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Car Buying Tips - Car Talk (2) - Nairaland

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Street Sense Car Buying Tips For Nigerians / Best Car To Buy As A First Car: Car Buying Tips For First Time Buyers / 9 Most Common Car-buying Mistakes To Avoid (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 10:56am On Jan 04, 2019
Reasons why vehicle stability control is important

Vehicle stability control (VSC), also known as Traction Control System (TCS) is one thing that your vehicle’s engine management, fuel economy, transmission and brake systems have in common.

Below are different names automakers call the vehicle stability control:

Toyota: Vehicle Stability Control
GM: Stabilitrac
Ford: Advancetrac
Honda: Vehicle Stability Assist
Chrysler and Mercedez Benz: Electronic Stability Program
Subaru: Vehicle Dynamics Control
Volvo: Dynamic Stability Control
It’s that season of the year when we do a lot of traveling for the holidays. Many vehicles will be plying the road, with most travelers heading to their villages to go see their families. However, before embarking on that journey, you need to ensure that your vehicle stability control is in good condition.

It’s common knowledge that the majority of our roads are bad. If your vehicle stability control is faulty, you are prone to danger on the high way due to many potholes. When you drive into potholes, sensor cables in the suspension system are stretched beyond limits.

Do you hear a clanking sound from your wheels? If yes, your vehicle stability control has been jeopardized. It will shut down the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and your vehicle stability control will shut down afterwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd5JMQr4qe0

The suspension system doesn’t fare well on bad roads. As you continuously drive on bad roads, the sensors are most likely to get damaged.
Reckless driving is dangerous to both you and your car. Apart from the risk of getting involved in a fatal accident, you expose your vehicle control system to damage. They are not built to withstand such pressure over a long period of time. Apply the brakes with caution. Swift and forceful braking are harmful to your car’s electronic stability system.

The vehicle stability control can be likened to the human nervous system. It encompasses several sensitive parts of the body. When it is compromised, your vehicle is most likely to shut down. And it could be fatal if this happens while you are driving.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/the-importance-of-vehicle-stability-control-1326
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 10:51am On Jan 17, 2019
Diesel engine vs Petrol engine – Which is best for you?

First, you need to understand that these two types of engine were initially created for specific reasons. The petrol engines are purposely created to power cars while the diesel engines were targeted towards bigger vehicles like trucks, buses, ships etc. It will be right to say that much hasn’t really changed with the petrol engines as per the initial usage target but this wouldn’t be true with diesel engines because, over the years, we have seen some good use of diesel engine in cars.

1. Diesel vs Petrol engine fuel efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, let's see some important factors to consider;

a. The engine fuel consumption rate
On approximation, a standard diesel fuel should produce about 38.8Mj of energy per liter while a standard petrol fuel should yield about 34.8Mj of energy per liter.
This means diesel fuel burns at a much slower rate than the petrol fuel when it’s producing a sufficient amount of energy needed to put a car in motion. As a result of this, the car mileage increases if it uses diesel fuel instead of petrol fuel.

b. The compression ratio of the engine
Before you read further, please keep in mind that an engine’s efficiency is directly proportional to that engine’s compression ratio in most cases. We have the rule for this as below:

Engine’s Compression Ratio ∝ Engine’s Production of Mechanical Energy ∝ Engine’s Efficiency

What we're trying to convey here is if an engine’s compression ratio is high of a particular fuel, that engine is capable of converting a huge amount of chemical energy into mechanical energy. Accordingly, during the introduction of this concept in diesel and petrol fuel, it was noticed that diesel fuel yields more mileage and efficiency. And with 20:1 standard compression ratio, it produces greater mechanical energy than with 10:1/12:1 standard compression rate of petrol.

c. The Torque value of the engine
Very often you might hear that diesel engines can develop a much higher torque value than the petrol engines. But that brings the question, what is torque value, right?
It isn’t that complicated you know. Actually, torque is what determines the turning force that is required to drive a car away from its parking position. So, if at a low RPM, a high torque value is produced then, which means that you can increase the speed of the engine without wasting much of your fuel.

2. Diesel vs Petrol engine performance
Even though this is not really meant to be a debate kind of article, we can literally say that the petrol engine wins this point. The reason for this is pretty simple, petrol engines generally have lighter parts compared to the diesel engines. And this makes the engine allow for the high Revs when it is being operated.

Thus, we can see more performance efficiency of petrol engines compared to the diesel engines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOUJ4C61Lts

3. Diesel vs Petrol engine - Verdict
If we are going to put all of the above-mentioned factors aside and focus on some other factors such as the cost of fuel, cost of a car, cost of maintenance etc. Then, we are definitely going to have a somewhat different story. What does this mean?

I mean as we are aware of that in most places, the price of a diesel fuel is mostly less than that of petrol fuel. It is actually indirectly related somehow to the prices of these cars you see in the automobile markets. In simple terms, cars with diesel engine are costlier than cars with petrol engines. And not just that alone, it is also a fact that the cost of maintaining a car with a diesel engine is higher than that which is needed to maintain one with a petrol engine.

Just like we have mentioned earlier that choosing between a diesel engine and a petrol engine is not a simple decision but rather one with a lot of factors considered to make. So, with all we have discussed and elaborated above in this article, we will conclude that we have given you some good amount of information you will need to choose between these two engines. Although we still have some bonus tips/advice for you. Find them below!

Take away:

If you are a kind of person who travels long distances on daily basis, or your type of work involves long distance drives on the motorway then we think you should consider buying a car with a diesel engine.
But

If you are someone that would mostly be moving within your local environment, or your work will only involve shorter distances and your mileage is lower, we highly recommend that you should consider purchasing a car with a petrol engine.
And conclusively, we hope that as you are now very much aware of some of the pros and the cons of diesel engine vs petrol engine, and with our bonus tips/advice, you should be able to choose the best car or vehicle that will suit most of your requirements.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/diesel-vs-petrol-engine-which-is-best-for-you-1459
Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 11:18am On Jan 25, 2019
Acura MDX vs Honda Pilot – Which one should you choose?

ok, today we will give our analysis over these two popular models so u can make quick decision what car to buy with same amount of money.

Acura MDX and Honda Pilot are both among the list of masterpiece automobiles ever made in history. It can be really difficult to compare these two models because when it comes to the interior layout, they both have 3 rows. Also, when it comes to safety and security, both of them have equal ranks.

And they both possess features like front-wheel drive, front shoulder belt (adjustable), seat belt pretensions (front), side-impact head, front-side impact, and frontal airbags for both passenger and driver. The list still goes on with: warning system (blind spot), crash mitigation brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, stability system (electronic), and 4-wheel antilock brake.

Both of these cars have an excellent record as the Honda Pilot won the “2017 United States News best 3-Row SUV for families use” award, and the Acura MDX won a similar award in the same competition with the award title – “Best 2017 Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money”. Also, you might find the Bluetooth capabilities in both of these cars almost identical. Nonetheless, they will both pass for an innovative classy car in any requirement you might have. The Acura MDX and Honda Pilot both have enough storage space, as well as a similar level of torque and horsepower.

