Job Discussion Forums

[Buffalo Boy]

What's the current situation with hiring/leasing/ buying a car in Oman? I've seen it mentioned in other forums that buying isn't as cheap as it was (40% deposit for expats).

Do people generally buy or lease a car now, and what are the costs involved? What kind of car do English teachers usually drive? I was thinking a small sedan like a civic/corolla/cerato or the like would be suitable for me since I have a wife and son. Ideally I would have a Landrover Defender 110 to explore the mountains but I don't think that's realistic.

If you are buying second hand can you get a loan or do you have to front with the cash?

I'm excited at the prospect of having a car again after riding around Vietnam on a scooter for the last several years, but I'm worried about what this is going to cost.

[veiledsentiments]

I can't give you the current specifics on the ground, but my usual suggestion for new people is to start out leasing. This gives you the chance to have a car while you decide if this is a job/country that you want to stay in awhile. If you aren't sure, lease for the first year. If you immediately love the place and plan to stay 2+ years, you can scope out the used/new car market.

As to used cars, I would only buy from a fellow expat who you know is aware that cars need service. There are often good deals to be found at the end of the academic year. For instance, when I was leaving Oman in 2001, I had someone put up a sign at the faculty club at SQU... I got home that day to find numerous messages on my machine and sold it to person number 2 that called.

Personally I always purchased new... Nissans or Toyotas. It used to be so simple to get a new car that it was almost embarrassing. (I drove a new car home within 3 days... paid for with a postdated check... and a "call us when it is covered" and they knew that it would probably be a month or two) But, those days are gone. Oman used to be like a small town where everyone knew your father...

VS

[Duffy]

Agree with VS, never buy 2nd hand unless from a Western expat with full service history.

Personally I went with Kia. Some say it is a cheap option but let me tell you that I owned a Sportage 2Litre, underpowered but for the pricel good.
Now I own and drive a Kia Sorento7L 3.4Litre and believe me I have been to places that the Toyota Land Cruiser couldn't make.

Ok, if you are not going to a lot offroad then a Kia Rio might suit as a family car, or even the smallest, a Picanto. My wife has the latter and it costs her 2.7 OMR to fill the tank and that goes for nearly 2 weeks city (Salalah) driving.

Also Kia will give you a "Buy back" option. This means that if you decide to leave before the 3 year (standard expatriat) finance deal, they will buy the vehicle back off you, even if it is on a "HP" basis.

I cannot fault my Kia dealer, (NO! I am not on Commission!!! )

Duffy

[Buffalo Boy]

Thanks for the recommendation Duffy. I've seen a few of the new Kias around where I live now and they look quite good.

A question about four wheel drives. One of the main things that interests me about Oman is access to the outdoors. Do you need a 4x4 to get to the beaches and mountains or can you drive to them in a normal car then walk/bike around? I'll be in Muscat.

[Duffy]

You can most certainly get to the mountains and beaches without a 4X4 (Jebel Akhar excepted of course) and there are plenty of picnic places to be found out there.
We prefer to go that bit farther and take the tracks into the mountains and deserts. It has been rewarding as we have found things like Triliths and rock art which even the locals knew nothing about.

In the end it is a matter of preference and perhaps just how much you are looking for adventure.

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

If you love the outdoors and camping, hiking, etc... a 4WD will really add to your experience. But, they are so darned expensive. Lease at the beginning until you see the options.

VS

[Duffy]

[veiledsentiments]

I thought your Kia was a sedan, not a 4WD. Or is it AWD?

I know Hyundai makes a great little car... haven't they taken over Kia?

VS

[Duffy]

Kia make 2 and 4 wheel drives.

I have been told that Hyundai and Kia roll out of the same factory in Korea except through different doors. If you look closely their 4X4 models are almost identical its just that the Hyundai has a better finish and costs more.

Duffy

[jdl]

Just got back from Korea.....two different assembly lines and two different companies from what I observed. Each has its own baseball team! Both great vehicles for the value market.

[gharwell1]

I leased a car the first year from Budget. Then I went to Nissan in Nizwa and they gave me an X-trail for low down payment for 4 years. Great dealer in Nizwa.

[Buffalo Boy]

Is a small 4x4 like an X-trail suitable for getting out into the desert in Oman? What kind of deal did you get? PM me if you don't want to post publically.

[Beast]

If I remember correctly from this forum... the last time there was a cyclone in Oman it was good advice not to buy a car,new or used if it came from Muscat due to the flooding. I guess the same would apply now.

[veiledsentiments]

I don't think it has been anywhere near as bad... after Gonu there were photos of the entire inventory of dealerships swept into a pile downstream. But, I think I might avoid buying from Honest Abdullah's Used Cars for a year or so. Although I would never buy a used car in the Gulf from anyone but another expat anyway.

VS

[Buffalo Boy]

Anyone driving a Toyota Fortuner over there? I've been doing some research and it seems that despite some faults, it's a good family car/weekend offroader that holds it's resale value well. Cost is about 9,000OR. Is this doable on a teacher's salary or should I get a Yaris?