₦airaland Forum

Hello @GAZZUZZ. I'm really fascinated by the level of competence you are displaying on this thread. Please keep it up because from all indications you are good at what you do.

Please do you do RHD to LHD conversion? If you do, i will like to do business with you. But if you don't, can you recommend someone to me?

Thank you.

1.8T or 2.0L engine?

Use the recommended oil for the engine. It should be written on the cover where you pour oil into the engine.

Stay clear of Mitsubishi. You cannot go wrong with Corolla

Thanks @insideout and @GAZZUZZ. Could you drop your reasons please.

More input will be highly appreciated.

Please house, thinking of upgrading. Which of these cars would you advice? The car will be heavily used mostly within the city and once in a while travel.

1. Tokunbo Toyota Camry 1999 (a.k.a tinylight)

2. Tokunbo Primera 2000 Wagon (Auto)

3. Good Nigerian Used Corolla 2004

All advice will be highly appreciated.

Can it go for N900k? Serious buyer

clemz85:
op if that Volkswagen can withstand Nigeria high way
transportation, go for it
though it depends on if you want comfort or
durability and rigidness.

please how do you mean "it depends on if you want comfort or
durability and rigidness"? Where does Sharan belong? Comfort or durability and rigidity?

fagbohun4j:
Oga, I would suggest you go for Sienna which isn't part of your options here. It's a very good and reliable family car. Would have suggested you go for the VW but since you are particular about the AC, then Sienna would be the best. Low budget maintenance, low fuel consumption, full option if you can get the one which has not been tampered with by our Nigerian auto dealers. Don't even go near Honda because of arm safety. You never can tell when the issue might come up.
I hope I've contributed with the little I know. Thanks.

Yes, Siena is good but like i said earlier, the side window cannot wind down which is a major disadvantage. Moreover, the vehicle will be used mostly within the city like school runs with occasional long distance journey so fuel efficiency is a big issue with Siena.

Thanks anyway

dumo1:
@ routernswitch all dis mini mini miney no won't help u one bit. I would advice you to either get a Toyota Siena or a Honda Odessey and have absolute peace of mind. Factor in availability of parts, durability & cheap workmanship when buying a vehicle.

Siena side window cannot be wound down, a major disadvantage and then its very fuel thirsty bearing in mind that i will be using it 80% within the city.

Thanks for all your responses. @Fixed, the thread helped a lot but as if the person already favours MAZDA MPV.

I would still appreciate more input

chibabe3:
With the budget you have, Volkswagen Sharan 1999 1.8T will be ideal. the ride is rugged and easy to maintain. I got an 806 Peugeot for 750k and it is doing very well especially with fuel consumption and quite roomy too.

Does Volkswagen Sharan 1999 1.8T even come with automatic transmissions?

More inputs please

More inputs please especially from those who have used or are using some of these vehicles.

Thanks in advance

bravolad:
For reliability & ruggedness, I would not go for Honda Odyssey. My best bet will be outside the listed options; a Toyota Picnic with three rows of two seats. It looks smaller but has a relatively good head and leg rooms. The rear seats are removable, providing a good cargo space. It handles well and has good fuel economy with an average of 31 mpg.
Parts are readily available, cheap and so do mechanics. Since cost is a major concern, both in maintenance and fuelling, you will not go wrong. It comes in manual & auto trannies.
The Mazda MPV has a 4 cylinder variant but looks bland. We use one as an office vehicle, no rear a/c vents to keep rear passengers cool. It is not rugged & drives sluggishly and equally underpowered. It is as spacious as the Odyssey.
Another good option would have been Toyota Sienna 1998 - 2000 but for the rear window that does wind down, which is a concern to you.

Yes, i know about Toyota Picnic but its expensive, about 1.2m as at last check. It is smaller than the rest but of course it has that Toyota durability. There is virtually no space for load is all seats are occupied which is an issue for a family. Thanks for your input though.

I now have a somehow big family and i thank God for that. My car can no longer be comfortable for us including our house help hence need to get a minivan.

I will use the minivan majorly around town (taking children to school, church, events) and short trips of say 120-150KM but at least twice in a year there may be need to travel to and fro from the village (about 800KM round trip).

I don't have so much cash so i have a budget of N900,000 maximum for this project. I am looking at fuel efficient, low cost of maintenance and rugged vehicle with roll down window. In my search, i identified the following:

1. Honda odyssey 1997 - Odyssey is good but i heard is somehow underpowered and even though is 4-cylinder, is fuel thirsty. With Honda upper and lower arm issue, i'm skeptical knowing that i will have my family on it most of the time. However, its 3rd row seat can fold to the floor thereby creating a large cargo room. It comes only with auto tranny which is good. (driving manual tranny round town is not easy with traffic here and there)

2. Volkswagen Sharan 1999 1.8T - I like this vehicle but it mostly come with manual tranny, does not have rear air conditioning. However its use for commercial transportation could shows its rugged but its interior is bland kind of, not even cup holders. The 2001 model of it is not common hence i wouldn't know if it has inherent issues.

3. Mazda MPV 2000 - This Mazda is good but is V6 so might be fuel thirsty. Very good it has sliding doors which is good for kids but the reliability of Mazda is below others which is an issue. If i buy it, I would not be looking to sell anytime soon hence my apprehension. However, it comes mostly with auto tranny which i like with center space for back passengers to enter without lifting any seat.

Please how help my choose one of these vehicles considering the factors i earlier listed and my budget. Somebody can also suggest another in this range.

Attached are the pictures.

Thanks for all your contributions.