₦airaland Forum

CAR PLATE NUMBER THIEVES
Hotels in Lagos are expensive. The least I slept in was N8500.

Getting to Lekki I parked my car opposite a hotel as I was about going to make enquire I some so many runs girls.

One of the runs girls said, "ehn dem go chop dis man 10k today"

I called her. She thought I was calling her to ask her price.

I asked her what she meant by her statement
She told me that in that Lekki if you park your car and go away boys will loose your plate number when you are about driving out the bring it to you and tell you to pay them.

She showed me a car beside my car. When I looked at the jeep, the back plate number was removed.

I quickly entered my car drove to another hot that has gate.

Paid and slept there.

LAGOS GROOVING
It was already late to return to Port Harcourt so I decided to go to lekki and sleep.

On my way to Lekki I missed my way. I turned one bridge more than 5times.

I started asking people for directions until a man told me that Lagos is dangerous I should be mindful of people I ask questions.

I parked the car one place go and and bought a car charger powered my phone a d made used of Google map.

I was GROOVING round Lagos with the help of Google map.

When it was 10pm I headed to Lekki so I could see a hotel to sleep in.

I WENT FOR BUY AND DRIVE ENDED UP GETTING BUY, REPAIR AND DRIVE

After purchasing the car I did some electrical work on it.

I wouldn't wait any I told the car I want to go.

I was told to pay land fee before the can allowed the car to leave the warehouse.

After a lot of argument I finally paid 15k land fee and I saw other buys paying it.

Since I did not know road back to Lagos I told one of thethe perchers to get me a driver that will drive the car to PH.

I was told to pay 100k. I pleaded with 70k and none could agree.

I told myself I will try to drive it home.

So I entered the car that was about 5pm.

As I just passed the gate of the warehouse I saw girls selling fuel. I stoped to buy because the dashboard showed red light.

After buying the fuel the car could not start. Called the dealer he came out.

First we thought it was battery. When we brought an electrician he discovered that the kickstarter was bad.

He took more than hour to get a new one and fixed it.

He finally fixed it and I drove off.

THE PERCHERS

Once you enter the warehouse, some random boys would perched on you whether you buy a car or not the will want you to settle them.

These guys perched on me followed me bumber to bumber when I was about leaving the place I had to settle each of them.

Was terrible. Port Harcourt doesn't have such

FINALLY SAW A CAR I WANTED TO BUY
Where I went to buy the car was a warehouse that contains a lot of cars. What port harcourt doesn't have.

I checked the car, it was ok to my taste. Told the dealer I was going with the vehicle that same day.

I made transfer while waiting for the dealer to get alert I have already started the registration of the car.

I was advised to register it so police would not disturb me on the road.

After registration of the vehicle it took more than 24hrs for the dealer to receive alert. In fact the dealer and I went to his bank and my bank to complain.

Finally the alert entered the following day at about 2pm. That was when the dealer issued me receipt for the car.

The car dealer and his brother were very cool and understandable

Modified: Here is the dealer's contact in case you need a good car. I am still enjoying the car. No issue. Everything working perfectly.

08068880803.

FEEDING
Food are cheaper in Lagos compare to Port Harcourt though they are notyou neatly prepared.

I remember how I was tired of junks then I told myself let me move to the locals and buy good food to eat.

Getting there I discovered that food were cheap. You can eat rice for N100.

I went to mama-put told her to put N300 rice for me which she did. When it was time to put meat, she put her bare hand inside a container and brought out pieces of meats and put in the rice. I was shocked.

I told her I was not interested in the food again.

Paid her and left. (People were lining up to get food from her).

I went to another stand. Her food was under an umbrella because it was raining.
When she opened the pot to bring out food, rain water from the umbrella was dripping inside the pot.

I left the place went to bed without food.

In Lagos food is cheap but poorly prepared.

1x2x3:
OP you bought that car total of 4.1M? That car I see in that picture?
You were robbed trust me. There are other options you could have gone for with that amount, you probably relied on the myth of fuel efficiency which you can easily get in other alternatives...... Anyway congrats.