1. Honda Pilot features
Even with all those similarities that we pointed out above, the Honda Pilot can be immediately obvious in superiority to the Acura MDX when it comes to technology inside.
Achieving up to an impressive 27-highway miles/gallon, the Honda Pilot seems amazing. We should also remember the driver’s assistance Honda Sensing suite which gives a desirable peace of mind to anyone that steps behind the wheels. Some of the sub-features that comes with it include:

Collision Alleviation Braking System
Lane Keeping Assist System
Adaptive Car Control
Road Departure Alleviation System

2. Acura MDX features
The Acura MDX is fully loaded with impressive features like rear torque (motor driven), active damper system, 7-speed dual clutch, sports hybrid, 321 horsepower, 35,000 pounds towing capacity, and the 3.0 Liter engine. In addition, the Acura watch actually comes with a standard 7-inch touch screen and a knob operated screen of 8-inch as an option. Moreover, the Acura MDX has a perfect luxurious overall look with its alluring and bold styling and it's worth its price which is a bit to the high side. The trim level of the Honda Pilot would require moving up before it can receive this amenity that the Acura MDX has. And doing this to the Honda Pilot could make driving the car inconvenient.

So based on features of each car, we guess you can be more confident over your choice of buying which.
If you want to find cheap honda pilot for sale, go to https://naijauto.com/honda-pilot-for-sale

For Acura MDX, visit https://naijauto.com/acura-mdx-for-sale

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 10:32am On Feb 15, 2019
Best cars to buy for a transportation business in Nigeria

Transportation business is fast growing into a lucrative business opportunity, all thanks to the teeming population in Nigeria. Whether it’s an uber, cab, taxi, intra- and inter-city-whatever commercial means, not all cars are suitable for a transportation business.

Even if you are also looking for a tokunbo or Nigerian used car to buy for a transportation business, there are some factors that need to be considered when choosing a car for transportation business in Nigeria.
These factors include:
Fuel economy: Does the car save gas or are you going to be spending all of your money on gas alone?
State of Nigerian roads: You know how bad our roads have become lately, with potholes at every detour. You definitely need a car that can drive through these bad roads and still stay sound.
Availability of spare parts: You don’t want a car whose spare parts cannot be found at Alaba market, Lagos or Onitsha main market, do you? A car’s spare part should be close by to be able to replace old, damaged or worn out parts when they need replacement.
Maintenance: Are there car experts or specialist for your choice of car to help diagnose and fix faults when they arise?
Good rear passenger space and carrier: A car that can accommodate close to four passengers and luggage is good to go.
Engine capacity: Check the engine capacity of the car.1.8 liters will do.
Having listed out these factors, let’s look at the cars that will be suitable for a transportation business in Nigeria (though not exhaustive and also considering the state of our roads and climatic condition too).

Best cars suitable for a transportation business in Nigeria
Volkswagen Jetta
Advantages:
Good maintenance
Good fuel economy
Ruggedness
Speediness

Disadvantages:
The oil switch easily get bad
It has low safety devices as some have no airbag
Door handles easily become faulty
If the car is not properly maintained the velocity may pull out.

Volkswagen Golf 2
Advantages:
Cheap to maintain
Rugged for Nigerian roads
Speedy
Fuel efficient

Disadvantages:
Low safety devices as some have no airbag
Flat fuel tank which may cause fuel to flow out of fuel pump’s reach when the fuel goes low
Car’s roof going bad sometimes

Volkswagen Vento
Advantages:
Cheap to maintain
Rugged for Nigerian roads
Speedy
Fuel efficient

Disadvantages:
Door handles easily get bad
It has a low safety device as some have no airbag If the car is not properly maintained
The velocity may pull out.

Read more at: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/best-cars-suitable-for-a-transportation-business-in-nigeria-1463
Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 6:06am On Feb 16, 2019
5 kinds of cars that are hard to import to Nigeria from USA

1 - Vehicle with no authentic title document
This particular document contains the evidence of ownership of the vehicle and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you are planning to sell or buy any car, this title document is needed to verify some vital details about the car such as ownership, model, year of production, year and address of purchase with case history of that particular vehicle.

2 - When there is a Lien on a car
A car having a lien on it can be a big restriction on exportation. This is because there is an organization such as financial institution or even a person who also has a stake in the ownership. Sometimes a lien could be as a result of unpaid car loan or maintenance cost you are yet to clear before attempting to take the car out of US. Except you have full ownership or no lien on your document, you will not be allowed to take that car off the soil of United States.


3 - Over-aged cars
When the car is over 25 years since production or first purchase according to International Trade policy, this means that United States prohibits exporting such cars into Nigeria. That is why shipping vintage or classic cars from the United States could be a bit challenging. They will need to verify many documents before they allow such car to leave their shore, hereby wasting lot of time. For the regular car, many shipping agencies, once they know your car is more than the expected age, they might most likely decline your offer. Nigerians have devised a way of bringing such cars by re-routing to Cotonou and then to Lagos. This process could be risky since the Government has recently closed the border to Cotonou on importation.

4 - Cars that are stolen
Attempting to export a stolen vehicle is a risk on its own. If caught, you may be prosecuted in the United States. United States border law is very strict and attempting to cross the border or export stolen car is totally disallowed. You may want to rethink this before buying or taking stolen cars to those United States border officials.

5 - When your car is loaded with goods
Respect to Nigerians on smartness. But such smartness may not work with the United States when you are attempting to use the space in the vehicle for goods especially on RoRo. This might be allowed in other countries like in Europe but not in USA. The only alternative is to use sealed container for those items.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/kinds-of-cars-that-are-hard-to-import-to-nigeria-from-usa-2168
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 9:59am On Feb 21, 2019
Notes on how to buy cars from owners in Nigeria

Below are some notes for you before opting for a used car for sale from owner in Nigeria:

1. Always arrange a meet-up for inspection
It’s unwise to take the owners word for it. Someone who wants to sell their car may not be 100% honest about the car’s condition. Buying cheap local used cars for sale by owners offers a more flexible inspection, so arrange to meet with the other at a convenient and safe place, and carry out proper used vehicle inspection.

2. Bring a mechanic
You may be knowledgeable about cars, but there may be hidden problems you aren’t aware of. Such problems can only be detected by an expert. Save yourself the trouble, and have the car certified okay by your mechanic.

3. Always verify the plate number
Plate number verification is important as it reveals the history of the car to you. You don’t want to end up with a stolen car. A quick rundown of the history will inform you of any red flags.

4. Take a longer test drive
The car might have been setup to look good within the few minutes or hours of inspection. Ask the seller to allow you drive the car for a day or two. That way, you’ll get to know any problems the car might have.

5. Verify the documents
It’s unwise to make payments for a car without verifying its documents. Take the documents to the relevant authorities for verification. Make sure the car papers are all original as well.

6. Don’t make cash payments
You are dealing with a stranger; take precautionary measures. You need to have some evidence of payment. You should either issue the seller a cheque or make a bank transfer.

7. Meet at an open location
The transaction shouldn’t be done in a secluded location. For your safety, meet the seller at an open place, along with one or two witnesses.

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 11:01am On Mar 04, 2019
Car financing: 10 Dos and Don’ts when you want to buy a car

If you really want to get a good deal on the car and avoid unnecessary financial issues after purchase, then please read our below guide consisting of our top 10 Do’s and Don’ts in car purchase and financing:

1. Get as much information as you can about the car
2. Discuss in depth with your Insurance Agent
3. Know your Credit Report and Financial plan
4. Keep a handy calculator
5. Be prepared to have a mind change if it comes
6. Don’t brag of paying in cash
7. Don’t come with kids to the capital office
8. Remember, it’s business
9. If you don’t understand some paperwork, don’t sign them
10. Shop at many dealers

Read detailed explanation at: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/car-financing-10-dos-and-donts-when-you-want-to-buy-a-car-2371

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 7:32am On Mar 18, 2019
How to buy cheap car in Nigeria

***Notes: Cons of buying cheap cars in Nigeria: Make sure you fully understand the pros and cons of buying cheap cars (mostly used cars) instead of a brand new. Once you're 100% sure about your decision, we'll talk about the procedure of buying cheap cars in Nigeria.

