Thanks for answers. I'm considering buying but as I'm only staying 8 months I'm not sure if it's worth it. And the current economical climate might be such that I don't find a buyer for my car afterwards.

I can't say how many desert trips I'm planning but I'm not a city person and know that operated tours hardly ever bring me to the places I want to go to nor give me the time to stay as long as I want. Hence looking for alternatives.