Job Discussion Forums

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

If you bought a Royal Enfield in Muscat they might be able to truck it down there for you but that could be a long shot, or maybe a bit expensive ( more than 100 rials I would think).

It's about a 12 hour drive going the speed limit, which nobody does, camels, sand and lonely stretches of road - pretty hard on a new bike!

omanoman

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:30 am Post subject:

MuscatGary · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:52 pm Post subject:

[quote="1st Sgt Welsh) If I need to rent a car for a couple of months a year during the monsoons then so be it.[/quote]

Are you thinking of spending the monsoon season in Salalah? You may need to check out the situation re your accommodation during that time. Salalah based teachers often have to surrender their accommodation during July and August as the landlords can make big bucks off Omani tourists at that time.

Chuma · Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 72

Specifically for Oman, what are the pros/cons of:

Leasing a car
Buying a new car
Buying a used car

I plan on being in Oman for 2-4 years.

Thanks. Smile

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If you are new to Oman and coming on a one-year contract, I would start out leasing for the first semester... just to see the conditions and whether you still think you can/will do 2-4 years. The best time to buy a used car is actually the end of the academic year when other teachers are leaving and you will know what you are getting.

If I were to buy a used car, I would only buy from a Western expat... who has the concept that oil in a car should be changed. Locals tend to drive their cars into the ground. Not to mention that with the number of floods that they have had over the last few years, there are likely many cars that had been flooded in Honest Ahmed's Used Car Emporium.

I always bought a new car in each country as I expected to be there for at least 4 years, and I would negotiate free service (with loaner if needed) for the time I was there. Also, as a Western female, it normally took me one day to sell my cars when I left for a good price. The last car I sold in Oman, I had a friend put up the ad in the SQU faculty club board... and when I got home, there were 10 messages on my answer machine. The first caller bought it for my asking price.

VS

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

I'm curious about this-negotiate with the landlord so that you don't lose your accommodation during the summer? Wouldn't a one year lease, of an apartment or villa-be a one year lease....? Surely it wouldn't say-'I, the tenant agree to vacate my abode during July/August in order that my landlord can house tourists'?!!!! Confused

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

A well-known problem:

http://www.timesofoman.com/news/35490/Article-Omans-The-Ministry-of-Tourism-ban-on-renting-holiday-homes-out-to-tourists

Muscat: Residential apartments should not be leased to tourists according to a new official ruling that could affect thousands who normally cash in during khareef season.

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has moved to prevent owners of furnished residential properties leasing them on a daily or weekly basis without obtaining the required approval.

"Managing and operating tourism accommodation establishments requires licencing from the ministry and other government departments," the statement said.

"Accordingly, the ministry hereby urges all owners of leasable residential properties not to lease their properties to avoid being subject to legal accountability."

MuscatGary · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: