₦airaland Forum

[size=14pt]I have taken some time out to analyze the contributions of house members on the topic:

Nigerians Should Say No To Accidented Cars
« on: March 02, 2010, 03:17 AM »

Can the average Nigerian worker or business man afford a brand new car? Even the "non-accident used cars" are priced so low( I stand to be corrected)

All over the world people actually save a lot by buying used cars(accident or no accident).   Can one do a VIN check on cars from Europe and Asia? I don't think so.(I stand to be corrected).

This is a case of demand and supply. And in this case, It seems the Demand is increasing.

The solution lies squarely on EDUCATING THE PEOPLE  on how to buy used cars. All that glitters is not gold. I have observed that most people on this forum lay more emphasis  on the cosmetics on a car and less on the security aspects. This is an unfortunate trend.

Diplomacy is the ability to tell someone "go to hell" and the person embarks on the journey without a question.

Knowing how to identify( and avoid buying) those vehicles that are of security risk to road users is your diplomatic tool to stop the importer.

Not all accidents vehicles are security risk to road users.

MY OPINION IS:
ACCIDENT VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT OF SECURITY RISK COULD BE A GOOD BUY.

HENCE I HAVE POSTED SOME TIPS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY ACCIDENT/ FLOOD VEHICLES.[/size]

Thanks for your emails.

Sorry offers still not good enough for this work horse .

I am not in a hurry on this truck at all. Things take time

Hello Gabrieli!

That is a solid work/ utility vehicle you have there. Especially the diesel engine type. You can actually have a mobile workshop in there. I hope someone will realize the usefulness of that truck and buy it. Your price is very very good compared to what that truck costs in Norway for example.


Good luck!

@Onwan,

It all depends on whom you have been talking to. I mentioned I have someone who could handle it. Its no big deal if we use some common sense and do not just follow what the technician says to the letters. Some times they make work complicated(my technician inclusive). Let me give you some examples:

1. They may say "you have to buy a Yanmar fan and radiator to cool the engine very well" That is bullshit! Any sizable thermo fan and radiator from for example a small 4 cylinder diesel truck will do. When you go asking for Yanmar or Perkins fan and radiator, be ready to pay more.

2. They may say" we have to construct a diesel tank that the gen will stand on" The gen must not stand on a tank to get a supply of diesel. A 50L jerry-can/ vehicle fuel tank standing somewhere near the gen, and extended hose will do. Any other construction is a matter of taste.

3. Get a good and portable vehicle silencer @Ladipo. Do not go asking for Yanmar, Perkins etc. You have to note the diameter of the connection point on the manifold.

Options A:

I deliver it to you with all conversion done @ 350. Deal or no deal.

Option B.

What are you going to offer( and willing to pay) for a dry exhaust Yanmar? I can source it for you.

Dear Amadu77,

I have two Toyota Hiace in Lagos now. One is petrol and the other is diesel. Both are long chassis.
You can send me an email or sms with your contact info, so I can get back to you immediately. This may be an opportunity for you to buy @ a good price

0047-99339392

jucol7000@yahoo.com

cheers Jucol

Thank you Monitor_1.

Up nairaland.

come make we washam

Hello Reader!

[size=14pt]Part 1[/size]

( You may open the word doc attached below for better reading and images)


[size=14pt]Five Questions that could save you a bundle[/size]

Particularly when dealing with private parties (who usually have only one car for you to look at), you'll want to make sure a vehicle is worth your time before you make the drive. Always call first and talk to the owner/driver--other people in the house may note be able to answer all of your questions.

1. Why are you selling the vehicle? You're probably not interested, but a person selling the vehicle because of mechanical problems will often stumble on this question, alerting you to look at the vehicle very carefully.

2. How many miles are on the odometer? Generally speaking, multiply the year age of the vehicle by 15,000. If the vehicle has more miles on it than the product of this equation, the vehicle is usually considered to have high mileage.

3. What condition is the vehicle in? Actually, this should be a series of questions like "how's the body and paint?", "how's the interior?", etc. You'll find the seller's opinion will often differ greatly from yours once you see the vehicle, but you can often discover problems like accident damage. This may save you a trip if you're looking for an unmolested vehicle.