Since buying a brand new car assembled locally might be outside the reach of average incomes in Nigeria, this leaves the options of Tokunbo cars and Nigerian used cars as the viable alternatives for a majority of potential car buyers in Nigeria. However, buying these cheaper cars come with a lot of potential risks and drawbacks. Some of these are:

Uncertain car history (the cars may be stolen, smuggled, or worse)
Accidented cars can easily be disguised with superficial repairs and sold.
Clearing difficulties and other customs related risks.
Fluctuations in foreign currencies exchange rates making them more expensive.
Need for basic background of E-commerce and international transactions.


Step-by-step-guide in buying a cheap car in Nigeria
Step 1: Research

The first move in buying a cheap car in Nigeria is to find out everything you can about cars in general, cars in Nigeria and cheap or used cars in Nigeria particularly. You can get valuable knowledge, of course, online, but also from friends, neighbors, and even your local mechanic. Their years of experience, driving cars in the local environment, could be many times more useful than something you may pull off a generic site on the web. Some vital info you will be able to garner from your research include the best cars for the Nigerian climate and roads, average prices and best locations to buy. At this stage, a current auto information resource like Naijauto’s car buying tips and advice section must be a constant companion. This gives you well researched and current information on car brands, prices, and best locations for purchase.

Step 2: Determine your price range

You can determine the car you can afford based on your preferences, as well as on your available cash resources. Be sure to periodically consult used car prices here so you know how cheap a cheap car in Nigeria should be.

Step 3: Check everything twice

Once you have seen the car you want at the price you are comfortable with, then you must verify the information to make sure it is as advertised. It helps to have an expert, e.g. a trusted mechanic, give the vehicle a once over, including a test drive under different road and weather conditions. Rust and signs of oil leakage are not great indicators you made the right choice. Abnormally low mileage for a used car is also a red flag, as this may mean odometer tampering. If possible, do a VIN (vehicle identification number) test. A VIN check can uncover important elements of the car’s history.

Step 4: Paperwork must be on-point!

To avoid the future hassles with Customs and Police, make doubly sure your potential car’s documentation is above board. You may require a court affidavit, a valid change of ownership, and a police report if you are buying a Nigerian used car. If you bought a Tokunbo, determine that it was brought into the country legally, and all duties were paid and certified. You will then need to register your newly purchased car and get the necessary insurance cover such as third party insurance, as well as an MOT test certificate for vehicles older than 5 years.
Source: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/cheap-cars-in-nigeria-2293

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 9:22am On Mar 18, 2019
Simple steps to sell car in Nigeria the quickest

1. Wanna be a successful car seller? This article is for you!
Everyday more and more people are selling their cars in Nigeria because even more are buying. But selling a car can be the most frustrating endeavor if you don’t know how to go about it. This doesn’t have to be the case though. Being a car seller without going through undue stress depends on how you handle the whole process of selling your car. Read on, because this simple guide will teach you how to sell car in Nigeria.


2. To-do list before putting your car up for sale
To boost the price of your used car, before announcing it's for sale, make sure you finish the check list below!

a) Repairs
Check all the major and minor faults outside and inside your car
Have a mechanical engineer check the engine for leaks and corrosions, the hoses and belts for cracks, and the radiator hoses which should be hard, not soft.
Carefully inspect the car’s hood thoroughly for dents, damages and rust.
Check all the upholstery of the car for tears, rips, stains or damage, and repair them.
Check the timing belt, which is one of the most important items in the car.
Make sure the car tires look well kept and matched.
Fix all faults if possible. Adding new accessories are not necessary as they will have no real bearing on the sale of the car. What's more important is that the car should be up and running.
b) Cleaning
Ensure the cleanliness of the entire vehicle inside out. Having a clean car, and an equally clean interior can impact how much a potential buyer will be willing to pay for it.
Do not use the regular laundry soaps to wash your car because they can and will damage the wax and paintings. Buy a car cleaning product specially designed for the car. Also, application of car cleaning product varies from car to car, so you must read the instructions carefully. For example, Chrome cleaner can ruin the beauty of an aluminum made car because of its high level of acidic contents.
Use separate clothes for cleaning car windows and wheels.
Carry out a thorough interior sweep; make sure it is free from dents, trash, scrapes, rips and tears. Wipe the brake dust off the wheel covers and treat the tires like a new bride with a tire gloss product.
Clean the windows in & out, as well as all the mirrors with chrome cleaning product to give it the shine it deserves.
Clean the dashboard and empty the ashtrays.

c) Replacements
Don’t just clean your car, consider replacing items that need replacement and make sure it is a low cost expense. Buyers will normally look at things like tires, radios, and so on.

d) Documentation
Be sure your papers are valid and complete. Nothing kills a sale faster than ambiguous documentation.

e) Minimum price
You need to do some homework to arrive at a realistic price for your vehicle. Set a price that doesn’t make you look desperate, but that is also profitable. You can refer to updated car prices in Nigeria to estimate the value of your car model.

f) Location
Like real estate, location matters for your speedy car sale. Choose a spot that is visible and welcoming. You can use a local car mart or outside a supermarket to display the car. Even if you plan to sell online, a good website for car market doesn’t hurt to have. We will introduce some reliable sources right below!


3. Sell car contract
Though a commercial contract is optional when selling cars in Nigeria, a legal sales agreement is necessary for you to make the sale of your car official.

A typical contract contains details such as make, year, body type, chassis number, engine number, license plate number, and even color of the car. It will also contain both buyer and seller information, price the car fetched, date of transaction, and witnesses' name and signature. You might need legal services to draft a car sales agreement though you can DIY. There's no fixed format of a sell car contract, as long as you and buyer agree with what included in there.
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know about how to sell cars in Nigeria without too much hassles. You will need to follow the basic guide above carefully in order to have a successful, happy car sale.

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 9:27am On Mar 19, 2019
4 ways to avoid a car slipping in rainy seasons

Do away with worn out or old tires

It might be hard to accept but it’s a safety fact that worn out/old tires are risky and bad to keep using.

Every vehicle is highly dependent on its tires for firm braking and proper movement which all this are made possible by the threads on the tire that helps it to maintain friction on any road surface. When your vehicle’s tires are all old and worn out, you will notice that the threads as well will be barely present. This is to tell you that such tires will just be slipping erratically because they can hardly generate friction anymore to hold their grip on the road surface as the car moves.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOyA-fNTNq8

Drive slowly when the road is wet

A wet or muddy road/surface will naturally have less friction which can easily cause slipping of a vehicle so, you can only take caution by driving slowly in such conditions as you should be already aware that with such less friction possibility, braking and movement control is reduced by default. Speeding in such a scenario is just a plainly crazy idea that is not in any way advisable at all.

Keep a sensible distance between your car and the one ahead

The normal traffic rule even stated it already that a driver should keep at least 10 steps of distance from the next vehicle ahead when driving. It’s a pity that in Nigeria, most drivers don’t even stick to any traffic rule whether they are aware of it or not.

If you drive too close or head-on with the vehicle ahead of you in a slipping road situation then, you have high chances of hitting that car if the driver unexpectedly hits the brake at any point because you will apply your brakes suddenly as well but your vehicle will still slip and crash the next one due to the super close proximity.



