Dear Baraza, I am an ardent reader of your informative column and I thank you for the great work and research. I am planning to buy my first car and I plan to use it to travel approximately 140km to Nairobi every Saturday and Monday. I am a fan of sports cars, so when I … 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
Hallo Baraza, I want to purchase my first car and I’m in love with the Subaru Impreza (LA-GG3, 1500cc). Some of my friends are advising me to instead opt for a Toyota 100, 110, G-Touring or Allion, based on the following arguments; 1. The Subaru Impreza 1500cc consumes more fuel than a Toyota of the … Read more
Hi Baraza I’m looking for a fancy, low-maintenance, hardy, four-wheel-drive mainly for use in city roads but with an occasional off-road run on not-so-rough terrain. My budget is below Sh3 million. I have narrowed my attention to the VW Touareg, Toyota Lexus/Harrier RX3000, Nissan Murano, Subaru Tribeca and a Hyundai (can’t remember the series). I’m, … 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
Dear Baraza, I am looking for a 12- or 14-seater van. Kindly compare the Nissan Caravan and Toyota Hiace on build quality, off-road ability, fuel consumption, parts availability, and resale value in around five to seven years. What particular engine would you recommend in these two? Are there any other vehicle options in this category … Read more
Hi Baraza, I always enjoy reading your insightful reviews on various brands of vehicles. I am just wondering whether you have ever tried out the Toyota Camry. It seems to me a very well-built car and good shape and gives me the impression that it is a very stable car. But I do not see … Read more
Hi Baraza, Thanks for your informative page in DN2. Two quick questions: 1. What is the meaning of “common rail engine” in VW Touareg? 2. Why do vehicles with a common rail engine require more care than other engine types? Thanks in advance, Charles 1. The common rail feature in an engine is a type … Read more
In the recent past I have found myself in a good number of new cars, all of which beg reviews, but since there is hardly any time (or space) to do them all, they will have to share a bed or rather a space. To kick things off we have the new RAV4, the 2013 … Read more
Hi Baraza, I once overheard a former Toyota Prius owner lament about how much trouble the car had put him through when its photovoltaic cell broke down. Finding a competent mechanic to fix it was a nightmare. Toyota EA, the franchise holders, did not stock it too. Please comment on the whole hybrid car phenomenon … Read more