₦airaland Forum

photos

more pix

pix

With over 120 Grands Prix to his name, 29 year old Daniel Ricciardo has developed a reputation for hard driving, thrilling overtaking and demon qualifying. The Red Bull Formula 1 driver who is joining Renault at the end of this season just had an epic road trip to remember forever. I can't just but imagine what it is like to travel hundreds of miles from San Francisco to Las Vegas in the Red Bull RB7 Formula 1 car. What a blast!

Wait a minute, he is actually driving from the west coast to the east coast. Not an easy task though. That explains why Ricciardo had to take a detour to have a break in Las Vegas as he already started feeling a bit isolated in the desert.

This is the first installment of his mammoth road trip.

Can you take on a 2,900 mile road trip in such a car? Tell us in the comment section and don't forget to like, rate and share.

https://autojosh.com/daniel-ricciardo-san-francisco-las-vegas-formula-1-car/

Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Ishilove
Marpol
Semid4lyfe
Obinoscopy
Seun

[img]https:///a/img922/4121/hysv2x.jpg[/img]

I hope I'm not the only one that has observed that a large number of Tokunbo or Nigerian used cars for sale by car dealers have relatively low mileage. For example, I have seen several 15 year old cars having 75,000 miles on the odometer.  This seems to be good news to an average Nigerian who does not know much about cars. However, it's a cause for alarm to those who do. Many people get excited when they see a car with an unusually low mileage. On the contrary, those who know about cars, actually know there is a need to probe further.

Why is this of any concern you may ask. It's a major concern because some phony individuals rollback the mileage of these cars. Some of these cars are bought and shipped to Nigeria with high mileage ranging from 200,000 to 450,000 miles or even more. However, these alarming 6-digit figures are usually reduced to 5-digits in order to make the cars seem more appealing to unsuspecting car buyers. Whether the odometer reading of the cars in miles or kilometers, they roll everything back to 75,000

Don't be a victim of mileage rollback. Do a thorough inspection before you pay for that car. Do a VIN check to know the last reported mileage. Believe car sellers at your own peril. I remember someone who was excited to buy an eight year old car with about 25,000 miles on the odometer. The car ended up being a nightmare and the buyer could not use the car for more than a week before it died. The car was like "Solomon Grundy".

According to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), an average car covers 13,500 miles per year. However, several vehicles exceed this average figure and find their way to Nigeria because prices usually decline as mileage increases.

Note: This does not negate the fact that some cars actually come with reasonably low mileage. It also does not mean all cars with high mileage are bad. All we are saying is.. Shine your eyes and know what you are buying. Don't let anyone package a car with 350,000 miles to you as 75,000 miles.

https://autojosh.com/75000-mileage

VolvoS60:
OP,

For comparison you could do a similar thread for importing vehicles from Europe. You may also do a Q & A on the key issues (cost, time, etc.) and questions e.g. is it true that non-EU nationals importing used cars (from Europe to Nigeria for example) can get a VAT refund on the cost of the car?

Thanks for the tip

deebsman1:
Good one, @autojosh, can we please dm each other

Sure. You can contact me via this link.. https://autojosh.com/contact/

[img]https:///a/img923/5803/U9AupK.jpg[/img]

With one of the most lavish interiors of any armored model of its kind, the new bulletproof Mercedes Benz G63 AMG limousine is stunning both inside and out. New comfort features to the Armored G-Wagon Limo include 4K Apple TV integration, voice-activated controls (Apple Siri & HomeKit Integration), a 4K ultra-high-definition TV monitor, a motorized bar with a built-in coolbox, as well as new and improved captain seats. The new seats include a massage function, fully recline and feature a built-in control center able to manipulate all of the vehicle’s media, lighting, comfort and security functions.

