₦airaland Forum

Another area where customers need to be educated is the mileage calibration. Cars imported from the USA use miles while those from Canada and most parts of Europe use kilometers. 1 mile =1,6km. Sone customers see a car of 170,000km and think its high mileage, whereas the equivalent in miles is about 105,000 miles.

Cyberknight: The poster's analogy was somewhat on point. California has the 12th largest economy in the world, so that does make its economy larger than that of some European nations. The poster's analogy seems to be that with that much (theoretical) purchasing power available, they still go for the much - derided Toyotas and Hondas and so forth. And for what its worth I run a Camry, but if I had a choice I'd probably be running an Audi instead (an A6 or S8 )but I'm in Naija. I think that the Jap plastics are easier to keep on the road overall, here in Naija.

U just said it bro. Its easier to keep the japs on the road in naija especially as a daily driver.
@Ikenna.. California is just one state in USA and the population is about 1/3 of the population of Germany, 1/2 the population of France. If u dominate the US market then definitely u have captured half of the world and that is the main reason Toyota and Honda are always up there. We also have Nissan and Hyundai up there. I like European/German machines, but recently they rush into using unproven technologies that give problem on the long run. Technologies the Japs would use 7 years after perfecting it.

Ikenna351: This your analysis, na wa o! What is it with this USA everywhere. You are sounding as if anything that is not in American market or not used by Americans is not good, genuine or considered better. What made you think Americans know better than Europeans? What made you think what they reject is considered junk? Why do you find them so supperior to inhabitants of other regions? I dont know how to tell you this, but its bad to have the idea that whatever a fellow being likes is better than what you have or likes. That is big time follow-follow propaganda.

North Americans drive more of petrol cars, while Europeans drive more of diesels. Dose that means the North Americans knows better than the Europeans? Americans drive more of auto tranny cars, while Europeans still demand for manual trans cars. Does it means Europeans think through their anus?

Honda Accord has American speccs and Euro speccs of the same year model of all Accord generations. Ever bothered to know why? Honda knows what Europeans wants in a car and they give them what they want, likewise the North Americans. Each specifications is according to market demand.

My point? Stop using what Americans drive or what sells more there as yardstick as what is the best. Each region/people got their taste.

USA and Canada never got Peugeot 406 and subsequent newer Peugeot products. Yet, 406 sold massivley in other continents. Can you go out, find a parked 406, take a close look at her and come back and tell me "there is nothing special about the car"? So because Canada and US didnt drive 406, the car no follow, abi? Nigerians are even going for the cheap RHD converted 406 just to enjoy the product. Do you know how Americans wished they had got the 406 in various online French car forums?

Now, back to your analysis proper. Who told you Benz and BMW car prices have dropped from what they used to be back in the days? Help me out here. What are the prices of brand new 2012/Toyota Camry, Collora, Yaris, etc? Also, what are the prices of brand new 2012/2013 Benz E-class, C-class, A-class, etc. Please, give the USD equivalents.

Am waiting.

Ikenna

@Ikenna
No be fight oo. I used USA just as a reference. And let's face it, California alone is bigger than lots of European countries put together. Check the size of California and the check the size of say Germany. My point is US has the bigger market here and that's why I used it as a reference. And if Toyota can dominate America, not to talk of Japan and other Asian countries, then they are the best selling auto maker in the world and it means they are doing something right to bring the BALANCE to reliability, stability, performance and affordability. Pls note that I used the word BALANCE.

And about the 406.. I drove the 2002 model when I was outside the country for several months. No doubt its got nice build quality, great handling and the ac is a beast. But I must say I visit the garage too many times because of one electical problem or the other. I had problems with the ac for too many times, but when it works its great. Now I'm not saying its a bad car just because mine had problems, each car has their pros and cons. I remember Peugeot use to be the best selling car in Nigeria for many years but then what happened? They lost their market share. The 607 is a nightmare of a car and people are selling it at cheap prices. Check the prices of say a 2002 toyota camry against the same year model of 406 and tell me which one would attract more market. You will buy a 2002 406 at a more cheaper price than u buy the 2002 camry. But when brand new, they both might be of same price range or the 406 might even be more expensive. So Japanese cars have better second hand value which means they are doing something right, this is not a matter of follow follow. The whole market can't go wrong. Mind u I am not even a Toyota fan.

