I cannot remember if I read this on an informational Web site or in the Lonely Planet: “Second-hand cars are expensive in Saudi Arabia because Saudis like to buy a new car at least once every two years.” I am not sure I even understand the logic.
Anyway, having had so many near crashes with hunks of rust swerving across the road at a high velocity (old Hyundai Accent, anyone?) I can safely dismiss this as a myth.
In fact, even though cars are very cheap here, you don’t see many prestige cars. It is probably because people are reluctant to spend money on a nice car that gets scratched and dented moments after being driven out of the showroom.
Mmm that's apparently one of the many differences between life in Riyadh and here in the EP. Nearly everyone drives a new car - SUVs, BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus, Chargers and 300s are run-of-the-mill here. We have local dealers for every make of car imaginable - from Lamborghinis and Aston Martins to Hummers - and it seems I see more and more status cars on the streets every day. Of course, there are the ubiquitous 20-year old white with red interior Impalas everywhere as well!
ReplyDeleteAston Martins! Time to look for work in the EP, me thinks! :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know where you live in Riyadh, but around my cross streets (Takassosi and King Abdullah) all I see is new luxury german cars and the likes.
ReplyDeleteI Love the old beaters that can be found in Saudi. The Junkyards there (and in Bahrain) are priceless... We found a delorain (the car from back to the future) in bahrain a couple of years back. Not running, but worth the price just to buy it and put it in the front yard.
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