Hello Guys,

After having lurked around the forum for a while and seeing what other "brave" Nigerians have been doing in terms of maintenance and upgrades to their cars, i have decided to take the plunge and also create a thread on my own experience maintaining and doing some modifications to my one and only vehicle (2007 Honda Accord). This thread is going to be like a diary of my day to day experience with the vehicle and do appreciate helpful suggestions and feedback. I don't claim to be an expert or anything but will just like to share my experiences with others and hopefully gain more knowledge.

Car History/Background:

The car in question is a North American 2007 Honda Accord EX-L. Vehicle was purchased in 2013. I did a lot of research online and went through several websites looking for a vehicle that fit within my budget. I had already made up my mind that i was going to import the vehicle outside of the country and not go down the Cotonou route with all its attendant risks and stress. It took me 2 years to save up my money but i finally had $12,000 in the bank at the official rate of N155.76. I concentrated my search online and decided to narrow myself to www.cars.com. Everyday i searched for a vehicle with the right mileage, trim/options and most importantly PRICE. I finally got the right one from a car dealership in Virginia, USA called 1st Choice Auto Sale. It was 2007 Honda Accord EX-L (Full Option) with 80894 Mileage at $9995. An Auto Check Vehicle History report was generated and confirmed it had a "clean title" with only 1 previous owner. I immediately swung into action and called my Agent from the shipping company who arranged for the purchase and transport to Baltimore Port for onward shipping to Tin Can Island, Lagos. Total Landing cost of the vehicle from the US to Tin Can was $12,765.52. Here's the breakdown:

1. $9,995 Cost of Vehicle
2. $426.93 Dealer Document Processing Fee
3. $21.39 County Tax
4. $265 Shipping from Virginia to Baltimore Port
5. $1261.55 Shipping RORO Via Grimaldi to Tin Can Island
6. $720.65 Processing Fee by the Agent
7. $75 FedEx Cost of Bill of Lading

Grand Total = $12,765.52 x N155.76 = N1,988,357.40

More Pix

When was it bought, when did you take possession of it?

I got a 2009 camry for a grand total of 2.2 mill, the mileage is on the high side (110,000 miles) but have a clean title and 1 owner as well.

Received it in oct last year, the car have been perfect, apart from the usual servicing when it lands and fluid changes nothing else have been done.

The 1st upgrade i am planning on is HID lights, want 18 inch wheels with a profile of about 50 but that is amazingly expensive (wheels and tyre 150 k).

I have also tinted the back windows witha light tint, i have a tint permit though.

vani86:
When was it bought, when did you take possession of it?

I got a 2009 camry for a grand total of 2.2 mill, the mileage is on the high side (110,000 miles) but have a clean title and 1 owner as well.

Received it in oct last year, the car have been perfect, apart from the usual servicing when it lands and fluid changes nothing else have been done.

The 1st upgrade i am planning on is HID lights, want 18 inch wheels with a profile of about 50 but that is amazingly expensive (wheels and tyre 150 k).

I have also tinted the back windows witha light tint, i have a tint permit though.

Your tint permit is null and void, as long as it's not factory tinted glass.

elshanAutos:

Your tint permit is null and void, as long as it's not factory tinted glass.

I know, i am just rugedding it till the day they get me lol

samir101ng:
Hello Guys,


The car in question is a North American 2007 Honda Accord EX-L. Vehicle was purchased in 2013. I did a lot of research online and went through several websites looking for a vehicle that fit within my budget. I had already made up my mind that i was going to import the vehicle outside of the country and not go down the Cotonou route with all its attendant risks and stress. It took me 2 years to save up my money but i finally had $12,000 in the bank at the official rate of N155.76. I concentrated my search online and decided to narrow myself to www.cars.com. Everyday i searched for a vehicle with the right mileage, trim/options and most importantly PRICE. I finally got the right one from a car dealership in Virginia, USA called 1st Choice Auto Sale. It was 2007 Honda Accord EX-L (Full Option) with 80894 Mileage at $9995. An Auto Check Vehicle History report was generated and confirmed it had a "clean title" with only 1 previous owner. I immediately swung into action and called my Agent from the shipping company who arranged for the purchase and transport to Baltimore Port for onward shipping to Tin Can Island, Lagos. Total Landing cost of the vehicle from the US to Tin Can was $12,765.52. Here's the breakdown:

1. $9,995 Cost of Vehicle
2. $426.93 Dealer Document Processing Fee
3. $21.39 County Tax
4. $265 Shipping from Virginia to Baltimore Port
5. $1261.55 Shipping RORO Via Grimaldi to Tin Can Island
6. $720.65 Processing Fee by the Agent
7. $75 FedEx Cost of Bill of Lading

Grand Total = $12,765.52 x N155.76 = N1,988,357.40

That was a long time ago, will any Nigerian consider paying N4m for that car now?

