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Bros Siena, i beg to differ here o. The 92-96 Camry 4 cylinder engine is a 2.2 litre. Somehow, i dont consider that engine small. My dad's friend has a 93 Camry 2.2GL (the early ones without airbags) & that car is still as sound & fast as anything, even with AC chilling. & while the car will likely not be as fuel efficient as it was 18 yrs ago, i'll like to think that if the vehicle has been well maintained over the years, it will still be quite fuel efficient, fast & friendly to the pocket of a medium income earner. I'm speaking from very close observation. I believe a well maintained 1992 Honda Civic will be even more fuel efficient than a poorly maintained 2002 Honda Civic. That's why i agree with the point you and the other auto gurus here have consistently harped on here, which is : Vehicle maintenance is key to engine performance & efficiency which ultimately affects fuel economy.

My uncle's 1989 Toyota Camry V6 2.5litre (not too sure of the engine size, sure its a V6 tho) is also one fast & surprisingly fuel efficient ride. Tho the car has been experiencing what i consider some ''wear and tear'' issues due to its old age, the engine is still very very sound.

Siena:

I'm not referring to the engine being sound or not. Sure it'll be running great. I'm referring to the fuel consumption, which will be on the high side. And yes, a 2,2L engine in a car the size of the '92 Camry is small, considering the modest power output. The 5S-FE motor produced 130 hp back in '94. 18 later, factoring in wear and tear, the same engine will be making circa 85 - 100 hp. This will give performance closer to a contemporary 1,6L motor. And this is where the same engine will be thirstier. I'm not expressing an opinion, it's simply a scientific fact.

It will still drive fine, and unless the car is strapped to a dyno, the power loss won't be apparent in everyday driving. When an engine wears, it's a gradual process, so gradual that even a 40 hp deficit over a period of 6 years won't be noticeable. It'll only be obvious if you drive this car, then drive another similar model with a rebuilt motor. That's why some cars feel noticeably quicker than others, despite having the same engine. It's not a maintenance issue, it's an ageing process.

If I was in the OP's shoes, I'd be looking at a newer car for the same price, a smaller car with an equally smaller engine. For what the '94 Toyota Camry 2,2 will cost, I'd be looking at a '98 Toyota Corolla 1,6, '97 Volkswagen Golf III 1,6, '99 Honda Civic 1,6, '99 Toyota Avensis 1,6, '98 Peugeot 306 1,6. These are just examples. Spending 700,000 Naira on a car that's close to 20-years-old is not recommended.

When giving advice, emotions need to be kept out, and practicality brought in.

Siena:

An older car bought cheaply will be an easy purchase, the upkeep costs will however be high. A newer car bought at a higher than average cost will be a more costly initial investment, but upkeep costs are likely to be lower.

It all depends on the way you look at the picture. The emphasis on the cars maintained in your family is on "we". So a lot easier than a single individual living away from home. Besides, running costs of an automobile were relatively low 10 years ago, compared to today.

infgost234: Some of d posters here have a low way of thinking sha.. Does it mean a person earning 80k monthly cant get and maintain a car? Does he have to start earning millions/month before getting a ride? If I may ask, how many Nigerians that own a car today earn above 80k/month?
Siena is making a lot of sense on d age thing... Kudos man!

okpara ugo:

Dont ever take a loan on this type of salary.

Am not sure a salary of N80,000 per month can maintain a car. I fuel N10,000 a week plus other maintenance costs. Fuel alone is N40,000 per month plus maintenance at a mechanic workshop which costs depend on the volume of services and parts changed.

You mentioned covering a daily trip of 50miles, which means you will consume fuel of about N1,500 daily for a 2.0 litre engine And that is N33,000 per month assuming 22 working days per month. Maintenance aside. What is left for your other expenses You mentioned loan, i assume you want to fall back on the loan to purchase the car; you will be enslaving yourself financially for the next 5years by doing that.

I bought my first car on a salary of N125,000 and couldnt fuel it. Infact salary nah Bleep up. You better keep taking public transport for the next 3yrs and do some marathon savings for the car and possibly get some pay rise b4 u buy that car.

Go for a nissan sunny or toyota corrola for fuel efficiency, all should be direct belgium. ''A used car could use you''.

Jarus:
I use an SUV, live in Ajah and work in VI. I spend an average of 2k per day on fuel. A neighbour that doesn't have a car spends N500 for same trip(to and fro). Sometimes sef, I prefer to drop my car at home and find my way to office by public transport. Reason: if I was getting late, I can easily come down from a public bus and hop a bike. Sometimes, in the midst of the traffic and all those nonsense on road, I feel like dumping my car and taking bike or public transport.

Apart from the social aspect of owning a car, I don't see any big deal in not owning, especially for one with less than 100k income. I have colleagues earning up to 300k, but don't have car.

