₦airaland Forum

elite:
kunle, how much can land a 2001/2002 toyota siena, fabric interiors, alloy wheels, step pad, clean one below 100k miles

francismic:
Every buyer can say he is a serious buyer, but ur pocket is what determines how serious u r.

Fixed:
Here are some scenarios:
1. In the recent past, Toyota had a massive recall on some of its vehicles due to some safety concerns - including sticky pedals vs floor mats. Some of my friends have been using some of these recalled vehicles ever before the issues were detected. How will these issues be fixed here in Nigeria? Can the Nigerian Toyota dealers do it at all and will it be free as it was in US?
2. My brother has a 2005 Infiniti FX35 that has dashboard cracks and bubbles. The dash is really an ugly sight that makes a mess of the luxury vehicle. He has gone to price a used dash from spare parts market and was told to bring a handsome N130K and there were not so many in the market to start with. On searching the internet, I realised that dash bubbling is a common problem with FX35/45 from Nov 2002 up to 2008 models. Loads of complaints. Infiniti therefore extended the warrantee for the dash to 8 years and sent letters to owners for replacement at no cost. The issue now is that there is no sure way of knowing whether a replacement bought in Nigeria will not be one of the defects since our guys get their spare parts from mostly accidented vehicles which could be one of those models. My brother would have gotten a free dash replacement if he were to be in US.

So is there any way of handling issues that have to do with manufacturer recalls in Nigeria especially for foreign used vehicles?

Siena:
Dude, I have nothing against Kunle, I think he's one of the good guys. But friend or not, I tell things as I see them, and I believe Kunle does the same. I'd probably even do business with him in the not too distant future, at least I know what I want.

I might even buy him a beer when next I'm in Cali.  

One of the things i don't do is sugarcoat. There is no ambiguity what my position is. There is no point of saying one thing and doing the other but i will always say what i know or believe no matter how unpopular it is.

I can bring in a 1993 Toyota Previa. Its commercial and that is OK.

I can bring in a 1985 Mack Truck. Its OK cos its commercial.

People bring in 2005 Wrecked accord and repair in poorly with no airbag or other safety equipment or sensors. That is fine. Hmmm Think about it.

But there is a problem with a NON-ACCIDENTED 1993 Camry that's fully functional.

As far as exploitation goes, it doesn't matter to the customs/police guy when you are driving tokunbo. HE WANT SOMETHING FROM YOU!

Sienna has been a stable here for a long time. and i know about him quite well. This is a healthy conversation as far as i am concerned. No qualms.

But there is a problem. I DON'T DRINK BEER  

omar22:
why 1994! you could get it for free at the scrap yard!

Siena:
So it's a case of "if you can't beat them, join them", is it? That being the case, I wonder what the strikes and protests in Nigeria are about. Strikes and protests are about voicing displeasure. I don't need to live in Nigeria to know what's happening there, it's common sense. I follow Nigerian news, both online and on Cable TV. I'm more in tune with Nigerian affairs than you could imagine, bro. We can't continue to justify corruption, because it suits us to do so.

I'm sure our dear "Agbada-clad" corrupt politicians attempt to justify their actions too. "Let's all rob the country blind, because our predecessors did the same". LMAO.  

The point is for what a '93 Toyota Camry costs landed in Nigeria, a '99 one can be had.

BizBooks:
I do not fault Kunle for bringing in over-aged cars. I only fault him for sharing too much information.

Siena:
Brother, extortion is still extortion, regardless of how you view it. And as per having a say in being extorted by customs when bringing in a over-aged automobile, I beg to differ. If you don't pay, your car can be seized. The moment you choose to break the law, you're at the mercy of the enforcers of that particular law. They've got you by the balls, you're out on a limb.

Siena:
So you're shipping in 1993 Toyota Camrys as a public service, so in the event you're stranded in the middle of nowhere, a '93 Camry will pick you up? C'mon guy! This is all about $$$!   What does being stranded in a remote area have to do with the import of an over-age automobile?  

Brother, I'm an engineer, not a dealer. I know what to look for in a clocked car, I also know what's realistic and consistent with regards the mileage displayed.  

