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2010 Ramadan's 10 most researched cars

2010 Ramadan’s 10 most researched cars

by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury. September 6, 2010.


The holy month of Ramadan is a time for being humble and hungry, so it pains us to see it being turned into a commercial enterprise where hotels that generally serve booze year-round try to entice customers with overpriced “ramadan tents” and car dealers start offering interest-laden products with “take loan now, get screwed later” offers. However, we don’t really mind genuine discounts in the spirit of Ramadan, and as such, the car market comes alive during this time. We just had a boost in traffic to our website thanks to people researching various models for purchase. Here is a list of the top 10 most researched vehicles on our website this Ramadan, based on the browsing habits of our 200,000-strong readership.

1. Kia Sportage


The surprise list-topper has always been the most popular compact SUV in the market, even if the Kia brand as a whole hasn’t made much in-roads in the GCC. The hot new styling simply helped it become even more interesting.

2. Toyota Corolla


Quite possibly the best-selling car in the country, the Corolla remains a hit, with its resale value, premium cabin look, fuel economy and years of brand loyalty.

3. Hyundai Tucson


Rivalling its platform-sharing Kia sibling, the Tucson is among the top-selling compact SUVs, given its price, cabin space, economy and new-found stylish exterior.

4. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado


The most anticipated vehicle in this region during its launch phase, the Prado remains the best-selling midsize 4×4 around here, with a combination of comfort, space and resale value, though not necessarily due to price and styling any more.

5. Mitsubishi Pajero


Mitsubishi would be a dying brand here were it not propped up by brisk sales of the Pajero, an excellent Japanese 4×4 almost as good as the Prado, but at hugely lower prices.

6. Honda Civic


Still the best compact car on the market, it is slowly creeping into premium territory in terms of price, although that has seemingly not put a dent in sales.

7. Honda Accord


Most people shopping for a midsize sedan put three Japanese-branded models at the top of their list. We are guessing that the Accord is second on the sales charts for midsize sedans in the GCC, premium pricing notwithstanding.

8. Nissan Altima


The Altima has quickly jockeyed for a top position in the midsize sales war, thanks to a younger buyer set who approve of its fancier styling and tech, as well as a price advantage due to its American sourcing. We are guessing it is third among midsize sedans in terms of sales.

9. Honda CR-V


One of the best-selling compact SUVs in the market, it is purchased in droves by people looking for a Japanese-branded crossover that is a bit larger than the Korean chart-toppers. We do admit that it is the most practical compact crossover ever.

10. Toyota Camry


The Camry is the best-selling midsize sedan ever, bar none. The only reason it is at the bottom of this list is because Camry buyers do not research cars before buying. They just decide to buy a car, head to the showroom and put down a deposit for the Camry without looking at anything else. Blind loyalty, as well as fleet sales to taxi firms, have catapulted this Aussie-built sedan to the top on sales charts.

A longer list is displayed on our homepage, as always. If you did buy a car during Ramadan, let us know what you bought and why you chose it. Heck, even we bought a midsize sedan this Ramadan, but not due to any offers. We just happened to need one. Eid Mubarak to everyone!

About the author

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury

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Comments

  1. One of my family friends daughter bought the new Honda Crv and when it reaches the speed above 110kmphr the steering starts vibrating really bad. Gave it to the service centre first time they replaced the all 4 tires to a new set of bridgestone. The problem continued and now the car is in the service centre for the past 2 weeks expecting the mechanic who came from Japan just to figure out the problem would diagnose it. And now she is driving to work and back home in a rental car.

  2. wait for a couple of months the rta will reduce the speed limits ,then she wont have a problem

  3. Author

    ^That reaffirms my belief that no new car is as reliable as I’d like it to be, so why pay extra for the name? Even resale value is not an issue if you buy the low-resale car at a much lower price than the high-resale models. (Of course, KSA has its own crazy value systems, so my theory wouldn’t apply there).

  4. with the base price of CRV a full optioned Sportage or Tucson must have made more sense.

  5. Mash,

    watch out the lexus ls 400 advt in 1990

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzjESxiN850

  6. expected Camry n Corolla to be in the list..brand loyalty and some illiteracy about cars overshadows everything else including vehicle reliability, quality and maintenance costs.

