₦airaland Forum

People,

Honda made different Accords for different Markets, so do not be confused:

1994-1997 Honda Accord (American Spec) - is called 'Bulldog' in Naija

1994-1998 Honda Accord (Euro Spec) - is called 'Bullet' in Naija

1998-2002 Honda Accord (American Spec) - called 'Baby boy' in Naija

1999-2003 Honda Accord (Euro Spec) - this rare but available in Naija; same as the JDM Accord

2003-2007 Honda Accord (US Spec) - called 'End of Discussion' & 'Discussion Continues' in Naija

2003-2007 Honda Accord (Euro Spec) - This car is the same as a US spec Acura TSX

1994-1998 Honda Accord Aerodek & Coupe (Euro Spec) - These cars are actually the same as Yankee (US) specs sold as European specs.

2008-Present Honda Accord (Euro Spec) - This is the same as the new US spec Acura TSX

I would have introduced JDMs (Japanese Domestic market), but I don't want to increase the complexity. However most european specs are derivatives of the JDM models.

@Igwe_1

I think you need to understand that you can only check VINs for cars purchased in USA and CANADA. This is a german model and having the VIN won't do you any good. Also, placing the VIN of a car should be a choice that the advertiser is allowed to make or not make, as he deems fit. The fact that a lot of people will not be interested in a car without knowing the VIN is a plus for those people who choose to place the VIN of their car but that does not mean we should castigate those who choose not to. People have a choice to put pictures or not and the reponse they get is often directly proportional to the fact that they have pictures - the same thing should apply here.

We are often too dictatorial in our approach to things in naija society. VIN is good, but there many circumstances where it doesn't apply and making a meaningless rule about VIN in any classified website is unheard of anywhere in the world! In Naija, everything is either 'do' OR 'die'!

You have succeeded in derailing the guy's Ad, even though he has a beautiful car to sell.

Anyone that is serious about buying a car on Nairaland will contact the seller and then GO AND SEE/CHECK OUT CAR abi? I don't understand why people shake so much over this issues?? If there are informations that the buyer needs he simply should ask the buyer when he goes to see the car! Nobody can make you buy a car that you do not like or want. If the car is abroad, then that is another matter.

There is no such thing as the maximum mileage a car should do per year. Most cars in the US do well over 15K miles a year - this should not be your criteria! What you need to do is check for signs of abuse or misuse.

1) How does the engine sound?
2) Do a compression test on each cylinder to establish that engine still delivers good power. Each cylinder should give at least 150-160psi
3) Open up engine oil cover cap and peep into the head and see whether it looks dirty or clean inside (the cleaner it is, the more regularly oil was changed)
4) Test drive and see how transmission shifts (is it smooth or rough)
5) Check engine mount (put transmission in "drive", press brakes and 'deftly' press accelerator to see if the engine moves with a clang or the mounts simply handle it!
6) Check for drive axle condition (visual) and then drive in tight circles in either direction and listen for axles noise.
7) Test drive for shock absorbers and bushings. See how car absorbs bumps and make sure there are no strange noises.
8 ) Look at general condition, does car look overtly abused or has several missing or worn components
9) Leave engine running for 10-15 minutes and watch temperature gauge - make sure it stays away from the red markings
10) Check exhaust tail pipe for signs of engine wear - exhaust pipe tip should be decently clean, there should be no thick, black sooty residue and no oily stuff. Exhaust tip should be clean or/and slightly dark from use but not sooty. Water or moisture should be dripping when can has been running for a while.
11) Watch out for electrical components, make sure the wiring doesn't look modified or tampered with.
12) Check for tell tale signs of rust.
13) Also notice any components that may have been replaced in the past or recently (this can be a good sign)
14) Check for evidence of Timing belt replacements - if this has not been done or you cannot ascertain when it was done, if you are buying the car then have it done immediately!

A well used 200,000 mile Nissan Maxima should still have a lot of juice left. I will pick a 200,000 mile, USA used Maxima over an 80,000 mile Maxima used in Naija. Naija roads and mechanics are a car's worst nightmare! Goodluck!

