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
Hi Baraza, I plan to import my first ever-car in the course of this year. My preference is a 1.8-litre Toyota Premio or Avensis, both VVT-i saloons. These two cars seem to cost almost the same and I like their shape. I have heard people say the Avensis’ engine is troublesome and not easy to … Read more
Hi Baraza, I’m one of the regular readers of your column and I must say that I appreciate your work very much. I’m planning to import a Toyota Corolla on my own, but my friends who have done it before are not willing to help me. Please advise me on genuine dealer websites that I … Read more
Hi Baraza, I am a regular reader of your column and I must say I appreciate your work, even though I don’t own a car yet. However, I am looking to buy my first car, and I have in my sights a Toyota RunX/Allex, Toyota Spacio and a Peugeot 206. Please advice me on the … Read more
Hi JM, I have a motoring question, but not about cars. It’s about drivers, road safety and accident reduction. To exhort drivers to change behaviour has as much a chance of success as a snowball in hell. But one move which will certainly have positive results is be to launch a highway patrol division of … 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, 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 am currently in the process of acquiring a saloon Subaru Leone, 1500 cc. It’s an old model as far as I can see, with a carburettor boxer engine, (the one that fits a spare tyre in the hood) and is a 4-speed manual. Please give me details of the car’s history and … 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