Akiika:
To you guys flaunting your illegal activities online, i say shame on you. You all make noise about Govt. officials being corrupt yet you are doing the same thing. Only God knows the kind of leader you'll be if you get the opportunity to be in public service. You complain about the sorry state of Nigeria, what are you doing to make it better? breaking the law and bragging over it.
@Fhemmy, can you do that in the US you lived without facing the music? Have you wondered why you are able to live in the US successfully, it is because the people and the Govt. respect the law. Now talking about your illicit transactions and dangerous cars you circumvent the law to ship to Nigeria. How safe are those cars in Nigeria, i bet all of the safety features of those cars are gone, seat belt, air bag e.t.c Tell me how a 1993 car can survive the Nigerian road for even 6 months. You are not helping the uninformed buyer my friend.
By the time you add all the cost of the car including shipping and clearing in Nigeria,, then it's overpriced for the present value of the car. If only our useless Govt. invest in vehicle manufacturing, people will not be compelled to buy a "coffin" for that much money thinking it's a car.

Siena:
Different method, same old analogy. The police officer is still "boosting" his salary, so he can afford all the better things in life. He's still breaking the law. It's still corruption. The customs official that has to be "settled" in order to allow an over-age automobile through, is still "extorting".   So either way, people are still getting screwed, and there's a payment going through without a valid receipt, in addition to the regular clearing fee.  

Siena:
As I said previously, it's all subjective. To one that would rather ride in a 2010 Maybach, the 2012 could well be basic transportation. Wealth and poverty also subjective - a billionaire that's down to his last million, running a Bentley Continental, living in a luxury Penthouse in New York could be classed as poor, based on the life he's become accustomed to, compared to one that has $75,000 sitting in the bank, running a 2007 Toyota Camry, and living in a modest apartment in a middle-class suburb.

Siena:
Bro, the comparison is pretty valid. For 800,000 Naira, I can land a 1999 Toyota Camry (facelift) in Lagos. My profit will be a lot smaller than if I'd landed a 1993 model, but at least the buyer will have a newer car, and clearing costs will be the same for a '99 and '93.

Siena:
What one may deem necessary is subjective.

Fhemmmy:
Chief Kunle . . .  I am sure this was done last year and if that was the case, you could have brought in a 1996 Camry for same fried and still be below 1M Naira.

By the way, no one is saying it is not done, all Sienna is saying is that . . . .  Dont post such info cos it might come back to bite you in the rear when you least expect . . .  just watching out for a brother, I am sure.

But i still remain humble, Sir

baconline:
Bros ,in Naija you can ship in a 1924 model car,make sure it is one out of four in a container.(useless country!!!!!!!!!! I hate corruption)

[b]In a country of 150million plus people, there are various types of people in different economic condition(s). I just spent the past 9 months living in Nigeria. I stayed since March 2011 till Dec 2011. I have been in the US since 1992 with occasional visits. Typically 2-6 weeks maximum.

I learn a lot of things in my 9 months about Nigeria (and Nigerians especially) that i have otherwise forgotten from spending a lot of time here.

The main thing that stuck in my mind is that the basic requirement of most people is  CLEAN AND RELIABLE CAR. Very few people care too much about mileage/carfax. However, that doesn't mean mileage fraud is OK or that i sanction it.

Most of the underage vehicle i bought are for a friend who sells cars. I just mostly help buy, ship and turn over the documents to him. The ones that belonged to me are just a handful. I didn't really know that its possible to ship underage cars until i was in Nigeria. Won ja mi si sharp sharp. 

The truth is that most buyers are grateful for the vehicle as long as it has GENUINE CUSTOMS PAPERS from Lagos. Most underage cars coming to Nigeria come via Cotonou and the customs are all over the country to give you problems. They may even seize your vehicle and you have to pay an additional N150k - N200k to retrieve it from the customs.

Money is hard to find in Nigeria. For the handful of people that buy latest models, there are multitudes that are just getting by and saving up for a good reliable car especially under N1m to convey the family around. Everyday people (public servants / govt workers /junior workers etc) taking loans from cooperative. The Nov/Dec heat and temperature is particularly unforgiven.

Its been a while i have experienced that type of heat    even though i live here in sunny California for a while.

So i will rather bend the rule and give the people what they won't have to worry about in terms of quality/reliability and yet they won't have problems with the customs at all.

Corruption or not. At least i can help out the people with a clear conscience and i make some little pennies while doing it  [/b]