Before entering a bend or curve, slow down

Expect your car to slip out of control if you brake suddenly or take a sharp bend/curve too quickly even if the road is not wet. And when the road is wet like in the rain, you will be risking your life not slowing down and entering a sharp turn with speed or suddenly hitting your brakes while on speed on a wet road. It can surely lead to a serious disaster if care is not taking.

For your own good, slow down before you enter a bend/curve when driving on a wet road. Also, begin to decelerate slowly before you suddenly hit the brakes when the road is wet.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/avoid-car-slipping-in-rainy-seasons-2579

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 11:01am On Mar 21, 2019
You can now live in a Land Rover Defender makeover!

You can sleep, eat and live in this Land Rover Defender camper makeover from Matzker. Check other features in this great vehicle and its price!
If you are thinking of going on an adventure to the most difficult place in the world with enough space to sleep, eat and stay, this is the perfect car for you.

Matzker, a German manufacturing company is specialized in producing off road rigs, but the company fancies the venerable Land Rover Defender. The company’s MDX version on this classic SUV, which is powerful and capable enough with its complete equipment, to go on any adventure you ever imagined. Whether the adventure is in the wilderness or not, you are guaranteed to come back safely. Even if you are not interested in commissioning a complete rig, you can still get the spare parts separately, which are sold by the German company. It gives you the liberty of building this main machine without even getting this machine as a whole.


This makeover land-rover by Matzker is custom built for all kinds of adventure on the hardest terrain

The MDX model of the Matzker Defender comprises overhaul rear portion that spans over a small portion of habitable area with a pop up covering which has a solar cells on it. In the interior, it has two burner-stove, toilet and sleeping area. When you feel too entrapped staying inside, there is an option of the exterior extending itself for providing enough sun shade.


With this Land Rover Defender makeover, you're confident in every adventure!

It features a higher body ride height, a simplified mounted front bumper and a snorkel air intake that comes out of passenger side fender. It has a forward facing light on the rack above the cab with addition provision for gear like spare tyre and tools. It has a bracket on the side of the living area which holds recovery boards.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq7ijWz9TBg
Land Rover Defender Gets Camper Makeover From Matzker

Its 2.2 liters turbo diesel four cylinder engine is enough to generate much enough power in a 120hps (90kiolwatts) in a stock rim. There is room for upgrade with this Matzker. Which means its output can be extended to 197 horsepower.


How a Defender makeover look inside! - Exactly like a house!

If you are thinking beyond the Matzker Defender, there is also the company’s option using a Mercedes Benz X Class. All you just need to spend to get this magnificent car is $102,000. That is 36.8 million naira in our currency. The Mercedes C class donor door is not even counted in evaluating the price. Guess it is slightly expensive but totally worth the price.

Source: https://naijauto.com/market-news/land-rover-defender-makeover-2627

Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 11:09am On Mar 21, 2019
What is the price of this car?
Naijautonews:
You can now live in a Land Rover Defender makeover!

You can sleep, eat and live in this Land Rover Defender camper makeover from Matzker. Check other features in this great vehicle and its price!
If you are thinking of going on an adventure to the most difficult place in the world with enough space to sleep, eat and stay, this is the perfect car for you.

Matzker, a German manufacturing company is specialized in producing off road rigs, but the company fancies the venerable Land Rover Defender. The company’s MDX version on this classic SUV, which is powerful and capable enough with its complete equipment, to go on any adventure you ever imagined. Whether the adventure is in the wilderness or not, you are guaranteed to come back safely. Even if you are not interested in commissioning a complete rig, you can still get the spare parts separately, which are sold by the German company. It gives you the liberty of building this main machine without even getting this machine as a whole.


This makeover land-rover by Matzker is custom built for all kinds of adventure on the hardest terrain

The MDX model of the Matzker Defender comprises overhaul rear portion that spans over a small portion of habitable area with a pop up covering which has a solar cells on it. In the interior, it has two burner-stove, toilet and sleeping area. When you feel too entrapped staying inside, there is an option of the exterior extending itself for providing enough sun shade.


With this Land Rover Defender makeover, you're confident in every adventure!

It features a higher body ride height, a simplified mounted front bumper and a snorkel air intake that comes out of passenger side fender. It has a forward facing light on the rack above the cab with addition provision for gear like spare tyre and tools. It has a bracket on the side of the living area which holds recovery boards.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq7ijWz9TBg
Land Rover Defender Gets Camper Makeover From Matzker

Its 2.2 liters turbo diesel four cylinder engine is enough to generate much enough power in a 120hps (90kiolwatts) in a stock rim. There is room for upgrade with this Matzker. Which means its output can be extended to 197 horsepower.


How a Defender makeover look inside! - Exactly like a house!

If you are thinking beyond the Matzker Defender, there is also the company’s option using a Mercedes Benz X Class. All you just need to spend to get this magnificent car is $102,000. That is 36.8 million naira in our currency. The Mercedes C class donor door is not even counted in evaluating the price. Guess it is slightly expensive but totally worth the price.

Source: https://naijauto.com/market-news/land-rover-defender-makeover-2627
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 11:21am On Mar 21, 2019
The price of Land Rover Defender is $102,000, it equals 36.8 million naira in our currency
carsnazi:
What is the price of this car?
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 8:43am On Mar 22, 2019
Transmission maintenance tips every driver must know

1. Consistent transmission fluid check – don’t forget your gauge!

With various moving parts of the car causing friction as they move against themselves, it is only appropriate that a fluid is introduced to reduce the heat generated by this friction and to ease the movements of the parts. As the transmission is also composed of moving parts, there is a specialised fluid manufactured to ease them, and regular check should be done to ascertain if the fluid is in need of replacements.

So how do I know when to change the transmission fluid you may ask? Well, it is not rocket science, but a simple procedure. Healthy transmission fluid has somewhat of a sweet smell, with a clear bright red colour. To check your transmission fluid, simply locate transmission fluid receptacle under the bonnet using your car manual. While the engine is idle, remove the dipstick noting the colour and smell of the fluid. If it smells “rotten” and the colour is dark and murky, that will be your cue to change it.


Knowing the right colour, smell, and quantity of your transmission fluid is an essential skill!

If this is not the case, then, you should wipe the fluid off the dipstick and replace it in the receptacle. Wait a few seconds, and then remove it again to check if it is gauged or not noting the marks on the dipstick. If it falls short of the optimum markings then it needs to be topped. A quality transmission fluid should last a distance of between 50,000 km to 100,000 km but once any of the signs mentioned above is noted, you should consult a repair specialist right away to have your car fluid changed.

2. Follow the “Severe Use” replacement schedule to avoid heat damage

If you tow heavy loads, drive in heavy city traffic, and drive in temperatures of 33C or higher during half of your driving time, then your transmission system falls under severe use.

Severe use can increase the heating as well as the rate of wear and tear of your transmission, and this means you will need to increase the rate of checking and replacement of transmission fluid.


Severe use of your car transmission might require replacement of your fluid more regularly!

Changing your filters at every 30,000 km can save your transmission if is severely used.

3. How about your engine’s cooling system? Keep it in the best shape

Your cooling systems and your radiator not only cools your engine but also your transmission fluid pumped through your gearbox. Therefore, it will be good for you to have your cooling system in the best possible condition to avoid overheating of your transmission fluid.

Ensuring that your coolant is in the right quantity and quality will do well to preserve both the life of your engine and your transmission.