I didn't buy the car for N4.1m

I said the cost of everything including feeding, hotels, settlement

ENVIRONMENT

Lagos is not as people say it is. In fact, the GRA in Port Harcourt is more neater and nicer than Lekki.

Lekki was nothing to write home about during my stay there.

LIFESTYLE OF LAGOSIANS
These people are living a very crazy lifestyle. Half of the people there are beggars.

Guys in Lekki neatly dressed stand by the roads to beg.

Also people there are very smart
t in their doings.

I saw a female police who can't be below 50yrs jumping on buses to collect money from driver's.

In PH you hardly see a female police officer running after commercial vehicles to collect money.

Most female police officers in PH who stand on the road are traffic wardens.

WHAT I DISCOVERED ABOUT ONLINE GOODS.
Most GOODS you see online, their price tags are not the real prices of those goods.

Sellers put lower prices to lure buyers to their shops.

The prices of that TOYOTA Corolla cars I saw on jiji were different when I went to meet the sellers.

They put N3m on jiji while the actual price is N3.8m

Shiko77:
I can relate, same thing happened to me last year same jiji. A guy gave me an Es350 2008 for 3.6 million in Lagos, I travelled from the east to Lagos by road, when I got to Lagos I slept at apapa and told the guy I was in town, the next day I saw this guy just to discover the guy doesn’t have a car stand anywhere in Berger and just took me round bargaining for me. I was mad at that guy and he just kept on saying sorry.I was really fustrated one of the car dealers told me in confidence that I won’t get that car less than 4.3 million, and that time it was above my budget, to cut the long story short I bought Toyota Camry 2010 model for 3.7 million and left Lagos that same day by 2pm.. Arrived owerri by 10pm. That was risky with a unregistered a vehicle. The Camry is 1 year plus and am still grateful I bought that car. No stress just servicing with Elizade at due time.

Most guys on jiji do not own cars. they are pure agents. They will go to car stands snap pictures and upload online with very low prices.

DAY 5: SEARCHING FOR TOYOTA COROLLA IN APAPA.
It was still raining when I woke up in Oshodi. I o lying went to Lagos with one trouser and two shirts with a pair of shoes. Everything was soaked.
I moved from Oshodi to Apapa.

Getting there I saw a lot of TOYOTA Corolla cars.
I asked their prices it was the same price with Port Harcourt. I was angried with myself. Why will I leave a car in Port Harcourt and go to Lagos to buy it at the same price.

But I didn't have a choice than to go home with a car.

DAY 4: SEARCHING FOR TOYOTA COROLLA IN OSHODI.
met another jiji guy who told me he has it at Surulere. While I was about going to Surulere, a number called me to come to Oshodi that the car is much over there.

I visited oshodi couldn't find any.

Contacted a jiji guy who told me he has it in Apapa.
It was late so I passed the night in Oshodi.

DAY 3: SEARCHING FOR TOYOTA COROLLA IN IKORUDU.

I took a bus to Ikorudu. Getting there the jiji guy's number wasn't going through and it was raining. It has been raining since the day I stepped my feet on Lagos soil.

So I began to search for the car myself. What I saw were Nigerian used Corollas only. It was getting late so I passed the night in ikorudu.
Modified:
I didn't mention how i almost died in Lagos long bus due to smoke. I was suffocating. I sat at the extreme.

DAY 2: SEARCHING FOR TOYOTA COROLLA IN LEKKI
I never knew that Corolla is a poor man's car hence why it is not sold in Lekki. I toured the whole LEKKI I couldn't find any.
I visited jiji and a dealer said he has it in Ikorodu.

I left Lekki for Ikorodu

kraftysprouts:
How are you from PH answering Abdul

I never said my state of origin is Rivers. Can't someone base in another state again? I said I live in PHC doesn't mean my state of origin is Rivers.

DAY 1: SEARCHING FOR TOYOTA COROLLA IN AJAH

I woke up from the hotel bed at some minutes past 5am. I was raining.
Then I created a thread asking for a good car dealer in Ajah. Thanks to some of you with your responses.

