Shalomc:
all in a bid to overshadow amdman's business.... Kolewerk

foolbuster:
Nice thread. Very educative. Fire on

chosen124:
Let's take a message from our sponsors

Gazuzz:
This one might seem controversial but the info shared is real.


The Toyota Matrix XR

XR (2003–2008)


2003–2004 Toyota Matrix XR
The Matrix's XR mid-grade trim level added features like color-matched mirrors and door handles, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a panic button on the key fob. Options available with the XR trim included a sunroof, body kit, and 17-inch (430 mm) alloy wheels.

This vehicle is very popular in Canada and in regions in the USA that have a lot of snow. This vehicle is an [b]all wheel drive [/b]

Major issue is rear suspension. The rear differential and wheel bearings usually die out early due to tyre abuse in Nigeria (using wrong sizes) the real wahala comes when it is time to replace thes parts. since these vehicles have been driven extensively on snow and salt replacing these parts in a lot of cases is impossible, in cases where it is finally done it takes a lot of cutting and welding ok of body parts to achieve this.

Next problem , the rear differential is scarce in the market.

In most cases the car is converted to a regular matrix by replacing the transmission, front subframe exhaust and c.v joints

Inception:


The XR has all wheel drive as an option. AWD is not standard.

chosen124:
Don't forget to include Toyota highlander 2001 - 2007 seems to be the most common suv now

Olapumpin:
Pls Oga Gazzuzz......I think you need to tell us more about Camry 2002-2006...popularly known as Big Daddy....pls oo....the demand is equally rising for this car....kindly enlighten us on it sir.

Gazuzz:
Kia Rio 2011(12)-2017

3 things to look out for.

1. The engine : very expensive full aluminium engine that easily gets bad when vehicle overheats engine price hovers around ₦500,000

2. Same problem with the VDC compressor sadly this one gets bad without any interference before vehicle hits 50,000km modifying the a/c system is a real pain as the engine is usually a 1.4liter engine or 1.2liter and will vibrate under load when a manual compressor is installed

3. Electronic steering column and steering rack, : our roads were not designed for electronic assisted steerings.

Gazuzz:



RAV4 2002-2006


This particular vehicle is plagued with a transmission failure caused by a defective engine/transmission ECU. The problems starts when the car shifts from 2nd gear back to first before switching to 3rd and 4th gear, it wears out the friction plates.

Sadly most technicians do not know it is a very simple problem to solve , and the transmission is replaced, the engine ECU is swapped with the wrong part number and the vehicle runs and drives, but poorly, the temp guage stops working, load is not compensated when the a/c system is turned on and the idle system is always erratic .

As usual the same issues with a full aluminium 1az engine apply and if there is any history of overheating and abuse same conditions follow as the Camry 2az.

Gazuzz:


let's start with the 2001-2003 V6 front wheel drive.

Most Nigerians buy SUVs for the wrong reasons, why do you actually need all 4wheels driving? Do you go off road? Do you have bad roads? The onyibo man buys cars based on his climatic conditions, they get SUVs with 4x4 for wet muddy and icy conditions we just buy any jeep without knowing if it is front or 4wd.

That said the best deals on the Highlander if you don't have very muddy roads are the front wheel drive options, it eliminates all the drag and wasted torque from the engine being delivered to the front and rear differentials via the transmission , they are usually very good sprinters and very easy to maintain, as a standard the 1mz engine comes with a timing belt which should be replaced as a kit every 120,000
Miles also the engine design is prone to sludge and shorter oil changes are recommended. When abuse of the cooling fans and thermostat are present , sludge invades the engine much faster.

The 2004-2007 V6

The 3mz engine engine an improvement on the 1mz , much better power delivery less prone to sludge but mated to a more sensitive transmission (this is where you should be careful) The 5-speed U151E/F transmission aka 13pin gearbox , the same abuse on the Camry 2007-2009 plays out on this same gearbox , ensure you have transmission checked properly before purchase.

Highlanders are generally a very sturdy vehicles .

Also ensure you are not buying it's cousin the look alike Kluger from Japan which comes with a 2mz 2.5liter engine converted from right hand drive to left, that one will always come with air-conditioning issues and electrical issues.

Finally ensure it is not a former hybrid converted to regular Highlander, the conversions are usually not done well at all.

As for the 4cylinder options just check the vehicles vin tag, if vin starts with J the 2az engine was built in Japan and should not have much of an issue with oil burn if not already abused here.

chosen124:

Does the 2004-2007 model come with front wheel drive?

9icetoo:

Those engines fail even without overheating. I've been to a Kia dealership with over 8 of them parked up because the engines blew up. Some with connecting rods piercing out of the block.
The dealership noted that they have too many of them being worked on and some are on a waiting list. Nightmare of an engine

chosen124:

Does the 2004-2007 model come with front wheel drive?

GAZZUZZ:
Due to popular demand let us continue
with the Hyundai Tucson 2007-2009

The 4cylinder.

Die hard vehicle came in back in the days from Dana motors engine costs 180k transmission I have never seen one being replaced so I have no idea how much that costs.

The V6 is a no go area, very unreliable piece of sh!t. (My personal view)