Hi Baraza, I have learnt a lot about cars through your column, thanks. I own a Lancer Cedia wagon 2001 model that has a GDI and turbo 1830cc engine. I like it because its pretty powerful compared to my bro’s “flimsy” Toyota Fielder. Now, If I may ask: 1. I was told that the turbo … Read more
Hi JM, I have owned a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia wagon 1800cc GDI for more than three years with no problem other than the usual wear and tear, brakes, shocks, etc. And so I fail to understand the Kenyan phobia for any car with an engine other than a VVT-i or stone-aged engines, minus some … Read more
Of all the great car companies and brands, one of the most overlooked is Peugeot of France. As a brand, it is a bit despised in the UK and rarely bought in Germany, but who cares what those Europeans think? The places where these cars have had the biggest impact are Africa and the Middle … Read more
Hi Baraza, I have owned a Toyota Verossa for the past two years and I am aware that you included it in your list of most ugly cars, and that one of your readers requested guidance on whether to go for a Verossa or a Premio (DN2 Dec, 7). Surely, looks should not be the … Read more
CMC’s cup runneth over? Anyone with half an eye on the motoring industry must be aware that something is seriously amiss at Cooper Motors. It first came to my notice through the Daily Nation (naturally). The affair went thus: Mr William (better known as Bill) Lay, former paterfamilias at General Motors and a man I … Read more
It is not the first time that the comic genius of one Jeremy Clarkson from the BBC has driven my motoring thoughts in a particular direction. Several months ago, I watched as he and his colleague tried to come up with a TV ad for the then recently released Volkswagen Scirocco diesel. The brief was: … Read more
Now, everybody likes to be looked at, especially when the gaze in question is one of approval. There is nothing quite like the knowledge that one is under the adulating gaze of another; it lends us a sense of worth, a sense of achievement, uniqueness and of being a cut above the rest — you … Read more
I’m in the process of acquiring a used car. I have realised that I can get a nice Mitsubishi, Mazda or Subaru for about Sh400,000, but the same quality of Toyota costs almost Sh600,000. However, I’ve been advised that these cheaper cars have serious problems when it comes to spare parts, and that they consume … Read more
While last week’s article may have been a bit controversial, it did not provoke a post-bag of outrage as sizeable as I may have desired, but there were responses. Suspects were fronted, and disagreement reared its ugly (pun intended) head more than once. Of note was the concord over the Toyota Will’s lack of visual … Read more
There is no beauty that hath not some strangeness about its proportions,” so quoteth one Francis Bacon. Another wag added: “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder,” and that went on to be modified in various ways, with “beholder” being swapped for “beer-holder” and, for automotive interiors, “cup-holder”. Anyway, Mr Bacon had his own … Read more