age loses its sheen and a small caring ‘pat’ could just revive it by using the ‘Do it Yourself’ method. Extensive heat in GCC countries kills the outer plastic of the headlight and with exposure to sunlight, it loses its look and shine. And scratches come by default during the high speed highway drive with free sandblasting session every day. Here are some tips to make the scratches disappear and to remove the yellow shade which appears over time due to polycarbonate clouds, thanks to the UV rays that degrade the outer layer of plastic. Formula 1 Scratch Out: This Liquid rubbing compound helps in forming a clear coat on your headlight. Leave it to dry for 30 minutes and then start gently scrubbing applying little pressure in a circular pattern with a dry cloth. Once the dry paste is off, repeat the scrubbing exercise with water but more gently. This rubbing compound comes at a price of 12-15 AED in any fuel station. Toothpaste method: Use regular toothpaste, some towels and water. Spread the toothpaste onto the lens, spray water and dry it with the towel. It works. Meguiar’s PlastX: This can be used for minor damages or to make the headlight get its shine back. Meguiar's PlastX is easily available in Ace hardware. You will also need Sandpaper grit depending on the severity of the damage and discoloration, but, you have to purchase few sheets of higher grit from the one you choose. So, if you purchase sandpaper with 1000 grit, you will also need to buy 1500, 2000 and 2500. To start with 1000 grit is ideal for severely yellowish lenses. You will also need a few packs of microfiber towels, a flannel cloth, a masking tape and a bucket. Use the masking tape to mask the light you choose to work with and then cut the grit papers into usable size. Soak in water for 10 minutes. Take the 1000 grit paper and sand the lens, vertically or horizontally only, not in circular motion. Keep spraying water on the lens. Now, use the microfiber cloths to dry the lens. Then use the next level of grit and sand in the opposite direction from the previous session, and repeat the process. Then use the next level of grit and repeat all over again in opposite direction. Now, use the flannel cloth and put a small bit of Meguiar's PlastX and apply on the lens firmly in circular motion and allow it to dry. After some time, use the microfiber cloth to remove it from the lens. Try this for a few more times till the clarity of the lens is evident and then remove your masking tape. Then place a good amount of PlastX on your hand and spread it over the lens and allow it to dry. With a microfiber cloth, polish the lens for one final time. Once satisfy take the before and after picture and show off to your friends of your little DIY (Do It Yourself) project over the weekend.If you need more help, or need specific answer for any question then try the ‘Carnity Forum’ (http://carnity.com/) or find car businesses near you with the Carnity ‘Business listing’ (http://carnity.com/business_listing) section.
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  2. Another part that you might not know as many here don't know. Even if you are at 118 and someone comes close to you from behind and lane in front of you is empty YOU HAVE TO MOVE AWAY, even if you are at 200 speed. This law/rule is made for handling emergencies only, Imagine someone house is on fire or his pregnant wife is in pain who will abide the speed limit....? However, that said I also agree that plenty or majority of folks here abuse this rule for the sake of fun and then stop for hours in front of cafeteria and having tea and smoke. Simply lacks the maturity.
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  3. Agree with Taquir, not a single one of them is capable in the dunes, or available for near your budget...and most of them are too expensive to repair after a desert accident.
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  4. The key to having fun in desert driving is not too heavy a vehicle (as you want it to float on the sand), a big engine (4 litres or close to it), a short-ish wheelbase, and a real 4x4 drive system, with Differential Lock if you can get it. My three choices below all adhere to this. For that price, the only options I would consider is a Jeep Wrangler, an FJ Cruiser, or 3-door Pujero. I know that right now, there is for sale on the Abu Dhabi 4x4 club website a VERY nice used 2009 model year Wrangler with all appropriate offroad mods that has been used by one of the Marshals of the group, for a bit over 60k. So a bit higher than your budget, but if you can stretch it would be well worth it - I've seen him drive it and it will go pretty much anywhere you have the nerve to drive it. (http://www.ad4x4.com/club/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22154&sid=cb76ec2e6c8ce9675a67cdb7fafb249f) If you want to use it on the highway as much as the desert (my vehicle is both a Daily Driver and a Weekend Warrior), then look for an FJ Cruiser - more comfortable and safer on the road than the Wrangler, much more survivable in a highway accident (but to be honest, not as good on the dunes as a fully upgraded Wrangler). But Toyotas really hold their value, and I fear that you might have to go back a few more years of age to get a similar price to a Jeep. You can go for a 3-door short wheelbase Pujero as well...the previous generation Pujeros are pretty nice, and in some ways better than the current generation, as they lack a lot of the plastic bits on the bumper that have to either be guarded or cut away to make the current Pujeros usable in the sand. Again, they hold their value, and not as good off-road as an FJ IMHO...so why not just get an FJ in my thinking? But if you can find a good used 3-door one, it will do the job. That is pretty much ALL I would consider, really. The short wheelbase Nissan Patrols are underpowered in my opinion, the long wheelbase Patrols excellent but would have to be very used to fit your budget. Anything that says "Rover" would be either too expensive (RR, RR Sport, LR3, LR4), unsuited (LR2), or too high a center of gravity (Defender) to really have fun with in the bowls and switchbacks. The other Jeeps are not as good in the sand as a Wrangler, nor as cheap. Besides Jeeps, the only American 4x4s that are fun in the desert are F-150 Raptors, but waaaay too expensive. The other American SUVs are basically jacked-up trucks with poor 4x4 systems, except Hummers, which are just WAY too heavy to do any real freestyle driving with (they WILL take you across the dunes...you will just be bored). Mind you, I was out in the desert last weekend and we saw some Korean-SUV that someone had put a HUGE lift kit on and was out tearing up the dunes...a lot of dune driving is the driver, not the vehicle. Oh, and your recovery kit...
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  5. I have owned the following three 4x4's . Jeep Wrangler 2013( Very capable offroad, but week engine, couldn't climb to the top of extremely tall dunes, whereas a Land Crusier, or previous version of Nissan Patrol could do it easily.) Nissan Pathfinder 2008, (Good Power, but capability is average, would hit the bottom due to low ground clearance, and 4x4 system is not that good.) Ford Expedition 1998, ( Week engine, Good ground clearance in pre-2001 models, extremely capable 4x4 transmission and good low end torque, but cannot make up to heavy dunes due to engine power and huge size.) I have heard good reviews about FJ, infact all Toyota 4x4's and Xterra. Off-roading is all about skills , you can manage with an average 4x4's, if you know the basics right. I have seen locals doing great with little Suzuki Jimmnys and RAV 4s. Your budget for 50K can fetch you pre 2009 models only, so it comes down to personal choice. If you know how to drive a manual may be you will get more options. But remember in such old vehicles chassis and transmission may have already taken lot of beating, better search for good condition one.
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  6. I will vote for first 5 options only for real offroad capability car for dubai and UAE desert. Though I have changed the order as per my thinking and experience. Jeep wrangler FJ Cruiser Xterra Nissan Patrol Land Cruiser
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