Originally from Peshawar in Pakistan, Najhm Faqir , a 37-year-old real estate agent and, more recently, reality television star, is the proud owner of a Lexus IS 300.
Having had the car for just more than a year, Faqir has racked up more than 60,000km on the clock, partly as a result of trips around the Emirates and real estate viewings.
However, commuting during three weeks filming as a contestant in the second series of Hydra Executives (India versus Pakistan), the reality television show set in Abu Dhabi, has also contributed to the mileage.
The reality show, which will be aired in coming months, is based on the successful US television series, Apprentice. It pits businessmen and women against each other for a US$1million prize (Dh3.7m) and a high-ranking position at the Abu Dhabi real estate developer, Hydra Properties.
"The show was a very unusual experience," says Faqir. Without giving too much away about how he performed in the challenge, Faqir describes Sulaiman Al Fahim, the chief executive of Hydra Properties and the Donald Trump equivalent with the power to hire and fire, as "an amiable person [who] acknowledged I have a strong personality.
"I came to Dubai to experience a more glamorous lifestyle and I have not been let down in this respect. Having been here 11 years now, business is good and I now own a number of properties in the UAE. However, my favourite possession has got to be my Lexus," says Faqir.
The 3.0L V6 model, which has a nippy 228 horsepower under the bonnet, is positioned as an affordable alternative to other luxury vehicles such as the BMW and Mercedes. However, as Faqir explains, it wasn't just the lower price that tempted him to buy a new model in March last year for Dh139,000.
"The IS 300 was within my budget and maintenance is more affordable. However, the biggest factors for me were the curvy shape, luxurious comfort, and the fact it is less common on the roads here than other luxury cars - it has a novelty factor.
"I also love its exterior styling with 17-inch wheels and dual exhaust. Inside, it oozes class and quality, with the smooth leather, wood and metal finishes. There weren't the obvious signs of cost-cutting I have seen in other entry-level luxury cars, such as the Infiniti G-series.
"I particularly like the navigation computer screen, which has a cool touch screen and just looks great. The car is not all about show as it has front-side airbags, parking sensors and powerful front and rear a/c, but I must admit my favourite gimmicks are the keyless entry and the start button," says Faqir. He adds: "At first sight, I knew it was my type of car - stylish, great design, beautiful look and I feel it demands respect. Once I was driving through the Madinat Jumeirah car park and a glamorous blonde European girl approached the window and asked if I was a sheikh. It seems that the car had done its job of exuding style and class. Of course I said no, but I offered her a ride nonetheless."
Though it is obvious Faqir loves his IS 300, any fleeting fame he encounters might be the deciding factor in keeping it. "Perhaps the Lexus has lost its novelty value a little," he says, "with more appearing on the UAE roads over the past year, which does not help make me feel as individual. I'm sure my movie career wouldn't be hampered by my choice of car, but I would consider selling it for a top-of-the-range supercharged Range Rover. These luxurious and beautifully designed cars command a lot of respect and would also complement my style. Besides," he laughs, "I suppose Range Rovers are one of the most popular vehicles with Hollywood A-listers."
Joking aside, Faqir hopes his exposure on the Hydra Executives programme will help him make his dream come true. He says his ambition is to "produce a true-to-life Hollywood movie that focuses on the soft image of my home country of Pakistan and its peace-loving people.
"As the show has not yet aired, I am yet to experience any celebrity status as such," he says. But who knows? One day, when he has produced his Hollywood movie, he may be able to afford the Range Rover and still keep his beloved Lexus.
motoring@thenational.ae
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Vikram%20Vedha
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How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars