Job Discussion Forums

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

Dont buy a car, rent one or car pool when you get here

wintermute2 · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:51 pm Post subject:

...car pool, Spliting?...do you have more info/opinion on how that would work?...I am coming to Al Ain, and would be interested...thanks! Smile

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Think about it, travelling back and forth to work is probably the least of your worries. It's after hours and weekends where carpooling/sharing can get problematic. Written agreements are probably your best bet for the latter. (there's always one a s s hole in a car sharing agreement who ruins it for the other(s)))

12know · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 19

Car pooling, never crossed my mind that it is possible and/or done in AD. I am all ears. I suppose this is for the initial period?

Is renting a car for the initial period way off base in the sense that it is way too expensive?

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

I'd say that it is just the opposite. I would start out renting and then there might be a chance for car pooling. It depends on so many things that many people don't/can't consider it. Since teachers are often spread all over town, you may not be near another teacher with a car. It means that you need to be compatible... everyone has to come and go together... and agree on the direct home or stop for shopping or whatever route. It can turn out much like a hasty marriage... Laughing

Personally I would start out renting and if I felt that I really liked the job and wanted to stay for more than one contract, I would buy a new car - or - perhaps at the end of the first academic year when you can pick up a good deal from departing teachers that you know may have actually had it serviced... ever.

I found selling a car at the end of my contracts to be super easy. All you had to do was put up an ad saying that it was "Western Expat Female Driven"... turn on the answering machine... and you would come home to a filled machine and it would normally go to the first or second caller. (I always had a low mileage Toyota or Nissan)

VS

12know · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 19

Thanks VS. That sounds logical. Is renting a car (monthly contract I suppose) relatively affordable? Sorry for not goggling on this one. Prefer to hear from someone with first-hand experience rather than relying on google.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Probably about 1500 - 2000 per month for a small Toyota or Honda (usually a manual shift but not always) You may be able to get it cheaper at a small outfit (as opposed to Hertz) but be careful, insurance may be "iffy" with one of the smaller operators and if you have an accident you might have a big headache.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

12Know
Hertz cost us 1700 per month for a automatic Toyata Yatzi (new). Other companies can be cheaper. If you rent initially and then car pool, this makes sense. Car pooling + taxis or friends at weekends will cost you between 300-500 per month depending on where you live or work. Don't buy until you have finished your probation and passed all evaluations. VS has been out of the UAE too long to realize the insecurity of most jobs. 150 teachers were let go by ADEC in the last few days with more to come.
Keep to your budget and dont go ape when you get your first paychecks. Most teachers these days are holding back on spending and trying to build up savings.
Tom

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

I agree Tom

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

12know · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 19

Thanks everyone. Now I have some idea of what to expect. Though slightly more expensive (not all the time though), I like Hertz myself. Have great experience with them over the years. Will get back to this issue when the time is right.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

From someone who spent nine years driving in the UAE--just please note that renting or leasing more than two years is an extravagant waste of money. You can upgrade to a two-year-old Camry and sell it easily after three years and save at least $6,000 over the cost of renting/leasing a smaller car for the three years.

12know · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 19

Longton · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 148

Your maths are right but you are working on US$ when the figures quoted earlier are in UAE Dirhams.

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

wow... US$1700 a month should get you a top of the line Mercedes... with driver. Laughing

(ok... maybe not a driver)

VS