samamara

@Niki 😂😂😂 I appreciate every one of them, even if they are sometimes undeserved 😂! But now I'll keep my eyes on you when I post one of my shots 😂😂!

Thanks @M.Seidam - I'm starting to lean back toward the Wrangler again after some scared me away...this conversation has helped me to see that some of my fears were unfounded, though I've still not yet decided. As others have mentioned, I need to test drive a few options before truly knowing which ones I want. Though now I have to make sure I understand completely the differences between all the Wranglers 😂😂😂. At this rate I'll be driving my Pajero for ages more!

Thanks @Frederic ❤️ it's one of my favourite MW shots. yes, the MK4 does allow you to go quite high with the ISO, but that shot is actually at 3200 😃.

Thanks @Hisham Masaad 😂 I do know but as I said, that's now a hard no for me 💔. The idea that it's a bit tight in the back for grownups (which you can guess by looking at it) is a bit discomforting (literally and figuratively 😂), but the fact that the back seat windows don't roll down is the ultimate deal breaker. As I mentioned, my desert expeditions are mainly for photography (and camping ❤️); having windows that don't go down is just not feasible in any way, sadly. Though I do appreciate the love that you and your fellow FJ-ers have for the vehicle - which does seem amazing in every other way - it's just not for me 😔.

Your 16-35mm will still give you a lovely shot! I Also have a 5DM4 and I use a Tokina 11-16mm on it which, unfortunately, is made for a crop sensor. I can still use it but not down past 14mm without significant vignetting so even at 15-16mm you'll get lovely wide views (which I'm sure you know already ). That lens, by the way, is not so expensive and has given me very clear astro shots (see attachment taken in Rub al Khali last Milky Way season); even if it's for a crop-sensor you may want to consider it. You can give mine a go on Thursday night if you want, once all is said and done with our shoot .

Thank you @M.Seidam for your contribution and advice on this topic 😊. I'm hoping to go for something bank-funded yes, but not brand new. My father warned me (like a million times 😂) never to buy a brand new car, and I'd rather not go that deep into a huge monthly payment anyway. I've found lots of reasonably priced second-hand cars, though this thread is the first time I've heard of the need to buy a 'clean' car, so I'll keep that on my list of things to keep in mind for sure. To be honest my daily use of the car is not heavy duty or anything; I live less than 10km away from work and I live in the ever-lovely RAK so most daily needs are within a 20 minutes drive at most. My weekends are a different story, as you can find me anywhere in the country - desert, wadi, whatever - but that means a 2-5 hour drive depending on where I want to go. Fuel efficiency doesn't have to be a top consideration over comfort and noise in the cabin. Living in RAK also means that "RTA Approved" is not super important; things in RAK are a little...easier 😂. I've been asked to move the crash/bumper guards off my Pajero every single year and never have, which the guy at the testing centre thought hilarious 🤷🏻‍♀️😂. Thanks again, Mohamed - I will definitely take my short list and my needs together with all of this advice and hope I make the best decision! Thanks @Hisham Masaad - hoping for the best!

Thanks @Niki and to all who participated in the chat. I have a lot to think about and a bit of time to decide, but whatever I end up with I'm sure you'll all see it on a Carnity drive eventually ❤️ or in the wadis !

@Niki Yes, my question definitely rated more answers than I was ready for 😂! You've really hit the nail on the head though; I think I need to go and try a few for real test drives. I would also like to stand up and stick my lens out of the roof 😂. You know I love the wadis as well and I have thought of having the roof and really enjoying; I just want to be sure that's not the only reason I'd get one 😉. I must say though, on your note re: the brand afinity, I have gotten lots of great answers from everyone here, most of them seem objective, and I'm really happy and thankful to all for that 😊🙏🏼!

@varunmehndiratta thanks so much for the informative post! Prado and Patrol are out for me, and I'm glad to hear you have a good onroad experience. I do prefer to drive near the 140km/h mark 😂 and I'm not sure I can bring it down but I could try. I'd like to investigate a bit more the comfort level differences between the Sahara and Rubicon, so thank's for bringing that up. You've really covered all the bases, even the one of taking it apart - that's always an exciting prospect but I wonder how much I'll use that. I live in RAK so if I want to go driving in Al Qudra for example, it's not like I'll take the doors off and drive to Dubai so where would I put them once I get there 😂🤔. Thanks for the note on the tires as well, as that's a question I hope to find an answer to!

Ah yes, I understand. I'm talking about the rear back seat windows; if those don't go down it really is a deal breaker 💔😔.

Now I'm confused @Hisham Masaad - are you saying the back seat windows in the FJ cruiser do open? @Nikimentioned the rear windows do not open and what I've read online is the same 🤔.

Ok, I'll officially add it to the list since the FJ Cruiser is officially off 😊 thanks!

That takes them all out 😂💔. I'm worried about the "some" models not being reliable for Jeep. Sigh!

Thanks @Hisham Masaad 😂🙏🏼. Unfortunately the fact that the back windows don't go down is going to be a deal-breaker for me 💔.

Thanks @Ilya 🙏🏼

Thanks for that @Ilya - the cabin noise is one of the biggest worries I have! Speaking of the wheels, do you feel the stock wheels are good enough for desert driving, or is an upgrade necessary do you think?

