At the close of 2014, I took a brief look at the goings-on within the local automotive industry — and in Uganda — but, unknown to me, things were happening on a much grander scale in West Africa. Ghana and Nigeria also have homegrown motoring scenes. Unlike the Ugandans, they are not dealing in futuristic, … Read more
Hi Baraza, I own a Suzuki Escudo with automatic transmission. I have been driving with the selector on “4H” during normal driving. Recently, a friend advised that I should drive on “N” for better fuel consumption. The car feels lighter, but there is an intermittent whining sound and some letters (“N” and “4L”) appearing on … Read more
Chevrolet Utility half-tonne pick-up What is it? This is General Motors’ smallest commercial vehicle on sale currently. It is a tiny little pick-up meant for small deliveries. When I say small, I mean cargo not exceeding two metres in length, two metres wide and 500kg mass. It is a weird-looking thing, with an unusual face, … Read more
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
Hello Baraza, Thank you for the good work; it is educating. I intend to buy a vehicle for an airport transfers contract and I am eyeing a Toyota Premio (1800cc), a Toyota Voxy, and a Toyota Noah, all 2005 or 2006 models. From my research, I am likely to get both the Voxy and Noah … Read more
Hello Baraza, Kindly enlighten me on the difference between the ordinary super petrol and the V-Power fuel sold by Shell. I drive a supercharged Vitz — RS 1600cc — and have tried using both fuel types and experienced no difference at all in terms of speed, performance and kilometres per litre. Let me hear from … Read more
Hi Baraza, 1. Do electric vehicles stand a chance in Kenya? 2. Is it possible to convert a car to use electricity? If so, what are the pros and cons of implementing such an idea in Kenya? Nick 1. At the moment, not a chance in hell. 2. Yes, but the costs and labour involved … Read more
Hi Baraza, Kindly educate me on the following issues: 1. What is the consumption of the Subaru Forester when driving in a normal manner and when driving like you want to fly? 2. What is the cost of the new model of the Volkswagen Passat and can I get a second-hand one? 3. Which among … Read more
Hi Baraza, I have a Toyota 104L Extra, which I bought in 2009. I have never experienced any mechanical or fuel consumption problems with it. However, I have fallen in love with the new model Subaru Forester non-turbo, so I want to sell the Toyota and buy the Subaru. Problem is that people have been … 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