Danny

I say stick to what you like and with what you are comfortable than going for something other likes. I think it's very personal choice than any sane rational behind to get SUV or a car. Rest is your choice.

I think population also determine the fuel cost in contrast with producing capacity:

Saudi Arabia population = 29.2 million over 10 million barrel per day

UAE Population = 9.5 million over 2.9 million barrel  per day

Next is, let's bring some Mr. economist on board to do some analysis. lol.

To be honest, with so many reforms happening in Dubai to make money and grow economy to make it more sustainable I don't think this is very far off in the future. Especially before 2020, govt will defintely try to make a balanced and health economy, come what may requires: taxes, vat, toll etc. 

Bottom line: Enjoy your dream car as soon as you can before it becomes more difficult to afford

Al Aweer and Qusais branch Tasjeel is far less crowded than others. Above two mentioned Shamil and Wasl doesn't offer comprehensive test.

Secondly for comprehensive test for 250 dhs I will trust Eppco Tasjeel, than other lesser experience testing center.

Screeching is mostly coz of pads and sometimes coz of disc. More mechanic need to check it to advise further, just by a visual check.

Long trailer hitch attached when not towing any trailer is dam irritating. I got hit by one as it was a feet or two long long hitch that bumped in my bumper in stop and go traffic.

Nice slo-mo. With size of skate board it looks like scaled model car fly-by.

2008 modified Ford Mustang. And to answer why, come drive once as I can't explain in words how good it is. Now im eyeing an upgrade to 2012-13 Mustang shortly.

Hahaha, nice one mate.

Durability, reliability, performance, resale and even girlish looks is not = good argument. You got good sense of humor.

You picked a good model, as only bad I heard about Cayenne was 04-06 and anything after that is reasonably clean and without too much issue. I was about to buy a cayenne in past and change to X5 due to wifey pref, and I remember 09 is very good option considering just before 10 when facelift happen and they become more expensive. For beautification wise 10 upwards is damn pretty from inside not much looks changed from exterior though.

Must be easy to slide on fuel in self made report (plain A4) without any audit or third party involvement.

Either ways this is scary: If it's real then it can happen to any one of us and if it's fake and Ford manage to pull this along then other dealers will also start a blame game on fuel, sun, oxygen, roads, traffic etc.....!

Rubicon has bigger 44" Dana axles's. differential lock, 4"10 gearing, sway bar, bigger tires and some bash plate for rock climbing. Sahara is most for small time offroad not fully packed offroad package.

Maybe you can sell it as-is as a classic car and buy newer model with same money. If you have emotions attached to it, then it's otherwise.

Hope you know you need a CID permission for a color change and then add the same color in your car registration card at tasjeel branch for 40 AED while renewing your car next time.

That's a very good food for thought bud, I always used to wonder what others must be doing here in UAE. I usually prefer local due to instant grab and go, but if some parts are exorbitantly expensive in local market compare to online ordering from US site, I go online and ready to wait for saving that extra bucks.

650 for one door lock...... Is it made of gold....?

I don't mean to sound that you have not done it properly but problem what you are explaining is exactly happens coz of imbalance tires.

As per my experience with tire shops, I have spotted couple of times that they leave the last fraction of imbalance of 5-10 as acceptable, unless you stand on their head and tell them to make zero on both sides, they don't care. Have you actually seen this by your eyes, if not not do that please.

If you have money to spare then buying makes sense as it will get better value over 2-3 year period as oppose to leasing turn out to be paying only for rental and then in end get nothing out of it.

Advantage in rental is no headache for servicing or depreciation issue as every year you can get newer car of same model and enjoy same luxury every year at pre-decided fixed cost (no surprises).

Get the washer fluid check   along with below checks:

• Gear oil
• 4x4 oil
• Differential oil (if any)
• coolant
• Drive shaft grease
• Axle boot
• A/C Freon
• Battery distill water (if it's not maint free battery)

yeah max you are right on search for head gasket major cause is overheat but not always as sometime (rarely) due to age of car or kms driven head gasket stop working as it's just a plastic/rubber melt together seal to hold water/coolant on one side and engine oil on other side. In your case 162 clicks is quite much to age the head gasket anyways.

Finally, the tailgating rule is in effect from today and I could see plenty of sudden hard hitting brakes today morning. It's a good law they have implemented, however to address the real cause of accident and reducing traffic Dubai roads need more work:

1. Each lane should have minimum speed limit
2. Rubber neck should be fine HEAVY or confiscate car for 30 days
3. Changing lane without indicators should be fined
4. Keeping too much distance between car should be fined
5. Entry and exit in different lane in roundabout should be fined

More others can add here.....

IMHO LR2 is much better for wifey as it is AWD (all wheel drive) and much safer than X. Being offroad capable, I am not sure and I think many here already added much info that X is better than LR2 when comes to offroad. For the sake of wife happiness and much safer I would vote for LR2, mate.

BTW, do you know that Karting is the first step to Formula 1. All buddy and aspiring racer choose karting to learn the right skills, body balancing and maneuvers for F1.

Where you are thinking in Dubai and Sharjah or Oman...?

There are too many if's and but to the complete answer than simple yes and no.

• If your car is German or European brand, better stick to dealer than outside. In Japanese, Korean and American cars they are very simple and it's ok to get service outside after the warranty.
• If you like to get more resale value then go with dealer to show the full service history record. This def pays 5-10% extra while selling.
• If your car is specialize/modified sports car then stick to specialized garage and not the dealers, they will do more bad than any good. Performance garage have more experience in such cars.
• If your dealer is reasonably priced, then yes. As many expensive brand dealer (not al futtaim) is highly overpriced here (too many to name).
• If you don't know much about cars and don't want to know (ignorant or busy folks), then stick to dealers.