4. What work has been done on the vehicle recently? Sellers often "prepare" a vehicle for sale by performing work they've been meaning to do for a while. This is usually an innocent attempt to make the vehicle look more appealing, but be a bit wary if major work has just been completed. For example, if the engine has just been overhauled, make sure the engine is checked out thoroughly. It's rare, but owners occasionally try to get rid of a vehicle that's showing signs of slipshod workmanship on a major repair.

5. What options does it have? This will actually be a series of questions pertaining to your needs (it's a good idea to make a list before you start making calls). For example, if you need an automatic transmission or air conditioning, make sure you ask whether the vehicle has these options. Ask which engine the vehicle has. A friend may have told you of the great fuel economy of his car, but the same model with a different engine option may not do so well. Always be sure you're making an apples-to-apples comparison.

                    Find the lemon before you go picking

Let's face it--some car models have been more prone to problems than others. And even within the same model, some model years are better than others. So how can you research this in your search for a reliable used car? One way is to look into Recalls and Service Bulletins. Your own federal government, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has a wealth of information on safety recalls and technical bulletins sorted by vehicle make and model. Go to their website (www.NHTSA.gov) and punch in the models you are thinking about buying.

Recalls are repairs suggested by automobile manufacturers and the NHTSA to ensure the safety or mechanical integrity of your automobile. These repairs are necessitated by some factory defect or oversight, and, as such, they are done free of charge by any new-car dealership authorized to sell the type of car you own. Since a used car owner is usually unaware of a recall, you can find out whether a recall exists by searching the website or by calling NHTSA at 1-800-424-9393. 

PART 2: follow this link: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-419788.0.html#msg5769071 ***GOOD TIPS ON HOW TO BUY USED CARS Part 2***
« on: March 26, 2010, 01:35 AM »

[size=14pt]Four clues to major problems and "no deal"

Shopping for a used car is tough enough, what with all your choices of makes, models, mileage, color, but your biggest concern is getting ripped-off. Most used cars are sold "as-is", with no warranty and no safety net for making a bad decision. Having a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle is always the best protection, but here are a few things you can -and should- check on your own to uncover some potentially deal-breaking problems.

Have the owner open the hood and then look for the oil fill cap. This is where fresh engine oil is added to the engine and your best opportunity to evaluate the inner workings of the engine. With the engine off and cool (don't burn yourself), twist off the cap and look at the underside. If it looks like a chocolate milkshake, coolant has leaked into the engine and mixed with the oil. This means expensive repair work and maybe a complete overhaul. (see picture below)



While you have the hood open, look carefully at the steel cross member (it runs across the car at the radiator) and the inside of the fenders. A vehicle that has been repaired from an accident may have tell-tale signs in these areas. Look for mismatched paint or paint overspray along the fenders. At the cross member, look for new steel welded in place. The photos here show a vehicle that was in a wreck and repaired with less-than-quality workmanship. Note how the left (undamaged side) of the cross member is smooth and welding is neat and clean. The steel on the other side is distorted and the welds are uneven and sloppy.

When inspecting a used car, start it up and then walk to the rear and observe the exhaust. Dark smoke (black or bluish in color) may indicate an internal engine problem. White smoke on a warm day can possibly mean coolant leaking into the engine, usually through a blown head gasket. However, if the outside temperature is cold, the white smoke could be nothing more than steam (like the condensation of your breath in very cold weather).

Fluid leaks may indicate a very minor problem or a really expensive fix. Look under the vehicle where it is normally parked. After a test drive, give the vehicle a few minutes and then look around the engine and under the vehicle again. Other than clear water dripping from the air conditioner components as condensation, all other leaks should be checked out by a mechanic.

Is a Check Engine warning light a big deal?

If you're test driving a used car and notice the dashboard warning "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" illuminated, you should know right away that the vehicle needs to be inspected by a professional mechanic. It means that the on-board computer has found a problem which requires attention.

