Hi Wazuans?

I am seeking advice on which cars are available to me at a budget of 400k. I also wish not to spend a cent more as my budget is already stretched having done a few investments late last year and hoping to take on a few more this year.

I have been looking at locally available cars on olx, Cheki and bazaars and there are quite a number of options. However, I have been lurking on this forum for years now and I have regularly seen some wazuans strongly advise against purchasing third hand cars. I also know a few people that sold their cars after experiencing problems and I wouldn't wish to be the buyer. Neither would I want to have a mechanic on speed dial or start purchasing engines, gear boxes e.t.c a few months down the line.

I am not sold out to any brand though I would honestly love to drive a car with a good re-sale value as I will be planning to cash in soon. I feel lost in a sea of information and options. Feel free to post a few suggestions and your opinions. Thanks in advance.

Single/married? School runs? How big are the kids? You take buddies to the bar frequently? Ever do the village run? And if you do, do you come back with farm produce? Do you have a side hassle that requires things transported? What's the state of the road you most use?

I have always been interested in buying a car ever since I cleared campus ago, but salo wasn’t raised very well so I have done a lot of reviews of almost all types of cars in Kenya, including the ones that only akina Uhuru and Kyeff Joinambe can afford. It’s true that 3rd hand cars can be quite a mess and it’s also true that Toyotas are quite overrated in Kenya to say the least. To save fuel, your car should either be 1000cc or 1300cc, hence the only available options are:

Nissan March (except that quite it’s ugly and looks womanish and looks like its stretching after a serious gym workout),

Toyota Vitz (not bad but womanish as well, looks like a woman with a serious attitude issue that wants to proof a point and happens that you are to be used during the process),

Mazda Demio (not man enough but at least better than the other two)

Toyota Duet (small, womanish and very efficient fuel wise though the front look looks like it’s a car always frowning and angry, just like Sienta),

Honda Fit (if u can get one at that price, the best option of all these; not so womanish, efficient consumer and spacious)

Toyota Passo (good, though small I always pity it on the road though huwanga niko kwa Nazigi Sacco because its like if its scratched by Paradiso za Thika Road, it can shed tears coz its so so small but at least it looks manly)

Avoid
Toyota 110 (overrated)
Nissan B15 (overheating and gear box issues at times)
Toyota 100 (prone to theft by akina Kamau, Njoroge and company)

Or this one...

http://www.cheki.co.ke/f...irobi-kenya-a242277.html

Thank you all. I have slightly altered my username because for some reason I’ve been unable to log into my account.

@ hindi ni riu
Probably resale value is not the best word but what I mean is that I intend to put a price tag on the moti in about two years’ time and I don’t want to struggle looking for customers when that time comes. I’ve come across some crazy offers on a few cars and couldn’t believe no one was interested considering they have been in the market for about six months (not sure if that’s normal) and for that reason I stayed away. I am looking for a city car with modest fuel consumption but one that can do the occasional trip to shaggz comfortably. What would you recommend??? Thanks for your input…I know I can’t have my cake and eat it

@ Gordon Gekko
Well I am a single dude living alone but with a few buddies who occasionally visit nearby towns for some debauchery. I have a side hustle (consultancy work) but that’s service oriented so no goods or luggage involved. I do carry stuff to shaggz (the African way) but nothing excessive. Every weekday I take matatus from southB to hurlingham and back and that’s the road I’ll be using mostly. With that in Mind what car would you recommend considering my budget???. Thanks for your input

@georgegop
Thanks for that tip I will definitely check out that bazaar hopefully with a mechanic in tow.

@UpcomingPaperChaser
Do you have a link to your car reviews? That would definitely make an interesting read. Unfortunately my strict budget calls for pragmatic thinking and I’ll have to brave those critics that judge cars by looks as my main goal is to make financial strides. Probably the fact that I could easily pass for a 24 year old will soften their words.
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@ sparkly
"Take your mechanic when you go shopping in that used car segment."

You brought up a good point. But where can I get such a mechanic who can do a thorough job and go easy on my pocket? This is my first car.

@ Jaggernaut
Well that’s too bold for me …. And I can’t help but feel that I will keep coming up short when it comes to fueling it. Good to know such an offer exists…...probably suggest something a bit modest?

@nakujua
Lol that sounds familiar had a friend who sold his BMW at a good price (according to him) after making such statements for about a year . I don’t know whether I can get a second hand car from Japan @ 400k from a reliable seller. So far it looks like I will be going for a locally used Toyota. Thank you.