Toyota Noah Minivan-Kenyas Best Family Car

Depending on who you ask, minivans are either the bane of all transportation alternatives or an absolute godsend. Some might even say “I would never drive a minivan,” while others insist “I could not live without it!” All this differ depending on career, gender, use of said car and state of roads within that local area. Assuming that your family, including your extended family and friends, has outgrown the sedan, even those people who think minivans aren’t “cool” enough to be seen in, maybe you’d think the only other option would be a full-size SUV. No, I’m not going to tell you not to buy a full-size SUV, but I’m going to give you a lot of reasons why you probably should buy a minivan. Could I change your opinion of minivans, particularly when it comes to the Toyota Noah? Lemme give it a shot.

The Toyota Noah is a minivan which, depending on configuration, seats between five and eight passengers. The Noah was originally designed and built only for release in Asia but, as the global pre-loved automobile market has grown, it has become one of the most popular minivans in Africa. Since Noah is sold in Africa second-hand, there is very little to go on in the way of statistics, but seeing them practically everywhere should give you a clue as to how popular they have become. In fact, you can find Toyota Noah in Kenya  being used as family-movers, public-transportation, work vans, and even ambulances, thanks to the versatility and flexibility of this Japanese minivan. In particular, how does the Toyota Noah connect with families?

Interior Space & legroom

The first thing you’ll notice getting into the Toyota Noah is the absolutely amazing amount of interior space, which some might even refer to as cavernous. Depending on seating configuration, up to eight passengers can disperse, though none will get out of earshot. Whether it’s picking up your own kids and your neighbor’s kids after school or heading to the local mall, there is plenty of space for scrambling kids, as well as enough space for all their gear .

The Noah’s seats, unlike a full-size SUV or van, are also flexible, meaning you can move them around or even remove them, depending on your needs for the day. This afternoon, you might be picking up half a football team, but tomorrow morning you might be picking up stock for your mutumba business or shop, which you’d be hard-pressed to accomplish in a sedan. Similarly, some full-size SUVs may offer some flexibility, but have you ever tried to load luggage when the floor height is at your waist, instead of at your knees, as it is in a minivan? If you have, then you know the hardships I am talking about."Navumilia kuwa mkenya".

Expediency

If there’s a single word that sums up what it’s like to own and drive a Toyota Noah, it would have to be “expediency-which basically means "Appropriateness to the purpose at hand.” for those who were asleep during English lessons. Some might balk and say that a minivan is difficult to maneuver through crowded streets and parking lots, and it’s true, even if only a little bit, the Noah tends to be larger than other family transportation options, but it also offers a lot more to make life easier for driver and passengers.

For example, two sliding doors means there is no wrong side to park close to the tree. Additionally, available power sliding doors and even power tailgate can make life even easier, so the driver doesn’t even have to get out of the car to open and close doors. Also, have you ever tried to carry a baby, or shopping, and try to open the sliding door with your free hand? Toyota Noah’s remote keyless power sliding door option eliminates that problem.

Perhaps another key point that Toyota Noah offers is the sheer number of cup-holders, cubby-holes, and storage spaces, from the glove box and center- and overhead-console areas, to the doors, and even under the floor. This helps to keep things from rolling around on the floor, aside from the stuff that was already packed into the cargo area behind the last row of seats.

Road Trip!

As our families and extended families get bigger, as well as more mobile, you might have to consider taking your Toyota Noah for a long ride, but how would it handle it? First, you have to get the thing loaded, which, as we discussed, is all manner of easy, with ample cargo space and a low loading deck, and you might be surprised that you didn’t have to use the roof. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, because putting stuff on the roof wrecks your aerodynamics and fuel economy. Still, available roof racks can put even full-size SUV storage to shame.

Of course, now that everyone, and their stuff, is loaded, getting on the road is going to be a slow and painful experience, right? Thankfully, Toyota Noah’s engineers thought of all that, and there’s plenty of power to get through Nairobi traffic and onto the highway. Again, the question looms, with such a heavy load, surely you’ll have to find a gas station along the way? Again, no, because Noah’s engine options are surprisingly frugal at the pump. The 2.0 ℓ i4 engine under the hood of the Noah may be able to put out just shy of 160 hp, but also manages to consume just 7.1 ℓ/100km, which is comparable to a Toyota Corolla, which consumes just 7.6 ℓ/100km. On the other hand, the full-size Toyota 4Runner / HiLux Surf consumes almost double that, at 13.8 ℓ/100km.

