Hi,

I am looking for a car not too expensive, max 15000 AED, good enough to start in the sand and learn.
No pb to handle manual gear and automatic.

If you know someone willing to sale such a car, please let me know,

Nicolas
056 12 965 72

This one may be of interest if it's still available:
http://www.uaeoffroaders.com/forum/show ... -in-Al-Ain

nicolas243 wrote:Hi,

I am looking for a car not too expensive, max 15000 AED, good enough to start in the sand and learn.
No pb to handle manual gear and automatic.

If you know someone willing to sale such a car, please let me know,

Nicolas
056 12 965 72

Hi Nicolas - this isn't the best time of the year to buy an offroad car, it's the height of the season and prices are at a premium. That being said, you might pick up an ok jeep cherokee for your budget, but be aware that the maintenance costs can be quite high, certainly higher than a Nissan Patrol for instance, and a good one of those would be well out of your budget.

how about looking at Dubizzle, seeing if there is something you fancy (try to buy from an expat), you can post the links on here to see if you want to seek our opinion before you buy it.

Good luck!

Thanks for your help and your advises.
Richard, unfortunatly, the galloper is not available anymore.
I saw yesterday a Cherokee V8 that looks good, but 300 000 km. Loooks OK and well maintained, but difficult to know the history of the car.
It is in my budget, and I understand from your comment that I will have to keep extra money for maintenance...
I saw also a Nissan Terrano, 4 cyl, 150 000 km, do you think that is good car for offraod?

Cheers,
Nicolas

nicolas243 wrote:Thanks for your help and your advises.
Richard, unfortunatly, the galloper is not available anymore.
I saw yesterday a Cherokee V8 that looks good, but 300 000 km. Loooks OK and well maintained, but difficult to know the history of the car.
It is in my budget, and I understand from your comment that I will have to keep extra money for maintenance...
I saw also a Nissan Terrano, 4 cyl, 150 000 km, do you think that is good car for offraod?

Cheers,
Nicolas

We have had Nissan Terranos out in the sand, I think they are a bit low to tell you the truth, but ok for Junior trips. Cherokee V8 has mega power, drove once onroad and loved it. Maybe some of the Cherokee drivers can give you some advice on what to look for to tell if it has been looked after?

The Cherokee V8 engine is VERY strong and 300,000km should be no problem, regular oil and filter changes are essential but that's the same for any engine in this part of the world. Water pumps can leak and there is also a short pipe on the water pump that can also leak - both are relatively cheap and easy to fix.

Make sure that the 4WD transfer box works properly in all modes and listen for any "clunks" from underneath. Check that all the CV joints (Constant Velocity joints) on the front axle and the driveshafts are in good condition. The transmission should be quite smooth - if it is jerky then it probably just needs to have the fluid and filter changed (be aware, Jeeps require Chrysler/Jeep ATF+4 fluid - anything else may damage the transmission).

Most stuff is easy to fix and parts are quite cheap and second hand parts are available. Keep fluids clean and fresh (differential oil, transfer case, engine oil and so on) and they will last a long time.

If you are based in Al Ain I can give you details of good places to get parts and to have work done.

As for the Terrano, I don't know anyone who uses one off-road.

Check with Mansour for Jeff;'s old Cherokee....very very good price

Hi nicolas
Jeep cherokee or grand is very powerful cars but you need to keep an eye on it all the time or it will breake down
Another car which will be ok with you budget is mitsubishi pajero 99 its a nice one as well and fair enough for learning

My reccomendation, for what it is worth is to buy a jeep cherokee, sport, 1997-1999 box type, 13000 to 17000dhs. engine is almost indestructable!!! Small amount of maintenance... check often and amounts of money stays down.

Also make sure it has the 'bash' plates under the engine, transmission and petrol tank.

Before I took it out on the desert, I would put in heavy duty schocks to replace normal ones (if necessary)....and that radiator loses no water!!

Then, mafi mushkela!!... enjoy!!

Bruce has it pretty well summed up - the Cherokee (XJ) is smaller and lighter than the Grand Cherokee but has the same running gear and same 4L engine, and so has a better power to weight ratio (better performance).

To give you an idea of how cheap parts are, brand new ACDelco front brake discs are only just over AED100 each.