Category: Automotive

I was at the Toyota dealer today and noticed they had an option to install an upgraded navigation and ipod head unit with a rear view camera. It’s installed locally by them (not factory installed) but the salesman didn’t know what brand the head unit was just that it used Magellan maps.

I was planning on getting the Alpine iXA-W407 (video above) since it comes with widgets, has an amazing iPod interface, you can connect a rear view camera and has an iPhone like “flick through menus”. I was just curious if anyone had the Toyota version because I would be interested to hear some feedback. The Alpine W407 costs around $600 without the navigation and rear view camera while the Toyota dealer installed unit is KD550.

Also one more thing, those little kids and grownups that hang around the entrance to the Al-Rai car dealerships asking you if your car is for sale, what’s their story?

Actually one more last thing, while there I noticed a couple of people using the Toyota recall as a bargaining tool.

Update: Found it, the head unit Toyota installs for you is made by FlyAudio and the interface looks horrible. [Link]

This is extremely frustrating. I’ve been trying to upload my Wrangler onto Q8car but every time I am done filling up the form and uploading the pictures I get an error. Their website is broken!

Update: Also got the same error with their Arabic version of the site

Also a tip they don’t mention.. if you don’t want your pictures of the cars you upload to look distorted then resize the photo so they are exactly 550pixels wide by 458px height or else they will force your images into that size.

Update2: Spoke to their IT guy, seems they are updating something and the site might work tonight.

Update3: It’s 11:56PM and it’s still broken. If it wasn’t for the positive experience I had with them before I would have signed up and uploaded my car to Q8showroom instead.

30″ wheels on a Toyota FJ Cruiser.

So as I mentioned a few posts below I will be swapping my Wrangler for an FJ Cruiser. Before I list my Jeep on Q8car I figured I would see if anyone here was interested in it. Here are the specs:

Jeep Wrangler Sport
2004 Model
85,000KM Mileage
3.75″ Old Man Emu lift (details)
33×12.5″ Tires on Cragar black steelies
Alpine + Boston Sound System installed by me (1, 2 & 3)

Dealer serviced and maintained. Full car history available on this blog (search for Wrangler) and here is the full history of my Wrangler in pictures [Link]

If you’re interested in the Jeep [Contact Me]

Negative Effect lent me his Toyata FJ Cruiser for the night and it only took the ride back home in it to be convinced about getting one. It felt really cozy, comfortable and just well built. Now its just about choosing a color and finding a good deal on a second hand one. I guess I have to prepare a farewell party for my Wrangler.

The GulfRun 5 video is out and it’s easily my favorite from all the GulfRun videos up till now. It was directed, shot and produced by Negative Effect who did an incredible job squeezing three days worth of activities and hours and hours worth of footage into just two minutes and thirty seconds. Watch it above or follow this link for the best experience [Video]

Just went to Q8Car.com to check out the prices of used FJ’s and noticed they’ve completely redesigned the site. Haven’t used it much but so far it still feels bloated. [Link]

I love my Wrangler and I never thought I would ever want to part with it but recently I realized it’s not a very practical car. Actually I always knew it wasn’t a very practical car but never had an issue with it until now. I can’t fit anything in the trunk! I just got a 1/5 scale RC car and it barely fits in the back, barely anything fits even with the seat folded. So, I am now considering swapping the Wrangler for another SUV, one that at least has some decent space to hold stuff. Personally I would actually prefer a pick up truck like the Ford Raptor but Nat hates trucks. The two options I’ve currently narrowed down to are the Nissan Xterra and the Toyota FJ Cruiser. I’ve actually been begging Negative Effect practically on a weekly basis for the past few months to sell me his nicely modified FJ but have failed miserably in convincing him.

Both SUV’s are actually great, the Xterra being the more practical out of the bunch while the FJ being the timeless one. Anyone have any opinion on the two cars?

Two years back I posted a picture of the new Nissan Patrol and I was really hoping they would change it by the time it got released. Well after following www.welcomethehero.com for the past few days waiting to see what they would reveal turns out it’s the new Patrol and it still looks as ugly. Hopefully it will look better on the streets but I doubt it. [Link]

A new and small drive through car wash opened up at the gas station near my house. It’s an Oula gas station at the end of 4th Ring Road towards Salmiya. What’s cool about the car wash is the fact you don’t leave your car while it’s getting washed. It’s more fun that way and the sound of the machines and water around the car makes the whole experience sound like a Nine Inch Nails song. Very cool!

Thanks Henrik!

Someone forgot to pull the handbrakes… [YouTube]

Two weeks back I posted pictures of the GulfRun guys getting their cars washed and stickers applied and now Negative Effect just released a video of that event. I’m looking forward for the video of the actual races since he had a whole bunch of FlipHD cameras setup around all the cars capturing footage from every angle. For now though you can watch this. [YouTube]

I spent most of the day today walking from one track corner to another trying to find the best to take pictures from. I finally found a spot that had green grass and some green painted pavement which I thought added some much needed color to the shots and so I ended up taking most of my shots there. I took around 400 shots today but here are some of my favorites right now. Like yesterday these are just a sample of shots, once I am done going through all my shots I will upload them all to flickr.