But it does not necessarily mean the vehicle should be discarded from your shopping list. Often, the fix for problems like this is relatively easy and inexpensive. Your local mechanic will have a small hand-held "scanner" that plugs into the computer to read out the stored "codes". Armed with this info he can determine if the problem is an expensive fuel injection system or simply a loose wire. Be sure to get a written estimate from the mechanic

[/size]

@ George D.

Yes. YOU did sir. I have received several mails that indicate that the persons have not read and/or understood the modus operandi of the genset.

Cheers brother!

Pls gentlemen/ Ladies in the house!

Read my reply on WHAT DOES WET EXHAUST MEAN?.

Thanks

hello guys!

For those of you who sent email, I have responded. If in doubt Pls send an sms and I will call you for clarifications.

Best regards

Jucol

I hope Nigerians will start going the diesel way in no distant future

@Obua

Those items are on ground in Lagos now. Fortunately I have exactly what you want.

You may drop your telephone no here or send it to me by email or sms, then i will get back to you. My contact info is above.

Cheers!

@ George:

The best bargains are obtained when the buyer is waving the cash in front of the seller . You may have to wave before my bros in Lagos there.

Good luck

Thanks for your emails.

sorry offer not good enough.

This your solution:

1.Park the car for now.
2. Order a Haynes repair manual for your car from the internet or let someone buy and send to you direct from abroad.You may think this is expensive. But you will spend more money and time on those mechanics doing trial and error and hence complicating your problems.
3. You have to specify the exact model and engine type. not " 2003 Honda accord"
4. The manual will help tell YOU the problem and how you can fix it yourself IF POSSIBLE.
5. Sit back and enjoy your car.

check ebay.co.uk, amason.com etc

someone bought here:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Drivetrain&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=12-0&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=haynes+manual&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=11200108&categoryNValue=11299999&fromWhere=&itemId=108-0&displayName=Manual+-+Vehicle+Maintenance&searchText=haynes+manual

Good luck

Thanks man. Hope the importers in the house could build credibility.

flash me on +47-99339392 lets talk, who knows a deal may be sealed

@pannyman,

You may burn the AFT if it is the wrong type.

This lack of comprehensive vehicle information in Nigeria is a big problem for used vehicles without manuals.

You have to specify the exact engine type you have to get help asap.

There are the following engine types for 1999 camry:
Solara SE V6
solara SLE V6
LE sedan V6 and others may be.

Inspect the dip stick carefully, it may be written there.

@ Seal777 and JFking:

Check your car model in the list to see whether you have the right tire dimension. If that is ok, then check your  REAR LATERAL CONTROL RODS  and those bushings at back. Jack the car, remove the wheel and you will see the bushings on the chassis. You can feel those rods playing if they are bad.
Note: This is the cause of most scratches and horrible noise when you have say 2 passengers at the back

In 205/65/15
205= width(mm)
65= proflie height(%)
15= rim diameter(inches)
I guess the guy who sold those tires  to you does not have info on your car
2001 Toyota Camry CE Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15
2001 Toyota Camry LE 4 Cyl - V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15
2001 Toyota Camry Solara SE 4 Cyl. Coupe Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15
2001 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15
2001 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16
2001 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16
2001 Toyota Camry XLE 4 Cyl. Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15
2001 Toyota Camry XLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16
2000 Toyota Camry CE 4 Door Sedan Front and Rear Tires P195/70R14
. 2000 Toyota Camry LE 4 Cyl - V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
2000 Toyota Camry Solara SE 4 Cyl. Coupe Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
2000 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
2000 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16 .
2000 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16 .
2000 Toyota Camry XLE 4 Cyl. Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
2000 Toyota Camry XLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16 .

1999 Toyota Camry CE 4 Door Sedan Front and Rear Tires P195/70R14 .
1999 Toyota Camry LE Sedan Front and Rear Tires P195/70R14 .
1999 Toyota Camry LE Sedan V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
1999 Toyota Camry LE Sedan V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
1999 Toyota Camry Solara SE 4 Cyl. Coupe Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
1999 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
1999 Toyota Camry Solara SE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16 .
1999 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/65R15 .
1999 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 Front and Rear Tires P205/60R16 .
1999 Toyota Camry XLE Sedan Front and Rear Tires P195/70R14


Good luck

I hope this info helps you.

