Hi, I drive a Mercedes E240 year 2003 model. Now I want to upgrade to a bigger car. I am thinking of an Audi Q7/Lexus RX/Evoque. I want comfort, luxury, looks, and speed in that order. I do not expect to go offroad; it just needs to handle potholes and diversions (during road constructions). I … Read more
Hi JM, Could you please explain to us this small mystery… Many versatile 4x4s like the (police) Landcruisers have free-spinning front hubs which you must physically get out into the mud to lock before engaging four-wheel drive. This free-wheeling, we were told long ago, enhances fuel consumption on tarmac by reducing drag on the front … Read more
Hello Mr Baraza, I’m interested in buying a Subaru Impreza but there are some things I don’t understand, so I need some clarification: 1. What’s the difference between an Impreza plain, Impreza WRX and an Impreza WRX STi? 2. What are the pros and cons of a non-turbo Impreza and one with a turbo with … Read more
People can be very unusual sometimes… May 28, 2013 03h00 (3 in the morning) Ring, ring… Caller 1: Hello, is this the Great Run? Me: Yes sir, this is the Great Run. Caller 1: What exactly is this Great Run? Me: The Great Run is an endurance driving event… etc (*see definition below) Caller 1: … 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 have this weird obsession with tuned WRX /STi monsters but every time I praise them near my ‘ethical’ and ‘professional’ friends, they dismiss the cars as anti-social and ‘bad boy’ rides. What’s even worse is that many of my friends deem the cars as the Number One killer on our roads, and … Read more
It is by sheer happenstance that we had with us the best of both worlds: the best Evo ever made versus the best STi ever made (in my book). Or is it really coincidence? You see, these cars have been provided by The Paji, a man I introduced on these pages some weeks ago. If … 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
For some people, 2012 is the year when the world as we know it will come to an end. For me, 2012 will be marked down as The Year of Great Surprises, one of which was a Mahindra vehicle. If the world actually does end, that will be another (stop laughing at the back, please, … 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