About Prices.. no doubt German cars are more expensive than JApanese counterparts, but that is because Japanese bring a BALANCE to the game, which is what majority of people want. But no doubt the Japanese are pushing the Europeans harder and the price difference is not so much these days. I am talking in the mid side sedan category which is what most people drive anyway.. not talking about performance cars like the SLS AMG. The 2013 toyota camry xle sells for roughly $31,000 while the 2013 Benz E350 (fair comparison) sells for about $51,000. That's a whooping $20,000 difference but we all know with Benz u get top notch quality. But then if u buy both cars and say after 10 years u wanna sell them, don't be surprised if both cars will sell for the same price, or the Benz might just be a fraction more expensive (maybe by 1-3,000 USD). Also if u can use the camry as a daily driver, it can take lots of abuse and still run. Try using the Benz as ur daily driver. In fact use both cars as ur daily driver and after 3 years make account of how much u have spent in maintaining both cars, the cost of running the Benz (as a daily driver) would be enough to buy u 2 new cars. Just my opinion.

Just go to the autos section and u will see a 2000 mercedes Benz E320 tokunbo selling for 1-1.1 Million naira. Same price as 2000 Toyota camry aka big light. The Benz is way ahead of the camry in technology, that big light has the worst dashboard I've ever seen in a car, and it has just 2 airbags. But then, after 13 years it sells at the same price as the big Benz e230 of the same year.
ur turn Ikenna

ikeyman00: @@@@
ikenna


well the only reason u get to see cv wahala a lot in naija is i put it down to bad used parts and knowning the sensitivity of these area an average driver doesnt care when the rubber boots breaks which get contaminated with debris and rust

this is what u get then!

and mind u as for ur everyday drive thing mind u honda halla still kick around in the country; i still remember seeing one in lokoja high way flying like a saucer in 2011

And before An Accord ball joint falls off, you would have seen the sign, U would hear the sounds while turning but a lot of people choose to ignore that

Ikenna351: @ Ikeyman00,

Honda is another good Japs i forgot to mention. I have driven Accord V6 2001 (Babyboy) & Accord V6 2004 (EOD). Very quick cars, except if one can live with their front swivel/ball joint and auto transmission issues.

If i were to choose between Honda Accord and Toyota Camry of any model year, I would pick Accord without a blink. But then, considering how hard i push my car on highway, i wouldnt want to end up with a car that its wheel ball joint will give up on high speed while jumping potholes on our highways.

The truth is, Japs cars are reliable cars, when carefully handled or used and when well maintained. When used as daily driver, they hardly give the owners headaches. But once you start pushing them around anyhow like one can do to a Euro car and get away with it, they will start falling apart very quickly. They are just everyday car for non petrolheads who are after point A to point B. But may God help you when the follow come parts starts failing, the mechanics and parts sellers will now be the people to enjoys your salary or monthly income, since you will have to be replacing those parts every now and then. You can ask Toyota owners how many times they replace their shock absorbers in a year. Some dont even bother replacing them anymore.

Ikenna.

@Ikenna
About the honda accord ball joint falling apart, u might be right but to some extent. Its not just Honda accord ball joints that fall apart. I have see lots of Benz with fallen ball joints on the road. The problem with honda is substandard parts sold in Nigeria. I drive a 2005 Accord and I have experienced a fallen ball joint once. My fault because i allowed the mechanic to put a fake ball joint when I first bought the car. Even my current mechanic saw it then and told me it won't be long before it falls off which eventually did after a few months. There are original ball joints in Ebutte Metta. They are more expensive but be sure they won't fall off easily like the fake ones that litter the market. I really don't know why part dealers ship a lot of fake Honda ball joints into our market so people beware. The fact still remains there are genuine ones.

One more thing.. the reason u see more Honda or Toyota that have broken down on the road is because on an average Nigerian road, before u see 1 german/european car, u would have counted about 7 toyotas and hondas.

elviszzz: I still see a 1982 mercedes benz all ova d place but can't find a japanese of dat same year on d streets? What happened to dem? Comparing german cars wit japanese is like comparing a 5 star hotel wit a chalet.

