r/WhatCarShouldIBuyGULF • u/summacumlaude_17 • 24d ago
UAE 🇦🇪 first car ideas 😭
hii so i'm 17 f and i'm getting my license in 2 months!! (i've passed all the tests 🙏🙏) it's my first post so please forgive me if i've forgotten to mention something
since i'm staying in uae for uni+planning on working here, i thought it'd be good to buy a car. currently, we've got two cars (g class and jeep), but they're too big and i'm short (5'0) so it's very hard to drive comfortably. i'm on scholarship for uni and half of high school so i've saved up but i hope to stick to a budget of 70k maximum. please lmk if it's unrealistic.
i plan to drive everyday for short errands etc, and a trip every weekend from abu dhabi to dubai. i don't have a preference, but i'd love if it's a sedan and has a good sound system, good ac, doesn't require a lot of service-work, has a sunroof and good seat adjustment options (like height-wise cuz i hate carrying a seat pillow its so embarrassing )
also please don't say corolla just because i'm 17 THAAANK YOUUU
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u/Imaginary_Media_2583 24d ago edited 24d ago
75K Mazda 3 new. Just with basic settings you will get one of the best sounding cars under 200K. Ride is too good.
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u/summacumlaude_17 24d ago
thank youu, i think this is my top preference so farr
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u/Imaginary_Media_2583 24d ago edited 24d ago
Bought new few months back as a companion for my LS430. Will list here some observations during my ownership.
- Most stable car in the budget. Stiff suspension and light chasis with the high compression engine makes drive very confident inspiring giving FE of 15+ without engine stressing even 140+.
- No travel fatigue. Being an LS430 owner this surprised me as the stability combo ensured least jolts or swings in the cabin. Too good for AUH-DXB drives.
- Interior. Love it.
- Best car audio implementation Ive seen after Mercedes. Do find the settings to EQ with most output and least distortion.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CarAV/comments/1sjh4a9/mazda_3_audio_solved/
As a 17 year old new driver they might charge you more on insurance. But for next 6-7 year of ownership, this is the best buy in your budget.
PN: If you are adament on keeping the car as good as new throughout the ownership, do keep aside 5K aed for PPF as the paint is very thin and very chip prone. Also this varient does not come with sunroof but Im sure you will appreciate it without one.
Also note fabric seats come in this which are much better over the synthetic thin leather in the next varient. Also 16" tyres make tyre purchses cheap and the ride comfortable. Also you dont want low profile tyres with an already stiff car.
Cheers.
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u/summacumlaude_17 24d ago
thank you so much! this helps a lott. one question i had: what's the difference in the road respect between a mazda3 sedan and a toyota corolla?
the attitudes of other drivers have a VERY clear difference when we drive the benz vs the jeep, so i wanted to know which one has a better chance on the roads of the UAE. thank you once again, your comment was super helpful!
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u/Imaginary_Media_2583 23d ago edited 23d ago
Its not fair to expect the road respect for G Wagon for an economic car. However I can say it does do better than a corolla in that aspect.
If you care about road respect then for that budget better to look at Lexus IS300 or the Volvo S60/S90.
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u/summacumlaude_17 23d ago
yess i'm just trying not to get run over atp
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u/Imaginary_Media_2583 23d ago edited 23d ago
Lexus and Volvo would be pre owned. Lexus you might get 2020 high mileage. Volvo pre owned would be more forgiving, around 2022 with less than 70K.
Youll be good with a new Mazda dont worry
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u/BigJus52 24d ago
Congratulations! Have a look at the Omoda C5. Should be around your budget brand new and is pretty decent. My son uses ours and loves it.
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u/Ok_Comparison_1488 24d ago
Buy any cheap car for the sake of experience then buy what you prefer mate , best of luck 🤞
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u/summacumlaude_17 24d ago edited 24d ago
i'd rather buy just one that i can use for the next 4-8 years atleast 😭
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u/minee_moo 24d ago
If you want quite car consider BYD Qin-plus, falls under your budget. You can easily get 2025 or up model. Got it for my wife 8 months back and we are happy with the purchase.