@Danchiks

Your problem can be solved by a simple elimination process - this is what experienced mechanics do.
I will advice you to listen to @Yemstrad - he is the only one that is analytical and seems to know what he is talking about!

It seems likely that you have a blocked exhaust system and the breathing of your engine is inhibited. Luckily this is a problem that is easily tested for and eliminated without costing you a lot. I do not want to write a story, but go back and read what @Yemstrad said. It can neither be transmission nor timing (this people don't have a clue about cars)

We will start by eliminating the possibility of an exhaust block. To mitigate the problem for blocked exhaust, you should follow the instructions below.

Here is what to do:
1) Start your car but do not engage the transmission, however I want you to rev up the engine several times (in short bursts)
2) Go ahead and rev engine and sustain the rev at 4000rpm for 2 minutes  (I hope your car has a tachometer)
3) If your engine cuts off, cannot rev up, revs up with much difficulty, doesn't sustain the rev or creates massive exhaust backfire , then go to (4)
4) Turn engine off, Open up the exhaust system before the catalytic converter (where the flexi-pipe or pipe is bolted to the Catalytic converter)
5) Once you open up or disconnect the front pipe at the catalytic converter (CAT), you can go ahead and start the cars engine again
6) Repeat steps (1) and (2)
7) Engine will certainly be noisy (cos exhaust is disconnected before CAT), but ignore noise and check if engine revs freely without hesitation the way the car use to rev.
If engine revs freely and without hesitation, then you have your answer!
9) You could then do two things: re-attach the CAT but detach the muffler at the back and try steps (1) and (2)
10) If your car is now doing the same thing: Not revving or cutting off, then you know the muffler is not blocked and it can only be the CAT
11) If you car is revving fine and not cutting off, then it was your muffler that was blocked not your CAT
12) If your CAT is blocked there are only two things you can do:
             a) Replace your catalytic converter (CAT) with either a new one or a used one.

             b) The most likely thing to do in Naija is to have your mechanic remove the CAT and knock out all the factory installed honeycomb impediments inside and simply
                  re-attach it back as an empty shell. You will get away with that in Naija cos there is no emission standards or emission test plus your engine output may
                  increase by 5Hp.

* The purpose of a CAT is to improve exhaust emissions according to government standards in developed countries. Removing your CAT or hollowing out your CAT is illegal in the US but is nobody's business in Naija. A hollowed out CAT won't change the sound of your car and you may gain a little extra power!

Let me know what you come up with. Goodluck.

@Sultaan,

I hope that Van has a third (3rd) row of seat, if not, it will be advisable for you install it before shipping vehicle. Duty on that Van should be between N200,000.00 and N220,000.00 depending on your agent.

@Mowire
Let me know what you discover. Should be interesting.

@Sultaan
I concur with Mowire on that one. It is best to use Vans as designed, besides Naijas now demand and deserve comfort when traveling.

@Promise72

The difference between good business decisions and poor judgement lies in one's willingness and ability to analyze and sometimes even question the norm!
I am always questioning conventional wisdom and always seeking alternative solutions to the norm. Imagine if Dr Rudolph Diesel had never questioned the ubiquitous use of gasoline/petrol for internal combustion engines? We will have no diesel technology today!

2005/2006 Toyota Hiace SLWB 15 Pax Specs:

Engine: 2.7L 4Cylinder EFI VVTi delivering 151Bhp @ 4800rpm and 178Ib ft @ 3800rpm
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Actual Passengers: 15 Pax
Max Payload: 1085kg
Avg. Fuel Economy: 19.5 mpg (miles per gallon)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons
Price: N3,300,000.00


2002/2003 Ford E-350 Super Duty ExT Specs:

Engine: 5.4L V8 Triton EFI delivering 244Bhp @ 4500rpm and 350Ib ft @ 2500rpm
Transmission: 4 speed Automatic
Actual Passengers: 15 Pax
Max Payload: 1840kg
Hwy. Fuel Economy: 17 mpg (miles per gallon)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 30 gallons
Price: N2,200,000.00