The reason u still see 1982 Mercedes Benz around in Nigeria is because those days Japanese cars haven't really perfected their technology. Those days of regular Benz and Volvo. Those days only the extremely rich can afford a car, But of recent u have to give it to the Japanese. They make cars for every category depending on ur pocket and their cars are reliable. You can abuse a Japanese car but u can't try that with European cars without messing things up, You also have to give it to Japanese cars for making cars cheaper and more affordable today. Its called competition. If Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda have not forced their ways into the market, I'm sure we will still be buying cars at extremely expensive prices. Its just like when GSM first came into the country. I remember I bought my first MTN sim card for 23,000 naira because there was no competition. There was no 3g not to talk of HSPA+ and yet expensive. I believe the competition the Japanese cars gave made Benz and BMW to start making affordable cars. Also someone said Japanese cars are junks, so why is Toyota and Honda still the best selling cars even in the USA. Simply put, u want an everyday car, buy a japanese car. You want a car u drive occasionally, then Benz, Audi, BMW etc.

yungboss: your views are parochial my friend. Move away from Nigeria (here is more of a dumping ground), ask the guys in motorsports these questions lets here the results, not the poor Nigerian Bankers and traders who know nothing about vehicles...

last time I checked the best selling cars in the USA is still Toyota and Honda. So what do u call that? Do u mean those people don't have money or they don't know how to maintain their cars. Toyota and Honda are more reliable that's why

Burger01: The moment my car came in from Belgium I had the thermostart removed. I never experienced over heating with ac on in a terrible traffic jam. Remove the thermostart, thermostart is meant for cold regions.

Hmm.. SO how come my 05 honda accord never experience overheating even if i stay in traffic for 12 hours with ac on. Thermostat is intact and my cooling fans only pick up at certain temperatures. U might wanna know that some parts of USA are hotter in the summer than Nigeria and their cars have thermostat. We should stop being ignorant and educate these mechanics as we are more learned. Thermostats don't cause overheating, they help maintain optimum engine running temperature. SO my guy if ur temperature gauge doesn't rise above the first level, then ur engine is not running properly and ur gonna get bad mileage and might wear out engine fast. One guy was bragging that his temperature guage doesn't rise at all. OMG what an ignorant. My temperature guage stays around the middle every time, with or without ac.

Have u noticed how a car with thermostat works at first start in the morning, the thermostat will close so engine can warm and u get to ur optimum running temperature fast before it opens. That's how a sound car should work. So poster, don't remove ur thermostat. If ur engine is overheating, solve the overheating problem.

Did this with 2005 Honda accord I4 on sag amu Abeokuta expressway. Would have gone more if the road was smoother.

Doyin4real: @poster:
Visco 2000 is an engine oil but not an ATF. I dont think it is suitable for automatic gear. So that may be the reason for the non-engagement of your auto gear. As for the auto gear cars, ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) should be used. It is the same ATF you use as power streering oil. I use ABRO ATF for my Toyota Corrolla and the gear engages well. But I wouldnt know if EOD has a special ATF. Now that you have put ABRO AFT, the gear should run well now.

One more thing please. Did you drain out the Visco 2000 oil from your gear box completely? If your answer is NO, pls drain it and put a fresh ABRO ATF.
I am sure we have better and more experienced guys on this forum to give you a better and more comprehensive advise than mine.

I can't believe u are advising the poster to use ABRO ATF on Honda EOD. Poster, u just fried ur tranny gradually with those ATF. A lot of people complain about Honda transmissions not knowing they are the ones killing it by using cheap ATF. Honda transmission is sensitive and u need to use ATF DW1 for ur EOD. Its a little expensive, about 3,000 naira per quart but its worth it. I also drive an EOD and sometimes ago my mechanic serviced my transmission and put visco 2000 without my consent. When he brought the car and was blabbing about the atf visco 2000 he used that its the best, I almost slapped him and asked him to go and drain it immediately. He hesitated before draining it but I made sure i was there when he drained it and I had to buy the right ATF. I never have transmission issue with my Honda for a couple of years now.

Ikenna351: In as much as Toyota is known for reliability, not every Nigerian will like to be associated with that badge. They choose to forego reliability for something else Toyotas lack or don't offer them.

What you regard as stress, is what another person finds awesome. Not everyone wants to be driven. Some wants to do the actual driving and be in total control of the vehicles on the road. Not everyone wants to be dummy on the steering, you know.

Like i earlier noted, this thread is not for auto vs manual transmissions. We have a thread for that. Visit the car talk Library for that.