4. Parking brakes and gear changes – do not abuse!

Do you know that gears and parking brakes can be abused? Yes, they can! Abuse is simply the abnormal use of anything, and there are instances where parking brakes and gears have been used abnormally.

Shifting the gears into reverse while the car is still in motion is an instance of gear abuse. Also, putting the gear in park while the car is still moving is yet another example. Not engaging parking brakes when parking on an inclined plane is but another example of gear abuse. The fact that a “pawl” or pin is engaged in automatic vehicles when on inclined planes does not excuse the use of the parking brakes as these pins are not sturdy enough to handle the force for a long period.


You should avoid gear abuse and parking brake abuse with every ounce of willpower you've got!

These kinds of abuses eventually cause wear and tear that damages the transmission in the long term.

5. Year on year transmission check – these come in handy!

Yes! prevention is better than cure. I know we know that already, but it’s true. If you can only invest in a yearly comprehensive inspection of every system in your car at a sound auto centre, then you will be saving your transmission’s life as you can detect any problem early enough.

Wrapping up!

There you have the top 5 tips to maintain your transmission amd avoid a costly breakdown from Naijauto. Make sure to heed these tips and you can rest easy!

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/transmission-maintenance-tips-2569

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 8:54am On Mar 22, 2019
Price of Lexus RX 300 in Nigeria - Why you need to say a big YES!


1. Lexus RX line up - How it all started

Lexus RX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV of the giant Japanese automobile, Toyota. The design has been in the market since 1998. Ever since then, four generations of Lexus RX have been manufactured and released into the market. The concept behind RX design was based on similar design in Toyota Highlander/Kluger. The sales of Lexus RX first release began immediately in the hometown under the brand of Toyota Harrier. The first generation was compact in size while subsequently in the three other generations, adopted a mid-size SUV design. The RX in Lexus RX stands for Radiant Crossover, which in some automotive markets, they might call it recreation cross country.

In its size, Lexus RX is smaller than GX and LX on body frame, but there is also a smaller SUV than RX, which is the Lexus NX. The first generation was Lexus RX 300, released into the market in 1998 with a V6 engine of 3.0L. The same engine capacity was featured in the second gen, which went on sale with RX330 in 2003. The RX 330 featured a different engine variant of 3.3L of V6 engine. Both models and their engine variants were later surpassed by the Lexus RX 350, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. It was in the third generation (2009) that the accustomed name, Toyota Harrier for this Lexus series ceased to exist. Lexus retained its full control over subsequent release. The third generation was released in 2009, the RX 350 and RX 450 has similar 3.5L V6 engine.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk_9oULEWIo
Lexus RX300 Start Up and Drive After Complete Detail

2. Lexus RX 300 - Release date, Design and Safety

This exciting mid-size luxury vehicle, Lexus RX 300 belongs to the first generation in RX line (1998-2003) and the upgraded second-gen model (2003-2009). Lexus RX 300 was manufactured on a unibody chassis. In its earlier version, there was absence of traditional four door exterior design. Other exterior design features include:

-Front triangular quarter window
-Door mounted side mirrors
-Top mounted spoiler (rear lift-gate)
-Translucent front and rear light
-Two-tone colour scheme
-High intensity Discharge (HID) headlamp (2000s model)

The engine is a V6 (2.2L later upgraded to 2.4L) powered model found in all wheel-drive (MCU15) and four-wheel-drive (MCU10), with a four speed automatic transmission. RX 300 has a 240-watts with a 7-speaker pioneer sound system (standard), optional Nakamichi sound system (premium). A look at the RX 300 interior designs features a Walnut wood trim, in-dash 6-CD changer (optional), leather trim, two rows of seating, rear cargo area, DVD navigational system (2000s), and central dashboard with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) infotainment screen.


With the state of the art navigational system, your safety is guaranteed!

3. Updated reviews in Nigeria - Pros and cons of Lexus RX 300

Since Lexus RX 300 is an older and first generation model of RX line, the brand new has faded and being replaced with other generations' models. People have used it very well overtime and their judgements are somehow precise about this model. Check out what you excite you and what might upset you about it:

3.1. Positive feedback of Lexus RX 300 by Nigerians

Following are comments on this car model by our local drivers. Some feedbacks are too obvious, right? When it comes to Toyota products, fuel efficiency is a must and when mentioning a luxury segment not just Lexus, beautiful exterior and stylish interior are totally predictable. However, not all luxury cars can perform its durability and powerful strength on road. Lucky you, Lexus RX 300 is exactly on top list.

-Speed
-Stylist and spacious interior
-Fuel efficiency
-Exterior beauty
-Durability, comfortability and powerful

3.2. Negative feedback of Lexus RX 300 by Nigerians

No one is perfect, neither does Lexus. Due to the different driving conditions and terrains, occasional failures may happen. However, these issues are often minor and can be easily fixed at Lexus auto repairs.

Ocassional boot motor failure
Ocassional starting issue/idling
Bonnet issue

4. Conclusion

Lexus RX 300 might be the first generation SUV under the Lexus RX series, but we are really sure that this car will give you all the excitements you want in a car such as comfort and ruggedness needed for any kind of tough terrain in the country. You can check out the Lexus RX 300 price in Nigeria. Another Lexus RX model that might catch your fancy is RX 350, which a bit higher and expensive than RX 300.

Read more: https://naijauto.com/car-prices/price-of-lexus-rx-300-in-nigeria-2428

1 Like

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 9:07am On Mar 22, 2019
Follow these tips to maintain car wheels in Nigeria!


Here are our 4 tips to maintain car wheels in Nigeria:

1. Don’t overspeed always

To keep your car and its wheels in good shape, try to avoid over speeding unnecessarily.


Over Speeding is not only bad for your wheels but also risky for your life

Just as we have earlier described the wheels as the “bones” of your car’s legs (tires), you should avoid using it carelessly by speeding too much and braking abruptly when you hit a bump or pothole on the road. Doing this will not only affect your wheel but can also put your life in danger.

2. Avoid overloading your car

This is very common with Nigerian drivers, they often confuse a passenger-suited commuting car for a van. Every vehicle has been made for specific purposes, they are not all multipurpose like we do treat them.


Don't know why people can load this amount on car!

Whatever heavy load that is above your car’s weight limit, do not force your car to carry it. You should know now that when you overload your car, it is not only the tires that suffer the effect but also the wheels of such car share the pain. Try as much as possible to avoid over-stressing your wheels.

3. Wash your car at least once every 2 days

After riding the car for more than two days, we recommend that you get it washed in its entirety. Washing your car regularly will help you get rid of dirt clumps that normally form and stick on the wheels which can cause early rusting to such wheels.


Washing your wheel regularly will help avoid sticky dirt that can cause early rust

There is currently no vehicle or wheels that are equipped with self-cleaning capabilities yet. So, wash your car by yourself or take it to a nearby car-wash shop and get it a decent thorough cleanup once every two days.

4. Avoid washing the wheels while it's hot

Let us spell it out clearly again; Do not wash the wheels of your car when it is hot.

Even though alloy wheels are the new wave flooding the auto parts market in Nigeria today, many people are not aware that these wheels are not heat-friendly at all.