2002/2003 Chevy Express 3500 Ext Specs:

Engine: 5.7L V8 Vortec EFI delivering 255Bhp @ 4600rpm and 330Ib ft @ 2800rpm
Transmission: 4 speed Automatic
Actual Passengers: 15 Pax
Max Payload: 1790kg
Hwy. Fuel Economy: 15 mpg (miles per gallon)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 30 gallons
Price: N2,500,000.00


On paper, the Toyota is easily the most economical on fuel. However, in real life practice each one of these vans will be loaded with 15-16 people with their luggages, A/C will be blasting and many hilly terrains will be encountered - this is when and where the American Vans will come into their element! I am unable to verify the claims of Toyota with regards to the Fuel mileage. I do believe that the Hiace will be able to do the claimed 19.5mpg however, I am skeptical of the conditions under which the mileage is achieved. Most average fuel economy numbers given by manufacturers are performed under ideal circumstances and does not take several real life circumstances into consideration. The fuel mileage figures quoted for the American vans are NOT factory claims, but rather figures submitted by users who review and use the vehicles under real world circumstances. It is quite possible that the Toyota will surprise us in it's consistency however, the only way to verify and ascertain that is to put one on the road from Lagos to Benin with a full load!

For now I will stick to what I can verify. The fuel mileage given for the American Vans is what you will get under the circumstances stated above and with the kind of purpose you have in mind. The V8's produce enough power that the burden of 16 passengers, luggages and A/C will not really make much of a difference in its fuel consumption. The downside of this characteristic is that when they are in-town and running around with only one or two passengers, the fuel mileage will only improve marginally whereas in the Hiace you will see a big difference - The Hiace comes alive in an in-town or city situation. The Toyota Hiace was really designed for city and urban transportation and not for long hauls. This is why it is called a Hiace Commuter and the japanese only use it as such! In Japan, inter-city road travel is done by motor-coaches. In contrast, the American lifestyle dictates a lot of highway commute and often times appreciable distances are lapped up all in the course of a days work. Infact, it is not unusual for a Ford E-350 van to be moving a crew of 6, their construction equipments and a 2500Ibs industrial Compressor trailer towed behind, while still cruising at 80MPH on the highway!

ENGINE PERFORMANCE:
The American vans win hands down! The engine size of the Ford is precisely twice that of the Toyota (2.7L 4Cyl Vs 5.4L V8). The American Vans produce 100HP more than the Toyota and the torque output difference is simply mind boggling (double!) - this is what is called oomph!(the gut wrenching power needed to handle load!)

LOADING CAPACITY & SPACE:
All the vans are about equally fitted for 15Pax. The Americans may be slightly bigger in dimension however, I believe the Toyota is more efficiently and neatly packaged. The American Vans have a huge advantage in Maximum payload. The Ford's Chassis and suspension can handle about 800kg more than the Hiace (this is nearly a ton!) - the consequence of this is that over time the American Van's will hold up better with regards to suspension, chassis, shock absorber and even brakes! The difference is too large to ignore, I will have to give this to the American vans.

FUEL EFFICIENCY:
Inspite of the doubts expressed earlier, the Toyota will probably win this category hands down. The reality is that Naija roads are not great and a great deal of distances are often covered under circumstance reminiscent of urban driving where you have a lot of slowing down, stop and go traffic because of bad roads and crazy craters on the road. This stop and go road conditions and the consequently slower average cruising speed will augur well for the Hiace. The Hiace has a range of about 360miles (580km) on one full tank while the Chevy Express 3500 will do 450miles (724km) on a full tank and the Ford E-350 Ext will lap 510miles (820km) between tank fulls. It is worthy of note that the American vans have much larger fuel capacity.

MAINTENANCE COST:
This category easily goes to the Toyota. Toyota has a well developed customer support infrastructure in place. They have several dealerships and service centers and part procurement will not be a white knuckled experience. Toyota Hiace is established, ubiquitous and well understood mechanically. The American vans are by comparison quite unknown and considered a novelty - part procurement will be tricky at the very best - all this will quickly pile up the cost of upkeep.

BUILD QUALITY & RELIABILITY:
Toyota has my vote on this one too. Coupled with the fact that maintenance is easier to perform (see above) which adds to the reliability of the vehicle, Toyota's also have excellent and superior build quality. The Hiace has proven itself the world over. Reliability is legendary inspite of wanton abuse! The Toyota Hiace is a well thought out and engineered vehicle with easy ownership and maintenance used as a parameter of design.

LONG TERM DURABILITY:
I will have to give this to the American Vans - particularly the Ford E-350 van. Toyota Hiace puts up a good fight because it is such a well built vehicle however, considering the business model and the purpose to which the buses are utilized, the Toyota will have to succumb. The 2.7L I-4 engine can simply not hold up to that kind of load and use without wearing quicker than the American V8s. Also the key components of the American Vans are more heavy duty and over time the Toyota will simply loose its finesse and capacity to handle the demands of such travel.

REVENUE INDEX:
Vans/buses in question all handle 15 passengers. The ability of all this vans to make money is the same since they all handle the same number of passengers. All in all, I believe the buses/vans are equally matched here.

COST FACTOR:
This is a no contest for the American Vans. The Toyota costs N800,000.00 more than its nearest competitor and more than a million naira more than a comparable Ford - that is something that cannot be ignored! The disparity in price makes it very hard for me to justify buying the Toyota (from a business perspective). Spreading the cost difference over a reasonable period of Return, which is 36 months, the cost of owning the Toyota over the Ford is going to be N30,500 per month! (and this does not include lost income from interest payments). Over the Chevy Express, the Toyota's cost will work out to be N22,200 per month (excluding income lost from interest payments).

RESIDUAL VALUE:
This is a category that can easily be overlooked but is very important! An investor will have to consider how much residual value he will have from the sale or retirement of the vehicles after 36 months of active service. This not only helps the business raise capital towards the purchase of the new replacement but also helps maintain a balanced sheet. In this category, the Toyota takes gold. Not only will the Toyota fetch an appreciable value in the market but it will also do so very quickly. You can count on the rapid sale of a used Toyota Hiace. The American Vans on the other hand, may languish for a long time and still not fetch an appreciable value in the market (although they will probably stay active longer than the Hiace, perhaps 48 months!)

CONCLUSION:
I have tried to highlight and breakdown the relevant information in the preceeding 9 categories. Each vehicle gets 5 points for every category won and no point for every category lost. Where there is a tie, they both get 5 points. The final breakdown shows the following:

TOYOTA HIACE SUPER LWB:       25 POINTS

CHEVY EXPRESS/FORD E-350:     25 POINTS

I am honestly surprised cos I did not collate the results while writing and only now am I just seeing the final count/verdict myself.

I will be candid with you and tell you to go for the Toyota cos there are just some things that cannot be shown with numbers alone! If you do not have a solid mechanic who has a decent knowledge of the American vans and if you do not have a reliable and constant access to the USA for parts procurement, I will advise you NOT to mess with the American vans. In transportation business, good equipment knowledge and preventive maintenance are the key to success! You cannot afford to have an equipment (vehicle) out of commission, laying redundant and waiting for parts!

For the all important and singular reason of Maintenance, I will have to tell you unequivocally, GO FOR THE TOYOTA!!!

PS: I did not need to do a financial cashflow business model cos I later realized that all the vehicles had a similar capacity of passengers.

I hope this was a little helpful and I wish you the very best in your business endeavour!

Talk to Siena, unfortunately the car is already in lagos.

@Mowire
I have given your matter a great deal of thought and have had to verify and research some of my own facts and assumptions too.

