Tomatoevo

Hey guys,

I've been on and off this board for the last year or so and I've just noticed this sub forum for the mid-east.

So esalam 3alykum everyone!

I'm just finishing up a degree in Texas and was wondering if I should get a car from here or from Dubai, the dealership in Qatar doesn't have them in stock usually.

BTW, how is the scene overthere? Aftermarket support, track days, etc.

gaus

It is around 120,000 AED in Dubai. You can still get the old 2.0l
9K redline engine if you get it in Dubai.

Tomatoevo

So you can still get the 2.0 L in the 2007 model?

Do they come with a warranty in Dubai?

gaus

Yes. This part of the world still gets the "old" engine. But Honda added
the VSA to the car. Also engine is rated 250PS here. Which I belive is slightly
more than 240 hp that 2.0 l engine produced when it was sold in US.

Of course. Comes with a three year unlimited milage warranty.
Moreover I got free services upto 20000 km.
I bought the car during Ramadan so it could have been a
special Ramadan offer. It was either free services or a free
TV. No, not LCD

jetpilotS2000

I'm the same as Gaus...

2007 with the free servicing up to 20,000km.

Jetpilot

Tomatoevo

Man I love Dubai....

So I went to the Honda dealership in Qatar yesterday, which is actually owned by Al-Futaim Group from the UAE.

1. There is a 4 month lead time
2. Parts are not stocked at the garage, every part is special order
3. It costs 140,000 QR (20,000 more than UAE)
4. It comes with NO WARRENTY at all! Thats just not right!

Furthermore, the manager at the dealership claimed that Honda does not honor warranty in UAE (becaue the s2k's there are German spec) but the dealerships overthere are "cheating" Honda out of warranty work to increase sales.

After a bit of give and take, I found out that they simply import cars from the UAE. What kind of dealership is this? I wish I could talk to the Honda Regional office or something because this reflects badly on Honda.

Sorry for the rant, but I think it would be cheaper for me to just buy the car in the UAE and pay the 5% import duty here. I would still have a warranty in Dubai and could bring the car on a flat bed if the repair is major.

This is just sad.....

gaus

Hey Jetpilot ,
So you didn't like the TV either?

Back to the warranty issue, Mitsubishi dealer at Dubai told me they cannot give a warranty for the EVO.

jetpilotS2000

Hey Gaus,

I'd have taken the TV because I'm old school....haha.

You know I sort of call myself a S2000 expert but I'm laughing that I didn't notice our cars are the 2.0L engine as opposed to the 2.2L (guess the 9K redline should have reminded me - duh!)

Are you enjoying yours? I notice you talked about the EVO - I almost bought one here but they are a dim a dozen and I'm over the whole boy racer looks (big wing - room for friends)...I know the car is quick but there's something so sexy about the body shape and handling of the S so in my opinion a better all round car. However, if I was still living in Canada and they offered the car there I'd have one for the all-wheel drive (we get crap loads of snow!).

Are you planning on doing some autocross events? I am. I'll speak with Umair and see if he can point me in the right direction for wheels, etc.

Later mate,
Jetpilot

gaus

Hey Jetpilot,

Are you kidding me? "Enjoying the S" is an understatement!

I just went into the Mitsubishi showroom once as it is located close to the Honda showroom.
Did not seriously consider buying an Evo. Yes Evo is a fast car but S looks way better.

I want to do track/auto crossing. Let me know if you find out anything.

Gaja

Tomatoevo

Damn guys! Whats with all the Evo hate... Two totally different cars in my opinion.

Although I've wanted to get into an S since 99, I wouldn't give up my Evo to do it. Hopefully, when I settle back in Qatar next summer, I will be comfortable enough to keep the Evo and get an S.

What worries me about the Evo is the maintance and with all the excellent circuits poping up in the Gulf, I want to be able to try all of them without the risk of towing my car back. That is why an S is making more and more sense as a low maintance, stock car that I can enjoy at the track.

The Evo is a clutch and trasfer case whore!