Whether you are the one to wash the car or you drove to a car wash shop, try to let the car itself cool down for a while before cold water mixed with detergent is being poured on the car. Washing the wheels with this liquid mixture when it’s hot is very bad and unsafe for it.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/tips-to-maintain-car-wheels-in-nigeria-2564

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 11:27am On Mar 25, 2019
carsnazi:

https://naijauto.com/car-prices/price-of-kia-sportage-in-nigeria-1652
https://naijauto.com/car-prices/price-of-kia-sportage-in-nigeria-1652[url][/url]


Hi there, I must say that guy might have no serious responsibility with the agreement from the beginning. but the terms do not clearly mention the actions or fines if the hirer breaks the rules, so its hard to ask him to pay for repair cost or give a compensation sum. You should be more careful next time n include all possibilities in the contract, especially the actions two sides must perform when an unfortunate incident happens like this.
back to your case now, did the hirer pay for 2 weeks he used the car? and could u contact his brother? His brother should be the key person in this situation.
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 8:05am On Mar 26, 2019
How to save cost on car repairs at the mechanic in Nigeria

1. Have a written estimate

The average Nigerian mechanic doesn’t run short of faults about cars brought for repairs. You take your car for the horn to be fixed, and you are told about several other faults that need to be fixed. After making payment for the job to be done, when you come back to pick your car, you are told of another fault that was diagnosed in the process of repairing the car. Bottom line, they want you to pay more money.

Don’t fall for this.


Make sure the mechanic won't charge you extra by asking for a written note

Have your mechanic write all the repairs that need to be done before he begins work. That way, he’ll have no room to create more excuses to extort money from you.

2. Confirm prices of parts to be bought
Simply writing the items that need repair isn’t enough. You’ll be paying for these items, so, it’s important that you know how much you’ll spend from the onset. Ask the mechanic to write the cost of any parts he’ll need to buy. You can quickly check the prices of the items online, or better still, run out to go confirm the prices in the market. If you have friends or family who are knowledgeable about car parts, put a call across to them, and ask about the price of the parts required.

Getting car repair parts at good prices saves you a lot of money. And that’s because, most times, some mechanics inflate the prices.

3. Consider various auto part sources
Where you source your car repair parts matters as they offer different prices. Some auto parts sourcing locations include:

- Dealer
If your car is being repaired at a dealer’s shop, you’ll have the privilege of getting parts specifically from the dealer with the car manufacturer’s logo inscripted on them. But such parts are given at premium prices in most cases. The prices might be on the high side, but you are sure of good quality. The repair will last you a long time before getting damaged again.

- Aftermarket

Aftermarket parts are often knock-offs of dealer parts. You have to look carefully to detect the difference. You shouldn’t pay so much for this category of parts as they aren’t directly from the manufacturer.

- Used

If you are bent on saving some money on car repairs, going for used parts is the way. But bear it in mind that used parts aren’t always in good conditions. You don’t know the history of the car part, expecting it to work just fine is unrealistic. You could get a used part for short term use and replace it soon.


Car spare parts in Nigeria vary greatly; check carefully their origins before paying!

4. Negotiate labor (workmanship)

Apart from getting parts, the mechanic will do some work on your car. Ensure that his fees are included in the written estimate discussed above. Otherwise, he could charge you an outrageous sum, and demand that you pay it because you didn’t bargain earlier.

5. Don't accept flat rate billing

Basically, this is a general rate charged for repairs. Flat rate billing doesn’t work in Nigeria. It could be either in your advantage or disadvantage depending on the situation of things. To avoid having issues with your mechanic, ensure that he charges you for specific work done. That way, you know exactly what you are paying for.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/save-cost-on-car-repairs-in-nigeria-2606

Re: Car Buying Tips by stanlo4we(m): 8:21am On Mar 26, 2019
HONDA ACCORD 2003 MODEL FOR SALE

Condition : Just buy and drive

Reason for selling : owner about travelling out of the country

Fixed price : 600k

Model: Honda Accord

Year : 2003

Automatic

Nigeria Private Used

Location : AJAH, LAGOS (ARTICAN BEACH)

Caution :-
Come with your mechanic for inspection before purchase.

Serious buyer only

Call or WhatsApp 08156467873

Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 10:18am On Mar 26, 2019
Sell your car more easily by posting here: https://naijauto.com/sell-car
smiley smiley
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 10:41am On Mar 26, 2019
Sell your car more easily by posting here: https://naijauto.com/sell-car

stanlo4we:
HONDA ACCORD 2003 MODEL FOR SALE

Condition : Just buy and drive

Reason for selling : owner about travelling out of the country

Fixed price : 600k

Model: Honda Accord

Year : 2003

Automatic

Nigeria Private Used

Location : AJAH, LAGOS (ARTICAN BEACH)

Caution :-
Come with your mechanic for inspection before purchase.

Serious buyer only

Call or WhatsApp 08156467873
Re: Car Buying Tips by Naijautonews: 8:29am On Mar 28, 2019
Having your car serviced at a dealership centre - merits & demerits

1. Using brand dealerships servicing - The Pros!
Are you still contemplating on checking that Ford service centre in Lagos, or giving that your friend's mechanic a call? Well, if you decided to choose the former, here are the advantages you can hope to get from using your car's manufacturer's service centre.

Huge stock of spare parts for your car!

With your manufacturer's servicing facility, it is very likely that most minor repairs on your cars won't take more than 1 to 2 hours to fix. This can be attributed to a huge stock of spare parts for your vehicle since they also are aware of the most frequent faults that people come to their facilities to fix.

With the independent mechanic, however, minor repairs might take a minimum of a day or two. This is because the mechanic will need to get to places like Ladipo to get the parts, and in some cases, he/she might not even get the part if it is not available in the market.


There is a huge stock of replacement spare parts and this can speed up the maximally!

Highly specialised and experienced mechanics!

The mechanics at a dealership service centre are highly trained and experienced in repairing a particular brand. For instance, mechanics at the Land Rover dealership are highly experienced with repairing the Land Rover brand. This translates to a perfect job done on your vehicle, giving you a high level of satisfaction if compared to the independent mechanic, as they are highly specialised.

-High caliber modern tools and equipment

You can be sure you'll find the most modern tools and equipment that make job precision and accuracy very high as well as fast. Most manufacturers’ service centres can afford these expensive tools as they operate on relatively huge budgets than independent mechanics.


A variety of high caliber tools and equipment to guarantee a perfect job!

Warranty offers on repairs!

There is the possibility that your car might be under manufacturer's warranty for a period. This ensures that some repairs are covered within this period, and your car is restored to the best shape once again at no cost or minimal cost for major repairs.

All these highlights make the manufacturer's service centres the better option for anyone willing to spend a little more money. They provide fast, specialised service and more satisfaction for the customer. There are also cars like the hybrid for example, which are usually taken to the dealership for servicing as the cases with these kinds of cars are usually complex, needing specialised services.

2. Dealership service centres - The cons you might not know of!
Having the advantage of a dealership warranty is great, but what happens when the warranty expires? Using a dealership for your car services can be very advantageous, but it doesn't come without its own disadvantages too. Here are some to consider.

Services are highly priced
The kind of services you get at dealerships is typically higher priced when juxtaposed with an independent mechanic's prices. Changing your oil for instance at a dealership might be 3 times more expensive than that of an independent mechanic. The reason is that dealerships are set up to make profits that can take care of their dealership outfit, and maintain their standard, whereas a third party mechanic just wants to make a profit to maintain his body and soul.

Adding unnecessary works to the service
A lot of times dealership maintenance works include services that are unnecessary. For example, changing of a broken rear light might have oil flushes, tyre gauging, and tyre rotation works added to it. This is only a bid to make more profit and is usually common to dealerships than with independent mechanics.

