Baraza JM Hi Baraza, Your column is like a special motoring university. Kudos! I am moving back to Kenya from the UK at the end of the year and intend to reward myself with a car after my studies. I have identified the following used cars based on how much I want to spend (both cost here … Read more
What is it? This is, or was, the third generation of BMW’s uber-successful small saloons. Built from 1998 to just around 2007, it is the prettiest of the lot (older versions are beautiful. This one is pretty. Later models are best left untalked about in terms of looks). It has also been described as a … Read more
I am sure many of you saw this coming: the second chapter of my hoax stories. This time round, they are much closer to home. Schemes (I will not call them scams just yet) either run by Kenyans or people using Kenyans. Before proceeding, can I just lay down a disclaimer? I have not seen … Read more
Hi Baraza, I’m one of the regular readers of your column and I must say that I appreciate your work very much. I’m planning to import a Toyota Corolla on my own, but my friends who have done it before are not willing to help me. Please advise me on genuine dealer websites that I … Read more
There are very many ways in which a car can be powered. Some of these methods have entered large scale mainstream use — petrol, electricity, ethanol, biodiesel, LPG — while some, though they worked, were not commercially or ethically viable — chicken guano, dog (yes, dogs have powered motor vehicles), charcoal (believe it!), compressed air, … Read more
Dear Baraza, Thanks for the incisive analyses. I want to upgrade to a 4X4 but I am wondering which, between the Toyota Fortuner, the Toyota Surf and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, I should go for. I have not driven any of them but they look quite capable. Kindly give me your views in terms of … Read more
Hi Baraza, I am a regular reader of your column and I must say I appreciate your work, even though I don’t own a car yet. However, I am looking to buy my first car, and I have in my sights a Toyota RunX/Allex, Toyota Spacio and a Peugeot 206. Please advice me on the … Read more
Dear sir, I own a Toyota Corolla RunX, 2001 model. Recently, the ‘Check Engine’ light came on as the engine was idling. Since then it has remained on whenever the engine is running. Sometimes it goes off, but for a very short time. At first I thought it was the faulty battery I had which … Read more
The Sky Has Finally Fallen It is all doom and gloom along Lusaka Road as CMC Motors woke up to the shocking news that Jaguar Land Rover is no more. No, the Indian-owned British corporation has not closed shop, but as far as CMC Motors are concerned, Jaguar and Land Rover cars may as well … Read more
Hi JM, I have a motoring question, but not about cars. It’s about drivers, road safety and accident reduction. To exhort drivers to change behaviour has as much a chance of success as a snowball in hell. But one move which will certainly have positive results is be to launch a highway patrol division of … Read more