Siena:

Bud, I think you're missing the point here.

Buying the car itself is just the beginning, the initial investment. It's the running costs - insurance, fuelling, maintenance and unexpected repairs that will become an issue, based upon what the OP earns, and then there's the loan repayments. Even if he eats once a day and squats with a pal rent-free, I still can't see how he'll manage.

Mastro was pretty thorough in his analysis, and that estimate could well go up, if the car needs repairs outside the routine maintenance.

Echika China:
I have learnt one lesson In life: Get the best of your heart desire and other fears will disappear. I knew a friend who entered the university just by paying the acceptance fee of 5k which was his last from all angel. He suffered terribly in year 1 but friends helped him pay school fees a day b4 exams. Finally, he made 2:1 and now lives large. In life, the first step in making a decision is the most difficult. Don't underestimate your future and Gods plan for u. I have never seen a civil servant who used a small car and later resort to traking again. What I always see is improvement from the small troublesome car to a nice ride. I really believe that the fear of the unknown is what many guys are suffering from.

bajugbajug: hello nairalanders, am a civil servant with a monthly salary of btw 70k and 80k and also have access to loan of about 700k.

I cover over 50miles daily(to and fro)and would need your candid advice on a car that i can buy tht befits my status, budget and easy to maintain.

thanks
go for a baby boy

bajugbajug: A frnd of mine dat once used golf 3 said all d parts are relatively cheap. Pls hw true?

Echika China:
Those your friends are really alien..... 300k and no car?... Bros get serious abeg.

tpacalipse: Are you trying to say that millions of people who have cars on naija roads are all millionaire? I grew in a home of low income earners and yet we maintained a volvo 740, a benz 200 and a toyota corrola. Now my retired father added 1999 sienna to them 2yrs ago and still driving all the car. Mother will add a highlander to them before the end of the year and yet they are low income earners. My coligues at work are driving big cars comfortably and yet we are all low income earners. Sometimes you people amaze me with your comments.

Echika China:
Those your friends are really alien..... 300k and no car?... Bros get serious abeg.

Echika China:
I have learnt one lesson In life: Get the best of your heart desire and other fears will disappear. I knew a friend who entered the university just by paying the acceptance fee of 5k which was his last from all angel. He suffered terribly in year 1 but friends helped him pay school fees a day b4 exams. Finally, he made 2:1 and now lives large. In life, the first step in making a decision is the most difficult. Don't underestimate your future and Gods plan for u. I have never seen a civil servant who used a small car and later resort to traking again. What I always see is improvement from the small troublesome car to a nice ride. I really believe that the fear of the unknown is what many guys are suffering from.

austinsmat: I learn a lot I'm rhinging about going for golf2 but i will add up some money and but golf3

Bro, the last Volkswagen Golf II was built in 1991. So realistically, you're more likely to find a 1989 model. You really want to buy a 23-year-old car?

In the United Kingdom and North America, they're owned by enthusiasts, mostly as second or even third cars. But these guys are savvy with the spanners, so do their own wrenching. In Nigeria, it's a different matter, most have been cabbed to death, and are pretty tired.

Juwonb007: How much can one get toyota avensis(pix below) and I guess its d same mr siena made mention of. Its been my choice of car for a long while and my second option is golf3. Are they fuel efficient and maintainable? income is appr 100k monthly. My trip is just to-from office (me and ma wife), market and 3x of yola (adamawa state) to lagos in a year, and yola to markudi of every weekend (for acade).
Your advice will be appreciated.

dragnet:
Siena, please comment on the above post.
thanks

Siena:

A '98/'99 Toyota Avensis 1.6/1.8 (Nigerian used) can be had from as little as 550 - 650k. An import of the same year can be had for 700 - 820k.

Siena:

A '98/'99 Toyota Avensis 1.6/1.8 (Nigerian used) can be had from as little as 550 - 650k. An import of the same year can be had for 700 - 820k.

DatNiggaAk:


I beg to disagree sir. Except your routine is office-home, home-office. A good low fuel consuming car will cost you less than taking public transport. not to mention the convenience it offers when you have goods/stuff/load to carry.

EchikaChina:

I have learnt one lesson In life: Get the best of your heart desire and other fears will disappear. I knew a friend who entered the university just by paying the acceptance fee of 5k which was his last from all angel. He suffered terribly in year 1 but friends helped him pay school fees a day b4 exams. Finally, he made 2:1 and now lives large. In life, the first step in making a decision is the most difficult. Don't underestimate your future and Gods plan for u. I have never seen a civil servant who used a small car and later resort to traking again. What I always see is improvement from the small troublesome car to a nice ride. I really believe that the fear of the unknown is what many guys are suffering from.