Ikenna

@ikenna
I like reading ur posts but sometimes u get unnecessarily aggressive. Are u trying to say everybody that drives an automatic is a dummy? FYI its a thing of choice and why stress urself shifting gears especially in Lagos traffic when u can just drive automatic. Also the main reason some people think manual is better is because of take off time, but I can assure u, with CVT even manuals are not faster than automatics, and there's no way in the world shifting in a manual can be as smooth as automatic. So my brother, just because u like manual (for reasons best known to u) doesn't mean people that drive auto are dummies or wants to be driven. For me I don't see any fun in driving a manual apart from stress in traffics. The last time I owned a manual I stayed in redeem traffic for 6 hours and by the time I got home I couldn't feel my legs. Abeg what's the fun in that?
Also someone made a dumb comment saying Ferraris and lambos only make manual cars. Nowadays, supercars like ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren etc are ditching manual cars for autos because autos can now deliver as much as manual and its smoother. U might wanna check the link.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/127796/lamborghini-confirms-the-death-of-the-manual-supercar/

Jeep is a brand name just like Toyota, Honda, BMW, Audi, etc. Jeep make suv mostly and lots of Nigerians call all suv jeep. Just like they call all toothpaste mcleans, call all seasoning maggi, call all mayonnaise bama, etc.

oyeg: Hello Sir,

I live at Egbeda

I'll need to do a scan on my car.

Where's the closest place you know maybe Ikeja

thanks.

If u are around ogba, I can scan it for u for free so far ur abs light is not on. My tool can't scan abs faults but will pull out any codes pertaining to the engine. Also u may know I'm not a technician. I can pull the codes and from there u know what's wrong with ur car.

rollexdavid: hello just to see hw u are searious about what you need that is why ok.

and u think I would just send money to ur acct like that? What do u take me for, a noob?

This car can't be categorized as the most expensive car because its a one off custom made car. Only one model was made and now its own by rapper Birdman, he bought it for $8 million. Its not a car u go to dealership and buy unlike other supercars like Bugatti Veyron or Lamborghini Avantador, etc. Any company can decide to make a custom made car either to test a new line of products (the case with the Maybach Exeleron) or some rich dude ask them to build it to his taste. We have seen Mercedes benz made with white gold. The word's most expensive car still remains Lamborghini Vaneno at $3.9 million USD

rollexdavid: hello sir,if u the pictures i think u wil send me #5000 so that are snd you the pictures. ur mail(tanpinnu rotimi yemaren 3069311092 first bank saving act)

No be only 5,000. Imn fact i don already send 50,000 into ur acct. go check it. Ole

rollexdavid: goodmon,cal me wht u ned is wit us in cotonou port car me am there car agnt .frm rotimi08132684145

can u send pictures and quotations. Also does it come with genuine customs papers

I am in need of a Toyota Hilux, toks or clean naija used. 1999-2005 model. If anyone has pls let me know asap.

Probably your TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) is faulty. That's why it moves by itself without accelerating. Have it scanned to know the exact problem.

Did I hear speed limit? Where are the speed traps and security cameras? I doubt we have any of these on our roads. So how would they prove if someone is over speeding? Good move but first thing first, improve the roads, install cameras and speed traps, only then can they justify this. Also we need a proper identification system whereby every registered car has a genuine address attached to it. So when u get caught offending on camera, all they need do is pull up car owners info on the computer and then send the court order to his address. Abi how many people dem want chase for road ? How many FRSC officials dey road sef?

All that horsepower... where for lagos u want use am. USELESS. I still think V8 is useless in Naija because we don't have the roads to. What's the point of paying through ur nose to buy the car, pay through ur nose to buy fuel and then u are not even able to use half the power the car has. V6 is enough jooor.. crosstour all the way

ibkgab001: That's is a fucking lie won't you have it on Facebook or other social networking device

seriously? SO u seriously think everyone has a facebook.. or that everyone shows off and put picture of every toy they have on facebook. Just because u can't live without facebook doesn't mean other people's lives depend on it. I have a facebook acct that I don't even check and I don't have the pictures of my car on my facebook. To Op.. If u took picture of the car with ur Ipad u can log in to icloud to retrieve the picture. ALso if ur phone is windows u can retrieve pictures with skydrive. If its android and u set up automatic upload to dropbox then u can retrieve with dropbox. That's how I automatically back up my pictures, not by uploading to social network.

lomaxbien: yes the interior of the Accord is better than the solara,but the reliability matters alot too,with the transmission issues related to accords,i think the solara may be a lot better.

