Owned LX470 LX570 LS460 GS430 - Always wanted a GX470 - Got one!
05-10-12, 11:13 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Owned LX470 LX570 LS460 GS430 - Always wanted a GX470 - Got one!
Always wanted a GX470 but it was never sold in our market officially - only some imports from the US.
Test drove the GX460 couple of times over last couple of years - didn't feel as luxurious for as other Lexus models for some reason - couldn't convince myself to buy it.
Anyways, I came across a Pearl White 2007 GX470 what was imported from the US few months back by a dealer here for resale. Turns out they didn't end up selling it because their car was super clean & priced much higher than other GX470. Most cars imported here have some sort of collision repair and therefore bought cheaper by resellers. Most buyers of import cars are also not too picky and not willing to pay premium for a super clean car. So I thought: you only come across a super clean imported Lexus once in a blue moon. I got it fully inspected here & also ran the Carfax. Everything checked out. Just got home
Test drove the GX460 couple of times over last couple of years - didn't feel as luxurious for as other Lexus models for some reason - couldn't convince myself to buy it.
Anyways, I came across a Pearl White 2007 GX470 what was imported from the US few months back by a dealer here for resale. Turns out they didn't end up selling it because their car was super clean & priced much higher than other GX470. Most cars imported here have some sort of collision repair and therefore bought cheaper by resellers. Most buyers of import cars are also not too picky and not willing to pay premium for a super clean car. So I thought: you only come across a super clean imported Lexus once in a blue moon. I got it fully inspected here & also ran the Carfax. Everything checked out. Just got home
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05-11-12, 07:27 AM
#11
Uae
When someone buys a car in the US we can all imagine usage and what they may be using the car for. Can you tell about use and ownership of a SUV in the UAE? Even some details like petrol costs, any special fees, off-road use, status symbol, upgrades, parts availability or anything you can think of? Thanks
05-11-12, 09:45 AM
#12
Intermediate
Thread Starter
When someone buys a car in the US we can all imagine usage and what they may be using the car for. Can you tell about use and ownership of a SUV in the UAE? Even some details like petrol costs, any special fees, off-road use, status symbol, upgrades, parts availability or anything you can think of? Thanks
SUVs are very common - not sure what the % is
Well, usage is similar. People are buying SUV for transport family/kids. Some are also using their SUV's off-road in the desert climbing big dunes or simply going for BBQ / Camping in the winters.
Petrol is more or less priced like the US - its about $2.25 per gallon (thats Imperial gallon which is little less or more than US gallon).
Status symbol: yes. Most people buy the large SUV's like Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol. On the luxury side, Range Rover, Cayenne, X5, LX are common sights. The Porsche dealership of Dubai has been the highest volume dealership globally for a few years now.
Upgrades: Yes and no
Parts Availability: There is a wide dealer network of all brands so parts are available. It's only recently that dealers are importing the entire product range. So while we can buy a new GX460, there was no GX470 ever sold here through the dealer network
Brand Positioning: Most consumers are chasing a particular vehicle body style. For instance a Land Cruiser can be bought here in 3 engines:
1. For as little as $55k it can be a 4.0 V6 with basic odometer and audio/communication system
2. Next up is 4.6 V8 (same engine as GX460)
3. The most expensive is 5.7 V8 (same as the US spec Land Cruiser) which goes for about $80k
#1 above appeals to families, desert safari tour companies, and buyers looking for best value for money. The V6 accounts for about 80% of total LC sales
#2 and #3 appeal to enthusiast and people who read the forums
Winters are nice here and more & more people are discovering the desert and going camping, dune bashing, BBQ, etc with families kids & friends. Summers are very hot so outdoor activity is limited around May till October.
In general people are enthusiastic about their SUVs and take care of them.
05-12-12, 08:51 AM
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter