Hi Baraza, Great work in your column. I am an avid cyclist and have been looking for a car that will help me get my bike(s) from point A to point B without having to completely dismantle them. This would probably mean a roof-mounted bike carrier or an estate car with lots of boot space, … Read more
Dear Baraza, Thank you for your helpful advice. It is most appreciated. I read with interest the release of the Mobius, a Kenyan-made vehicle that is due to be launched in June. I would really like to hear your opinion on it. Joseph. Hello sir, I first heard of the Mobius almost four years ago, when … Read more
I recently bought a ’99 Mercedes Benz C180 (? 202). Having driven other cars, namely, Toyota, Daihatsu Rocky and Honda, I must say this car is a different thing all together. The engine delivers real power effortlessly, the handling is very smooth and the fear of excessive consumption, I discovered, is unfounded because its consumption … Read more
Hi Baraza, In the past two weeks, I have driven down to Nakuru three times, every time using a different car, namely a 2003 Toyota Kluger, a 2007 Toyota Premio, and a 1991 Mercedes Benz 190E. By quite a distance, the 190E was the most comfortable and most stable. Older Volvos and Mercedes’ seem way … Read more
Hi Baraza, I am looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient car that will not give me too much trouble. I have narrowed my choice down to the new model Toyota Vitz going for Sh650,000, Nissan Tiida wagon at Sh710,000, and Subaru Impreza at Sh800,000. I want to use the car to drive to and from work … Read more
Dear Baraza, I have been reading your column and find it quite interesting and informative. I am a car importer specialising in Volkswagen Golfs. The past year has been tough for me as I imported three Golf vehicles from Japan and they have given me transmission problems since they landed in Mombasa. I find this … Read more
Baraza, Recently, a rain storm in South C tried to convert my Nissan B15 into a yacht; the water line was just below (about 1 cm) the side wind windows. It refused to float and ended up taking in water. Once safe, I got it towed to higher ground and left it overnight to get … Read more
JM, Let me state from the get go that I’m an irredeemable petrolhead through and through. Having said that, I’ve made some observations that I suspect are not unique to Kenyan roads, such as the fact that most accidents are the handiwork of drivers with “unschooled” blood, you know, the kind that think they are … 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
Hi JM, I have an auto 2002 Forester that I would say is quite economical. My wife bought a five-speed manual 2004 Forester that has nearly the same peak power but is far more economical in terms of fuel consumption. While I spend a thousand bob to Thika and back to Nairobi, she will spend … Read more