Job Discussion Forums

[haopengyou]

I know that the pay is pretty good. I am searching now to see if there are any hidden expenses. Japan's pay is less, for example, but it is not necessary to buy a car to live there - I believe it is even discouraged by many recruiters and schools.

[Iamherebecause]

Depends where you live, whether it has adequate parking (not a given for all apartment buildings) and if you like waiting for taxis in the heat. There are people who don't buy cars; there are people who lease cars year-round; there are people who hire a car when they need one for a weekend trip or suchlike; there are people who sear by the public buses (including those that link (Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Al Ain); and there are those of us who buy cars. Petrol and insurance etc are cheaper than in many other countries.

http://www.drivearabia.com/newvehicleguide.html
gives an idea of prices

[veiledsentiments]

I'll expand what I said on your other thread. It depends not only on where you live, but where you work. The bus system is limited and unlikely to go where you need to go. The taxis are rare at certain times in certain areas.

The kicker is the unrelenting heat from May through October. Standing out in the sun for a half hour waiting for a taxi to pass by when it is 40/110+ and 90% humidity gets old REALLY REALLY fast.

I recommend that someone lease or rent for a few months to see if you like the country and job and think you might stay a few years. If you are there more than 4 years, IMHO it is worth buying a good car. The best option is to try to buy from a fellow teacher who is leaving.

VS

[Pikgitina]

In Muscat, they have one or two weekly (bi-weekly?) expat rags one can pick up for free. Expats who are leaving often advertise their vehicles there and I know of people who have gotten some very good deals. I'm sure there's something similar in Abu Dhabi.

[Zoot]

I had no intention of buying a car when I came to the UAE. I didn't need one living in Asia and thought the same would apply here. I bought a car within 3 months and have always been sure I did the right thing.

[haopengyou]

So, assuming I bought a second hand Honda Civic equivalent that was 4-5 years old, what is the purchase price likely to be? The monthly costs? Do you see people zipping around town on an electric bike? Are the drivers very respectful?

[Zoot]

prices are way down now because of the exits. it's usually too hot for bike riding. are drivers respectful? sort of

[Afra]

[anaxiforminges]

I'm counting on buying a car as soon as my residency visa clears.

[Splitting Hairs]

NO
Get a taxi driver and arrange regular pick ups and drop offs and negotiate a price. Buses are much better now, comfortable, more regular and a/c and cheap. You get used to the heat very quickly, only mad dogs and Englishmen take a taxi in the middle of the heat. Most phone for one inside!!! Car pool. Walk. Cycle (in parts)

[Sheikh N Bake]

haopeng:

A 2005 old Honda Civic should average DH 36,000 or so (about $10,000). Better resale values in the UAE comes from Toyotas such as the counterpart to the Civic, the Corolla.

Leasing for three years is extravagant; two years IF YOU ARE LEAVING is reasonable. At best you can get a slightly shabby used lease model for Dh 1500 a month (and I think it unlikely you'd get a good one for that price...more like 1800-2000). Times 36 months = 54,000. ($14,700)

True, the leasing compay will pay repairs. But a 2005 Civic bought FROM A WESTERN EXPAT (the only ones who actually take care of their cars in the UAE, generally speaking) should run you no more than Dh 2,000 a year in repairs. Add on insurance for three years gives you a total of Dh 36,000 + 6,000 repairs + 1500 insurance = 43,500...obviously less than leasing for the unlikely low price of 54,000.

Furthermore, you can then sell your 2005 Civic in 2012 for probably, let's say, 20,000. That makes your net cost Dh. 23,500 ($6400) for three years'driving if you buy and then sell. Compare that to $14,700 in a three-year lease. My mantra is: would you really want to pay the difference, which is $8,300, for the privilege of not having to bother selling your car when you leave?

Of course, some people hate driving, but Splitting Hairs' advice sounds awfully troublesome to me. Some people don't mind, I guess.

[veiledsentiments]

[anaxiforminges]

[Sheikh N Bake]

Glad to be of service. The lease-vs.-buy question is one of my favorite benign and innocuous lectures. (Others are less so.)

[SD BOY]

Whatever you do...DON'T BUY A BICYCLE!
The Emiratis get more points for knocking down cyclists than they do for hitting garden variety pedestrians.