LOW-PRICED JAPANESE USED VEHICLES PLUS GOOD ROADS MAKE NAIROBI A MOTORIST’S HAVEN

Low-priced Japanese vehicles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru continue to enjoy huge popularity among Kenya’s lower and upper middle classes. With new car prices out of reach for a majority of the masses, then buying ‘used’ is a welcome option. Whereas a brand new, low-spec Toyota Corolla would go for anything between two and three million Kenya shillings, an older but equivalent car will retail for between nine hundred and a million bob, used. It’s simply economics- Most of these imports originate from countries with a superbly-maintained road network and are, in a majority of cases, in excellent condition. Kenya’s road network is similarly getting upgraded, with mega projects like the Thika superhighway having been successfully concluded, making motoring a more pleasant task. Cars also live longer on these roads since maintenance costs are low.

Toyota leads in overall sales figures as usual, with the Probox and Corolla (NZE, Premio, Allion,Fielder and Axio) models as its bestsellers. The Probox has achieved runaway fame as the default vehicle for Kenya’s ‘hustling’ masses-farmers, miraa traders, small-time shopkeepers…in other words, it’s a ‘jack of all trades’ type of car. Its ‘no frills’ construction makes it the perfect tooLow-priced Japanese vehicles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru continue to enjoy huge popularity among Kenya’s lower and upper middle classes. With new car prices out of reach for a majority of the masses, then buying ‘used’ is a welcome option. Whereas a brand new, low-spec Toyota Corolla would go for anything between two and three million Kenya shillings, an older but equivalent car will retail for between nine hundred and a million bob, used. It’s simply economics- Most of these imports originate from countries with a superbly-maintained road network and are, in a majority of cases, in excellent condition. Kenya’s road network is similarly getting upgraded, with mega projects like the Thika superhighway having been successfully concluded, making motoring a more pleasant task. Cars also live longer on these roads since maintenance costs are low. Toyota leads in overall sales figures as usual, with the Probox and Corolla (NZE, Premio, Allion,Fielder and Axio) models as its bestsellers. The Probox has achieved runaway fame as the default vehicle for Kenya’s ‘hustling’ masses-farmers, miraa traders, small-time shopkeepers…in other words, it’s a ‘jack of all trades’ type of car. Its ‘no frills’ construction makes it the perfect tool for town and country. Plus it boasts impressive mpg figures. Expect to pay up to Kshs 650,000/- for a neat 2006-07 model, with 2003-04 cars for as little as Kshs 450,000/-.The Corolla cousins of NZE, Premio, Allion, Fielder and Axio are very popular with buyers who can fork out the Kshs 800,000/- asking price-expect to pay at least Kshs 950,000/- for a late-model Premio or Allion. Pre-2004 models can be had for as little as Kshs 600,000/- The Toyota Auris is especially popular with younger buyers and with a price tag of Kshs 900,000/- makes it a good choice for lovers of good-looking hatchbacks. The Fielder is the darling of the mobs, however, due to its space, practicality and frugality. Due to the popularity and high demand for Toyota vehicles, even old ones, resale values are quite solid. Nissan has seen its sales in Kenya increase tremendously since the introduction of the popular Nissan Note, March, Tiida and X-trail models. These account for over 75% of all cars sold by used-car dealers and importers. Nissans are generally priced lower than Toyotas and this is one of the chief reasons first time buyers opt for them. Most are decent performers- the March, Tiida and X-trail compete well with the Vitz, Auris and RAV4 respectively. Drivers who want more muscle have the Murano, a powerful soft-roader that’s best on tarmac. Nissan’s Wingroad is a fairly priced average station wagon (Kshs 650,000/- plus). Depreciation is a huge issue with all Nissan models. Honda seems to have regained the motoring public’s trust with their Fit, Stream and CRV models. The truth is that prospective car buyers have realized that Honda’s engines and build quality are right up there with Toyota, if not better. The current Honda Stream is a very worthy competitor for Toyota’s wildly popular Wish, while the CRV gives the RAV4 a mighty run for its money. Subaru sales remain steady in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, thanks to its reputation as a builder of fire-breathing wagons and sedans. Late models can be had for between a million and a million and a half Kenya shillings (Forester, Legacy, Outback and Impreza models). The only sales disappointment story has been the highly-touted Tribeca which has so far failed to live up to its high expectations. l for town and country. Plus it boasts impressive mpg figures. Expect to pay up to Kshs 650,000/- for a neat 2006-07 model, with 2003-04 cars for as little as Kshs 450,000/-.The Corolla cousins of NZE, Premio, Allion, Fielder and Axio are very popular with buyers who can fork out the Kshs 800,000/- asking price-expect to pay at least Kshs 950,000/- for a late-model Premio or Allion. Pre-2004 models can be had for as little as Kshs 600,000/- The Toyota Auris is especially popular with younger buyers and with a price tag of Kshs 900,000/- makes it a good choice for lovers of good-looking hatchbacks. The Fielder is the darling of the mobs, however, due to its space, practicality and frugality. Due to the popularity and high demand for Toyota vehicles, even old ones, resale values are quite solid. Nissan has seen its sales in Kenya increase tremendously since the introduction of the popular Nissan Note, March, Tiida and X-trail models. These account for over 75% of all cars sold by used-car dealers and importers. Nissans are generally priced lower than Toyotas and this is one of the chief reasons first time buyers opt for them. Most are decent performers- the March, Tiida and X-trail compete well with the Vitz, Auris and RAV4 respectively. Drivers who want more muscle have the Murano, a powerful soft-roader that’s best on tarmac. Nissan’s Wingroad is a fairly priced average station wagon (Kshs 650,000/- plus). Depreciation is a huge issue with all Nissan models. Honda seems to have regained the motoring public’s trust with their Fit, Stream and CRV models. The truth is that prospective car buyers have realized that Honda’s engines and build quality are right up there with Toyota, if not better. The current Honda Stream is a very worthy competitor for Toyota’s wildly popular Wish, while the CRV gives the RAV4 a mighty run for its money. Subaru sales remain steady in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, thanks to its reputation as a builder of fire-breathing wagons and sedans. Late models can be had for between a million and a million and a half Kenya shillings (Forester, Legacy, Outback and Impreza models). The only sales disappointment story has been the highly-touted Tribeca which has so far failed to live up to its high expectations.