Rahimdad

@syed1987 congratulations on your new purchase. Nobody can truly know if a car is going to be good for 150k or more. General consensus is not to go for American cars due to their high cost of maintenance and low resale values. However I've seen some people spend something initially on their second hand purchases but going untroubled throughout, where others have suffered with a similar vehicle. Everybodies experience forms their opinions. Should you sell it at 150k kms or sell it at the first sign of trouble, or drive it to its grave are all questions that vary on each situation.

As far as Al Futtaim warranty goes they are the dealers for Dodge in the UAE and would not replace the parts with cheaper ones. However I have noticed that some companies offer warranty on used cars for only major components such as engine and gearbox and everything else you need to pay for. I was not aware that Molar is giving out warranties in UAE for used vehicles. Can you please share the details of the warranty you've received from Al Futtaim and the warranty being offered to you by Mopar, so that we can make a learned decision.

Regarding the infotainment system, please check with Al Futtaim/ Trading Enterprise if it's possible to add the maps and how much it would cost. You can also compare the cost with some outside car audio shops to see if you can get a better deal. However with the modern smart phones coming with GPS navigation I wouldn't bother about having one on my infotainment system.

For a first drive below is the waiting list for first drive:

1 @Michael Gazi

2 @Aus Alzubaidi

Waiting list for a second drive:

1 @varunmehndiratta

Dear @Aus Alzubaidi I've waitlisted you to this drive, please post a request on any other drives you're interested in so that the rspective drive leader can wait list you on their drive as well.

Sure @Michael Gazi I will put you on waitlist, please confirm you are not signed up for any other drive this week.

@Mohamed Seidam you've asked a very good question and I feel your genuine learning intention behind your question. I for one feel you're learning just fine at the pace you're going and also you're an integral part of our community sharing your experiences and encouraging everyone to share their experiences as well.

All level drives are always planned and executed with safety for all in mind. I'm very glad that after seeing an amazing growth in number of participants and our team of Marshal and Crew going up, each one of us takes full responsibility to give all participants a chance to learn and grow within a safe environment. We all believe and practice the same.

Getting stuck and recovering, whether self or with assistance is something that comes natural. No matter how many caution we take, somebody will always get stuck and need to either self recover or need someone's help to come out of their predicament. You should realize that some of these stucks come along with the chance of damaging their vehicle, so who knowingly is going to nominate themselves to damage their vehicle? Also most people sign in to a drive to have a silky smooth experience and if we have such sessions as you said is going to take time. Besides you're already posting videos of most situations and I see your post gaining good traction.

I remember @Gaurav bhai about 3 years back ran a drive in 2 parts over 2 weekends to make people realize the art of traction, when deflation becomes important, when engaging to 4WD becomes important and some basics in recovery. The big thing we all learned from that day was where and how to dig, which each one of us preaches till date. With the Covid19 restrictions being eased a bit I would request @Gaurav bhai to run similar drive for all interested. But a disclaimer as this will not be much of a drive as we will be experimenting a lot of things and a lot of patience will be required for such an event.

Honestly I think with our current structure everyone has ample of time to learn, practice and perfect each manoeuvre at their respective levels. Every car is different, as is every driver and every drivers fear. At our level we like to encourage, but also point out if we see any weak points for members to work at. BTW with 1 on 1 training you can sign up for one of the lessons so that we can design and deliver a training specific to yourself and your X.

@Atif bhai I've already added you to my manage tab to help me out this week.

@varunmehndiratta since you're already confirmed for the afternoon newbie drive I'm keeping you on waitlist for a second drive. Please understand first opportunity will be given to anyone who does not have a single drive this weekend. If by Wednesday there is no one else on waiting list and we have a drop out, you'll be my first choice.

Congratulations @Jeandre Bezuidenhout. Time to polish your skills with the throttle and the steering and join us in learning the art of recovery.

What took you so long @Janarthan. Congratulations buddy, well deserved.

Congratulations @Jack Thomas. Time to polish the skills learned and acquire new tricks.

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

Two Way Radio Guidelines

• Every Offroader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic.
• We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. 
• Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving.
• Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops...
• No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it.

MUST WATCH: NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING

Level:  Newbie and above (All Level)

When: 27 Nov 2020, Friday.

Meeting time: 06:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/deyaW8HfrexLFzLt9 Batayeh-Faya Road

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 10:00 AM

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 15 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM.
  • 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 12 Members.
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members that do not confirm the terms of the COVID requirements will be removed from the RSVP list.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.

PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR

@Niki Patel every off-roaders story, how to handle the wife. Just compromise in other areas and be firm when it comes to Friday to have your fill. About 12 years back when I started she would be like are you going off-roading again? Within a year her tune is changed to Why are you still here, no off-roading today?

Just hang in there buddy, like @Gaurav bhai says there is no nationality for a wife, they're all the same built. Eventually she will understand your passion for this sport. Better yet you can use @Wrangeld and @Jeepie ways and have one drive during the day and sign up your wife to have the other drive in the day. The same formula is being followed by @Anish S, @Veedooshee, @Desert Dweller and @Foxtrot Oscar. Disclaimer: I am not saying @Desert Dweller and @Foxtrot Oscar are a couple.

I think he was trying to compare his situation to the Titanic. But you have to be a bit of a romantic to know that.

Both Ram T-Rex and Raptor have spent time and money building these machines. But they are both costly not only to buy but also to maintain. If you can afford these you can go for any one of these without a regret. I'm sure they perform wonderfully well and will cater to your every need. But most people get these just because they look good, they sound good, is a show-off tool among friends, mine is bigger and better than yours.

These are created for a niche market and thus there are fewer of these available as the cost cannot be afforded by all. After all this being said and done, they are machines and similarity of these with your X is they can fail, with more computers and more chips more the chances of these failing. Question is will it satisfy you? My choice is using an underpowered rig that I need to think how to reach my next point knowing the capabilities of my vehicle. But I cannot force my views on others, there are some who like brute force and reach their destination in the quickest and straightest line. So it all depends on your affordability and point of view. Maybe if I win a Million Dirhams I might end up buying one of these machines. Most probably the Ram T-Rex as I heard they are there to devour the Raptors.

@Niki Patel firstly let me congratulate on completing your first drive successfully and sounds like you're already bitten by the sand bug reading your questions. Ignoring doesn't come easy for some as an OCD seeing something is wrong. However if you don't have OCD and can ignore it, as @Gaurav bhai put it you are still learning and can spend a fortune on spending on the TPMS after every drive. @Asif Hussain had a Ford Explorer truck which kept having this issue, maybe he can help you with suggestions as to what he had done.

Regarding Traction Control try to keep the button pressed for 10 seconds till you hear a beep and see 2 orange signs on your dash. For Toyota's this is the trick to get rid of 90% of the issues and no need for a kill switch. @Atif bhai can vouch for this as he drove smoothly ever after. Enjoy your ride and time with us, we are a community who likes to help and hope you'll pass on the tips and tricks you learn to those who join behind you.

@Andy Brentley. Your Pajero should either be a 3.5 or 3.8 litre. I doubt you have a 3.0

@Gavin Hill welcome to your very own off-road community where we support each other to learn and grow within. As @Frederic has mentioned you can join in our Absolute Newbie drive once posted and can start your journey with us. As for the H2 it's very capable, I'm glad you've changed the horrible rims. Looking forward to driving along your side soon.

@Arda Yagcioglu hope everything will be sorted out with you family soon. Please take good care of yourself, family always comes first.

@Foxtrot Oscar so now you left me to collect crumbs, at least I will be in good company of @Desert Dweller. Maybe some of her niceness will rub off on me.

Congratulations @Luca Palanca Falsini. It's a pleasure to see you drive your Toyota Fortuner in the desert. I always knew it is a capable vehicle in the right hands, but it's the only one Ive seen in the desert so far.

Congratulations @Craig Finlayson. So happy for you. Love driving along your side and love that endearing smile of yours. Faya is just another dune for you as you showed us last week. Loved your smile every time you passed us at the top of Faya.

Congratulations @Malachy McGrogan on obtaining your Fewbie status. Time to polish the skills you've learned and time to learn some new tricks.

Congratulations @Mus_hus78 on being promoted to Fewbie level. Time to polish the skills you have already acquired and learn some new tricks.

Thank you brother Dr @Mohamed Seidam this is a great information. Will surely try and see if it makes a difference.