In the Toyota Noah, even a long trip can be manageable. The seats are comfortable, most of them reclining, and some of them available with leather upholstery. The high suspension is soft enough to soak up most of the road, but not so soft that passengers get sea-sick. Audio and navigation systems are available to round out the driver’s experience "though not many Kenyans find much use for this", and an available rear-seat entertainment system can keep the kids busy in the back seats without interrupting the driver. Keep the windows closed and use the climate control system, and the cabin is just as comfortable as your living room.

Truly, the Toyota Noah is a minivan that’s hard to knock, even by those who swear, at least for “coolness” sake, they’d never get into one. Portrayed as one of the best do-everything vehicles on the road, the Toyota Noah really delivers.

Toyota Harrier Review

Big & Spacious

Possibly Kenyas' favorite SUV, the Harrier needs no introduction. There are two models available in the market in the form of a Toyota model as well as a Lexus which is known as the RX300 or RX350. The difference between the Toyota and Lexus models is minuscule and can be disregarded if you want something tall, spacious, big and reliable, not to mention luxurious. As all other Toyota models, there are thousands in the market, and maintenance will be a breeze.

Before the crossover SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), there was really nothing in between the full-size SUV and the sedan. People liked the flexibility of the SUV, but not necessarily the hugeness and the clunkiness associated with full-size SUVs that were on the market at the time. After all, SUVs were built to tackle forests and streams, and they would certainly be overkill for the average urban pothole. Something in between would certainly be a great model, with the convenience of a sedan and the sure-footed stance of an SUV, the crossover SUV was born. Of course, just as there are different levels of the sedan, like the difference between a Toyota Camry and a Mercedes Benz C-Class, there are different levels of a crossover SUV, like the Toyota RAV4 and the Lexus RX, also known as theToyota Harrier (in Japan).

Like their larger cousins, crossover SUVs were a little bit noisy and clunky, which wouldn't do for someone looking to get out of a BMW 3-Series sedan into something bigger. In the beginning, only Land Rover had SUVs that were small enough to qualify as a crossover SUV, while at the same time, offering the refinements that you'd find in a luxury sedan. In 1997, came the crossover SUV class for the luxury car buyer, the Toyota Harrier. One year later, the Lexus RX300 (known outside of Japan) became an instant success in North America.

Toyota Harrier Early Years

Unlike many other vehicles, which are designed from the ground up, the Toyota Harrier made use of a lot of technologies that were already tried and true. At least in the beginning, the i4 and V6 engine and transmission options were the same as found in the Toyota Camry and RAV4, meaning Toyota engineers could focus on the other facets of Toyota Harrier's winning design.

One big thing that sets the Toyota Harrier apart from other luxury crossover SUVs in its class is the attention to NVH, that is, Noise, Vibration, and Harshness. On driving the Toyota Harrier, most come to the conclusion that NVH means “No Vibration or Harshness,” Toyota engineers must have done a pretty good job. The design of the Toyota Harrier makes more use of insulation and vibration dampers than the typical SUV, or even the typical crossover SUV, which makes them some of the quietest vehicles on the road.

Toyota engineers went on to fine-tune the Toyota Harrier's engine, transmission, and drivetrain to eliminate vibrations and noises coming from these sources. Interestingly, instead of following other SUV body-on-frame designs, the Toyota Harrier actually has a more car-like body design, which makes for a stable off-road ride, at a more car-like comfort level.

SUV Capability with Luxury Sedan Class

Inside the Toyota Harrier are all the things you've come to expect in a luxury automobile, such as comfortable leather seats, power-adjustable seats, power windows, locks, and sunroof. Safety and convenience features abound, including multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle skid control, multi-information display, GPS navigation, rear seat entertainment system, rear view camera.