I was still in the hotel till past 3pm the rain refuses to stop. I told myself if I wait one more minute this day will go.

My plan was to buy a car that day and go back the following day.

So I began searching for the car in that rain.
I only saw it in few car stands and the prices were same with Port Harcourt price. I was shocked.

I boarded a bus to Lekki. I arrived Lekki at night so I slept in Lekki.

Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/7225300/experience-going-lagos-purchase-toyota

For a better understanding of this thread, it is advisable that you read the previous two threads I created.

This thread is my true life story. Before I proceed on telling you my experience leaving Port Harcourt to Lagos to purchase a car, I would like you to note these few things.

1. This wasn't my first time going to Lagos though I go to Lagos once in a blue moon.

2. This was my first time going to Lagos by road.

3. I started driving a vehicle not quite long and I have not driven a car for more than 20 times.

4. I have not attended driving school before.

5. I don't see clearly at night.

---

Now let's begin.

Owning a car was one of the things on my to-do list for this year.
I met a couple of friends, told them my intention of buying a car and that I want a reliable, easy to maintain and less fuel consumption car. Most of them advised I should go for Toyota Corolla.

I started making plans since January. I was with N2m as budget at that time the car cost was between N2.5m and N2.7m.

When we entered April, the cost of the car hit N2.9m.

The more I delayed the higher the price of the car.

Finally on June I said I will buy the car. Visited car stands in Port Harcourt where I base the least I saw was N3.7m for American spec and N3.4m for Asian spec.

Friends advised me toto buy American spec that is stronger and better.

I entered jiji and realized that the American spec which is between N3.7m and N3.8m in Port Harcourt was N3.3 and N3m in Lagos.

I told myself that I will go to Lagos to purchase it.

A day came that I was prepared to go I went to Good is God park but their bus was full.

I went to LIBRA motor park, boarded a bus and we left PH at 8am and entered Lagos at 5pm. We got stuck at Ajah hold up from 5pm to 7pm we arrived their park.

It was raining. I looked for a hotel to pass a night there. The least hotel I saw 6k was actually a brothel very dirty and noisy. Security was not guaranteed.

I went to the one of 25k and slept till the next day.

ZeroChil:
You are good to go. Check that the mileage (Odometer) corresponds or closely corresponds with info provided below. Check for oil leaks underneath the car. If "check engine" light is static (on), run a simple OBDII scan. If you get the message "Catalyst converter below threshold" either bank 1, bank 2 or 3, you have yourself a vehicle with removed catalist converter what the local mechanics call "indomie". Lastly verify that the first body and paint is still intact. If I'll buy a 2007 Corolla for over 3M, I'll pay attention to these details. Good luck.

Thank you very much sir. I have purchased the car.

davillian:
Common sense is not common I swear.
You left your ph without any friend or family member in Lagos to help you source a car, send you pics and video before you come..

You just enter Lagos just like that to come buy car I pity u.....

common sense is not also common for u to reason that every Nigerian has a relactive in Lagos

angelfallz:
Also, in this internet age you could not look up the price of a Toyota Corolla in Lagos, that would have saved you time and money?

I checked. The price was low on the internet... I came to realized that internet price is not real price o. They use it to lure buyers

Muhylonaire007:
I'm sorry to say, moving all the way from pH to Lagos without contacting car dealers on nairaland is not a wise decision. Who does that?
It's like going to the jungle as an amateur hunter in search of the forbidden egg which can only be gotten by fearless and experienced hunters (Nollywood scenario) shey you no know say you dey waste your own time ni?
O ga o

did u see my previous thread before typing this?

Awesomeking:
if you are in lagos I can direct you to a car dealer I can vouch for, simply quote me so I can forward his number.. You can contact him.. He doesn't purchase a car with even minor problems so he can't sell you any with even a slight problem.. The car you are looking for is 3.3, last time I checked his online pages

drop is number thanks

Watinhapen:
@poster, you sound desperate to get his your Toyota car and the way you sound you may be scammed or get a bad car. Calm down and take your time to search. When I wanted to buy my car last year it took me months after searching before I finally got a very good car that hasn’t given me any issue till today. I’m in PH but bought mine in Lagos. Car is about engine. A car may be clean but the engine is very bad.