For me to be able to give you a candid and more accurate assessment, you will have to get me the following information:

1) What Year and Pax capacity is the Toyota Hiace you are considering - There is the 3 Rows (12)Seater  and the 4 Rows (15)Seater models??
2) How much would such a Toyota Hiace cost in Lagos?
3) How much would the Chevy Express 3500/Ford E-350 cost you in Lagos?
4) Can you ascertain whether the GM/Ford dealership in Lagos has a solid technical and repair facility?
5) Your model routes are Lagos - Abuja AND Lagos - Eastern routes. No local routes,,  Correct??
6) Is your business going to offer regular mainstream services or Executive services?? *

*The reason for the last question is to know if you are going to be seating passengers at 4 abreast as is done in Nigeria or are you going to stick to the design limit of 3 abreast in HIACE (executive in naija)

If I can get this info, I can give you a more comprehensive Cost/Benefit ratio assessment and perhaps throw in a Business cash flow model  based on the mechanical, design and technical limitations and differences of the two vehicle types.

It depends.

The Toyota is very popular and durable and has proven itself a million times over. There is an abundance of parts, good technical understanding with regards to mechanics and good gas economy especially in-town. It is reliable and extremely durable. Unfortunately, the popularity of this brand makes it pricey.

If you do decide to go for the Chevrolet/Ford Vans, I will advise you to know why you may or may not go for the 3500 series. The 3500 series have heavy duty components which include engine, suspension, transmission, hub axle and chassis because they are design to handle heavy loads (up to 3.5tons) and 12000Ibs tow capacity - You need no where near that when handling passengers! The downside of the 3500 series is heavy fuel consumption! Chevy/Ford passenger Vans are also manufactured as standard 1500 series which can handle 1.5ton and has the same body and dimensions as the 3500 series. The 1500 series vans are more common, more economical to run and will give you a faster return for your money.

Chevy/Ford vans are much more powerful (performance wise), but on the other hand they are less economical in terms of gas consumption in-town. If your business model is going to involve mostly long distance travel then this vans are ideal cos a fully loaded Chevy Express 1500 traveling the highways will cost you less to run than an equivalently loaded Toyota Hiace will. I will expound on the reasons for this:

1) Chevy/Ford 1500 has a standard V8 engine that allows it to hum happily at highway speeds even when loaded with 18 passengers and their belongings.
2) Chevy/Ford Vans are equipped with automatic transmission that is much more efficient at highway speeds than in-town
3) Chevy/Ford Vans are built to handle the loads imposed by 18 Pax & luggage and the engine doesn't get overtaxed or over burdened
4) Toyota Hiace is really built to handle 1 ton and the engine gets overtaxed with 18 Pax & luggage resulting in increased fuel consumption
5) Toyota Hiace's suspension takes a pounding and starts falling apart because of the load stress.
6) Toyota Hiace's engine is 4 cylinder and the torque delivered is inadequate to handle the load thus leading to poor consumption and wear
7) Transmisson and drivetrain components on the Hiace are stressed and because of exessive load
8.) The extra power of the Chevy/Ford vans allows it to be operated with A/C without struggling to deliver the power demanded on the highway
9) The extra 4 cylinders in the Chevy/Ford ensure the longevity of the engine. American V8's are reputed to go 350,000 miles without rebuild or rebore!
10) The Chevy/Ford vans have more interior space for passenger comfort.
11) Initial cost of purchasing a used Toyota Hiace could be up to N400,000.00 more than a used Chevy Express van.
12) Spreading the cost difference over a period of 36 months means the Toyota costs an extra N11,000.00 per month!

CONCLUSION:
Inspite of the advantages of the Chevy/Ford vans in the areas of engine power and loading capacity, I will have to nominate the Hiace Bus. The Hiace Bus has a looooooooong history in Nigeria and is well known and understood by local mechanics. To operate the Chevy/Ford vans, you will need to have access to knowledgeable mechanics coupled with the fact that the parts are not so abundant (perhaps even rare). The Toyota Hiace bus is extremely durable and reliable despite the fact that it is consistently over-worked and pushed beyond its design limits! When the toyota breaks down in remote locations, parts are easy to come by and the cost of the parts won't break the bank becos of abundance. From a business and operational logistics perspective, the Toyota wins hands down!

MY PICK:
I will pick the Chevy Express. Why??  I am known to be stubborn and I always like to do things differently from the popular norm. I am knowledgeable enough about the vehicles to be able to operate it without getting into trouble. If I operated a Chevy Express, both on the short run and on the long run, I believe I will come out with better and sounder economic gains. But that is just me and I do not advise any other person to do the same.

