To buy a car: need advice!

regarding Ford explorer: it is a reliable family car (No. 1 in USA) but I don't find it suitable for ladies, but if it is just a matter of options then no worries coz u can fix anything (GPS, DVD, camera, leather seats) at the accessories shops.

on the other hand if u consider buying new explorer, the 2013 is awesome with many built-in features.

How about Honda CRV, if u visit their showroom they may have 2012 model cars (certified pre-owned) which will be suitable for ur case.

regarding reliable service center: the main dealer for each brand is the best.

After reading your comments, the following would fit you description and based on your budget..you cannot go wrong with any of these:

Infiniti FX35

Audi Q5

BMW X5

ML 350

I've got a lot of food for thoughts here :) Thanks, guys!

well depends..the dealer definitely negotiates when THEY buy YOUR car haha so they should be willing to do the same when they sell.

you can look at lexus gx430 and infiniti jx used cars..bigger than your car..the lexus is a much more refined version of your prado in france..

whatever it is, it's the weekend so just take a trip to the dealership and see if you like what they have:-)

I bought my 2nd Car from QL, from an American Expat, though it was a Merc E220, but i must admit, it was well maintained, with all the Service Records...

IMOP, don't buy a car from a Car Dealer, if you are going for a 2nd Hand Car, better to check Classified...

how come you choose between Lexus and Ford/Mitsubishi? It's like to choose place to live between penthouse in a luxury district and a hut in the remote village.. .

Go with your budget and get the best out of it.

I wonder if all the prices for 2d hand cars at the dealers are final and fixed or it is possible to negotiate? If yes, how much less could I expect? -10%? -20%?

I've mentioned my Q5 just to give an idea of the standars that I got used to :) But Q3 would be too small even in Europe. No, I don't want to have a German car here, I think it would be wrong. I am also ready for a biggar car as roads are long and wide and a lot of parking spaces everywhere :) Just need the same comfort...

it helps if you give all your information in one go..you have just added a new requirement in that you only want an SUV and one that is similar to your Q5.

- Lexus have a small SUV, the RX350, smaller than a Prado and Q5 but enough for you and two kids.

- You can consider a newer Audi Q3/Q5 here too but then they are European so care is advised.

- Infiniti also do some nice and small SUVs. If you find a well maintained car, Infiniti reliability is decent too and the driving fun is definitely better than Lexus who concentrate on the comfort a bit more.

- You should really visit the Infiniti and Lexus dealership to see their certified used cars. I am sure you will find something suitable there. Plus the fact they are certified cars means they are in good condition

- Even if you buy from an individual, get it checked by the dealership service centre; they are the best people with the best equipment to check your car

Best of luck:-)

german inspection has relocated from that place

Germany inspection on salwa road same service road of DHL they are good.

the link you have given is a scam just skip it.

as you have mentioned, here in doha we spend most of our time in the car so yeah look for a good quality car with more options

few r scams

Could you explain me something, please!

Here on Qatarliving sometimes I find car sale adds for VERY CHEAP

For example, http://www.qatarliving.com/node/5777861

What is wrong here?

Some expatriate friends are going to leave Doha and sell their 2 Fords Exlorers for very cheap. The cars have low milage; were carefully driven and well maintained. But they are of the years 2007 and have no options! I am in doubts. They don't ask for much money but FORD........

Helpful comment! Do you know any reliable service centre to do a full inspection?

:) You agree or not, the big brand means high quality. I've got different cars in my life and I know pretty well that Ford will never become Audi... :) Here in Doha we spend quiet a lot of time in the car, it is a huge part of our life, so I think it is justified to have a nice car.

I am really thankful for those who answered me here and even surprised to get so many answers!

The thing that everybody agrees about is that Toyota and Laxus are the sure value...

My situation is difficult and easy at the same time... We have just arrived and don't know how much time we will spend here. May be a couple of years? But if we like Qatar, probably for will stay for longer?

At the same time I still have 2 cars in my garage in France as I didn't have time to sell them! Certainly we will keep one as we will need it during our vocations but the second one should be sold sooner or later (I had a crazy idea to bring it here but abandoned it)

At home I have one Toyota Prado Land Cruiser of my husband (and I find it a bit hard to drive) and my Audi Q5 that I adore.

I am looking for the same style of driving and quality of a car as Audi... It is difficult to do a step back after driving a good car.

At the same time here in Doha a car is not our priority. I want to have a good reliable car but we don't want to pay a fortune. That's why we opted for a second had one.