Welcome @Aus Alzubaidi to the Carnity off-road club. Im really sorry you have to drive your Jeep a 100 kms daily, sounds very taxing. You're in the right place with the best vehicle to start your off-road journey. Enjoy.

Why Japanese cars are more reliable in the UAE as compared to other makes is because the Japanese worked hard at it. They would send teams to the middle east from the very beginning along with their cars to be tested to see how they would fair in this region. In the hot summers here they realized the need a better engine cooling system besides the materials to be used inside the car, the paint and everything else in between. Thus when you're looking for a car here you prefer middle east specs rather than Japanese or US specs. Other makers did not bother and continued to sell one size fits all mindset and soon started to realize all the issues faced in the Middle East. This drove the resale value of their vehicles lower as people saw them as faulty, over heating, inside materials (plastics) melting or breaking, becoming brittle over a couple of winter and summer heat and cold. So where you'd normally see a Japanese vehicle depreciate 50% in 3 years, an American vehicle would depreciate 50% the moment you registered and put a number plate on it.

This however has changed over time and we see a lot of vehicle manufacturers sending their latest vehicles in wraps to be tested over time here in Middle East before releasing it here. At one point in UAE you could see brand loyalty in terms of 40% vehicles on road were Toyotas, maybe 20% Nissan, 8% Honda, 2% Mazda, few Suzukis, Chevrolet and Ford held a certain place in the hearts and minds of UAE nationals as having studied abroad these were brands that resonated with them. But they were huge V8 gas guzzlers, broke down often and costed a pretty penny to repair. Besides these we more attractive second hand rather than from the showroom floor. You could buy a Toyota Corolla brand new or you could save some money buying a 3 year old Cadillac, look good and it was not driven much. People who bought these second hand did not realize why they had not been driven much, the reason, it spent just as much time in a workshop as on the road. People who cared about value would always go for a Japanese.

One more thing to see here is 80% of the population here has always been expats. The expats have no chance of staying here for life or calling UAE their home. So it's all about escaping some developing or 3rd world countries and earning a living with the hope of saving some for future. This is where the value comes in. Japanese brands were a good value as they hardly broke down, were cheaper to repair and thus sold at close to the value it was bought at. Which meant savings and an investment that was never going to go that far south as any other.

Among these Toyota as @Wrangeld said built its reputation against reliability which hold true to date. Although there are some exceptions and after the millennium was crossed they realized their main income is in spare parts and not selling a car which is good to drive for 20 years with the bare minimum maintenance, where I would agree with @Gaurav bhai about making parts with and expiry date. Best example of this is AC Delco batteries which give a one year warranty and would run out on the second or 3rd day of the warranty expiring.

With all these factors considered you'll not find Toyota ruling the UAE roads any more. You find more competition, more brands, more options with similar reliability. People today would at least list 4 options and try them out and find out a bit more on the costs to be incurred during their possession and resale values to make a learned decision. The social media and other such outlet allows you to learn a lot more and people today are more informed than say about 25 years ago.

My first choice would be a Toyota, but I've only bought 1 in my 26 years of driving and used it for 7 years only. 19 years I have spent driving different vehicles to weigh the benefits. One reason is because Toyota has always been put of my budget and maintaing a Land Rover Discovery 1 was cheaper to maintain than my Toyota. To be fair The LR Disco would break down more often and you could never own one without a leak in 6 months. But it was way more comfortable and cost less to maintain. I now own a Nissan Pathfinder 2001 model for 4 years. Even after 19 years it drives great, doesn't cost as much to maintain, was within my budget and does exactly what I expect it to do, serve as a desert toy for Fridays and sometimes beyond.

With the amount of brands and choices I don't think the world will come to an end. Surely if the brand is big enough it will be missed, but people will find options and learn to live with the alternatives.

Great read @Mohamed Seidam. Appreciate you showing us the issue and trying to use logic to explain these things. Nowadays with newer cars the cars have lot of electronics and computers always learning your drive style and trying to assist you even if you don't realize it. The car automatically applying brakes to a wheel which does not have traction can be another cause for fish tailing. I'm really happy with all your logic, and I would like to reinforce what you just said. I'm driving on road for over 26 years but never take my eyes off the road, same way you need to feel the same responsibility off-road and be aware of your skills, your vehicle and your surroundings.