Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2

manasm · 7th May 2011, 20:46

Hi all,

My dad is looking to replace his Ford Explorer and plans to buy a new Explorer - Eddie Bauer Edition...I am trying to convince him to buy something else - any suggestions? He is looking only at an SUV.

He lives in Dubai and is looking for something at the same price - about AUD140,000.

He wants to buy it in the next couple of days. Your urgent help please...

Thanks,
Manas

Turbanator · 7th May 2011, 21:53

Hi

Dubai & Land Cruisers aren't these synonyms for SUV buyers ?

4x4addict · 8th May 2011, 05:55

If it is extremely URGENT, it maybe better going for the Ford Explorer itself. I would personally pick a Prado or Montero over the Explorer, but then you have have to wait a few days to test drive and try out other models. So, I guess it depends on how URGENT it is.

manasm · 8th May 2011, 07:55

The ideal vehicle would have been a Prado..The regular LC is much more expensive than the Explorer.

"There are no more Prados available in Dubai for the next 4 months" - thats what the dealer says..."will have to wait for the Japanese recovery from the earthquake for more Prados".

The only 2 requirements for the vehicle are that is should be a 4x4 and be a 7 seater.

Will ask my dad to check out the Monetro - have also asked him to check out the Wrangler Unlimited but he was not impressed!

He needs to pick up the car in the next couple of days since his old Explorer has now crossed 200K and is falling apart. Been in the garage now 4 times in April.

Thanks all...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

If it is extremely URGENT, it maybe better going for the Ford Explorer itself. I would personally pick a Prado or Montero over the Explorer, but then you have have to wait a few days to test drive and try out other models. So, I guess it depends on how URGENT it is.

4x4addict · 8th May 2011, 09:03

Nissan Pathfinder is also a very good option. It seats 7 in reasonable comfort and is very spacious inside.

trammway · 8th May 2011, 10:46

Coincidentally I'm also evaluating couple of vehicles in this part of the world, here are some SUVs which attracted me. Not sure if this models are available in Dubai

1. Toyota 4Runner
2. Nissan Pathfinder
3. Nissan Xterra
4. Mitsubishi Endeavor
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee / Compass

DirtyDan · 8th May 2011, 12:59

Toyota. Quality and service. End of story.

DicKy · 8th May 2011, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasm

......................He needs to pick up the car in the next couple of days since his old Explorer has now crossed 200K and is falling apart. Been in the garage now 4 times in April.

That says it all,falling apart after 2lac km.
Better look for either the Toyota or Nissan SUVs.As you said that the Prado is not available immediately ,why not look for the Pathfinder as @4X4addict recommended.
If you looking for pure offroading don't know about the new Explorer.It's not a pure SUV like the previous gen Explorer.It's more like a crossover based on a revised platform of the Ford Taurus

Turbanator · 8th May 2011, 15:14

In that case how about moving to Range rover / discovery maybe bit more expensive but will definitely have more stature than japanese ,

trammway · 8th May 2011, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbanator

In that case how about moving to Range rover / discovery maybe bit more expensive but will definitely have more stature than japanese ,

I don't think this is true, LandRover discovery is a good offroader but carries bad reviews here in USA. Many of the owners say the most troublesome to own and more and more people say it takes a lot for maintenance. If you look at the used car market you will find LR Discos are selling around $6000-$10000 where the Toyota and Nissan are selling over $15000 for models produced after 2004.

DicKy · 8th May 2011, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by trammway

I don't think this is true, LandRover discovery is a good offroader but carries bad reviews here in USA. Many of the owners say the most troublesome to own and more and more people say it takes a lot for maintenance. If you look at the used car market you will find LR Discos are selling around $6000-$10000 where the Toyota and Nissan are selling over $15000 for models produced after 2004.

Whatever the Blightie's say, Landrovers are unreliable by a fair margin,and if you want a reliable SUV or 4X4, nothing other than Japanese.

manasm · 8th May 2011, 21:13

Thanks all for your inputs....my first preference would have been a Range Rover...but not to be!

Decided on a VW Tuareg finally. Picking it up day after tomorrow morning!

If people are interested, will ask him to take photos and try to get a write up about the car...Let me know.

