I Love My Ksh1.1M Toyota Succeed, But Its Reputation Is a Headache on Roads

‍Welcome to the Money254 Car Series — where we spotlight car owners across Kenya and their experiences behind the wheel. From first-time buyers to seasoned motorists, we dig into the motivations, costs, lessons, and joys of owning different car models in Kenya today.

This week, we feature Vince, one of our readers who shared their story of owning a 2016 Toyota Succeed.

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For two years, I have been driving a 2016 Toyota Succeed that I bought locally in Mombasa for Ksh1.15 million. I initially bought it for a distribution business that unfortunately failed to take off. Instead of letting the car sit idle, I turned it into my daily driver.

Looking back, the Succeed has proved to be a practical choice, particularly because of the kind of roads I drive on for work. As a salesperson covering rural parts of Western Kenya, I need a car that can handle rough terrain, carry luggage and other items, and keep running without demanding too much money in maintenance.

The Succeed has served me well in these areas. It is not the most comfortable car, but it is reliable, economical and built for practicality.

Also Read: The Only Regret I Have After Buying My 2017 Toyota Probox

Why I Chose the Toyota Succeed

When I bought the car, I had a distribution business in mind. I needed something with a spacious boot that could accommodate goods and other items. The Succeed stood out because of its generous cargo space and its reputation as a car that can withstand demanding use.

I was particularly attracted to its practicality. It is the kind of vehicle you can use for work without constantly worrying about whether it can handle the task. Its spacious boot was a major selling point, and I also considered the availability of spare parts and accessories.

The business did not take off as I had hoped, but the car found another purpose. Today, it serves as my daily driver, taking me to different parts of Western Kenya for work.

I bought it locally in Mombasa because I wanted a relatively clean unit without spending too much time dealing with the process of importing one directly. 

My work involves travelling through rural areas of Western Kenya, where road conditions can be challenging. I need a vehicle that can handle rough roads, potholes and uneven surfaces without making every journey stressful.

This is one area where the Succeed has impressed me. Its ground clearance is good enough for the kind of roads I regularly encounter, and it has served me well during my work trips.

The spacious boot is another advantage. Although I originally bought the car for business distribution, the cargo space remains useful in my daily activities.

My Toyota Succeed has a naturally aspirated 1,500cc engine, which offers a good balance between everyday usability and fuel economy.

On the highway, I can get fuel consumption of up to 21km/l, while city driving returns approximately 16km/l. 

The Succeed's practicality and fuel economy are among the reasons I have continued using it as my daily car, even though my original business plan did not work out.

Also Read: Is Modifying an Old Car a Budget Hack? My Toyota Grand Hiace Experience

Maintenance Costs

One of the biggest advantages of owning the Toyota Succeed is its affordable maintenance.

I service the car every 5,000 kilometres, with routine service costing approximately Ksh9,000 to Ksh10,000. The availability of spare parts also makes ownership easier because I do not have to spend too much time searching for components.

The Succeed shares several parts with popular Toyota models, including the Probox. Since these vehicles are common in Kenya, finding compatible parts and accessories is relatively straightforward.

Also Read: I Bought a Nissan Note e-Power; Here’s How It’s Saving Me Thousands on Fuel

The Biggest Disadvantage

Despite its strengths, the Toyota Succeed has one major weakness: comfort.

The cabin is not particularly comfortable, especially during long journeys. While the car is capable of handling rough roads, that does not necessarily mean the experience inside is pleasant.

The back seats are particularly uncomfortable. Anyone expecting a spacious, refined passenger experience may find the Succeed disappointing, especially compared with newer cars that offer better seating and additional comfort features.

The vehicle also lacks many of the creature comforts found in modern cars. Its design prioritises practicality, cargo space and functionality over luxury.

There is another downside I have encountered while driving the Succeed: its reputation on Kenyan roads.

I have found that the vehicle attracts attention at roadblocks, and I often find myself being stopped. This can be frustrating, particularly when travelling frequently for work and trying to keep to a schedule.

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