Josh S

Great . Do I need to do anything else to get confirmed on this drive? First time so not 100% sure how booking onto drives works, and can't seem to find any reading on it.

Hello, I am picking up my car tomorrow (exciting) so would like to join this drive! Please advise how I go about this? Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Grey 2021 No, just as passenger on previous Carnity drives Yes, I believe these are standard on Rubicon. NO Radio, NO Flag, however I can buy a flag. Any recommendations? And confirm that you have seen : Confirmed

I’m back in Dubai after an extended summer vacation, and keen to get myself a JL wrangler in the next few weeks! It’s been long enough! I’m very aware that the forum recommends buying a stock car where possible, but I’ve seen the value of modified JLs to be much better (a several year old JL that already has important desert mods for the same price or less than an equivalent used stock car). So, you just end up paying more to then add the mods yourself and then eventually lose in greater deprecation. Am I looking at this wrong?

Wrangler JL was always my first choice. My view was skewed on advice to buy a sub 100k car, hence looking at the Pajero. I am happy to increase my budget and go back to wrangler. Although the consensus is usually to buy stock, would about something that has been modified but fully inspected and cared for, eg a used car from OffroadZone? You get good bang for your buck as most of the modifications are “free”, as they don’t undress the value much.

I’ve rejected the car, and once again looking for a Wragler JL 🤣 . There are some great value modified models on the market, (better value than stock if you consider the cost of mods) however I’ll follow the advice and go for stock… unless the modifications are very minor (eg just a lift kit and tires).

Thanks for all the feedback. It’s interesting the engine oil is dark as it was agency serviced just 2 months ago. 🧐 I am worried that any 5 year old car I have inspected is going to have issues like this, or is this one specifically bad? @Pavel Pashkovskiy I get what you are saying however I don’t want a JK. I will only get a JL because I want a newer model since I will be driving on road and I do like the luxuries. Also, Japanese cars are the best quality, and what is to say a 5 year old wrangler won’t have similar issues?

Hello Carnity, From those that read my previous post about starting my off-road adventure, I have been persuaded to buy a cheaper used car instead of buying a brand-new car that I will use as a daily+desert combo. I work from home so do not have a daily commute, and I drive to fetch groceries, gym, meet friends etc. As such, I am looking at a used Pajero/Prado for around 70-80k which if I break off-road, I will not be upset about, or if I do not find a passion for the hobby, I can sell for not too much of a loss and buy a more suitable daily. If I do enjoy the hobby, I expect I will modify it and then get myself a separate daily, however for at least the first 6 months I will use the car for both. Historically I have never bought a car that is more than 2 years old or more than 30,000km, so buying a 4-5 year old car with 70,000km-80,000km behind it is new to me. As such, I feel I need to get an inspection on the car I am looking at, and so I had an inspection conducted yesterday. I believe this is far more comprehensive than the Tasjeel Comprehensive. The inspection attached clearly shows some issues, however, I have no idea if these should be expected of a 5-year-old car, or I should avoid these. For the privacy of the seller, I have removed images and references to the specific car. There are a quite a few items marked as 'fair' however the only 'poor' item is the oil look from differential cover and bolt. I would appreciate any thoughts! Thanks (p.s. I would happily increase my budget to 100-200k as I was happy to spend 200k on a new Wrangler, however I am following forum advice about buying used a cheap) Inspection.pdf

You have persuaded me to purchase a used car, so instead of 175k-200k for a new Wrangler I am looking at 70k-120k for a used car. I found a great 2019 Pajero SWB as I had read this is the perfect car for the desert but after doing more reading, many people don't think the Pajero is good for desert. It seems I can't get this right!! I'll end up not buying a car at this rate..

Completely makes sense! The only reason I was looking at a newer vehicle (excluding the 392) is the price differential between a new and used Wrangler within 5 years doesn't seem that large, and I know that certain used vehicles require a lot of maintenance. That being said, I have found used Pajero's for a lot cheaper than Wranglers, i.e. Around 80-90k!

Very interesting thoughts @Pavel Pashkovskiy . I have no issue buying a much cheaper car but my concern is the reliability and cost of repairs and maintenance. The consensus on this forum seems to be less than 5 years old and less than about 50,000 km and that would be more like AED 130-150k for a wrangler. Which is absolutely fine, I’m just concerned the constant or maintenance and repairs on an older car may offset a lot of the cost difference. Eg - a radiator breaks, gearbox issues, etc. For 190k I can be brand new and could I spend 50k on repairs and maintenance for a used one…

How about the 392? I’m used to driving very powerful cars on the road but are there any risks with it being too powerful for a beginner in the desert?

Thanks @Davie Chase. In hindsight would you have spent less and bought a Sport/Sahara or are you still happy with the premium you paid for a Rubicon? Also, how have you managed warranty and mods?

@Pavel Pashkovskiy I’ve been doing some reading and my understanding is the rubicon ratio is only relevant in 4L, but most driving on sand is in 4H anyway.

Are there any owners of Rubicons in Carnity that are happy with their car!? I love the rubicon and it feels like the best value in the market right now, but you've made me second guess myself.

Actually, leather is very important for me as the plan is to actually see if I can use it as my daily toot sinceI test drove one on the road today . As it was going to potentially be my daily too, that is why I opted for Rubicon but if the general consensus is rubicon is a mistake, I will look at Sahara! Would it be a big mistake?

1. I read that Rubicon was best for off-road and cost isn't too much higher than other specs. 2. 2dr because I have no children. Only a spouse and small dog. The 4 door seems unnecessary, however if it is better in the sand or safer, I'd consider it. Also, I can pick up a brand new 2023 Rubicon for about 200k, which I thought may be better value for money than AED130k-150k and 50k miles on a 2018 model... What are your thoughts? (Only fear is wrecking it in the desert, which I hope is fairly uncommon, or considerable depreciation)

Thanks for this tips. I think I’m going to go for a wrangler rubicon with the intention of it being my off-road only car, however, if I end up enjoying it for on road then I won’t rush into the daily, however will get a daily too if necessarily. I can pickup a 2018 2dr for around 120-150k. I think the 2dr is preferred for desert over 4 dr?

Hi All, I recently moved to the UAE and haven't yet bought a daily car. (For 2 people + dog). I was about to buy a mini suv then then..... .... I experienced my first desert drive this week as a passenger and I want to learn to drive the dunes! As such, I am now unsure whether I should buy one car that will be multi-purpose, or I should continue to buy my daily, but then buyer a cheaper off road car. My budget for a daily is around 300k and I like speed and power so I have a good amount to spend, but I am conscious that the more expensive the car, the more expensive it will be to repair if I damage it on the dunes! So, do I buy a daily car for 200-250k and then a second vehicle for the dunes, or just buy one car that does all Thanks! Controlz