Today's Toyota Harrier comes with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines, paired with, depending on model year, a five- or six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid Harrier comes with a V6 engine paired with a CVT (constant velocity transmission). The drivetrain comes in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The four-cylinder engine options, of course, don't provide the power of the six-cylinder options, but are also more economical.

Interestingly, the AWD versions of the Toyota Harrier, later renamed Lexus RX, even in Japan, was never touted as an off-road performer. Instead, Toyota marketed the Harrier's AWD system as a safety feature. Drivers of the Toyota Harrier AWD could expect to lose a little on fuel economy, but the sure-footed AWD system would keep them safe on rough roads and loose road surfaces, such as mud or gravel.

Best New, Best Used

If you're considering a used crossover SUV, especially a classy one, you would do well to look at a used Toyota Harrier. The best-rated new vehicles typically make the best-used vehicles, and this crossover SUV by Toyota is no different. The Toyota Harrier, even a used one, is sure to deliver years of reliable service. With proper maintenance, Toyota vehicles are some of the longest-lived vehicles on the planet.

Be sure to check for a complete maintenance history and low mileage, if possible. When considering AWD versions, be sure the AWD system has been maintained, including center and rear differentials. Oil changes in the 3.0ℓ V6 and some of the later 3.3ℓ were especially critical. Burning oil is a sure sign of abuse, and an oil burner should be avoided at all costs. Still, even if you have to replace an abused engine, the rest of the powertrain and drivetrain is top-notch, so a new engine is a good investment.

The Magnat Audio-Camaro-Arguably The Loudest Car Ever!!!

Whoa – this rather grabs the attention, doesn’t it? German in-car audio specialist Audiovox has had its way with the Chevrolet Camaro in order to promote its Magnat brand. It kind of looks like a Transformers' spin-off prop for when Bumblebee Goes Clubbing…

What has Magnat done to create the Audio-Camaro? Magnat has called its creation the Audio-Camaro. So no extra bonus points for originality. The most striking visual mods are the massive 10x22-inch Oxigen alloy wheels – but even with these huge rims the firm has still seen fit to lower the car on KW coilover suspension.

The Magnat Audio-Camaro certainly looks loud – but is it? Magnat has fitted a 4,400 watt audio system into the Camaro – including the inevitable illuminated boot install that rather compromises the luggage space. The car is now fully DVD, iPod and Bluetooth capable, as well as toting satellite navigation and a pair of 30cm subwoofers.

Toyota Caldina GT4 Review

Specification of the engine is as follow:

It is 4WD Engine Capacity: 1998 cc 3S-GTE Transmission: 4 Speed Auto/Steptronic with Super ECT Max Speed 191kW(260ps)/6200rpm Max Torque 324N.m(33.0kg.m)/4400rpm Electronic Brake Assist EBD Traction Control The engine is peppy and it really goes when you flow the accelerator living up to my expectation in terms of power. The transmission has pretty good Final Drive given that @120-130 kmh, the tachometer shows only 2.5-3K RPM! The car came with standard GT4 trims. It has a full bodykit, stabilzer bars and front strut bar. It also came in 17 inches alloys.

The choice of PI for me is obvious given that I am into modification of my ride. I would purchase stuff from GR and let them fix it and yet still preserve my warranty. The workshop has done many GT4s from Malaysia and parts is not a problem but some may see it as a downside. Also, with such power, do not expect frugal and typical Toyota fuel consumption. Currently, I am running 10 km/ltr. To me, that i sgood enough having driven cars that are about 5-7 km/ltr :) If you are more than 2m tall or have grandparents, maid and kids in toll, you are better off with a 7 seater vehicle. Else, this 5 seater wagon will fit you perfectly. Last but not least, the over zealous ROV officers have given me hell for my past rides and a family oriented fast wagon is so much a magnet for them. What a relieve! All in all, a great car for a family man with a need for speed.

Dartz-FR-Ferrari-F430-Leather-Vinyl-Wraps-exterior

We already have a view of leather wrapped of a car, the BMW X6 which spotted at Russia in case you remember it -- overall of the car looks weird though. But, how about this Ferrari F430 which comes up with similar wrap, in a leather vinyl.

