ABUJA (Sundiata Post) I see car sellers everyday making some spurious claims that a car, like say a Honda Accord 2013 model upgraded to 2017. This is not only misleading but fraudulent.
The question we should ask is this: what did the Nigerian seller do to the car to “upgrade” it? Does changing the lights (front and back) mean that a car has been upgraded by FOUR model years? Or perhaps, you get someone in Ladipo or Agidingbi to install a rear-view camera and screen?
Now to the points.
Most changes in cars from one year to the other are not really VISIBLE. They are mainly engineering tweaks here and there that are only felt and experienced rather than being seen.
* For instance, when Toyota introduced Camry 2007 model, the four-plug engine came with a 2.4litre engine. Same with Honda Accord while Altima (its Nissan direct competitor) came with 2.5litre engine and Mazda 6 upgraded to 2.5litre engine from 2009 from 2.3 that ran from 2003 to 2008. Optima and Sonata also changed to 2.5litre engines from 2008.
* However, by 2010/11, Toyota had upgraded the car to 2.5litre engine to compete with its direct rivals in terms of performance. Yet, the 2007 model still carries SAME body with the 2011 model except some changes in light and interior accessories.
SO HOW COULD A NIGERIAN CAR SELLER SAY HE HAS UPGRADED FROM 2007 TO 2011 WHEN THE ENGINES ARE NOT EVEN THE SAME?
* 2013 Accord comes with 2.4litre engine and 185 horse power. But by 2017 model year, the engine was re-tweaked to produce 189 horse power while the 2018 model had the engine reworked to 1.5T (turbo) but with 192 horse power!
* The 3.5litre V6 engine introduced in 2006 by Toyota was their best engine so far. While Tue 3.0litre engine that was stopped in 2001/2 produced 190horse power, the 3.5litre engine produced 272 horse power and was deployed in Camry V6, Sienna, Highlander, Avalon, Rav4 (V6 which has since been discontinued), Venza (also discontinued since), RX350 and of course, ES350. The engine has been maintained since but guess what? The 2018-19 will deliver a whooping 303 horse power but same 3.5!
* Its direct competitor from Nissan, the QX35 Infiniti Sedan, comes with 3.5 litre engine but 280 horse power. It is another good engine from Nissan deployed in the Pathfinder, Maxima and Murano.
Most car manufacturers used to change engines every TEN years and bodies every FIVE years. But no two model years are EXACTLY THE SAME. There are changes that you may not see or even feel but added to enhance power, improve driving comfort and above all safety.
Be guided when they tell you they have upgraded a car from one model year to another. Can we manufacturer even the seat of the car?