Keeping true to the INKAS name, while the armored G63 AMG limo is designed for comfort and luxury, it is fully armored from the exterior. Along with all the exciting new features, the G63 AMG is, of course, equipped with advanced body armor, ballistic glass, and perimeter surveillance including infrared and thermal cameras able to record locally and upload to a secure cloud server. Additional security and defensive features are available upon customer request. The new edition of the fully customizable Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG limo, priced at N432 million ($1.2 million).

Vehicle Information
- YEAR: 2018
- MAKE: Mercedes-Benz
- MODEL: G63 AMG
- BODY STYLE: Limousine
- ARMOR LEVEL: BR7
- TRANSMISSION: 7-Speed Automatic
- ENGINE: 5.5L Gasoline V8
- HORSEPOWER: 563hp @ 5,500
- DRIVETRAIN: Permanent AWD
- DIMENSIONS (MM): 6186 x 2055 x 1951
- WHEELBASE (MM): 4374
- SEATING CAPACITY: 4
- FUEL CAPACITY: 96 L

Security Features
- Entire perimeter protection of the passenger compartment
- High quality multi-layer bullet resistant glass
- Protection for battery and electronic control module
- Reinforced door hinges and other critical structure points
- Reinforced suspension
- Runflat devices
- Vehicle security system accessible from front cabin
- Light-weight armoring package
- Emergency lights system
- Siren/PA/Intercom system
- Fire suppression system
- Heavy duty brake system and components
- Heavy duty wheels

https://autojosh.com/mercedes-benz-g63-limousine


[img]https:///a/img922/4929/RqMana.jpg[/img]

Most of the cars we drive in Nigeria are shipped in from USA. Shipping cars from USA is a very simple process that can easily get complicated. Lots of changing policies and lots of documentation issues. So you really have to be at the top of your game so you don't get stuck when trying to ship your car.

Based on the experience Autojosh.com has garnered in the car importation business, we'll be talking about 7 types of cars you may have challenges shipping from USA to Nigeria. If you are unable to resolve some of these challenges, your car may become impossible to export.



1. Cars That Don't Have Valid Title Document 
The title document is a proof of ownership of a vehicle. This document is needed anytime you want to sell, register or export a car. It contains the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), make, model and year of the car as well as the details of the owner amongst others. To export a car from USA, the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy is required to be submitted to U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port the car will be exported from. You can check various ports in The United States HERE. 

Before you buy a car for export, make sure you ask the seller about the status of the title document. Not having a title does not mean the vehicle will never leave the shores of The United States. However, it can cause a lot of delays. Seek the counsel of your shipping agent if this issue arises as there are other options you can consider. For example, if the state you purchased the vehicle does not issue titles for your type of vehicle, you can use the bill of sale or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) alongside supporting documents from the state.

See what a title document looks like below..
[img]https:///a/img924/3440/sy7E72.jpg[/img]



2. A Car That Has A Lien On It
A lien means a lender (lienholder) has partial ownership of the car. The lienholder can be a bank, credit union, financial institution or even an individual. The lender could place a lien on a vehicle because they financed the vehicle which is yet to be paid off, there is unpaid repairs on the vehicle or the vehicle was used as collateral in another transaction. Which ever it is, you will not be allowed to export the lienholder's property until you regularize with them. You can also see that the title document above says there is no lien on the car.



3. Brand New Cars
There are some controversies surrounding the export of brand new cars from USA. Few years ago, it was considered illegal with security agencies and car manufacturers snooping around to prevent the export of brand new cars especially to China where the cars could be sold for double the original US price.

The illegality of such exports ended in April 2014 when a Federal Judge in Ohio State ruled that such exports were indeed valid. She concluded that the car manufacturers didn't want their brand new cars to be exported to other countries where they sell at higher prices.. as this would affect their profitability and make them less competitive in the destination countries.

Despite the Judge's ruling, some car manufacturers still use other means to deter exporters from buying their brand new cars. For example, they may request that you sign a non-export agreement before the car is sold to you. Heavy sanction is also imposed on dealerships that sell for export.  So what some exporters do is, they buy cars that have been slightly used but still looks like sometime that's straight from the factory. If they must buy a brand new one, they pay the taxes and register the car before exporting it like a used car. Other options do exist for those who know their way.



