Well to answer this question I will base it on my experience, travel and my own research. I will compare NZE and B-15 that have equal engine capacity (1490cc).
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| Nissan Sunny B-15 |
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| Toyota Corolla NZE |
My experience
First to start with experience I already told you that my first car was a Nissan B-15 What some mechanics will tell you, part I. This was despite of all the efforts by my friends to convince me otherwise. I bought the car with a mileage reading of 83,000km. Right now the mileage is 140,000 km.
I replaced the rear shocks in july 2011 and front shocks in january 2012. I have also replaced the ball joints bushings, tie rods and battery once. Other than that for the 50,000 km on that car, the only other expense has been normal service (oil, plugs, air filter, oil filter). There is no place I have not gone with this car.
In july 2011 I bought a Toyota NZE year 2004 with milleage 43,000km. Today the milleage is 60,000km. I went with it to Mbiuni (near Kangundo - Ukambani), it broke the steering rack end. I have also replaced the rear shocks and battery.
Toyota NZE feels much lighter than Nissan B-15. when I check the weights, Nissan B15 2002 model is 1,100 kg. Though later models are lighter. Nissan B-15 year 2003 is 1,050 kg. Toyota NZE 2004 is 1,030kg.
I know for sure Toyota NZE is better on fuel economy than Nissan B-15. At the current price of ksh. 120, I will spend 400 on Nze for me to get to work and back home with all the traffic jam. But for Nissan B-15, I will need ksh. 500. this is for a total distance of 30km.
NZE have done a good job in the seats. They are really raised and very comfortable. you dont feel like you are seating on the floor. Unlike its predecessors, the Toyota 110 and 111 which were also so crammed together leaving no spaces for legs. The NZE may look small on the outerside but it has an amazingly big room inside. It has enough leg room and nice comfortable raised seats.
Unfortunately the B-15 seats are low and not so comfortable. The steering for the Nissan B-15 is much firmer as opposed to NZE which is so soft, you can almost turn it with one finger!
NZE engine employs VVT-i technology ( Variable Valve Timing with intelligence - developed by Toyota). This has the advantage of lower fuel consumption, lower exhaust emissions and higher power output. But you need to understand that all modern engines use the same technology with different terminologies. The general name for the technology is "Variable valve actuation (VVA)". For example Nissan first developed their own form of VVT 1986 with the VG30DE(TT) engine.
The response of NZE when picking up is amazing perhaps because of its weight. However you will never catch a B-15 after it has hit 120km/h. It like begs you to push it further. Again I realized it is much easier to break an NZE without the tires screeching than a B-15. Again I think this should be because of weight. Overal NZE has good response in picking up and stopping but maybe abit shaky at high speed. On the other side you may want to be careful with B-15 when you hit top speed as stopping will not be so instant. B-15 may also tend to rev more than NZE when picking up.
From my travelling
Now based on some travelling I have done. In Rwanda a Nissan is a rare site. Reason being they are so expensive there. So everybody is driving a toyota. In Uganda, same thing, Toyotas are prevalent never mind the year. I think they don't have age limit on imported cars in Uganda. Same thing to Tanzania, more Toyotas.
Over to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). If you see an NZE or B-15, take a photo and send it to me. Those guys use Mercedece C class as taxis! Infact I will talk about cars in DRC in another post.
So what about Japan where both brands are actually manufactured? Well ordinary Japanes people view the two cars as same and buying one in place of the other is merely a matter of personal preference.
You are actually paying for the Toyota Logo
My conclusion: NZE should cost same B-15. There is nothing so special about Toyota NZE. So why are you paying so much for the Toyota logo?
A very good analysis here; very useful as I was considering buying an NZE but found it too overrated plus its too much of a hot cake here. I think i will settle for the b15 although it consumes a bit more; however, I wish you would have given an idea in terms of kms/litre on either vehicle :-) all in all a good piece
ReplyDeleteThis is a good discussion and very enlightening. But if one can afford a locally assembled (Toyota kenya/Gibraltar SA)Toyota NZE (or the new NRE) i would recommend it for them. Even if its already used (but not abused).Its heavy, stable and very powerful. I have the 3 three of them and NZE, NRE and a B15. The B15 is very "bumpy" compared tho Toyota. Trust me
DeleteThe B15 can give you 14 km on a litre. NZE can give you up to 14.5km. However this is subject to driving style and engine condition.