See?? There you go!!!!

Even though his (@190) response is misguided. He loves Yaris but the Yaris is one of the cheaper and lower quality Toyotas. To a naija man, give him a name he recognises and he thinks he has the best even if the actual quality is crap. The concept is called 'Product brand Imaging' - it always works with naijas. I hope this answers your question @PAK?

THe Hyundai Sonata shown above is a superior car to the Toyota Yaris. It is a superior car all round, in functional design, in performance, in outright dimensions and utility value. It is also a very, very durable product - one that has contribute to placing Hyundai in the top ten 'JD power reliability ratings' in the last several years! But then again you don't know that,, do you??

FYI, the Sonata is also a lot more expensive that the Yaris when new. but I see you trying to pay 1.5Million for a Yaris!
It is all a question of taste though.

HONDA CRV & HONDA ELEMENT: Cos they are extremely durable, reliable and economical. Also good ground clearance, versatility, utility value and low maintenance cost.
DISADVANTAGE: They cost a wee bit more to purchase used! (pay now, enjoy later)

TOYOTA RAV4 & HIGHLANDER: Share the same advantages as the Hondas. The Highlander 4 cylinder variant is probably a lot more ideal than the V6.
DISAVANTAGE: The Toyota syndrome - costs much more to buy either used or new!

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER & PAJERO PININ iO: This vehicles share the qualities of the CRV and RAV4 however the Outlander is available as a US spec whilst the PAJERO Pinin iO is available in Europe and Asia. They are not similar in design but they both represent good value with economical 4 cylinder engines and solid build quality.
DISADVANTAGE: Tougher to find in the local Naija market but when you do price may just be right!

HYUNDAI SANTA FE & TUSCON: These SUV's have proven themselves over years. The best Santa Fe variant for Naija road is the 2.4L 4 cylinder variant, the same applies to the Tuscon. However, Tuscon may be tougher to find for a bargain cos the design (though smaller) is a much newer model.
DISADVANTAGE: Parts may not be so readily available (especially used parts) and the Tuscon may still be costly.

NISSAN XTERRA & PATHFINDER 2: These SUV's are very popular in naija cos they are simply bulletproof (reliable & durable). Built for rugged terrain, Parts are abundant and inexpensive too.
DISADVANTAGE: Higher gas consumption because of V6 engines.

By the way,  the stuffs you read in Wiki are written by everyday guys like me,  (just a thot). I have written as much WIKI as the next white guy so relax!

It is quite possible you have taken some of my write ups in Wiki to be the Gospel truth  . Broaden your mind and stop being so obdurate cos we are on nairaland. Na person write Wiki, no be spirit!

If you don't use any of those cars then you must use the Mitsubishi Diamante, but not the US spec. But that is because I assume you are in Naija cos if you are not in Naija then it is quite possible you are running around in a Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis (also known as the Space Wagon in Europe) or the Mitsubishi Dion (most unlikely though).

Anyway, what is my point?? Possibly want to piss you off and let you understand that you can just admit when you are wrong and stop trying to put others down by insisting they wiki'ed something you did not know, it is arrogant and graceless to do so . Peace.

There are tons and tons of used Hyundais and Kia cars here in the US. Most car importers try to import and sell what they deem is in demand and that is largely Japanese vehicles. Many naijas will run their mouth about what they do not understand and tell you that KIAs are not so good and cheap and blah, blah, blah, 

Well,,  dealers simply don't import it cos buyers force the price down and wipe out their profit.  KIA tends to take the cheapest, least loaded models to Naija and consequently Naijas think all KIAs are like that and often do not want to pay good price for the used ones! In the US, Hyundais and KIAs are mostly fully loaded and have proven their durability and reliability over time. As a matter of fact, the used value of a Hyundai car continues to better many japanese makes except Honda and Toyota here.

