My G-Touring is a workhorse with benefits

When buying a car, the most important things to consider are fuel consumption, availability of spare parts and space to carry cargo. Motorists say the G-Touring has these features and many more..

Wilberforce Kayita

I bought my car in 2013 and around that time, the G-touring had been improved. The 1998/1999 model’s interior had been made more comfortable. The exterior was also more elegant with better lights, especially on the rear door. I had plans to set up a farm and this was the right choice of car at that time because it has a large boot and the middle seats can be bent to create more space.

The G-Touring has between 1.4cc and 1.9cc but mine is specifically a 1.8cc. If I am to drive from Kajjansi on Entebbe Road to Kampala City Centre (about28km) and back to Kajjansi, it will cost me about Shs20,000 in fuel, which to me is cheap, especially because there is usually traffic jam. It is fuel-efficient and can carry five passengers.

As far as its service and maintenance is concerned, I do not drive it after service has expired. I also make sure I take it to a trusted mechanic for service, which usually costs about Shs150,000 and this includes changing engine oil and oil filters.

Before I bought this car, I used to spend a lot of money on transportation of my poultry farm supplies but now I save a lot. If maintained well, the G-Touring also has good re-sale value.

Francis Bukenya

When I decided to buy the G- touring, I had carried out research and realised that those who owned it did not want to sell it. Most had had it for more than five years and its resale value was quite high. This is what got me interested because I knew it was a strong, reliable car.

Although mine was a second hand car, I bought it at Shs12m and I do not regret this decision. Because it is an easy car to fix, it has never spent a day in the garage for lack of spare parts or expertise. It is also easy to park, especially in the city centre where parking space is hard to get. I call it a shopping basket because it has a big boot where I can put a lot of shopping without a hustle.

In month, I spend about Shs400,000 on fuel because it costs me approximately Shs12,000 daily from Salama Road to the city centre, which I find cost-effective. General service costs about Shs160,000, which is also manageable.  This car has good ground clearance and its spare parts are relatively cheap because they are available in many places, especially downtown Kisekka Market. However, I have realised that it is a car that is looked down upon and it is usually referred to as a car for old people. I am usually teased when I drive past some people but I ignore the insults because of its many advantages. 

Farouk Kakooza

For any person who runs a retail shop like me, you need the G-Touring. When I bought this car, my intention was to help me out when I am going to Kikuubo to restock my shop. I used to spend a lot of money on transport because hiring a car would cost about Shs60,000 yet when using my car, I only buy fuel of Shs30,000 and this will take me from my shop in Makindye, Kampala, to Kikuubo twice. I spend about Shs150,000 on service but this is after four or five months.

It is a strong car and the only expensive part I have bought are shock absorbers because I usually carry a lot of heavy stuff and with our potholed roads, the shocks do not last long.