For now, go back to PH. A friend went to Lagos last week to get this same Corolla but he couldn’t find a good one that meets his budget. He came back to PH without buying. If you have a friend or family member in Lagos tell them to search for you. You can also contact car dealers in PH. Take your time to search. Cars are now very expensive, don’t use your money to buy rubbish. Also, don’t make the mistake of driving an unregistered car to PH from Lagos. Policemen and Customs on the way will use yo,u shine.

Thanks

Doyenro23:
Dem go scam This one now he go come here to cry you come Lagos come find car you still one go contonou to buy car wey custom go impound you said you're looking for car wetin carry you go lekki oversabi dey worry u when there are car stands in Berger & ile zinc after pwd Lagos or better still go to apapa inside walf there shipments coming in and seller don't have complete money for clearance and custom duty you go buy cheaper talking from experience bought many cars with that method or you go back to your pH and buy expensive if you follow all This jiji advice i swear you go cry 3m no be small Money if you're buying from apapa do body and engine inspection with mechanic check the car under wella for Rusting i hope you go use this as advice or get scammed so we go laugh you wella

where is Walf? I'm in Apapa

holubee21:
Does it mean no dealer sells cars in the whole of PH for u risking your life to come to Lagos? What if u enter bandit or kidnapper hand for naija wey no dey save travel so. Bros u get mind oo I swear

most Corolla in ph are Asian spec. And the minimum price for American spec in ph is 3.7

ZeroChil:
First things first, get the VIN and revert back let me run a free VIN check for you. Avoid buying a savage(d) car. Do not, I repeat, do not buy any car without knowing the vehicle history. I don't know the craze about this particular model of corolla. I also do not know the reason for the over bloated prices but what I do know is, when the price falls below the average market price, then the car is most definitely from a savage auction.

Here is the VIN. Thanks and God bless.

JTDBR32E470123917

Expecting a feedback from you soon.

BENCHOKCONSULT:
Bro. I be PH boy but currently based in Lagos, you for inform me na, I for buy the car then carry am come tomorrow as I will be on my way to PH tomorrow morning. I did same for a friend few days ago, he's a PH bred too. I just pray it doesn't end in premium tears for you in Lagos.

what's The price

dejavubobo1:
What u call toks are accident refurbished cars. So why not do the refurbishment urself to ur taste. & enjoy peace of mind

Not all toks are accidental

Itsrm:
As for the OP, why must it be a corolla? Why not a matrix? The two of them are essentially the same asides the difference in design. Your chances are higher with the Matrix

Thanks bro

dejavubobo1:
What u call toks are accident refurbished cars. So why not do the refurbishment urself to ur taste. & enjoy peace of mind

Ever heard of VIN check?

dejavubobo1:
Would prefer a private chat. But fr the sake of doubts. Reach me 07032310784

Sorry I need tokubo

streetwise2015:
I’m facing the same ordeal too..Most car dealers on Nairaland and Jiji are not honest..They are just selling dead cars. That’s why I became too careful…which of the good car dealer on Nairaland can you recommend..At this point I don’t mind shipping and waiting for my car as far as the car is great

I came to realized that most car dealers on jiji do not own cars. They are pure agents and middle men.

dejavubobo1:
Let me sell u one 05. Ikorodu Lagos. 2mill

post pictures and is it tokunbo?

joinnow:
since you are in Lagos enter cotonour seme border. If you need genuine person that will get you grade 1 at affordable price let me know. You only need your transport money say 5k enter fifa 1 to fifa9 you go see motor taya. Make your choice. Make payment in 4 days your car go dey pH. And it will be grade 1 and your choice car and lower in price compare to Lagos.everything legit. Your car go turn girls Head

How can I navigate to Seme border? I'm in Apapa