ReplyDeletethanks for the analysis. Need your opinion: B15, 2003, 180,000 kms, used in Kenya. Is 390k a good price for this car?
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome Mogaka. Now to your question, the year (2003) is good and the price (390k) is also good. But the mileage is simply too high. I suspect this car has been used for something like taxi. I have a 2001 B15 which is just approaching 150,000km. And I can assure you the mileage was not doctored as I had it imported directly. The problem with the mileage of 180,000km is that most components of the car have served their life time. You will spend more time on the garage than on the road.
DeleteHave you thought of toyota platz. Mosty have engine capacity of 1000cc to 1500 cc. The prices are equally cheaper compared to other toyota models like NZE. Is it true that would you advice me to get a 1000 cc engine , what are its advantages and disadvantages compared to 1300 or 1500 cc.
ReplyDeleteOverally would you recommend Platz as a longtime car for example 5 years compared in comparison to a Toyota Nze.
Rgds
Platz and Vitz are one and the same car, except Vitz is the hatchback version. They are both very economical cars especially with low CC rating, starting from as low as 1000cc. This and more small-engined cars are the perfect choice for town car. They are also both quiet cheap. As the cost of living climbs higher it is wise to consider low engine rating cars especially for the daily commute to work. As for durability, as long as your are careful with the car there is no reason why it shouldin't last more than five years and still look new.
DeleteHowever with ever improving technology in engine design and more economical engines coming out, you will be surprised a 2000 cc Mercedes will consume like an old 1300 cc Nissan or Toyota. So whatever you do, don't go for a really beaten up platz just because it has a 1000cc or 1300 cc engine. Try to buy a new car irrespective of the make and you won't have to worry much about fuel.
The obvious disadvantage with small engine cars is low power. If you sometimes want to travel upcountry, you may want to get a car with at least 1500cc engine. you will get some good power to move faster and also carry the load of maize you may want to bring back from upcountry.
Finally when you do get the car, ensure you service the engine regularly. This will save you some fuel.
What about fuel consumption difference between a Toyota NZE 1500cc and a Toyoa Platz 1000cc? Is there a large difference?
DeleteFor example for someone weighing about 100kg and driving everyday to work, which one is best?
For you to do an accurate comparison, you have to look at the two vehicles under the following conditions:
Delete1. Should have been manufactured around same year.
2. should have same mileage
3. Both engines should be at same service condition.
Why I am saying this is because, with newer technologies, a car with a higher cc may consume less than a car with a lower cc. That is why I always insist, by all means go for a newer car. Forget pegging everything on cc. Now to answer you, if the above two cars are in the same state, based on the conditions outlined, then obviously the 1000cc will be more economical by a considerable margin.
Really useful info!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
GEORGE GOPAL
You are most welcome
DeleteQuite informative piece here. I am planning to buy my first car mainly for family use - been seeking advice from friends and mechanics about B15 and yes the very mention of a nissan to them is simply NO. With this analysis, i am going ahead with my resolve to acquire a B15. Thanks Evaaggy.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you found the information useful.
DeleteEvaggy,
ReplyDeleteWhat do I look for when hiring a car for traveling upcountry?
Could you offer some options like model keeping in mind fuel economy?
Sorry Elisha, I have been up and around a lot I din't see your question earlier. Now it will depend on the kind of road terrain or cover to your up-country. But going by the nature of most upcountry roads, you will definitely need an off-road. I hope you have big pockets because hiring an off-road is an expensive affair. something to the tune of between ksh. 15k and ksh. 20k a day. True off-roads come equipped with thirsty engines. They definitely have good ground clearance so you don't have to fear going anywhere. They are also very ragged. In this class you will find Toyota land cruiser, Land Rover Defender (Discovery and Range Rover on high end), Nissan Patrol, etc. I hope you get the picture.
DeleteHowever there exists cross breeds that can serve the purpose as long you don't push them too far. These are actually town cars that can also go off-road to some exist. They include Nissan X-trail, Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Mitsubishi RVR, mitsubishi Pajero IO, etc. I hope I have answered you
whats the best car to buy a manual or automatic version, holding all other factors constant?
