Practical help
Alongside the writing, a small amount of practical help is offered to people in Sharjah and the neighbouring emirates. It is one person's time, booked by phone, and it deliberately covers only the things that can be done honestly and well. All prices below are indicative, quoted in dirhams, and confirmed before anything begins.
Two hours spent with you and the car you are considering, on a route chosen to expose ride quality, cabin noise, seat support, visibility and cooling. You drive; the notes are written as we go and handed to you afterwards in plain language.
AED 450
A structured assessment of how a car copes with standing in the sun: vent temperatures measured over time, seat ventilation tested at length, glass and tint examined, blinds and sunshades assessed, and cabin filter condition inspected.
AED 350
An unhurried hour setting a car up around you rather than around the last person who sat in it. Seat height, tilt, cushion length, lumbar support, column reach and mirror positions, with the reasoning explained so you can repeat it.
AED 300
Accompaniment while a pre-owned car is inspected, so that you understand what is being looked at and what the findings mean. Paint and panel gaps, tyre age, brake condition, cooling performance and service history are all covered.
AED 600
A conversation about how you actually drive, followed by a written shortlist of car types that suit it, with the reasoning for each and the questions to ask when you go to look. No specific seller is recommended and no commission is taken.
AED 400
Help preparing for a rental handover or a visit to a car exhibition: what to photograph before you drive away, how deposits and mileage limits usually work, and how to use an exhibition hall to compare a dozen cabins in one morning.
AED 250
All prices are indicative and given in dirhams. They cover time and advice only. They do not include any fee charged by a seller, a workshop or a rental provider, and no payment is ever taken on behalf of a third party. A firm figure is confirmed by phone before any appointment is made.
AED 650
For someone who has found one car and wants a second opinion before committing.
AED 1,450
For an owner whose current car has become unpleasant in the hot months.
AED 2,400
For a buyer starting from scratch who wants the search done thoroughly.
Calm reviews from Sharjah
If you are about to spend a serious sum on a car, or you already have one that has stopped being pleasant in the heat, a conversation costs nothing. Call, describe how and where you drive, and you will get an honest answer even if that answer is that you do not need any help at all.