Frederic

The curvatures have reasons: * Aerodynamics to make sure you get the best possible performance vs consumption. In 2019 this is a big concern while this was not the case 20 years back. * Safety: There are thousands of rules and regulations of which they have to abide with regards to cripple zones, pedestrian safety, crash impact testing, and so many others....

Hi @DEVEL32 and welcome to Carnity. The used car business is a very hawkish and cut-throat business, i hope you are aware of that. You'll need to distinguish yourselves from the others, either by having the best deals on hand, or being able to set yourself apart with social media, branding, or other things. If you are not able to store the cars cheaply you're already in for trouble. Unless you buy and sell one by one, but i am afraid you will hardly make money on that. Below my two cents and opinions: Best selling used cars and brands: DEFINITELY Japanese cars. Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, will always move easily. American brands are a bit tougher, and French and German cars are definitely hard, and that reflects in the resale value: https://www.thenational.ae/business/money/which-cars-retain-the-most-value-in-the-uae-1.203803 Dubizzle, Dubicars, Carnity, Bayut, and other car buying portals are still a popular choice. On Facebook you'll find groups also, and within certain communities like Springs, Arabian Ranches, etc... there are also Facebook communities. The Ras al Khor automarket is an option to buy your car or get rid of it, but don't expect to find the real good deals over there. A friend of mine in Belgium had a small business like that, and came up with the idea to buy up German corporate used company cars, like the BMW 3 series, or the Audi A4 series, that looked a bit dull and tired, got them polished and cleaned up completely, put some 19' wheels on them sometimes combined with a suspension kit, and voila, the cars immediately got attention from the young drivers. He charged more for these cars but the young guys bought these cars with their heart, and not with their minds.

I have seen the Defender in a Zebra print quite a few times on Al Qudra road the last couple of months. Probably taking it out for testing. It's gonna be an expensive rig, but if it performs well, than at least i know what i should be putting aside in my piggy bank for the next coming years to eventually try to find a secondhand one

Out of the cars you've owned, which car / model had the best and worst AC system ? I've been driving rental cars for the last couple of days, and really notice the difference in between the different car brands. Not sure why, but the TOYOTA Yaris i drove this week really froze my n*ts off. I had to put the fan speed on 1-2 even during midday this week. I've noticed and heard the stories before that Toyota, Lexus, and Nissan really have the coldiest AC units. What are your experiences ? Please do consider only to make comparisons or ratings if you know the AC unit is well maintained and has enough gas in it. Window tint and size of the windshield, plus car colour also matter, but let's just focus on the air temperature coming out of the venting channels. I will give below cars a rating from 1 to 5, from poor cooling to superchill. * 1999 Pajero. Refilled after my engine rebuild. Works OK, but on a summer day i have to run the fan speed on 3 (4 is maximum). The air is cold but not chilly chilly cold. 2.5/5 * 2008 Pajero. Works fine, fans are really loud and powerful, Gas was refilled recently. 4/5 * 2013 BMW 316i: Works fine, but not really that cold. Was not impressed. 3/5 * 2015 Peugeot 208: Works OK, but definitely struggles to keep the temperatures under control. Fans are loud but not very powerful. 2/5 * 2016 Toyota Yaris: ICEBOX. Very very impressive. 5/5 * 2017 Nissan Sentra: Works very good. Close match with the Toyota Yaris. 4.5/5 * The RTA taxis (Camry's and Sentra's). Very very cold 5/5

My first thoughts: * Retro-style, boxy design, which i personally like, especially on the SWB model. * Trim levels that go from basic all the way to the top, which is a bit overkill for whoever decides to buy a Defender. * The 2.0l turbocharged with 300hp is a good start, but the 3 liter straight six turbocharged 400hp engine will be a beast. * Alu-body vs ladderframe: we've seen most 4x4's making that cross-over to save on weight and gain more performance. * Air suspension: Fantastic, and standard on the LWB (110). Reliability issues with this climate ?

It’s finally here guys, post your remarks, comments !

Thanks buddy ! Trip leading is not on my immediate agenda yet. I will focus for now on sweeping and recovery activities, newbie guidance and help, navigation, second leads, and will take the appropriate time to enhance these skills and help out in the club where i can, so our newly appointed Marshals can focus on leading us boldly to places no man has gone before 😁

The check engine light is part of your car’s so-called onboard diagnostics system. Since the 1980s, computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance, regulating such variables as engine speed, fuel mixture, and ignition timing. In modern cars, a computer also tells the automatic transmission when to shift. When it finds a problem in the electronic-control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on a yellow warning indicator labeled “check engine,” “service engine soon,” or “check powertrain.” Or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, perhaps with the word “check.” In addition to turning on the light—known as the International Check Engine Symbol—the computer stores a “trouble code” in its memory that identifies the source of the problem, such as a malfunctioning sensor or a misfiring engine. The code can be read with an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer—standard equipment in auto repair shops. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers. The code will typically just point you in the direction of the problem, and still requires an experienced professional to fully diagnose and repair the issue. if the check engine light illuminates, it will either blink or remain constantly illuminated, depending on the problem. A blinking light, or in some cars a red light instead of a yellow or orange light, indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. Either way, you should have the vehicle checked by a mechanic. In late-model cars, a blinking light usually indicates an engine misfire so severe that unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system, where it can quickly damage the catalytic converter, leading to an expensive repair. If that happens, you should reduce power and have the car or truck looked at as soon as possible. If the light is steady, the problem is not an emergency, but you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Today’s automotive computers often try to compensate when there’s a problem, so you might not notice deterioration in performance, even though your fuel mileage might be suffering and your vehicle emitting unacceptable levels of hydrocarbons and other pollutants. If the check engine light comes on, here are some tips on what you should do: Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so. On some cars, a yellow check engine light means investigate the problem and a red one means stop right now. Try tightening your gas cap. This can often solve the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets. Some vehicles have a separate indicator that warns of a loose gas cap. Reduce speed and load. If the check engine light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems, such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the demands on the engine. For example, it would be a good idea to stop towing a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage. Use built-in diagnostic services, if available. Many modern cars have integrated remote diagnostic capabilities, with the ability to report on trouble codes and schedule a service appointment. Today, many automakers—including Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, and Volvo—support remote diagnostics and the ability to schedule a service appointment.

And then they call the cops on you...and you'll be in big trouble my friend ....

If you're being tailgated, enable your windshield spraywashers. A lot of the water flies over your windshield and ends up on his windshield, but with the sand in this country it becomes a dirty mess...🤣

Sri with his night vision ?

is he depending on a working and driven'in rear diff ?

Poor guy, the fun only starts at 4,500rpm

Small thing to add: Gaia has a desktop version, which is very useful to store, edit, or make new tracks from the comfort of your desktop PC. www.gaiagps.com

@Rahimdad as our Superman ?

in October of last year, I eagerly wanted to gain a bit more confidence to explore the desert in a safe way, after looking for a suitable ride and falling in love with my little ‘ol blue 99. My friend who joined me during the newbie drive that day couldn’t for the love of the world grasp why we would want to toil in sweat and sand on a day off, but i was sold from day one, and the camaraderie and help I got from the start onwards makes every ride REALLY something to look forward too (believe me if I say that nothing else would get me out of bed at 3am....😂). Looking forward to many many more drives to come, karak chai to sip, parathas to eat, and laughs to be had ! A heartful thanks to all people who attended the drives together and the seniors who took me under their wings.

Congrats @Jas Gajaria !

Thanks buddy, you did great today ! No worries about that little blue Pajero of mine, most of it can be fixed with a hammer, duct tape, and some tie wraps 😂