Cheers,
Manas

DicKy · 8th May 2011, 22:31

@manasm- at last your dad have bought the straight opposite of our suggestions. A german SUV, prepare for high maintenance bills and unreliability.

manasm · 9th May 2011, 12:37

^^ Tried telling him that, but he drove the vehicle and just decided it was too nice for him to not buy - even threw away the idea that he wanted a 7 seater!

Parm · 9th May 2011, 15:45

well congrats anyway on the new purchase by your father.

since he is putting on a lot of mileage and the ownership period is also around 3-5 years, i would suggest that he should have gone for a Toyota or a Nissan.

Currently Al Futtaim and Arabian Automobiles are giving 5 years unlimited KMs warranty on their vehicles.

also Nissan dealer is offering good prices on Pathfinder, Xterra and Armada.

toyota vehicles have vanished from the dealers across the GCC and the LC200 and Prado are the ones which would come in stock in 5 months time.

7th May 2011, 20:46	#1
manasm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 180 Times	Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Hi all, My dad is looking to replace his Ford Explorer and plans to buy a new Explorer - Eddie Bauer Edition...I am trying to convince him to buy something else - any suggestions? He is looking only at an SUV. He lives in Dubai and is looking for something at the same price - about AUD140,000. He wants to buy it in the next couple of days. Your urgent help please... Thanks, Manas
	() Thanks

7th May 2011, 21:53	#2
Turbanator Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 7,446 Thanked: 31,929 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Hi Dubai & Land Cruisers aren't these synonyms for SUV buyers ?
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 05:55	#3
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,497 Thanked: 4,648 Times View My Garage	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 If it is extremely URGENT, it maybe better going for the Ford Explorer itself. I would personally pick a Prado or Montero over the Explorer, but then you have have to wait a few days to test drive and try out other models. So, I guess it depends on how URGENT it is.
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 09:03	#5
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,497 Thanked: 4,648 Times View My Garage	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Nissan Pathfinder is also a very good option. It seats 7 in reasonable comfort and is very spacious inside.
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 10:46	#6
trammway Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bridgewater USA Posts: 1,150 Thanked: 482 Times View My Garage	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Coincidentally I'm also evaluating couple of vehicles in this part of the world, here are some SUVs which attracted me. Not sure if this models are available in Dubai 1. Toyota 4Runner 2. Nissan Pathfinder 3. Nissan Xterra 4. Mitsubishi Endeavor 5. Jeep Grand Cherokee / Compass
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 12:59	#7
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,107 Thanked: 1,664 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Toyota. Quality and service. End of story.
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 15:14	#9
Turbanator Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 7,446 Thanked: 31,929 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 In that case how about moving to Range rover / discovery maybe bit more expensive but will definitely have more stature than japanese ,
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 21:13	#12
manasm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 180 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 Thanks all for your inputs....my first preference would have been a Range Rover...but not to be! Decided on a VW Tuareg finally. Picking it up day after tomorrow morning! If people are interested, will ask him to take photos and try to get a write up about the car...Let me know. Cheers, Manas Last edited by manasm : 8th May 2011 at 21:14.
	() Thanks

8th May 2011, 22:31	#13
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,389 Thanked: 15,268 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 @manasm- at last your dad have bought the straight opposite of our suggestions. A german SUV, prepare for high maintenance bills and unreliability.
	() Thanks

9th May 2011, 12:37	#14
manasm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 180 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 ^^ Tried telling him that, but he drove the vehicle and just decided it was too nice for him to not buy - even threw away the idea that he wanted a 7 seater!
	() Thanks

9th May 2011, 15:45	#15
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 899 Times	re: Alternatives to Ford Explorer in Dubai? EDIT: Bought VW Touareg. PICS on Pg. 2 well congrats anyway on the new purchase by your father. since he is putting on a lot of mileage and the ownership period is also around 3-5 years, i would suggest that he should have gone for a Toyota or a Nissan. Currently Al Futtaim and Arabian Automobiles are giving 5 years unlimited KMs warranty on their vehicles. also Nissan dealer is offering good prices on Pathfinder, Xterra and Armada. toyota vehicles have vanished from the dealers across the GCC and the LC200 and Prado are the ones which would come in stock in 5 months time.
	() Thanks