ReplyDeleteYou need to consider several things. First of all if you are mostly going to be negotiating traffic on the city roads, you will be constantly shifting gears as you can hardly drive in a constant speed for a minute. Now if you are leaving office after a busy day I believe you will be more interested in a more relaxed drive home. It can be argued that manual cars are more economical in fuel but if indeed they are it must be marginal. The argument being that a human can shift the gear up faster than the automatic system. But with a very refined technology in automatic gear system in cars today, the shifting is seamless and in most cars, not a second late. Remember automatic cars have been around since the 70's. One good thing with manual cars is that you can kick-start them if your battery runs low.
DeleteHaving said all these, I believe automatic or manual is purely a personal preference. But you also have some cars that can be driven as manual or automatic (mostly high end). Hope you have heard of triptronic transmission. This system combines both automatic and manual system. So you can choose to shift the gears manually or let the system shift for you.
Thank you very much Evaaggy....that info has answered my many questions. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Evaaggy,
ReplyDeleteI am shopping around for a Nissan B15. What are the major things I should consider for a good car? Advise on reasonable mileages etc and also advise me what should be my budget?
I always advise people to buy "new" cars . The reason being it will give you some good service before you start replacing parts. Most times we consider ex-Japan cars as new. So try to get a newly imported ex-Japan car. Second if you are thinking B15, you may consider Tiida, which is the replacement for B15. Or you may go Wing road new model. They basically have an improved engine of the B15. Each of them costs around 700k. You might also want to check out the new model of Nissan Blue Bird. However if you want to stick to B15, then walk around car bazaars. You might be lucky to find a 2003 which has not been sold yet. You can get it for anything between 550k and 650k
DeleteHi. I bought a 2004 impreza saloon, non turbo, 1490cc with a tare weight of 1200kg. It has by today covered 121,000km. It gives me about 12km to the litre which I consider okay going by weight and tyre width. However, it picks speed slow but gets impatient above 80km/hr. Any Idea how I can improve the picking?
ReplyDeleteAny object that is in motion must have a spent a considerable amount of energy to get into motion. While in motion, the object will require less energy to stay in motion. You can easily derive this from Newton's first law of motion. Basically what this means is that any sluggishness in the engine performance will be noticed when every bit of power it produces is crucial. This is definitely during acceleration. Therefore you tend to notice the sluggishness of the engine when there is highest pressure on the engine to perform. Some simple factors that could make your engine lose power include: plugged air filters, bad spark plugs, clogged fuel injectors, very old automatic transmission fluid, plugged exhaust system, faulty oxygen sensor, old engine oil. A rule of the thumb in trouble shooting any car is always start with simple and obvious culprits then work your way up. For instance just check your oil and change it if necessary, the spark plugs, etc.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAm looking to get my first automobile.
I have been thinking bout the 2002-2004 Subaru Impreza 1500 non turbo, 2006 Wingroad, 2006 Mazda verisa, and finally toyota allex/runx 200-2004.
Kindly give me your thoughts.
Hi Dweed,
DeleteAll the cars you mentioned are really great. The only difference is the price. With just a marginal difference on the part of the Subaru. It is mostly associated with racing and most times comes with full time four wheel drive which might cost you extra cents in terms of fuel. You might find Toyota costing the most, Subaru, Wingroad and Mazda in that order. In terms of performance I cannot make any concrete on any one of those cars that will make it stand out the rest.
B15 is the way to go..toyota name is overrated
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for a vehicle that will assure you value for money, go for the Mazda Verisa. It is equipped with the most current generation of Mazda engines that will effortlessly give back 15kms per litre, produce 113hp as opposed to Toyota Runx's 105hp and Nissan Wingroad's 109hp. It offers the most spacious interior out of the vehicles you have selected and comes with many additional features such as 20Gb inbuilt music hard disk, automatic lights and rain wipers. It's a Mazda, that means it only sees the garage when it's time for service. Happy motoring.
ReplyDeleteHi, great work there and thanks for enlightening us. my Question is .... i bought a B15, y.o.m 2000, at 104000km millage and the owner had removed the the dip connecting to the rear wheels on the basis of reducing fuel consumption.
ReplyDeletehow true is that?
ken.
