Immortal

21 minutes ago, ASAD. said:

any trim with a 4L V6 is fine. 

Thanks. I’m on it.

On 1/26/2022 at 4:40 PM, ASAD. said:

Older models i think upto 2013 used to be TXL and VX or VXL, i think even a GXL. Mine is a 2010 TXL. 

I dont think there are any diesel prados sold in dubai except for Export only by some showrooms. 

@ASAD. Can I go for TX.L 4.0L v6 engine ?

Thanks carnitys for sahring your experiences, passion & love about off-road and Xterra. I‘ve seen that car many times in office parking and on road never noticed untill @Gauravmentioned. I immediately check out 20K xterras in facebook and found very good and off-road ready vehicles. I fell in love with Xterra since last week. I’m sure that’s going to be my off-road vehicle. But I’m still not yet decided about my family car. I don’t drive much to office. It’s only for weekends outing & road trips. Looking for 7 seater. I have 6 yrs old &  1.5yr old kids. Appreciate your suggestions. If I buy emotionally I would go for Range Rover discovery sport. If economical purchase then I would go for Prado. But still if you guys suggest some nice 7 seater with 4X4 or AWD SUV/crossover/wagons etc. I really appreciate your time and suggestions.  My budget is 80K for on road and off road vehicles.

1 minute ago, ASAD. said:

Older models i think upto 2013 used to be TXL and VX or VXL, i think even a GXL. Mine is a 2010 TXL. 

I dont think there are any diesel prados sold in dubai except for Export only by some showrooms. 

Thanks Asad, TXL engine size is 2.7L or 4.0L?

4 minutes ago, Thomas Varghese said:

XTERRA is a serious offroader.

 

I'm proud of my Xterra. Its my daily drive and my offroader. Gives good gas mileage too and maintenance is cheap with all the sharjah and sajja 2nd hand spare parts shops having any part you want for dead cheap prices. Plus very basic technology. You have a 4Hi and 4Lo turn button, off-road versions have the additional advantage of the rear differential lock and some newer versions have hill assist too. That's all. Accelerator, brake, a steering wheel, a gear shift and head light, turn signals. That's it. Considerable boot space too. 

this looks like ruler of the desert. I love to have one. thanks for the insights @Thomas Varghese

4 hours ago, Frederic said:

Toyota prado 2013 TXL V6 | dubizzle

This is one example. If your budget is 70k, start looking for Prado's in the range of 75k and then negotiate your way down. Every car that is being posted on Dubizzle is negotiable, and usually the seller tries to sell at higher prices but will be open to a potential buyer with cash in hand and willingness to buy.

Another trick is to try to find things which potentially need quick replacement on that vehicle, and use it as leverage to reduce the price.

For Example:

- 4 Tyres are old and need replacement (easily 2000AED).

- Timing belt needs replacement anytime soon (easily 2500-3000AED depending on vehicle and workshop).

- There is cosmetic damage to bumpers that would need some repaint (1000-2000 AED depending on vehicle and workshop).

thanks for sharing the valuable tips. Added to my negotiation notes. Also, it seems TX.L is diesel version & 2.7L. when filter with 80k price filter i found most of TX.L versions. That's why i gave up for sometime.

Only looking for GX.R & VX.R as you advised earlier.  

Also, desert drive with family is recommended if I buy old separate off-road car like xterra? I'm talking about occasional drives on light dunes.

4 hours ago, Frederic said:

 

Just now, Frederic said:

Karan Hotel in Fanateer Area  

 Yes, Good to know that. I spent almost 2 years in that hotel for a project near by.

On 10/27/2021 at 2:02 PM, Frederic said:

 

So, the background of this pic reminds me some hotel in Al Jubail, KSA.

@Gaurav and @Fredericpls advise. It’s very difficult to find good Prado(GXR or VXR) in my budget. I searched FAcebook, Dubbizle,CarSwitch and CARS24, popular dealers like AWRostamani, al Futtaim & al naboodh automobiles. In 70K from 2011-2013. Should we wait until summer or Ramadan time? There are few decent Japanese specs Prados available. Is it safe to buy other than GCC specs ?
Also, if I choose Xterra as my off road car, can I ride in desert along with family occasionally in xterra? Do u recommend that ? If yes, I might think about a crossover as family car instead of Prado. Sorry for bothering you guys.  But I want to choose that way of off road life as you mentioned in your off-road basics guide. 

21 hours ago, Gaurav said:

If you can or plan to split from the beginning, it's a way better approach so that you don't influence your car buying choices based on the wrong approach.

What I mean to say is that all features, gizmos, and cosmetics are practically useless for off-road.

All the power, torque, body-to-weight ratio is practically useless for road driving unless you hit an autodrome track.