  7. Author

    Hehe, thanks for the ad.

  8. Talking about reliability.. i am driving a 2008 FIVEHUNDRED. splendid car for the first year… now since february i am going to the garage sometimes weekely… you name it: weird sounds, AC issues, tail lamps burned, oil sensor, tyre pressure sensor, heating sensor, battery not charging properly, doors refuses to open by key-remote… and so on. ford is just pi&^*ng on my head and smile to me the usual “what to do?”.
    NOTHING is made properly nowadays.

  9. Author

    ^Thanks for the eye-opener. I almost considered buying an ’08 Five Hundred from Al Tayer with low km and only Dhs 50k. Looks like Ford isn’t all perfect yet.

  10. @Mash: the car is amasing… but u should consider paying LOTS of visits to Al Tayer.

  11. Author

    ^Naahh, you put me off Ford. I just updated the Fusion and 500 pages after some research.

  12. ^ HEY, IM DRIVING A FORD 500, 2008 MODEL, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM…!!!!!, but I bought it brand new at that time, (march 2008)…

  13. Author

    ^interesting. keep us updated.

  14. @Laura: i also bought it brand new from A/T, but u must specify what is your mileage. i have over 45K in 1.5 years … all issuse started after 35K. might i add that i have NO ACCIDENT!! not even a hump on my rubber. Maybe you are just lucky. Hey mash!! maybe I AM UNLUCKy and there is only one 500 with troubles and that it’s mine, though it’s hard to believe. i owned a honda city and i have abused that tiny car as no1 did before. had it 4 2 years AND NO PROBLEMS. my wife has a 2008 Peugeot 308 turbo… NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!! all bought since new. i also have a 2008 orange Mustang V8.. NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. shall i carry on?>?

  15. +37000 KM on the clock and counting…. 😀 😀 :D, i drive about 50KM everyday…

  16. PS.. I love my ford 500…. drove only fords since i was in university,,, owned like 5 fords so far..

  17. ford had improved a lot in last 5yrs…edge and fusion is really good selling and doesnt have much troubles….but still there are some cars with problems….we alll say toyota n honda is so reliable but i have seen ppl suffering with camry and accord with lots of issues….the fact is japanese cars once considered reliable are getting troublesome and american brands made cars which were realy headaches are gettin much more reliable….i drive a 2006 Mazda 6….its 4 yrs and run 240000KM…other than normal wear n tear n some problems due to rough use its still running perfect….

  18. @Laura; i also love my 500… that is why I WILL NOT LET HER GO. Would love though to get my hands on a Toyota Tundra.

  19. I bought a honda civic!!

  20. Author

    ^How much? Last I checked, it was ridiculously overpriced, base-priced at Dhs 73k?

  21. “…car dealers start offering interest-laden products with “take loan now, get screwed later” offers…”
    LOL .. good one Mash

    AlFuttaim has slashed the price of their Toyota Prado range by some 25-30k and morever offering 5 years unlimited mileage warranty to regain customer trust.

  22. yup last i checkd the base civic was also 73k

  23. hey mash,

    jst got myself a Mazda cx 7. not done 1000k yet but i’ll keep you posted. i thght it was a better deal than other crossovers like RAV4.

  24. Author

    ^Everything is a better deal than a RAV4 nowadays. Enjoy.

  25. hey guys take look at his video…its awesome..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARCyYS_tkDI

  26. Got Pajero 3.8 on last day of Ramadan, drove around 500 km so far, it was on offer for AED 107k with full options, first two rows are spacious third row is only for kids.

    Big sun-roof and cool beige leather interior, hate engine noise and slow acceleration.

    Confuse, should i maintain it at agency for every 5k km or just change its oil from outside.

  27. Author

    ^Damn good deal man, considering my friend got a Pajero 3.5 just 2 months ago on an “offer” for 112k. You need dealer servicing to keep the warranty, even if it is a rip-off.

