First Whiteout 86 in the Middle East

[i_giado]

Hi all!

After about four months of badgering our local (and only) Toyota dealer here in Dubai, my new pearl white 86 finally arrived last week.



Our cars are a little different to what you get in the States - only the base car arrives in manual and it's missing cruise control, climate control and anything close to a decent stereo. We also don't get the 'proper' digital/analogue dash, but the very basic BRZ one, which is pretty odd if you ask me.



So far absolutely loving the car - it's the perfect mix of practicality, fun and style and a damn sight more usable than my old (dearly departed) MX-5.

In case some of you are curious what's it to buy cars in the Middle East, I'm documenting the whole process here and here on my own site.


Loving everyone's journals so far. It's amazing to see how many different directions people will be going with this simple, basic car. Me, next stop for me is probably a decent head unit, new speakers, rims, headers and exhaust.

For now, anyways..

[Pscylo]

You guys buy cars out of basements? Seems shady to me! =p

[Neilus]

Congrats on your car!

So many white cars... makes sense, its must be hot most of the time.

[i_giado]

Yeah, white cars are pretty popular out here for that reason - its an 131 degrees F outside today! Also fetch slightly better resale value.

Having said that, I wasn't particularly after a white car. Demand for this car is so high and the allocation for the Middle East so tight that my only colour choices were this, red or black. My MX-5 was Copper red, black is suicidal in this weather...so that left me with pearl white.

Pretty bitchin' colour in the flesh, it has to be said. No complaints at all.

[kanundrum]

Trade you your toyota badges for some exciting scion ones! haha. Congrats on the new car! Amazing color! Lets see some safe hagwalah videos!

[Turbowned]

That's strange; I figured you would have more options for the 86 in Dubai, of all places. Congratulations just the same!

[i_giado]

Just got part 3 of my delivery diary up.

FYI, in case anyone's wondering, this is the stock head unit we get out here...and it's crap!

[SUB-FT86]

I like that radio better than the Scion FRS radio design.

[ROJ]

Look whos here!

[caliboy15]

plus I do like your wheels better than the USDM 86

[VS15]

Honestly , I wonder what roads you can use this car in Dubai on since the track is not having much track days lately and without nice canyon roads it would be a shame to just drive this car on SZR .

The white looks beautiful though , if only they have it with the same aero kit as the orange one on display

[Z86]

Originally Posted by i_giado

FYI, in case anyone's wondering, this is the stock head unit we get out here...and it's crap!

Same head unit the GT model gets in Oz... First thing I'll replace along with the wheels. The GTS gets the big screen with navigation.

[eindio]

Do you realize that 131 is 55 celsius is your translation right. we got 43 c here today or 110 f

[Imti]

Originally Posted by i_giado

Hi all!

After about four months of badgering our local (and only) Toyota dealer here in Dubai, my new pearl white 86 finally arrived last week.

...
Our cars are a little different to what you get in the States - only the base car arrives in manual and it's missing cruise control, climate control and anything close to a decent stereo. We also don't get the 'proper' digital/analogue dash, but the very basic BRZ one, which is pretty odd if you ask me.

......

So far absolutely loving the car - it's the perfect mix of practicality, fun and style and a damn sight more usable than my old (dearly departed) MX-5.

In case some of you are curious what's it to buy cars in the Middle East, I'm documenting the whole process here and here on my own site.


Loving everyone's journals so far. It's amazing to see how many different directions people will be going with this simple, basic car. Me, next stop for me is probably a decent head unit, new speakers, rims, headers and exhaust.

For now, anyways..

CONGRATULATIONS!

That whiteout color looks superb. Any plans on modifying yours?

Receiving mine in Firestorm color probably end of July(that's what the sales guy keeps telling me). Sure sign after I get the VIN number allocated.

I may add visual mods to mine and assuming you are aware of the no-engine-modify laws being enforced in UAE in the past few months. Which dampened my plans to add a turbo/supercharger in the future.

Fingers crossed I receive mine on time and document a journal like yours for us folks in Mid-East. I'm jealous of you receiving the car early(in a good way).

Originally Posted by VS15

Honestly , I wonder what roads you can use this car in Dubai on since the track is not having much track days lately and without nice canyon roads it would be a shame to just drive this car on SZR .

I'd head to Jebel Hafeet in the beautiful city of Al-Ain when I get mine. (some twisty road pics; thanks google image search; for people residing outside UAE)











And if I really want some tighter action around corners? The coastal highway in Musandam(Oman) when you enter from Ras Al Khaimah border has the most twisty roads I've met.



Would love to take my car over there once the break-in is done.



Cheers
~Imti