Would you pay N1.4 million for the 2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS featured below:

There is a black inset slot on the instrument panel for resetting it after you do the service. Insert the ignition key into the maintenance indicator slot and Press inward or depress the reset button and remove your key. This will reset the maintenance indicator back to green and should be done every time you complete engine service.

Or simply check how to do it in your owners manual (because it shows it with pictures).

Wiki

If your car is GDI equipped it means you must either use a Mitsubishi Galant, Carisma or a Pajero. it also suggest to me that your car is not a US spec car cos the GDI was never featured in the US specs. US spec Galants use a standard 2.4L MPFI engine and the Pajero which is called Montero here is equipped with a variant of the 6G74 3.5L V6 engine which is not GDI but rather MPFI equipped.

I suppose I also Wiki'ed this too??

People just don't listen!, there is no copying going on here!!! This two cars are simply siblings, so it is natural to have some resemblance!

@Mr Elrazur
Your information on the Mitsubishi 'GDI' engine and Volkwagen 'FSI' engine is a bit of a stretch. Actually to put it more accurately, your information is outrightly false!
Mitsubishi did indeed use the 'GDI' technology widely in the late 90's however, the technology itself has been around since the 2nd world war and had been used by several manufacturers long before Mitsubishi.

'GDI' stands for Gasoline Direct Injection and was first used in WW2 planes (in Germany) before the technology was transferred to cars. In Volkswagen 'FSI' stands for Fuel Stratified Injection. The truth is that both 'GDI' and 'FSI' refer to the same technology however each manufacturer often comes up with their own different acronym for a technology.

'GDI' or 'FSI' Engines are regular gasoline engines that use fuel injection for their air/fuel mixture however the difference is that the injection system directly injects gasoline into the combustion chamber under high pressure consequently resulting in the instant stratification of the gasoline. This results in a leaner fuel burn which leads to higher fuel efficiency and improved power output.

Regular Engines use 'Multi Port Fuel Injection' or 'Electronic Fuel Injection' systems where fuel is injected into the intake tract or cylinder port before being sucked into the combustion chamber for ignition.

Even though VW has been manufacturing some engines with 'FSI' technology since 2000, VW is touting this technology now becos all gasoline engines from VW are now 'FSI' equipped. And as far as licensing from Mitsubishi, there was no such thing - it is just mischievious rumor mongering and idle talk.

The fact remains that most major auto manufacturers have made use of Direct Injection Technology in one model or the other in their line-up. Mitsubishi was certainly not the innovator of the technology and they are not in a position to even hint at such outrageous claims. Let us get our facts right before we slam it into other's throat!

Kia models will always bear some form of resemblance to corresponding Hyundai models and the reason is very simple!

Kia corporation is wholly owned by Hyundai Automobile corporation. Kia ia therefore a subsidiary of Hyundai and their cars are fundamentally based on hyundai platforms. Although the sheet metal stylings are different, the common lineage and platform shared by the two companies models always permeates through.

All Kia models come from the same R & D (Research and development) department as Hyundai cars (Hyundai is the parent company) Hyundais are generally slightly more upscale in targeted market niche.

For those who do not know, here is eye opening information for you:

(1) Kia is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Corporation.  

(2) All Kia models share engine and transmission with corresponding Hyundai models.

(3) All Kia models share platform and monoque structure (shell) with Hyundai models.  

(4) All Kia models designed and manufactured before 2002 belong to an era when Kia was independent and therefore do not share components with Hyundai vehicles.

(5) Kia merger with Hyundai Motor Corporation occured sometime in 2002, however some of the models were carried over, gradually phased out and replaced with models that are jointly developed with Hyundai designs.

(6) Kia Sorento is one of the last of the Mohicans - it was a design that made it's debut in 2001 and therefore was before the Hyundai era, however Hyundai was smart and gracious enough to let it run its course. Kia Sorento made a successful run and was laid to rest in 2007! (RIP)

Wrote CPCS twice! No response
I have my reservations about this company and it's touted background.
Seems to me that the company is really a feasibility study and consultancy service firm.
The way it is, it doesn't seem set up for the actual implementation of any project. Nor have I seen evidence of a design -build capacity on its profile!
I smell Naija politics, influence peddling and a massive misappropriation of funds, time will tell!