Released by France-based wrapping specialist Dartz FR, in collaboration with other French customizer, MS Motors.

Compared to the BMW one, this Ferrari F430 gets better looks -- overall. One thing that we just scared, is it supposed for an only show car? Well, cars also depend on the climates, and the leathers -- we think -- don't do match to any different situation. Love the job though.

Most Ridiculously Luxurious Rides in Sports.

 During the height of their careers, many professional athletes have more money than they know what to do with. Since more than half of them end up completely broke within years of retirement, we know the one thing they aren't doing is investing their money wisely.

One thing they are doing is buying up expensive, luxury vehicles by the garage full. Well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration for some of these guys—although there are plenty who actually do have garages filled with cars. Let's take a look at some of the most ridiculously baller athlete rides out on the road today.

Honorable Mention for Money Wasting: Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders.

When some athletes make it big, the first thing they do is run out and buy some kind of status proving automobile like a Mercedes or Porsche or Ferrari. But Raiders running back Darren McFadden definitely decided to go in another direction. Instead of picking up a classy car at a dealership, he decided to custom design the "Cop Attracter 5000." Good job bro. No…not the ChHonorable Mention for Money Wasting: Chris Johnson, Free Agent.

Chris Johnson–the running back of the Titans. This is the other Chris Johnson—the unemployed cornerback with a career far more forgettable than his car. Listen, I'm not going to judge this guy too harshly. We all have different tastes…I guess I'm just surprised that this nasty, ridiculous spectacle would be anyone's taste.

Before becoming a household name—well, a household name in households that watch golf—Bubba Watson might have been best-known as the golfer with the most nostalgic ride. Watson bought one of the 1969 Dodge Chargers made famous by The Dukes of Hazzard, reportedly punching down around $110,000 for his wheels Stephen Jackson, San Antonio Spurs.

The NBA's Stephen Jackson definitely has a thing for Range Rovers, being the proud owner of two of them. Both of Jackson's Rovers have been tricked up, pimped out and otherwise awesomized by California Wheels. But Jackson does have other interests when it comes to his automobiles. He also owns a Rolls Royce Phantom—one of the ultimate status symbols among athletes and celebrities. Snoop Dogg, Lakers Superfan/Little League Coach.

Rapper Snoop Dogg has been flashy about his sports allegiances for years, especially when it comes to fashion. He's also one of the coaches of his son's little league team, making him officially the coolest coach ever. Oh, and he's a Lakers fan. And judging by this pimped-out-of-its-mind 66 Cadillac, he's quite the Lakers fan. The car has been dubbed the "Snoop de Ville" and comes with three chandeliers, a purple and gold zirconium-encrusted dashboard and some hydro pumps that bounce his ride while he's cruising. And it's not the only "Snoop de Ville" in his collection, either. David Beckham, L.A. Galaxy.

The dashing David Beckham has a lot going for him. He's handsome, he's rich, he used to be really great at soccer, he looks amazing in his underwear and he's got a whole bunch of sweet cars. (Too bad he has to use them to drive around his stick insect wife.) Beckham's collection includes a 2010 Camaro (customized by Platinum Motor Sports), a black Cadillac Escalade ESV with 26" TIS Drop Star rims and a 2008 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead, a convertible perfect for that beautiful Los Angeles weather. Mario Baloteli, Manchester City. Manchester City's resident loose cannon, and certified awesome person, Mario Balotelli has more cars than you can shake a stick at. And you can shake a stick at a lot of cars—trust me on this.

The reason he has so many is because, as he will happily explain to you, he's very rich. Balotelli's got a Bentley, a Ferarri, an Audi, a Maserati GT and a Mercedes. At least he has owned all of those cars at one time or another—he's not known as the best driver and seems to enjoy playing bumper cars with them. Wrestler John Cena According to Complex, Wrestler John Cena is an American with muscles who is into American cars with muscle. Apparently he's even released a DVD chronicling his massive collection of cars that sits in a garage and collects dust.

Among his cars are a 1971 Ford Torino GT, 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge, 1966 Dodge Charger and 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Can't say I'm really a big fan of any of those, but they really suit this WWE superstar. Boss Hog would be jealous as hell. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid. In 2009, the Real Madrid superstar totaled his ridiculously expensive Ferrari.