Transmission issues right? u might want to take a look at this http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/toyota/T8NU659ENN2CSB8FH
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t27959_ds450692

No car without its problems. Just observe a good maintenance culture and u might be fine.

Itulah: You are right, but my resent visit to honda motor website got me thinking cause there are numerous cases with Honda Transmission failure at a certain number of trip and that got me worried. Probably when this attain that mileage things may fall apart again..... I've just lost faith with honda automobile, it was a good ride anyway, I must give it that but I have to begin it sent fort party.....

Ok I feel ur pain. Follow ur heart. You might wanna look at these http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t27959_ds450692
http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/toyota/T8NU659ENN2CSB8FH

There is no perfect car, all cars have their issues so if u keep reading online forums to check car problems then trust me no car will be worth buying lol. JUst have a good maintenance culture.

Itulah: Ok pal, thanks, but I've learnt my lesson and am going to put the car for sale add up more money and get a Toyota Camry. Never in my life will I put my hard earned money on Honda Automobile ever again.

the problem is not Honda, its the way the car was used. People buy expensive cars and use cheap abro ATF fluid and then complain when tranny gets fried. If u can buy an expensive car, what stops u from buying genuine ATF even if its sold for 3,000 naira per quart. Toyota gear will also get fried when u toll without lifting the driving wheels.

osundu: Pls don't compare any of this cars with toyota solara!solara is a good car with rare mechanical fault,less noise and is prestigious.I drive de convertible.GO FOR TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6!

abeg wetin make u talk say make we no compare am to solara? They are both of the same class. Even the Honda looks more beautiful and has better interior than the solara. Both are good cars of the same class, it comes down to choice. You drive the solara, have u driven the Honda coupe? Its still the same big for nothing with modified body lol.

osundu: Pls don't compare any of this cars with toyota solara!solara is a good car with rare mechanical fault,less noise and is prestigious.I drive de convertible.GO FOR TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6!

a

osundu: Pls don't compare any of this cars with toyota solara!solara is a good car with rare mechanical fault,less noise and is prestigious.I drive de convertible.GO FOR TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6!

abeg

Perfect name I guess. But then how many of these would u see on the street for the name to stick? Don't get me wrong, lots of people drive range rover in Nigeria but how many common men would differentiate between a 2010 range rover from a 2013 model. Ever wondered why most cars given nicknames in Nigeria are Toyota and Honda? Not just any Toyota or Honda but camrys and accords. Orobo, pencil light, fish light, big for nothing, muscle.. To halla, bullet, bulldog, addidas, baby boy, eod, discussion continues, evil spirit, anaconda. An ordinary Nigerian will clearly know the difference between these cars because they are very common.

D-RICH:
BROWSE THROUGH THIS NAIRALAND AND OTHER WEBSITES THAT ADVERTISE AUTOMOBILES YOU WILL DISCOVER NUMEROUS ADVERTS ON THE ABOVE NAMED CAR ALL MODELS... PLEASE WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SURGE APART FROM THE GENERAL GEAR PROBLEMS.

these cars have been produced since 1998-2001. So probably the owners want to upgrade. Me for example I can't use a tokunbo car for more than 3 years. I will sell and upgrade. The 1998-2001 accord is a very good car talking from experience. Used mine for 3 years, no major problems whatsoever.

They are not in the same class. Yes the price difference might be close but that is because the Camry is overrated and Nigerians have this syndrome for Toyotas sayings its more rugged and durable. Dealers tend to bring on more Toyotas because of more buyers, hence hike in price. Its just the same way Nigerians are crazy over blackberry. Blackberries don't even sell in the states and other countries anymore but in naija its regarded as the best phone. No wonder bb q10 is sold in naija for 130k. More expensive than the iPhone 5 and Samsung galaxy s4 but really with far less features and inferior operating system. Nigerians are afraid of trying new/different things.
the 2008 Altima is far superior to the 2003 Camry (big daddy) in all aspects. The Camry is so boring and looks like a coffin. It just depends on ur maintenance culture. Parts might be a little expensive on the Altima but then that's a small price to pay for all the features u get. No car that doesn't give problems, just get a competent mechanic. I would go for the Altima if I were u and have the money... Or better still join the rest and go for d camry