4. Cars That Are More Than 25 Years Old
As against the usual 15 year limit for underage cars we've been used to, the actual embargo for shipping cars to Nigeria in the International Trade Policy is 25 years. So most shipping lines will not even carry the car once they know it's above 25 years old. Clearing it in Lagos is not an issue but the major issue is exporting to Nigeria from USA. Isn't it interesting that The United States of America upholds our Nigerian law more than Nigeria does?

This is one policy that is difficult to fathom as some Nigerians who want to ship classic cars to Nigeria find it challenging to do so. Who even buys a regular car that is over 25 years old because they are on a budget? No body I guess. These old cars are only appreciated by car collectors.

Some of these car collectors claim they were able to import in a container while some other have to import the cars as semi knocked-down parts. The option some other people settle for is to ship to Cotonou and bring to Nigeria through the land border which is currently illegal. No matter the restriction, these cars still find their way to Nigeria.



5. Stolen Vehicles
This is obviously a given and no one need to be told. The U.S Customs and Border Protection is particular about preventing stolen vehicles from leaving their country. Believe me! No one wants to be the scapegoat.

[img]https:///a/img921/9595/t1zL0R.jpg[/img]


6. No VIN/Altered VIN/Inconsistent VIN 
This VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is as important as your fingerprint or iris recognition when you are entering or exiting a country. Your car will definitely be flagged if there are irregularities in VIN. I once had this challenge when I bought a 1976 Benz to give myself a treat. The car had a 10-digit VIN instead of the 17-digit that was introduced in 1981. The issue was resolved after a few weeks and the car eventually sailed after some delay. They do all these checks because the VIN of the car being exported may have been cloned or altered and the car may have even been stolen.



7. Loaded Cars Cannot Go On RoRo
I've had a lot of people tell me that they want to load goods in their cars to take advantage of the space. Unfortunately, this is not allowed if you are shipping your car via RORO except you ship it in a container. This is allowed in Europe but not in USA. The car will be rejected.



What issues have you had when shipping your car and how were you able to resolve it. Let's hear you in the comment section and don't forget to like, rate and share.

https://autojosh.com/shipping-to-nigeria/

1

Obalende bus-stop is one of the major traffic hubs in Lagos state. It is also one of the 3 major bus-stops on the Island. The others are Idumota and CMS bus-stops.

Obalende bus-stop is located on the fringes of Ikoyi and Lagos Island. Innumerable commercial bus trips from different part of the state  originate and terminate there.

Obalende bus-stop is also the location of the Lagos state government-built bus terminal for BRT and LAGBUS buses.

Commercial vehicles that are available there to take commuters to their various destinations around the state include Kabu-Kabu (unregistered taxis), Danfo, LAGBUSes, Keke Napep, Okada, etc.

Daily, millions of commuters travel through Obalende bus-stop.

Sadly, Obalende bus stop has for decades remained a place of terrific filth.

Several effort to cleanup Obalende have failed.

The ongoing beautification work by the state government at under some of the flyovers there appear to have been abandoned.

Obalende is located in Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Areas (LCDA)

The Secretariat of the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA is located at Obalende Bus-stop.

The Chairman of the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA is Atanda-Lawal Fuad Abimbola.

https://autojosh.com/see-filthy-obalende-bus-stop-photos/

2 Pac.....another G.O.A.T.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUvM-QpaaL0

RemetzCar, a Dutch auto builder has created a Tesla Model S Wagon called the REMETZCAR SHOOTING BRAKE. Shooting brakes are similar to station wagons but they have sportier dimensions.

It all started in the first week of 2017 when the company received a phone call from Floris de Raadt, a real Shooting Brake fanatic with a preference for electrical vehicles. He had seen their custom built Tesla hearse, which was presented to the public just a few months earlier, and he was wondering if they could also convert a Tesla Model S into a Shooting Brake. He had owned several Shooting Brakes and dreamed about having custom built his own version.