Thanks for that @Ilya - how bad would you say the fuel efficiency is? I don't know how you'd express it 🤔 maybe like how far can you go on a tank maybe 😂? Also, can you comment on the noise in the cabin when you're driving it on the highway for example? I've heard some real horror stories 💔🤔. Thanks!

@Niki- thanks for that info. Honestly the fact that the back windows don't open is a huge game changer. I often have other photographers with me in the car and no back windows means no shooting for them. I didn't know that 💔. No AC in the back is also a negative. For sure I'll keep my LWB 3.5 Pajero - it's an old dependable friend I'd not part with till the end ❤️ - so I'm looking for something for me. I'd still prefer something with a functioning and comfortable back seat, so if I got another Pajero I don't know how a 3-door would work out. I don't have Jeep money - the bank does 😂 - but I'm happy to borrow it from them for a few years. Even with a Wrangler, though, I'd probably go for a 5-door. It actually is very helpful ❤️ thank you! Thanks @Rizwanm2! That does make things more confusing as you're the second one to bring up Xterra 😂. I'll add it to the list but it seems I'll have more research to do!

@Gaurav - thanks for that! I hadn't really thought of that, actually 🤔. I'll look into it as an option but as I hinted in a response to @FredericI'm not sure I'll ever make a decision if I add more to the possible mix. Any Xterra owners out there can weigh in with pros and cons (though I don't love the idea of a permanent squeak!).

Thank you @Fredericfor that...I appreciate it! I'm glad to hear that you would go for a Rubicon if you had the budget; I'm still really hoping for a Wrangler but if it's not going to be comfortable as an on-road car as well, I would really have to think long and hard about it. I will be keeping my beloved Pajero as a family car anyway, but I'd still want to use the Wrangler full-time for myself. Someone said to me if it's only going to be for the desert that's great...but I don't want to spend so much money on a car I'll only use in the desert first of all and, as you know, I live in RAK so sometimes I drive hours to get to the desert I want to be in 😂🤷🏻‍♀️! That said, I'm glad to hear too that you are a big fan of the Pajero 3.8. I do love the Pajero I have, though there's a small part of me that says if I'm going to change my car I should chaaaaange it and not get another Pajero 😂. I do like the idea of an inexpensive fix and being able to save money to do a few modifications. Sigh...it's a hard decision to make, to get a new (to-me) car. I knew about the suicide back doors in the FJ cruiser but I thought only one of them opens...or is it both? Yes, that's kind of the issue; I don't think the people that come with me on offroading/photography trips will be super comfortable in what seems like a tiny back. Don't throw a Prado in the mix - I can barely choose as it is with the options I've thought about 😂💔!

Hi @Frederic and all - I'm jumping in on this thread because I have recently started thinking about upgrading my vehicle, not because I want to do anything extreme exactly but because I'd like to go deeper into the desert to support my hobbies of camping and photography ❤️. I have a 2011 3.5 5-door Pajero right now, which I love, but I feel that I want to change it up - not just for off-roading though, which is why it's a bit tricky to make a decision. My heart was originally set on getting a Wrangler, though a few have advised me against this for several reasons, such as inflated price, not being great on-road in terms of fuel efficiency and comfort, noise in the cabin while driving on the highway (this I find one of the most unsettling...don't want to have to shout a conversation to my passengers 😂💔), weak ACs and a few other issues. There were the obvious pros to weigh against these cons, but the cons are still important considerations. I'm wondering if any experienced Wrangler drivers can weigh in on any of these issues? I know you all love your Wranglers but please try to be objective 😂🙏🏼! Two of the people who advised me not to go for the Wrangler instead suggested that I go for another Pajero, but a 3.8 (both said I could still with the 5-door though they'd advise a 3-door for the weight in the sand). Their arguments were that I could get it for less, invest some of that saved money into some mods and upgrades, that it would then be pretty much unstoppable in the desert and that it would still be a great on-road vehicle. In fact, the only con they both had (in separate conversations so they weren't tag-teaming me 😂) was the limited modification options compared to a Wrangler. @Fredericthe reason I quoted your list here is because I see you've also put the Pajero 3.8 ahead of a Wrangler and I'd like to ask you why. And while I'm here, I don't necessarily love the look of the FJ Cruiser but have been advised that it's amazing both off-road and on-road. Just a question or two: how many doors does it have...just two, or like two and a half or what? Do the back windows roll down? Is it roomy and comfortable for passengers, front and back? Those are silly questions, maybe, but all the off-road type questions seem answered by "Yes, it's amazing" 😂. Thanks all!

Has anyone been out there recently at night? When I go there I'm generally in the wadi (between there and Wadi Tuwa) and not at the dam itself. I understand they've made quite a park there. I just want to be sure it isn't brightly lit at the dam at night now 🤔 . If it is, Buraq dam may be a better option (it's just a few more minutes away). I could do a little reconnaissance mission one of these nights if no one has been out there to know.

I'm not 100% clear on the timing for the drives but the Perseids should go throughout the night. The prime viewing time for the Milky Way should be between 10:00 and 1:00. I'm super excited 😍 !

Thanks @Gaurav - I made it ❤️! Super excited!

You know what's cool? On the night of the 12th we're only four days off a new moon which, I believe, is going to set fairly early which means the skies will be quite dark; could be a great opportunity to shoot a bit of the Milky Way depending on the time we'll be there. I'm more than happy to help if anyone is interested 😊.