Long-term update: Toyota FJ Cruiser — Smart repair and new Dubai plates
Some loser managed to scrape the front bumper on our Toyota FJ Cruiser while it sat in the parking lot, running away without even leaving a note. Luckily, it looked like our truck left more damage on their car than the other way round.
The paint was damaged on only one of the silver protrusions that make up the front bumper, with no actual dents. So we went in for a smart repair rather than wasting time calling the cops. The Toyota dealer offers it for Dhs 399 per panel, and after a weekend, it was as good as new.
We dropped it off at Al Futtaim’s shiny new Toyota facility near Dubai Festival City. The setup is a bit perplexing, as you enter the gated area and can drive in your car-to-be-serviced as if you’re valeting at a hotel, which is nice, but there are no clear parking lots if you’re just visiting, so you have to valet at the main entrance even if you’re there just to hang with your pal.
That’s what we had to do with our Audi R8(!) test car, wasting time having to explain to the valet guy how to use its weird gearbox. But we suppose our “problem” was unique. All in all, it’s still a much nicer facility than what even luxury brands offer.
On another note, our FJ now wears the new Dubai logo on the numberplate and has become a bit of a head-turner. It’s a straightforward process to get one — find the right link on the rta.ae page, pay Dhs 420, and pick an available date as well as a location to hand in your old plates for new ones. We were early birds so we got it quickly, but right now it could take up to a month to get a date. And before you start whining, remember that it’s still optional and you don’t really need it, just like half the things you already own.
Original Mileage When Bought: 5,500 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 8,200 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 17.7 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 0Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 0
Comments
abdullah
A friend bought that portion of bumper brand new and it came factory painted silver. All for AED 200. I could have saved you a 100 buks!
Farhan
The last sentence in true MASH style sums the post…Too good! 😀
cayanide
The new number plate design looks cheap Abu Dhabi number plates are the best
Shoaib
But the drivers suck…
Hamid
Looks pretty messy to me
Sting316
Last week some fool bumped in to my Fj’s rear corner panel too. And ofcorse didn’t leave any courtsey note. And as I changed my insurance plan a week earlier from comprehensive to third party, I didn’t bother much and fixed it at my trusted Garage for 10 bd only. Looks brand new. 🙂
Nemo
The new dubai number plates look good! i noticed there are no bolt/screw holes in it. Is there a plate holder? Where did you get it? i will be receiving my new dubai plates soon and i want it to be mounted the same. Thanks in advance mash!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
The dealer drilled and screwed in the previous plates directly on the bumper. We received our new plates at Belhasa/Wasel, and they offer a plate-holder for AED 80, so that’s stuck using the same drill-holes, and any plates can be clipped in or swapped without drilling more holes. Another option is to simply use strong double-sided tape, but that won’t work too well on a curved bumper.
cayanide
Kids would be inspired by the color combination may be was designed by nursery kids Blue an Purple what a heck next will be pink and yellow
Nemo
I already got my new dubai plates! Looks good!