Within a month a Tesla model S was placed in RemetzCar's workshop and the work started. The car was stripped and new aluminium body panels were made for the extended hips, the new c-pillar, the shape of the roof at the back and the modified window seals. They also made adjustments to some electronic wiring, interior parts and headlining.

This car is worth about N65 million excluding cost of shipping to and clearing at the Nigerian ports. About 20 - 30 units are expected to be built.

https://autojosh.com/tesla-model-s-wagon/

Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Ishilove
Marpol
Semid4lyfe
Obinoscopy
Seun

more pix

pix

With four body variants, three output levels and two drive types, the C‑Class is the most versatile and most successful model series from Mercedes-AMG. The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine now delivers 390 hp. The driving dynamics has been enhanced with a fast-reacting AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission and rear-biased AMG Performance all-wheel drive.

"As the most successful model series for Mercedes-AMG, the C-Class family has made a major contribution to our corporate success. One major component in this success story was the implementation of the 43-series models, which have thrilled our customers worldwide since the market launch in 2015. The high demand and positive feedback have encouraged us to sharpen up not only the appearance of the facelift, but also its performance, efficiency and dynamism in true AMG style," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

For this the AMG development engineers have increased the output of the 3.0‑litre V6 engine by 23 hp to 390 hp. The peak torque of 383 lb-ft of torque is available from 2500 to 5000 rpm. This package guarantees impressive performance figures: the Saloon and Coupé accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, the Estate and Cabriolet in 4.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

A host of additional AMG information

Via the specific AMG menu, the driver is able to call up a host of additional information to make the driving experience even sportier:

- Warm-up: engine and transmission oil temperature plus charge pressure as Boost display
- Setup: current status of systems such as the drive system, suspension, exhaust system, ESP, transmission
- G-Force: display of current g-forces in a coordinate system and ability to save maximum values
- Race Timer: manual stopwatch for lap times and colour display of fastest and slowest laps, plus average speed and distance
- Engine data: engine torque / rated output in a bar chart plus charge pressure as Boost display

How much of your love does this car get? Don't forget to like, rate and share.

https://autojosh.com/the-2019-mercedes-benz-c43-amg-deserves-every-ounce-o

Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Ishilove
Marpol
Semid4lyfe
Obinoscopy
Seun

.

At birth, he was named Christopher George Latore Wallace.

He would later be known world-wide by his professional names: The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, B.I.G or simply Biggie.

B.I.G was an American rapper considered by many as one of the best rappers of all time.

On February, 1997, B.I.G traveled to California to promote his upcoming album and also to record a music video for its lead single, "Hypnotize".

On March 9, 1997, while returning to his hotel room in a GMC Yukons SUV, a black Chevy Impala pulled up besides his SUV. The driver of the Impala rolled down his window, drew a 9 mm blue-steel pistol and fired at the GMC Suburban; four bullets hit B.I.G.

Members of his entourage rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.

The GMC Yukons SUV that B.I.G was riding and shot in was acquired by a family, who purchased the restored SUV purely by chance and had no idea of its importance until several years later when they got a postcard from a detective in L.A. saying he needed the car returned for evidence. They had to give it up momentarily but later got it back.

The family later offered it to 64-year-old Gary Zimet, the founder of Moments In Time, a seller of original celebrity historical cars.

The family originally asked that the car be sold for N360million ($1 million), but they later lowered the price to N270million ($750,000).

The GMC Yukons SUV is yet to get a buyer, though it has gotten several interests.

https://autojosh.com/notorious-bigs-gmc-yukons-suv-that-he-was-shot-in-see-how-much-it-is-being-sold/

Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Ishilove
Marpol
Semid4lyfe
Obinoscopy
Seun

More PIX

And some more photos

More Photos

More Photos

See Photos