Removing the rear differential (diff) from the rear driveshaft will disconnect the rear axle from the front thus leaving you with traction from the front wheels only. For a full time 4WD, this will lead to an improvement in fuel efficiency but most obviously less power. For an optional 4WD, the reduced friction and drag from the rear driveshaft and rear wheels will lead to only a slight reduction in fuel consumption. I doubt if the weight reduction is significant enough to cause an improvement in fuel efficiency. It therefore comes down to the hard fact that most drivers choose to ignore - the driving style. If you drive a manual, always shift up to the highest gear as soon as possible and once you are there, maintain a fair throttle opening as opposed to flooring the gas pedal. For an auto, slow and feather-like accelerations may not necessarily lead to better fuel mileage since the vehicle may take longer to climb up the gears. The vehicle is most efficient at a point on the RPM gauge where it attains maximum torgue, thus moderate accelerations may be sufficient enough to attain the highest gear within a short time. Once there, ease up on the gas to allow the vehicle to "flow" with the motion and you will be surprised at how much fuel savings you can achieve.
DeleteI agree with Stanley. Just to put it in more simple terms; there is greater transmission train loss in a four wheel drive as opposed to two wheel drive. This of course comes from simple facts in physics of moving parts and friction, drag,etc. But four wheel drive is never meant for fuel efficiency. Is is meant for such other aspects of driving like good grip and and adverse conditions.
DeleteHi Evaagy,
ReplyDeleteThe piece on NZE vs. B-15 is awesome info, Thanks. Am looking to buy my first car. How does Mitsubishi Lancer/Mirage (1999) saloon, Toyota Corsa (1999) saloon and Nisaan B-15 compare; suppose they all had same mileage. Which of them would you settle on for a first car? Don.
A newer car is always relatively better.this is the mistake i made when i bought my first car a yr2000 toyota 111 .the amount i spent on it would have given me an extremely better nissan b15. i spent so much on parts replacement and with so many regrets..i ended up selling it
ReplyDeleteNice piece Evaggy, How much would it approximately cost a new or used engine of a B15?
ReplyDeleteNice comments here. I bought a 2004 fb-15 in 2011. I have gone from nairobi to remote places like lamu, interiors of kitui, namanga and magadi. am a land surveyor myself and I can assure you all, any car in this world depends on how you take care of it.
ReplyDeleteit still drives perfect todate
FYI toyota has started using CVT-i technonogy in 2013. the same fuel tech that nissan has used for over 10 years now.
Hi Evaaggy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article. Quite insightful. I'm thinking of purchasing my first car. Was thinking of going with VW Golf but word has it that they have a problem with the gearbox. What are your thoughts on Toyota Crown, Tiida Hatchback, Audi A3 hatchback, Toyota Runx/Allex, Honda Accord? My budget is at most 800k. Your input is highly appreciated.
Regards,
Cindy
Hey, Am looking to get my first ride and my budget is very tight (500k). Am stuck between Lancer Cedia 2002, Mazda demio 2006, toyota 110 2000 and a nisaan B15 2003. kindly help me compare the above mentioned in terms cost of maintaining. I am more interested on the cedia but there is a BAD word out there about it..What do you think? also do mention something about their durability.
ReplyDeleteHi Marlon. I will just give you a few tips. At the end of the day, all the cars you mentioned are nearly the same. None of them distinctly stands out of the rest. So this is what you need to consider.
Delete1. As much as possible buy a car you like not because of what people say, but because that is where your heart takes you. Follow your heart.
2. As much as possible buy a newer car. Avoid old cars that may be very cheap. In the long run they will drain your pocket trying to maintain them.
3. As much as possible buy a second hand car that has been freshly imported. Avoid buying cars that have been used in Kenya.
4. Most Kenyans buy cars through loans. Banks have limit on the year of the car they can finance. However if you are not buying through the bank, you have the advantage of picking a "new" that has been lying in the car yard for sometime. The dealers usually dispose off these cars at lower cost since they know their demand is low.
5. Finally walk through the various car yards in town. Am sure you will get something that fits the budget you mentioned.
@Evaaggy, Thanks a lot. Your advice is well received. keep up the good work.
DeleteGeneral tips to consider when buying a car can be found here http://evaaggy-happyme.blogspot.com/2014/04/how-to-buy-your-dream-car.html
ReplyDeleteHae.
DeleteKindly advise me on which car is good for family and commercial purposes. Toyota NZE, Toyota Spacio and Toyota Honda Partner
Kerich Dan
ReplyDeleteI am considering buying a car and your information above have been insightful. However please advice me on the fundamental factors to look for, is it the year of manufacture or mileage? On fuel consumption how can you compare Mitsubishi lancer and Nissan b15.