Dear George D,

You are an intelligent gentleman. I can tell from your postings. Try searching for that kind of gen on the internet and see if you can find one less than 400k. If you do, I will give you a formidable discount. I set that price without thinking about our naija bargaining prowess .

The model no is: 3TNE88-G1A
POWER OUTPUT: 16.3KW( 16.3X1.25=20.37KVA) @1800rpm
13,5KW (13.5X1.25= 16.88 KVA @1500rpm
Displacement: 1.642L

Secondly, You donot have to spend much:

- I have the heat insulator for padding
- I have a good radiator at a friendly price.(importer price you may say)
- Don't go asking for Yanmar silencer/fan: Get a big enough silencer/cooling fan for any cheap vehicle brand. Boy, it works.

To be sincere with you, if I should add up the hazzles in acquiring, and do a proper cost analysis on that BABY like you rightly called her, I would peck it at 435K. But in biz you make profit here and there and cover  up some losses elsewhere.

I am trying at best to furnish you with every technical info you may want to know. No hidden issues

cheers

@jfking.
Check the reply from Sultaan above. He got one from there. I am not in Naija, so cannot know the cost of your shocks. I use those manual anytime my car has a problem. And it has helped me save a lot. You know mechanic workshops in Norway are damn expensive. It is better you have an idea of what has to be done and how, then the mechanic wouldn't tell some nonsense talk

Good luck man

@JFKING and Seal 777.

A Haynes service manual will tell you exactly how to trace the fault and how to remedy it without you asking a mechanic that may not even explain the working mechanism of your car. You save money and time.

Secondly, using the wrong tyre dimension may reduce the clearance you need. Find out the right dimension for your car. I will send the dim. to you later.

Good luck.

still available

More info coming soon!

POWER OUTPUT: 25 KVA ( 20KW) [color=#000099][size=18pt]SOLD! SOLD!! SOLD!!![/size]

VOLTAGE: 230V

ENGINE TYPE : F4L 913 DEUTZ

THIS ENGINE CAN POWER A 34KVA ALTERNATOR IF YOU NEED MORE POWER.

RPM: 1500

ENGINE RUN TIME: 571 HOURS(about 24 days only of continuous use from new

ADDED ADVANTAGES: IT IS MOBILE AND SOUND- PROOF[/color]

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL GERMAN MACHINE not the China China toys around. This is built to last.



Available in Lagos now.

PRICE: On request

Call or send sms to 0047-99339392, I will get back to you asap.
email: jucol7000@yahoo.com

@ George D:

jucol, what exactly do you mean by 'wet exhaust'?

This means that the exhaust gas and cooling water flow out together from the big exhaust manifold, and out through the big pipe on the side into the sea or the source of cooling water. The gen is made for use as power generator for boats- hence the name marine.

For land use:The following has to be done:

1. A radiator, and a cooling fan have to be installed outside the casing.
2. A small expansion tank like the ones on cars.
3. The cooling water hose from the engine will be redirected to the radiator.
4. The heat exhanger mechanism on the gen has to be removed.
5. An exhaust pot (in this case a dry exhaust- like the ones on cars) will be mounted.
you may have to remove part of the casing to accomodate the dry exhaust.

This may sound complicated but it is simple work. I have a technician who has been doing this.

It is important to explain this carefully so you know before you buy. This builds credibility in the house.

Thanks for the emails. A quick sms and a telephone call from me may just seal the deal for one of you guys.

my tel. no is there.

@SWIRL

my bid 470k. u can snd a mail2my box showing approval on shuaiboshiomah@yahoo.com
/quote]

You are over pricing that van.

Try this link and find out what a van like that costs in Germany, add shipping(about €700) and clearing charges( 150K)
http://www.autoscout24.de/ListGN.aspx?vis=1&make=74&model=18210&pricefrom=1000&cy=D&page=1&maxresults=500&results=20&ustate=N,U&um=True&sort=price&zipc=D&tab=price

You may have to reconsider your bid. I hope you got the point there!

No bad feelings!

Its 230Volts.

For immediate response send an sms and I will call you asap for a pleasant Diesel power discussion