Just a reminder of my proposal on page 1 of this thread, so that it can be compared to the official proposal above.

I spent some time studying the official Lagos State proposal and without being too presumptuous, I believe the proposal exhibits several serious weaknesses.

With the exception of the proposed Red and Blue line, the other proposed lines offer:
[list]
[li]Limited interconnectivity[/li]
[li]Poor transfer fluidity between lines[/li]
[li]High collateral cost to benefit ratio [/li]
[li]Poor cross-sectional inclusion [/li]
[li]Limited strategic local service[/li]
[/list]

I believe a hybrid of my proposal and the official proposal will serve Lagos better. However, you may take this advice with a pinch of salt since I have been accused, more than once, of being too aggressive and opinionated! I believe that if this could be done, there may be someone of influence here who is in a position to propose it to the proper authorities. I am convinced that there are elements and details in my proposal that should and could be improved by industry experts using the vast experience, resources and knowledge that is at their disposal to create a better and more workable hybrid.

More to come,

Yeah right!, 1.8M indeed! Why you kuku say N800,000!

interior pictures:

more picture:

ALSO AVAILABLE:

2003 VOLVO S60 2.4:

VIN:  YV1RS61T432275354
ENGINE: 2.4L 5CYL 20VALVE DOHC
TRANSMISSION: 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
MILEAGE: 84,600


OPTIONS:

PWR SUNROOF (ONE TOUCH)
PWR WINDOWS
PWR DOOR LOCKS + REMOTE
PWR STEERING
PWR MIRRORS
DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (ABS)
CRUISE CONTROL
PWR FRONT SEATS
HEATED FRONT SEATS
LEATHER INTERIOR
ALLOY WHEELS
AIR CONDITIONING
WOOD TRIM
AIRBAGS (MULTIPLE)
LUGGAGE RACK
FOG LAMPS




PRICE:  $9000.00
SHIPPING: $1500.00

TOTAL PRICE (CIF): $10500.00 SOLD

Interested parties should please email me questions @ midas02@yahoo.com

more pictures:

more pictures:

@EMPEROH I HAVE:

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 V6:

VIN:  JTEZT14R830003368
ENGINE: 4.0L V6 VVTi EFI
TRANSMISSION: 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC
MILEAGE: 87,300


OPTIONS:

4WD OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
PWR WINDOWS
PWR DOOR LOCKS + REMOTE
PWR STEERING
PWR MIRRORS
PWR BRAKES (EBD)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (ABS)
CRUISE CONTROL
PWR FRONT SEATS
HEATED FRONT SEATS
LEATHER INTERIOR
AIR CONDITIONING
AIRBAGS (MULTIPLE)
DUAL/REAR AIR CONTROL/BLOWER
LUGGAGE RACK
FOG LAMPS




PRICE:  $12500.00
SHIPPING: $1800.00

TOTAL PRICE (CIF): $14300.00 SOLD

Interested parties should please email me questions @ midas02@yahoo.com

more interior pics:

I am also offering:

2004 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L:

VIN:   5FNRL18934B037042
ENGINE:   3.0L V6 VTEC EFI
TRANSMISSION: 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC
MILEAGE: 78,400 MILES

OPTIONS:
PWR STEERING
PWR WINDOWS
PWR DOOR LOCK + REMOTE
PWR MIRRORS
PWR BRAKES
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
CRUISE CONTROL
AIR CONDITIONER(A/C) + DUAL CONTROL
AM/FM/CD STEREO
LUGGAGE RACK
DOUBLE POWER SLIDING DOOR
TILT/TELESCOPIC WHEELS
MULTIPLE AIRBAGS
MIDDLE CAPTAIN SEATS
ALLOY WHEELS
LUGGAGE ROOF RACK


PRICE:     $10500.00
FREIGHT:  $1700.00  (LAGOS)

TOTAL PRICE(CIF): $12,200.00 SOLD
Interested parties can email me questions at: midas02@yahoo.com. Thanks