Compare and contrast RAV4 and Nissan Xtrail. Also, is it worthy buying a second hand or should I just opt for a brand new one. I really don't intend to sell after I have bought either of them.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a 2001 B15 n i cannot trade it for an NZE. Spares are not expensive and you can now get them. For 350k against 650k for an NZE same year..i think the answer is simple.
ReplyDeleteHey Evaagy,I am thinking of buying my first car and I have zeroed down to the toyota runx 2003-2004.Av just turned 22 and I think it comes kinda sporty for me considering my age and my set budget.What is your view on the same.I was thinking of modifiying it once I have it especially the rims.So what could 16-17" rims have in terms of the cars perfomance..effectwise.And are there any 1800cc of the same locally?Compare the same with the fielder too.Regards
ReplyDeleteHi Evvaagy,
ReplyDeleteWhat is your take on the nissan B14? your forum is very informative
NISSAN UA-FB 15 2003 for sale. Dark blue in colour, intact no accidents, boosted music system, smart alloy rims. If interested Whatsapp me 0724369959
ReplyDeleteThis is a good discussion and very enlightening. But if one can afford a locally assembled (Toyota kenya/Gibraltar SA)Toyota NZE (or the new NRE) i would recommend it for them. Even if its already used (but not abused).Its heavy, stable and very powerful. I have the 3 three of them and NZE, NRE and a B15. The B15 is very "bumpy" compared tho Toyota. Trust me
ReplyDeleteHi Evaaggy, I am planning to buy my first car and i've been thinking of a B15. Could you please give me all things which i should consider since i am a beginner.
ReplyDeletehello evaaggy, am planning to buy a taxi with a budget of 500k.am thinking a Toyota nze or 110.i have also read a lot here about B15, kindly give your advice. the area i plan to operate with the taxi is a hardship area with a bit of rough terrain. thanks
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ReplyDeleteVery informative.......Kindly inform me me more about nissan wingroad
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am spending a thousand bob for 2 days from south b to yaya centre is that really okay .....on a nissan sunny b15
ReplyDeletehey..What is the better option for a first time buyer and driver; A toyota vitz or mazda demio 2008. Im looking for low consumption, reliability and a car that can handle climbing uphill in nairobi. Also which is better, 1300cc or 1500cc in terms of power and fuel. thanks
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I bought a nissan tiida latio the service it gives me is wonderful .
ReplyDeleteyes i have one,i have driven it to Mombasa,malindi,Lungalunga,Kisumu,mt kenya region etc not once but many times.I can assure you that B15 is a very reliable car.Its has speed(I have challenged the so called suvs),stability and efficiency fuel consumption when cruising on high speed. Don't listen to what people who have never owned one.
ReplyDeleteKindly advise..so a Nissan advan ain't so bad after all?
ReplyDeleteNissan B15 is the way to go
ReplyDeleteI own B15
ReplyDeletehow is it?
DeleteMONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012
ReplyDeleteThe overated Toyota NZE and underrated Nissan B-15
Is it really true that Toyota NZE is better than Nissan B-15?
Well to answer this question I will base it on my experience, travel and my own research. I will compare NZE and B-15 that have equal engine capacity (1490cc).
The above article was published back in 2012.
Does the argument still hold water on B15?
I hope to buy one soon as my First car.
Is there a better option considering my tight budget or better hold on during this Covid 19 crisis?
Last but not least, is B15 still available in any of Kenya major cities and towns showrooms, or are now out of stock?
If available how much money can I budget for?
Hi. How easily can one obtain the spares for Nissan, and are they cheaper than Toyota?
ReplyDeleteBased on experience I would go for nissan B15 it's a bit stable and on high speed its much faster than nze believe yu me.
ReplyDeleteHi. Am looking to buy my first car. I have eyes on toyota corolla 110. Kindly advice more on this.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with a review on nissan ad van
ReplyDeleteAm using a Nissan B15'2003.Its a realizable car on the road.l travel every week from Kisumu City to Nairobi City every weekend.I upgraded from a B14.Toyota is overrated with resale value.Instead of buying a old Toyota buy a newer Nissan for almost the same price.Less tare and wear.Something new is better than old.
ReplyDeleteVery true
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ReplyDelete