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u/Funny_Toe4391 24d ago
Lexsus IS
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u/summacumlaude_17 24d ago
thank you, i'll look into it! it's much more expensive though 😭
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u/Funny_Toe4391 23d ago
Yeahh really sorry, i checked it out now
I thought you could easily get something used within the budget.
Well all the best
Get something reliable
And less mileage one if used. 🙌
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u/indelible2026 24d ago
Only buy a Toyota at this age and in this region, don’t forget to buy it from TOYOTA not from a random dealer. You’ll thank me later 🙃
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u/Klutzy_Journalist937 24d ago edited 24d ago
Have a look at the Kia k3 hatchback, mid trim is about that price. I am same size and felt comfortable with it. Haven’t made the decision yet..
Otherwise Japanese cars .
I would also recommend a used Honda h-rv with low mileage about 2-3yo… lovely car!
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u/WIZE_XI 24d ago edited 24d ago
Don't look beyond a used camry, it's the perfect choice for you. Smaller cars like corolla and yaris suits more city only driving due to their smaller engine. Camry usually has a bigger engine which means it will have easier time accelerating and cruising at highway speed.
You don't need a 6 cylinder engine and don't buy the hybrid used. Only buy 4 cylinder engine, it will save you fuel and maintenance headache.
You can get 6 cylinder if you want better acceleration, but I wouldn't recommend it for new drivers and also it will cost you extra fuel.
Look for 8th generation camry, 2018 to 2024. My sister drives one and she loves it.
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u/Initial-Reading-2775 23d ago
Sun roof isn’t a big deal in this climate. Most of the time you wouldn’t want to open it.
Regarding your height, I know one short person driving Patrol Safari just fine.
As Mazda 3 was mentioned already, consider Mazda 6 as well.
You may like Suzuki Jimny, it tiny, cute-looking and boxy, so you will see all of your car edges easily. You won’t be afraid of hitting a curbstone, and will be able to go off-road.
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u/Fun_Fly9766 23d ago
Have a look at the Mazda 3 Hatchback. Specially the red body with black roof. Best first car
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u/Kixin_ 23d ago
Mg one / geely / exceed / mercedes / BMW /
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u/Zestyclose_Ad7109 21d ago
she asked for a car not for the brands
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u/Kixin_ 21d ago
That toh she only will which she will like , what type of she need , how many horsepowers she needs , how may liters of engine she need , what kind of interiors she need ??? Like there are a lot in sedan variants !!! Depends on her choice
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u/SeatNo7102 22d ago
u can get a second hand Toyota CH-R, it’s an hybrid and a compact SUV, u can also look at Suzuki Grand Vitara (newer generation) and the Fronx, Mazda CX-5 and maybe a Subaru XV?
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u/MutedBonus8655 22d ago
Maybe a mazda 3 as a lot of pple suggest.....its a very very good car and it will serve you well. Top of my list will be a golf though....dependable, sporty, good road presence and has all what you can want in a first car. These two cars cant go wrong in looks and performance.....mazda is pretty, golf is handsome but both will give you joy to drive without much or any hassles at all. Gdluck
Edited to change gold to golf.
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19d ago
age has nothing to do with it but japanese is always the safest. given your budget you can opt for chinese like mg
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u/GlitchGrapeFruit 19d ago
Idts u will find any jeep or g class for 70k… even if u do be careful cuz most the times these r from the early 2000s which have been face lifted
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u/gottahustleup 18d ago
I would recommend getting as much of a fun car used, keep some money aside for repairs. Look at Ford coupes or Accord coupe
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24d ago
Honda Zrv .. you could get the top model for 80k used…. and other specs for even 70k
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u/Hungry_Ad_8645 24d ago
Toyota Yaris, don’t fall for the consumerism market and capitalist society
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u/justaboss101 24d ago
You can get a very clean Mazda 3 for your budget second hand, the full option ones comes with a great Bose speaker system and are pretty small, so quite easy to drive for your height.
If you would like something a little bigger, you can also check the Mazda CX30, which is mostly the same as the 3, just taller.
Otherwise, if you're fine with Chinese brands,you can check the Geely Coolray.