Hi Baraza, I am in a dilemma as to which car is preferable for me between the Mazda CX-7 and Toyota Fortuner. Please advise me bearing in mind the initial cost, maintenance, fuel consumption and availability of spare parts. The Mazda looks unique and stylish, but is it as reliable and durable as the Fortuner? … Read more
Hello Baraza, I love your column and would like your advice on buying a starter car. I am a married with one child and my husband and I are planning to buy our first ride. Our Budget is about Sh350,000 to Sh400,000. We have seen some affordable choices on import websites. Kindly advice us on … Read more
Hi Barasa, I have owned a Toyota Mark X, 2005 model for six months. Last week, it started showing the check engine light. A diagnostic revealed one of its oxygen sensors had stopped functioning. Is it ok to still drive it? A lot of Mark X have these problems. Also, when I press on the … Read more
Hello Baraza, Thank you for your advice on motoring. Could you kindly take your time to help me decide on what is the best vehicle in relation to the issues I state below? 1. Infrequent travel on the rough roads of areas like Marsabit, Turkana, and the coastal region. 2. Going to work in town. … 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
Hallo Baraza, Thank you for your very resourceful articles that sometimes remind me of a Sunday Nation humour writer by the name Mwalimu Andrew! I have a 2009 left-hand drive Toyota Landcruiser Hardtop that we bought brand new and had it shipped from Toyota Motors Europe in Gibralta, South of Spain. It has so far … Read more
Hello Baraza, I want to pick your brains on a couple of things: 1. Yana tyres: I recently replaced my tyres, one pair Yana and the other Chinese Marshall. The car started “bouncing” whenever I was at about 40kph. After checking, I zeroed in on one of the Yanas. On closer observation, however, we noticed … 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, I understand the Russians make some of the best war planes and tanks, but rarely do we see Russian products on our roads, like the Niva, or the Kamaz, which I understand has won the Dakar Rally nine times in a row. Tell me about the Lada Niva and the Mazda 6 Joe … 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