Yes, it should be a 4x4, here we cant do differently, the agressive style of driving imposes to have a small tank :) Need to mantion as well that I have two young children to bring to school and back every day... so, the security matters.

And finally my small sicret :) I was always dreaming to have an Infiniti but in Europe it is not possible as it costs 2 or 3 times more than here.

But I consider Lexus as well :) Now the question - where to buy it in a secure way... What should be the maximum age of the car and the maximum milage. We don't really have a budget. We don't plan to take any credits for buying the car and pay cash. But as I have already said we don't want to spend a fortune.

I drive a new lexus 350 full options.

You are looking for expensive cars but second hand why? U never know what happens next. With the same money buy a new one say Toyota Prado etc. Few have already advised you, i dont think you are looking for quality but just a big brand. You may get respect from people oh! she has a nice car, but at the end of the day u r going to pay for the maintenance and quite often too.

i m helpful to both male & females

i presume you included yourself in the 'helpful to ladies QLers' list too..considering you usually limit yourself to evaluating the guys' posts on their relevance to qatar and qatar living

qlers r so helpful while providing advise to ladies , keep up the good work mates

As a life long car guy who only buys used cars, here's my two cents:

- there's some absolute bargains to be had in the used market..better than any brand new 0% interest deal you could imagine

- of the brands you mention, and since you have the economics/maintenance aspect in mind too, you cannot go wrong with a toyota or lexus. You can safely and cost effectively realize your lexus dream here.

- Both Lexus and Toyotas, especially Lexus, are world renowned for build quality. The Toyotas did have some quality issues recently but nothing to hold you back. European cars do tend to be unwise buys here especially used.

- Any used car you buy MUST be fully inspected by a reputed computerized test shop. The best way is to take the car to the dealer's service center and pay just a bit more for a full inspection and history report. 500 rials spent now saves 15000 on repairs for hidden problems later

- If worried about individual sellers, explore the certified used cars from the dealers. You could find some great deals there too and with added peace of mind.

Whatever it is you end up buying, wish you luck and happy motoring. A car can bring great happiness or great misery haha so take your time and choose wisely:-)

Go for lexus and toYota they have too Many servIce. Center and better service

Now maybe the more you got confused..hahaha

Rose is either a Lady or a flower...great purchase!!

buy Rose Royce.

zain: blame the auto spell check coz "infiniti" is not in the dictionary ;)

Go for the iconic national car...the Toyota Landcruiser !!

What is your budget as there are good and bad cars in every brand..I would stay clear of Mitsubishi and Ford.

1. Infiniti (LOL..you wrote Infitity and the rest of the responders wrote Infinity)

2. Lexus

3. Range Rover

4. Toyota

If you are not on tight budget then I would recommend looking at other brands like BMW, Mercedes and Nissan too.

Basically u better buy a car which is still under warranty & before buying u need to check the electrical parts (which u can inspect by ur self) e.g. 4 windows, sunroof (if applicable), the rear AC, electric seats (move in all possible directions) after u satisfy ur self about the above (& reduce the price for anything which is not working) check the history of the car in the main dealer (coz recently we started hearing some showrooms playing in the mileage clock & reducing it outside qatar & coming back to sell the car for an expensive price)

then u can take it either to main dealer or to any inspection center (German experts "salwa road" or car Max "airport street" are recommended) to inspect the mechanical status and engine should get more than 92% otherwise try to avoid, another important issue is the chassis which should not have any accident (or bend) otherwise the price should reduce by Min. 40%.

Finally make sure about the availability of the spare key and user's manual.

Good luck

I suggest based on ur requirement:

1- Prado / Rav4

2- RX-350 / RX-330

3- Pajero

4- FX-35 / FX-45

5- Explorer

if we sort the above mentioned according to Qatar market then it will be:

1- Toyota

2- Lexus

3- Mitsubishi

4- Infinity

5- Ford

6- Rang Rover (Dangerous)

lexus and infinity both are awesome cars

go for Toyota Lexus

You don't only need advice to buy a car you also need a lot of money to buy a car.

I would suggest to go for a big 4x4, because as a women it will give you a bit more respect from other users. As I have seen women in smaller cars are often find it difficult in this crazy road traffic environmnet!

Any car brand has their own good & bad feedback from owners..if you wanted no headache at all within 3 to 5 years, you should buy a new one (any brand). Owning a second hand car is not adviseable if your vision is no high maintenance expenses will come up.

Now if you're not in feeling of maintaining vehicles..you should stick on renting..and that's it!

toyota & lexus.

Luxury + comfort + reliable = Infinity.