Car Purchasing at it's Finest

Last Wednesday I walked into a car dealership in Abu Dhabi. I had pretty much already made up my mind what I was going to do… little did I know what would ensue.
So after meandering around the showroom looking at the podiums next to each car with the price (better known as the sticker price) and the specs for each vehicle, I was finally approached by the only other soul in sight.
After learning I wasn't sure what I wanted but I had a friend who owned a Jetta and I really liked it, he proceeded to give me the comparison of a Jetta and a Passat.
I interrupted to let him know I wasn't interested in a bigger car unless it was somewhat of an SUV, my interests were:
Power to get up and go (to get out of the way of the speed demons (and I drive fast myself))
Sunroof
cruise control
arm rest
comfortable seat with enough leg room
usb port
and I asked what car colors were available other than white, black, brown, and silver.

and no, gas mileage was not something that came to mind, and it was also not anywhere on the spec sheet.
I also forgot to mention that I wanted a great stereo system as I want to turn my music up loud… which I have noticed is something else I don't see here, car stereo shops for speakers.

So after ascertaining there was a Blue Jetta with white and black leather interior (actually leatherette, whatever that is) and a Red Tiguan with beige interior, I decided to go for a test drive.

The only vehicle I could drive was a brown Jetta but with all the same amenities of the blue one.
The Tiguan was not available to drive until next week.

After 20 minutes of waiting, he drove up in front of the building in the Jetta and we took it for a spin.
Rear camera, sun roof, adjustable arm rest for the driver, cruise control, adjustable seat for my long legs, blue tooth, memory card, usb, 6 cd changer (guess I will be buying some now) and so much more… I liked it

So when we sat down after the test drive, I asked about the Tiguan, and he basically talked me out of a vehicle that cost more than 10 grand USD more by asking why I wanted it for that much more money and did I need an SUV….

30 minutes later, after learning how they take a deposit on the car (2000 aed or about 540 USD), I have to get a check from the bank, email the loan officer at the bank a copy of my Emirates ID, my passport,  my visa and a salary certificate from my employer stating what I make.

Then I pay 20 percent down, my insurance for a year up front and for the window tinting of the vehicle to be done by the time I pick it up.

Then after he processes all the paper work, I left with the agreement paper and the specs of the car.

A trip to the bank ensues to order ONE check, as I have to write a check for the full amount of the car and sign it. They will hold it until I pay off the car.
Ordering a check is a 2-4 day process. I wait to talk to a business teller and he has to copy my emirates id front and back, fill out a form and have me sign it. A courier deliver service will bring it to me after it is processed.
They sent an sms to me 2 days in to arrange delivery.

I emailed the paper work to the loan officer.
After I get the check (today),  I am to call the loan officer and set up a time to meet to sign the loan, etc.

Then I can go back to the dealership to get everything signed and in order and the dealership will then process the car for delivery which will take 2 days.

My friends tell me that when the car is ready, I will go to the dealership, get all the paperwork for the registration and license plates and take it to the equivalent of the DMV to pick up the tags. Then I have to take them back to the dealership to have them install them.

THEN I will have my car and drive it home.

We are 6 days in… I can now tell people why I haven't purchased a car here before now…

I know you are jealous that you don't get to have all the fun, but now you know what it takes to buy a car in the UAE.