No personal connection!
Big dealerships usually have a huge list of clientele and are unlikely to relate with them on personal levels. You are just another car complaint in the sea of numerous other complaints, and once fixed they quickly move on to the next complaint.

On the other hand, developing a personal relationship with individual mechanics is easier. This also ensures you get fair prices and a custom service suited to your need.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/car-serviced-at-dealership-2717

Re: Car Buying Tips by Kwesigodspower: 9:58am On Apr 07, 2019
carsnazi:
Today I bring you guys the list of Car dealers in Lagos with brief reviews. Feel free to add yours in the comment thread so others know which one to go for!

1. Affordable Cars Limited
Address: 76, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria

Contact: 08174600567 or 08174600568

Brief description: This dealership has run their business since 1995, gaining reputation for their quality services. Not just residents but also corporates and even government officers frequently patronize this dealer.

The range of brands you can find in Affordable Cars Limited are varied, from the giants of automotive world like Toyota, Ford or Mercedes to the humble Korean automaker as KIA.

2. Elizade Nigeria Limited
Address: 322A, Ikorodu Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact: 08039093807, 08023119686 or 014936846

Brief description: Unlike other dealerships, Elizade Nigeria chose to specialize in one brand only to ensure their professionalism. As predicted, they rise to the number-one dealer for Toyota cars in Lagos as well as other crucial areas throughout the country like Abuja, Akure or Port Harcourt.

As far as we know, Chief Michael Adeojo together with his wife are the two founders of Elizade Nigeria Limited.

3. Globe Motors Holdings Nigeria
Address: Plot 635 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact: 07046474611, 07025774141, 08059073322 or 08023423438

Brief description: If you aim to buy cars of Mercedes, Honda or Hyundai in Lagos, Globe Motors Holdings should be the first place you visit. No need to say more, it’s definitely among the most reliable auto shops for these brands.

4. Lanre Shittu Motors
Address: 15, Alhaji Tokan Street, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact: 08073991900, 08073991877 or 08073991878

Brief description: This dealership is one of the official distributors of Kia Motors and Nissan in Nigeria. That is to say, you can trust them for authentic products and standardized services.

Lanre Shittu is also the sole distributor of Mack trucks in the country and leading the sales of Yutong buses in Nigeria.

5. Leventis Motors
Address: 2, Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact: 08084680535, 07015899064, 08028972157

Brief description: Leventis Motors belongs to A.G Leventis PLC in Nigeria, co-operating with Volkswagen, Eicher and JCB to distribute typical commercial vehicles like buses or trucks.

6. Stallion Motors Limited
Address: 179, Akin Adesola/Kofo Abayomi Street, Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact: 08034226173 or 08027173925

Brief description: Stallion Motors Limited is not a popular name but its services are worth-considering. This dealer sells cars, spare parts and auto accessories.

There are many more, so I can't post them all. Check here: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/car-dealers-in-lagos-with-brief-reviews-1409

Which of them offers higher purchase plan in abuja?
Thanks
Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 10:51am On Apr 08, 2019
Kwesigodspower:


Which of them offers higher purchase plan in abuja?
Thanks

Hello, we are not sure which one is best but Elizade seems to be reputed in this.
Moreover, you can refer to banks and car hire purchase companies in Abuja in below post. There is guide about hire purchase as well!
https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/car-hire-purchase-in-nigeria-1525
Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 5:41am On Apr 19, 2019
Buying your first used car? See the 7 best choices in Nigeria

1. Toyota Camry (2005 - 2014)
The Toyota Camry is probably the most popular model in Nigeria. It is impossible to hear of a car dealer that doesn't have this brand of car on their car lot. Getting the right one is not difficult, depending on the model of your choice. When you find one that matches your taste, just get a mechanic to test the engine. Factors that make this ideal are:

Fuel economy
Cheap available parts
Great design with roomy interior
The price of a used Toyota Camry, depending on the year/model and general conditions, can go from ₦1.6m to ₦5 million.



2. Mercedes Benz C/M/GLK-class (2005 - 2010)
Over the years, this brand of car has become a must-own by many Nigerian families. If you are on a low to mid budget then this might be the right choice for you. Some models are expensive but the older models will run perfectly well even with a cheap price. Factors that make this ideal are:

A very rugged, safe and solid car
The Benz brand
You can find cheap models of either class between ₦650,000 and ₦8 million.



3. Toyota Sienna (2000 - 2012)
Having a large family does not stop you from owning a car. If you have a large family then this car will be a great choice. The Toyota Sienna can contain as many as 8 people in three rows. Another remarkable value is that it comes with good fuel efficiency which is a great advantage for Nigerians. Factors that should sway you:

Great fuel economy
Takes a lot of people and cargo
You can find a good used Toyota Sienna that costs about ₦600,000 and ₦7 million.



4. Toyota Corolla (2000 - 2014)
Similar to the Toyota Camry in features and popularity, the Toyota Corolla is another good model from Toyota that Nigerians can afford as their first used car. This car is regarded as the bestselling car all over the world since 1974 and it's not surprising that it is so popular on Nigerian roads. Factors to make you go for this:

Fuel economy
Cheap and available parts
If you love this brand of mobile, luckily you can find a tokunbo or Nigerian used version of different models at the affordable price range of ₦700,000 to ₦6 million.



5. Honda Accord (2000 - 2014)
According to some car lovers, the Honda Accord may not be highly requested because it is claimed to habitually lose its ball joint and suspension while in motion. This however could be as a result of individual management of vehicles. Nevertheless, the Honda Accord is another good car you can purchase a used version of because of its affordability and style. Sometimes it is compared with Toyota brands. If you intend to purchase this car, speak to your car technician and also inspect it before purchase. Factors to make you buy this include:

Ladies love this brand, so buy for you wife or sister
Available and fairly cheap parts
Reasonably fuel efficient
Price varies depending on models but can range from ₦550,000 to ₦6 million.



6. Toyota RAV4 (2005 - 2012)
Yet another good product from the Toyota company. If you want to own an SUV then consider the Toyota RAV4 which means Recreational Activity Vehicle 4-wheel. The plus for this vehicle is that it is fuel efficient, which of course is what many drivers look out for in cars. Factors to convince you:

Cheap, great, dependable SUV
Fuel economy
Great status booster
Solid design
Fairly cheap parts that are very available
Rugged handling
You can get a good used Toyota RAV4 which is in a good condition for price ranging between ₦1.5 million to ₦6 million.



7. Land Rover Range Rover (2005-2015)
Whoa, you say. What is this doing here? Okay, we are adding this to our list for users who might want to go for something bigger. From its manufacturing history and also its history in Nigeria, this sport utility vehicle (SUV) has earned points for being a status symbol of luxury and respect. One of the many advantages of this vehicle is that it can run well on roads filled with potholes and mud, as this is one of the many problems drivers experience on Nigerian roads. Why you should buy:

Status symbol
Rugged and durable
Very high tech
This five seat vehicle’s price can go as high as ₦2 million and ₦25 million depending on the models, which could be Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport or Range Rover Vogue.



Note: Before you pay for any used car in Nigeria, get a mechanic to thoroughly inspect the car. It is advisable to get your personal motor technician instead of depend on your car dealer’s mechanic.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/buy-used-car-in-nigeria-3104

1 Like

Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 5:46am On Apr 19, 2019
Pros & cons of four-wheel steering system


1. Benefits of four-wheel steering system
Stability
You definitely would not love driving an unstable car. A four-wheel makes you enjoy a very satisfying and smooth driving experience. This is possible through easy control of your vehicle, most especially when you are attempting to drive under a heavy downpour or make a turn around the corner. Regardless of strong wind or potholes, your car with this steering system will maintain much needed stability on the road.