It really wasn't a big dead for this loaded footballer, though; he just upgraded to an even more ridiculously expensive Bentley. Not that he even needed to replace it to begin with, Ronaldo has one of the most famously luxurious car collections in all of sorts. His football fortune has paid for a Porsche 911 Carrera 2S Cabriolet, a Maserati GranCabrio, a Bentley GT Speed, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, an Audi R8, a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a Mercedes Benz C220 CDI, an Audi Q7 and about a dozen others. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta, doesn't it dude? Floyd Mayweather Jr., Boxer No surprise that boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a ridiculous ride—"Money" is his middle name, after all.

Naturally, Mayweather doesn't have just one sweet ride—dude has his very own fleet of luxury vehicles. He has more cars than I care to bother listing, but there are two notables: two nearly identical Rolls-Royce Phantoms; one he bought for himself, and one was a gift from his hetero life-mate, 50 Cent.

Discovery LR4

Land Rover, the traditionally rugged, royal-family-backed British brand doesn’t seem to need to prove its off-road supremacy any more. Uber-confident in the Discovery LR4's current chassis and mud-plugging tech, the latest addition to 2012’s stable follows the precedent set by Range Rover’s recent Ultimate Edition -- pushing the upmarket SUV further up than it’s ever been before. However, this most ultimate LR4 is not as costly as the $210,000 Ultimate Rangie (U.S. pricing not yet announced). And, sadly, this does mean having to do without the natural teak floor, champagne cabinet and twin headrest iPad docks. We rode with Land Rover’s latest high-rolling limited edition to see if the view from the raised summit is worth the financial hike.

PERFORMANCE What’s under the man-sized hood in the already well-appointed LR4 has been left well alone. But 2012’s Discovery LR4 has already received a well-executed massage from the guys in the green overalls, with Europe’s 3.0-liter SDV6 turbodiesel now packing more power (256 hp), plus improved efficiency and refinement facilitated by a silky eight-speed automatic transmission controlled by a Jaguar-style pop-up dial and paddle shifters. North America isn’t set to receive the new low-emission diesel or gearbox quite yet, and so the HSE Luxury Limited Edition takes the current sole option, a lusty 5.0-liter gas V8, featuring a ballsy 375 hp that’s mated to a six-speed auto transmission with CommandShift. As a stylish seven-seater tank that’ll take on any terrain, the Discovery LR4 is staggeringly refined when it comes to driving on the smooth black stuff. Sure, there’s still a little body roll, dictated largely by the ride’s colossal height and the laws of physics, but the big Brit’s pace is nonetheless impressive -- especially so in the mid-range with generous reserves of grunt available on demand.

DESIGN Discovering extra sophistication is the order of the day with the Discovery LR4 HSE Luxury, and in keeping with the rules of exclusivity, this special edition is of the limited kind -- although the exact numbers that will be made available in the showrooms this summer remain elusive. What makes this, as John Edwards (Land Rover’s global brand director) puts it, “probably the most luxurious specification yet offered on the Discovery LR4” isn’t abundantly clear at first glance, so we’ll break it down. Firstly, it’ll be available only in the dark-hued tones of either Santorini black, Orkney gray or Havana brown, which extends to the honeycomb mesh grille and door handles to specifically contrast the bright satin silver finish of the grille surround, full-length roof rails, fender vents, wing mirrors, hood and trunk scripts. Similarly bright 10-spoke, 20” rims and stainless-steel rear bumper tread plate complete the notably subtle external mods. Inside, you’re treated to extra swathes of premium Windsor leather, most noticeably on the fascia, door tops and heated steering wheel, while exclusive Arabica-toned leather seats boast bespoke contrast stitching to accent the posh dark veneer trim touches. Oh, and the carpets acquire an extra-deep shag pile that, although it wouldn’t go down very well on the farm, certainly would do with your woman. If you’ve ever needed a Range Rover to comfortably seat seven yet cost considerably less, then the exclusive Land Rover Discovery LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition is your ride.