  28. Well if you just want a base rav4 than its just 68k in saudi but with that 4wd its 73k than i guess its a very good deal
    http://toyota.com.sa/en/modelsprices.asp?model_id=7

  29. Author

    ^Good link. Looks like Toyota is still reasonably priced in KSA. For those prices, we only get little Kias in the UAE.

  30. I love Pajero 2008 3.8 SWB.. Driven 78K KM’s in 2 Years.. I just changed K&N Intake which has drastically improved my fuel consumption and performance. I luckily had service contract got it serviced till 50k not worth getting serviced from Al Habtoor.. Poor Customer service ! But anyways Excellent ride so neva mind !!

  31. Yesterday went to get my car number plate from Elite Motors for my Pajero, and found out that Pajero price is increased by AED 3,000 for all models

    So 3.5 is now AED 99k instead of AED 96k and 3.8 is now AED 110k instead of AED 107k, however, they sold most of 3.8 and only 3.5 is available now.

    Heard about bad service from Al Habtoor, thats why i went to Elite Motors – Mitsubishi dealers for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

  32. Can anyone tell me what the price of a Prado 2010 model is in UAE. Here in Bahrain, the lowest price I am getting is BD 15,200 (equiv to AED 147500) for a TXL 4.0L with mid options and leather (no cameras or Navigation). This is from the dealer. However, the finance options are attractive at 3.25 percent pa.

    Should I get this deal or wait for a while longer for prices to drop? Will prices even drop?

    Thanks.

  33. By the way, full options 3.8l 5dr pajero here in Bahrain is minimum BD 14500 during Ramadan sale, not any less. So you guys in UAE are obviously getting much better deals.

  34. Author

    ^Lowest Prado here is Dhs 116000 for 2010 stock clearance.

  35. I drove a ford and loved it but hated the dealers so went for a chevy. Ford are reliable cars and you could still find a Ford Crown in America as well as alot of those F150. I owned a Fiesta. and by the way the Mazda engine is a Ford Durtec engine

  36. Hi Mashfique, I need your advice on Kia Sportage 2011. How is it expected to do in future and what are the pros and cons related to this model. I am expected to use this compact SUV mostly inside the city. Also please do comment on Kia’s reliability, maintenance cost (sportage) and fuel economy. Thanking you in advance.

  37. Author

    The Sportage is a good car. Only issues are slightly less headroom and hard cabin plastics. Fine otherwise.

  38. Hi Mashfique, Just needed your advice on the new 2010 Ford Taurus and the 2010 Nissan Maxima. Which one would you prefer to buy? and any serious problems that anyone faced with the two cars.

    Also, the Taurus SHO is not currently in Saudi. Do you guyz have it there in the UAE?

  39. Author

    ^The Taurus is better value, but the Maxima will probably prove to be more reliable over the long run. No SHO here yet.

  40. Hi Mashfique, Kindly give your comments regarding Sportage’s 6 speed gear-box. Any issues with that? Also how is the Kia’s reliability, maintenance cost (sportage) and fuel economy.

  41. Thanks for the info Mashfique. One small question, whats the approximate price of the Maxima 2010 and Taurus Limited 2010 (both full options) in the UAE. Coz in Saudi they are like 128,000 for the Maxima and the Taurus. Both are about the same price. Dont know why.

    Just needed to compare price differences. Might purchase from UAE if I get it cheaper there. Customs not to much a problem these days. Thanks

  42. Author

    Most cars are cheaper in KSA. Those cars seem to be priced only slightly more in the UAE.

  43. Dear Mashfique, Kindly give your comments regarding Sportage’s 6 speed gear-box. Any issues with that? Also how is the Kia’s reliability, maintenance cost (sportage) and fuel economy.

  44. Author

    ^As I said, all that other stuff is fine compared to rivals.

  45. the maxima 2010 full specs cost 130k while taurus full specs cost 115k here in dubai

  46. hi, had a ford mondeo for 2 years which is good car but giving lots of problems nowadays. every time its in the service centre in primier motors in abudhabi. its done only 60000 kilometer. first i had the probelm with fuel pump. then problem with drive shaft. then with gear box and batteries. does any one face similar problem with your car. i dont want to sell it as i thought of using it for one more year.?????

  47. Which one to go for – Crv or Pajero? Both r avbl at same price

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