Hi Baraza, Thanks for the opportunity once more. Some time back I asked you about the 1999 VW Polo, 1600cc, and what you said is what I got. I loved the performance of the car, even though it was old. Now I have a year 2000 VW Passat, 1800cc. Kindly educate me on the following … Read more
Hello Baraza, I own a Toyota Premio, year 2000 model, and would like to upgrade to a Camry or Mark X. I do not do a lot of out-of-town driving — maybe three times a year to western Kenya and five times to Nakuru — so I need the cars mostly for town service. I … Read more
Hello Baraza, What are the in-trend features in the new Toyota Hilux D4D, the Nissan Hardbody, the Nissan Navara, and the Mitsubishi L200? Which of these, in your opinion, is likely to out-sell the other, based on consumer satisfaction, pricing and durability? That is one elaborate question you have there. The Hilux D4D started off … 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
Hi Baraza, I am in need of a four-wheel-drive, double-cab pick-up that can haul a tonne to and from my farm once a month. I live in Nairobi, about 300 kilometres from the farm, and have homed in on a 2001 Toyota Hilux, 2800cc with a 3L diesel engine, and a 2002 Nissan Hardbody, 3100cc … Read more
Hi Baraza, I have shipped in a Toyota Avensis from the UK and have been told of certain concerns regarding the car: 1. That parts are not locally available; I will have to get some spares, such as suspensions and ball joints, from Dubai. 2. That body parts can only be found upon placing a … Read more
There is a sudden spurt in the number of 190E Mercs on Nairobi roads. Kindly offer your thoughts on why this is so and review the car for safety, reliability, performance and maintenance. Pete The car is obsolete, very much so, seeing how it pre-dates and precedes the current line of C-Class Mercs. As such, … Read more
Dear Baraza, Thanks for your entertaining and informative column. After seeing your low opinion of electric cars and their potential in Kenya (Daily Nation, June 27, 2012), I want to offer an alternative view. It is clear that electric cars are the future, with oil supplies peaking and air pollution reaching critical levels in most … Read more
What is the single most stupid driving activity you can think of right now? Drunk-driving? Hitting 200 km/h in the middle of town? Running red lights with blatant disregard for cross-junctions? Engaging the police in a high speed chase with the fuel gauge at E? Not even close. You have not seen the kind of … 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