Smooth steering
Imagine the frustration if the steering wheel in your car doesn’t respond instantly when you are trying to make a turn. One of the benefits of owing a four-wheel steering system over two-wheel steering system is the sharp and quick response of the steering whenever you put it into action. It gives you much needed precision and comfortable driving experience.

Faster lane change
Nothing gets a driver more excited than a car that can switch lane effortlessly. When you have a four-wheel steering system in your car, driving and passing people on the interstate becomes so easy.

Terrain performance
We are quite sure this point would excite many potential car buyers in Nigeria. We all know the condition of most roads. Four-wheel steering system might be the answer you are looking for. No matter how tough the terrain can be, a four-wheel steering system will handle it effectively for you. The chance of getting stuck in any the tough terrains you might have found yourself in is very minimal.

Smaller turns
Since the rear wheels can turn in different direction in a four-wheel steering system, it is much easier to make a small turn. When you see a four-steering system trying to maneuver its way around corners, you shouldn’t panic much. It is built to do that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TBoEqqcbf0

Generally speaking, most people would prefer the four-wheel steering system over the two-wheel in terms of handling and performance. Click here to see why!
More often than not, many people do not really understand the difference between the “four-wheel driving system” and “four-wheel steering system”. That doesn’t make you a bad driver. We keep updating ourselves every day to be a better and smarter car owner. Regardless, without beating too much around the bush, the four-wheel steering system permits the driver to steer the rear and front wheels to different directions. The simple distinction between the four wheel drive system and the four-wheel steering system is that; in four wheel drive system, the entire four-wheels are getting power from the engine while in four-wheel steering system, the driver can effective turn all wheels by using the steering wheel.

This article is primarily focused on the four-wheel steering system in your car. We understand that there are benefits you could enjoy from it and at the same time, challenges. Here on Naijauto are the pros and cons of four-wheel steering system in Nigeria.

1. Benefits of four-wheel steering system
Stability
You definitely would not love driving an unstable car. A four-wheel makes you enjoy a very satisfying and smooth driving experience. This is possible through easy control of your vehicle, most especially when you are attempting to drive under a heavy downpour or make a turn around the corner. Regardless of strong wind or potholes, your car with this steering system will maintain much needed stability on the road.

image-of-a-four-wheel-steering-system

In a four-wheel steering system, you will effortlessly control all the wheels with the steering

Smooth steering
Imagine the frustration if the steering wheel in your car doesn’t respond instantly when you are trying to make a turn. One of the benefits of owing a four-wheel steering system over two-wheel steering system is the sharp and quick response of the steering whenever you put it into action. It gives you much needed precision and comfortable driving experience.

Faster lane change
Nothing gets a driver more excited than a car that can switch lane effortlessly. When you have a four-wheel steering system in your car, driving and passing people on the interstate becomes so easy.

Terrain performance
We are quite sure this point would excite many potential car buyers in Nigeria. We all know the condition of most roads. Four-wheel steering system might be the answer you are looking for. No matter how tough the terrain can be, a four-wheel steering system will handle it effectively for you. The chance of getting stuck in any the tough terrains you might have found yourself in is very minimal.

Smaller turns
Since the rear wheels can turn in different direction in a four-wheel steering system, it is much easier to make a small turn. When you see a four-steering system trying to maneuver its way around corners, you shouldn’t panic much. It is built to do that.


Active Rear Steering - 4 Wheel Steering Explained

2. Drawbacks of four-wheel steering system
Malfunctioning
Because of the existence of many electronic components in a four-wheel drive system, there is possibility of higher risk of malfunctioning. When one part decides to malfunction, it will affect the whole system. Consequently, you will need to perform more maintenance and repair jobs on this kind of steering system. Having this problem might put you at more risk on the road and also incur more financial debt on you.

High cost
You do not need to be told that a four-wheel steering system is more than likely to cost more than a two-wheel steering system. You have to put into consideration manufacture time and the number of parts used to develop it. Its complexities make it pricey over the regular two-steering system.



Quite frankly, going for four-wheel steering system is a very smart idea. You wouldn’t have to worry much about how the potholes and other stuffs on the roads could damage your vehicle.
Source: https://naijauto.com/car-buying-and-selling/pros-cons-of-four-wheel-steering-system-2923
Re: Car Buying Tips by carsnazi(f): 5:51am On Apr 19, 2019
Why you should buy OEM car spare parts instead of aftermarket parts?

1. Better quality: more reliable & consistent
The quality of an aftermarket car part leaves little to be desired. With a lot of aftermarket producer of car parts out there, it might be easy to get parts for almost every brand and model of car, from the luxury brands to the common ones.

The fact that these aftermarket parts are less expensive than their OEM counterparts is not enough reason to patronize them. The high-end aftermarket parts, though they might match the OEM’s quality, there is still no guarantee that they will last as their quality can be inconsistent, and unreliable, which can lead to serious damage to your car later in the future.

You might not be able to tell if you’re getting the desired quality with a third-party manufacturer, even though they claim to be high-end aftermarket part. This is where the OEM parts come in handy as there is a guarantee for the quality of the parts.

2. No damaged or salvage parts
Some “aftermarket parts” are sometimes not what they seem. This is because, a very good auto shop might have gone to salvage parts from heavily damaged cars, or even from salvage yards, and might be so good at refurbishing the parts that you wouldn’t even suspect it’s been salvaged.

These guys may even sell it to you as an expensive Tokunbo part claiming they are better than third-party manufacturers (usually called china parts). However this might just a trick to sell you a substandard part, and except you insist on getting an OEM, you be setting yourself up for a catastrophe later in the nearest future.



3. Get manufacturer's warranty
95% of aftermarket parts don't have warranty. Once you bought and it fails to work as expected that is the end. You’ve lost your money and wasted your time, and might now need to go get the OEM that you could have got from the beginning.

However, OEM parts can guarantee you a manufacturer’s warranty of up to one year in some cases. Some even added labour warranty which makes sure that within a one-year period, you can still get it fixed at no extra cost.

4. Always brand new
Most car part buyers sometimes ask if a part bought is a new one, as the appearance of the purchased part looks otherwise.

This question does not occur for OEM parts as they are directly sourced from the car manufacturer. The aftermarket parts, however, is not guaranteed of being new as the source could be from various places like junkyards and used cars.

OEM may take a while to be supplied, but you can have the patience to wait for it, it is sure you won’t be disappointed.

5. Efficient performance
Majority of the aftermarket parts from experience don’t perform as their OEM counterparts. A study had said that about 25% of aftermarket parts have been able to provide equal performance with their OEM mates.

This means that the performance of structural parts such as bumpers is not assured if it’s an aftermarket part, and in the event of a slight collision might mean replacing it again that is if no life was lost.

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/oem-car-spare-parts-3097
Re: Car Buying Tips by NaijautoDotCom(m): 10:15am On Dec 08, 2020
So many posts we can take advantages of ^^
Re: Car Buying Tips by EbukaIam: 5:27am On Dec 29, 2020
very helpful, bro
Re: Car Buying Tips by Josoto: 10:46am On Jun 01, 2022
In the automotive market, there are scammers who try to make money on the inattention of consumers.If you're really new to this, Visit replicarclub.com for car advice. My personal opinion is that it is necessary to discard all fears about buying a used car and choose a good car at an affordable price.

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