Western Myths #7: Saudis Only Drive New Cars
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.
4 comments:
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!
Aston Martins! Time to look for work in the EP, me thinks! :-)
I 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.
I 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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