Calling South Africans in Qatar

You can get along without a 4-wheel drive.

I owned a couple in the past but don't find I'm less safe or mobile without them.

A solid sedan or coupe has its advantages too and can be alot of fun when needed.

trust me as soon as you get here you will understand why you need a 4x4 or something similar. dune driving is mostly done during the winter months, if you look around you will find some vechiles in fairly good condition. (die mense hier ry soos mal goed, glo my daar is heelwat voordele daarin om 'n groot voertuig te ry)

Sa..

I missed your preferred option on top...In 60K you can get a Toyota Corolla...

Its actually 56.5 K with Twin Airbags..They also have a GLI model where ABS is an option...

Almera is not sold in Qatar now..But you can get a similar Sunny/Altima (72K)/Maxima(68K)

Honda Civic is around 61K dual airbags...

TG, if I ever want to do dune driving or a trip out into the desert of whatever nature I figure that renting a Land Cruiser for the occasion is the way to go. I would rather drive around in comfort and safety in a good, safe car for 95% of my requirements and then rent for the 5% that I would require a 4X4. My definition of "safe" would be front, curtain and side airbags with ABS brakes as an absolute minimum. The amount of steel that surrounds me would also be a consideration.

Yes, the debate continues - no matter what country you are in. 4X4, SUV, MPV, mini-van, sedan, hatch, etc

If you are serious offroader and would prefer dune busting and long trips in the desert..4wheels are for you...it will be a lumbering slow moving giant in the city though...no zoom zoom on curves.....Safe on accidents...but a higher Centre of gravity also means one hurried manouver and you are in trouble...Or a major hit from the side and it turns turtle...the debate goes on...

If you are city guy..Close to 65K you can manage brand new bigger sedans which are reasonably safe and steady on fast speeds..

Either way ...If you trust Hyundai then you can have a 4X4 at 60K brand new...

Thanks Super7 - I have heard that any 4X4 that one buys second hand in Qatar will have had the living day lights driven out of it! I am fully aware of the wear and tear that dune driving has on a vehicle. Apparently every 100km driven in the dunes is equivalent to +1000km of normal driving! An alternative to a large 4X4 could be an American mini-van or SUV then? Obviously there are good buys to be made, but one would have to look long and hard for them. Perhaps the best thing to do is rent a car for a month or two first before buying anything.

Any comments on this would be appreciated.

sa-japie you should buy a 4x4.

for 60k you can get a good second hand one

Running them is very cheap here due to the incredibly cheap petrol

The roads are pretty terrible and you will do small bits of "off road" driving all the time just to get around

Most importantly you won't believe the driving until you experience it. It is simply safer to drive a big car. Most of the locals are complete lunatics behind the wheel and they all drive big land cruisers. When they hit you you really want to have a decent amount of metal around you.

Brian, the school is AJA. The director is an Australian so perhaps not you father....I know there are a few SAfricans going to teach at the same school. I cant wait to meet up and have a chat....

Thanks Brian,

I'll be in touch by email.

Hi Hein,

I am in Doha at the moment and would glady answer any questions you have. My email is [email protected]

Regards

Brian

Hey Eviloops,

I am currently in Qatar. My father was here and he was Director of a school so was just wondering what school you will be teaching at?

All the best

Brian

Hi riy,

I'm also from SA and are considering a job offer to go work on a project in Ras Laffan. I looking for someone to communicate with and gather some information on general living conditions, what do I have to look out for, what do I need to take with etc. Have you got an email address that I can email you direct or maybe some of the other members reading this?

Thanks much in advance

Hi

I am a south african but have been living in the UK for the past 5 years. Im heading out for Doha on a two year teaching contract and land 18th August.

Its good to know that there are a few SAffers about in Qatar as here in the UK there are more than enough - almost like a little Pretoria of our own!!

Hope to meet up with some of you soon

Regards

C

Thanks riy.

I am certainly not looking for 100k 4X4's to purchase, but rather a small compact along the lines of a Toyota Corrola, Ford Focus, Nissan Almera, etc. My budget would be about 60kQR for wheels. Obviously if good 2nd hand cars are available that would be a lot better. If one wants to go "duning", then hire a 4X4 for the occasion rather. Why buy a cow when you only want to use it occasionally for the milk?

On the food side - I was recently in Ireland and even THEIR meat is cheaper than SA at the moment. Rump steak is pushing R90/kg now!! Biltong is way over R140/kg!! BTW, petrol is over R7-00 per litre as well!

Ciao for now.

"To be or not to be? That is the question"

well im still pretty new doha, just over a month since i landed so i will try my best to answer some of your questions...

car prices: huge difference in price compared to SA, they are cheaper over here. check out http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1940 for prices of new cars...

cant say i've come accross any diesel cars over here... price of petrol is realllllly cheap. can fill up a tank for about R110... (always a great experience to go and fill up :-p)

price of groceries, check out: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1876 for prices in Doha, the exhange rate is currently at 1.86 rands for every riyal...

prices tend to vary compared to SA depending on product types, fruit & veg are a more expensive than SA... other things such as milk/bread are about the same... and certain items may be cheaper like meat etc.... bought some south african oranges the other day, was really good :-)

there are currently 2000 south africans in doha (so says the embassy), the city is not very big so you tend to bump into some south africans once in a while... you will hear the odd couple speaking afrikaans and you'll see a few cars with the SA flag stuck on the back window. i think there are some south african groups that meet up, they have a ladies coffee morning event and a few other things, havent attended anything yet so cant really tell you about that.

hope this helps... let me know if you need any other info...