If you decide to split from the beginning, you can actually put all your family wishlist and find a clear winner with a panoramic roof, rear screen, premium sound, navigation screen, camera, radar, adaptive cruise etc, with all the luxury you like and afford. Unfortunately, Toyota or most Japanese brands are light years behind much of advanced features and technology to keep their reliability USP alive.

So the bottom line is, if you plan to split the budget from now, your long-term buying decision will make you more happy and content than compromising what you really want because of family and road comfort vs what you cant due to off-road capability.

Also, one of the key advantages that why most off-roaders have two cars, is because if an off-road car is dirty (which it will be always) or damaged or need repair after the weekend drive, then you can still go to work and use your road car freely.

Thanks @Gauravi totally agree with you. I keep in mind your advice. But I wanted go with Prado. Because I wanted to take my family occasionally at least to low risky camping sites, small dune bashings.  I feel Prado is the good choice. 
can you advice on below vehicle I found in CarSwitch. They included inspection report. I feel it got accident. 
https://carswitch.com/dubai/used-car/toyota/prado/2011/257698-261425

Thanks  Federica, Gaurav & Ahmad, 

@Frederic whatever you said true. bringing new car to off-roading is not surely a good idea at all. I discard that idea. Thanks for the very important insight.

Thanks @Gaurav for quick & clear advice. that's exciting to having 2 cars in the same budget. Even though i can afford 2 cars, my family looking for wagon/ crossover a car with bit techie features and look some what premium(Still I'm trying to convince them for Prado). I'm totally fine with Xterra in 20K, in fact,  i found many reliable off-road ready xterras in Facebook in 20K.

But I'm thinking to have a Prado in 70K for now and after i learn basics of off-roading &  once promoted to FB. If family still don't like to continue Prado then will go with their preferred car and then will buy a separate off-road toy after 1 year.

I'm not sure is it good idea but this is what I've in my mind. But for now i wanted to look for a decent Prado in my budget.  Please advice, where else i can found Prado in my budget of 70K. 

thanks @Ahmad Shakervalueable insights in Pajero & Prado. I like Prado.

Thanks a lot Frederic,

For the excellent clarification & insights. also your used car buying guide cleared most of my doubts (that i feel like gold standard guide). I've looked at Montero sport in showroom when i visited a month ago. I like the car but kept it hold due to no sunroof. Now I've only 2 things in my mind. Either used Prado which is around 2012-2013 model which is in my budget. But please suggest a garage in Dubai that can test the vehicle thoroughly. is there any specific trim that i look for in Prado. seems a lot of trims are available. sorry again for too many questions. Thanks again for understanding.

option 2: stretch my budget for MG RX8 buy new one. I'm not sure if it's required modification for desert driving? if yes, not sure will the manufacturer warranty covered after modification.  Hi @mikaeel shaik appreciate your insights on this MG RX8.
 

Dears Carnitys,

My self Chiran from India living in dubai for 2017. make this community a great place car enthusiasts.

Experienced driver but don’t won a car as I’m living close to office also I travelled a lot. However, I need to buy a car for both family and as well learn off road/ desert drive for next couple of years. My budget is 70K, occasional 7 seater and X4. I hardly travel 35KM in a week for work sometimes it’s zero due to WFH. This car is mostly for weekend and for family.
Consider pajero and Prados. I tested drive one Pajero from CARS24 it was ok but I feel steering was hard may be due to never drive such heavy vehicle. But is it good for family? they enjoy road trips and city rides in pajero? One kid is 6 yrs and other one is less than 2 yrs. I heard Prado is great for family and off road as well. 

I like Pajero & Prado. Only thing keeping me away from these vehicles not come with is panoramic roof. But my wife thinking if Panoramic roof is  the one feature kids might enjoy a lot. So she requested. Do you think how well kids can enjoy Panoramic roofs? And how often car owners use it in city and road trips. Is it good feature to have? 

For Panoramic roof itself I also look through other 4X4 SUVs / crossovers like Ford Explorer, JGC, Pathfinder(tested one full option 2015 model was feeling shaking between 20km -30km speed), CX9 etc. is it good combine both family car and off roader? One friend advices to have a good family car and separate off roader in budget. What do you advice ?

however, didn’t yet decided on it. it’s like everyday I’m looking for a different car and story never comes to end?
 Please advice on this and drag me to a conclusion with your great experience.

What’s your opinion on MG RX8 one friend suggested if I look for new car. 

sorry for too many questions. 
meanwhile I will go through as many as posts & articles as possible in this forum to improve my knowledge. Appreciate your support always.

Thanks a lot Gaurav,  for this valuable suggestion. I'm newbie to this community, looking for car buying Advice. Where can i post my question?