How much import duty did you pay at the port? to add to final cost

samir101ng:
Hello Guys,

After having lurked around the forum for a while and seeing what other "brave" Nigerians have been doing in terms of maintenance and upgrades to their cars, i have decided to take the plunge and also create a thread on my own experience maintaining and doing some modifications to my one and only vehicle (2007 Honda Accord). This thread is going to be like a diary of my day to day experience with the vehicle and do appreciate helpful suggestions and feedback. I don't claim to be an expert or anything but will just like to share my experiences with others and hopefully gain more knowledge.

Car History/Background:

The car in question is a North American 2007 Honda Accord EX-L. Vehicle was purchased in 2013. I did a lot of research online and went through several websites looking for a vehicle that fit within my budget. I had already made up my mind that i was going to import the vehicle outside of the country and not go down the Cotonou route with all its attendant risks and stress. It took me 2 years to save up my money but i finally had $12,000 in the bank at the official rate of N155.76. I concentrated my search online and decided to narrow myself to www.cars.com. Everyday i searched for a vehicle with the right mileage, trim/options and most importantly PRICE. I finally got the right one from a car dealership in Virginia, USA called 1st Choice Auto Sale. It was 2007 Honda Accord EX-L (Full Option) with 80894 Mileage at $9995. An Auto Check Vehicle History report was generated and confirmed it had a "clean title" with only 1 previous owner. I immediately swung into action and called my Agent from the shipping company who arranged for the purchase and transport to Baltimore Port for onward shipping to Tin Can Island, Lagos. Total Landing cost of the vehicle from the US to Tin Can was $12,765.52. Here's the breakdown:

1. $9,995 Cost of Vehicle
2. $426.93 Dealer Document Processing Fee
3. $21.39 County Tax
4. $265 Shipping from Virginia to Baltimore Port
5. $1261.55 Shipping RORO Via Grimaldi to Tin Can Island
6. $720.65 Processing Fee by the Agent
7. $75 FedEx Cost of Bill of Lading

Grand Total = $12,765.52 x N155.76 = N1,988,357.40

Impressive.
I have a few questions please, I intend on buying the same type of car

1.How is the ride faring now? Any major issues?

2.How about the sound system, is there anyway to connect your phone or use bluetooth adapter in the car charging port? (I'm a music freak )

3. Would you recommend the car?

Your reply would be very much appreciated samir101ng

Wakanda4ever:


Impressive.
I have a few questions please, I intend on buying the same type of car

1.How is the ride faring now? Any major issues?

2.How about the sound system, is there anyway to connect your phone or use bluetooth adapter in the car charging port? (I'm a music freak )

3. Would you recommend the car?

Your reply would be very much appreciated samir101ng

you can use Aux adapter to enable u listen to music from ur phone. it is on jumua like 7k, the car is very good get 4cylinder engine like the above and use recommended oil and fluids ..you are good to go... ensure u get a well maintained unit either toks or naija used.

Eldemmi:


you can use Aux adapter to enable u listen to music from ur phone. it is on jumua like 7k, the car is very good get 4cylinder engine like the above and use recommended oil and fluids ..you are good to go... ensure u get a well maintained unit either toks or naija used.

Thanks a lot.

What about one with a V6 engine, any disadvantages?

Lol dollar was 155 just 4 years ago

king406:
Lol dollar was 155 just 4 years ago

That was in 2013. He only made the post 4 years back.

Wakanda4ever:
Thanks a lot.
What about one with a V6 engine, any disadvantages?

their transmission is not reliable to that level of i4 engine.

Eldemmi:


their transmission is not reliable to that level of i4 engine.

ok. Thanks boss

Wakanda4ever:
Thanks a lot.

What about one with a V6 engine, any disadvantages?

If you want the V6 then buy. The so called transmission is less than 100k last I checked. You're likely not going to use more than 1 or 2 throughout your vehicle ownership

rationalmind:


If you want the V6 then buy. The so called transmission is less than 100k last I checked. You're likely not going to use more than 1 or 2 throughout your vehicle ownership

Alright boss. Thanks for your input.