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Sarah Nalule: I am always in control with a manual car
Nalule like the feel of the Subaru Legacy, especially its fast speed. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE KATENDE
What car are you driving?
I drive a Subaru Legacy B4 (1999) model.
When and where did you buy it, how much did it cost you?
I bought it in May 2012, at Shs23m from Coin Limited.
What do you love about this particular car?
Its looks and the way it starts. It feels great, it is fast and efficient.
How big is the engine?
It is a 2.0 liter engine.
How much do you spend on fuel per week?
I use Shs150,000 and I find the consumption okay.
I agree it is a nice car but is there anything you dislike about it?
Yeah, it is so fast. I sometimes get scared that I might lose control. The other thing I don’t like about it is it is a bit low so it is not so friendly on bumpy roads.
Do you go to faraway places with this car?
The only farthest places I have gone is Jinja and Mityana but I intend to go to Malaba soon.
Have you encountered any challenges so far?
Some time back, the clutch plate burnt. But I was able to tell due to the signs and symptoms the car had. But fortunately I did not panic.
How do you manage to replace parts?
I replaced it and I remember spending about Shs1.2m at Kampala Motors.
How does it feel driving a manual car?
I have the command and I am always in control unlike in an automatic car.
Which other cars have you driven in the past?
I had a Nissan Sunny B12, for two years, Mitsubishi Lancer (2003 model) for six months and a Mitsubishi L200 for one and half years.
What was your first car, How did you get it and what happened to it?
It was a Nissan Sunny B12. It was a gift but age caught up with it and I had to park it.
How have you maintained the condition of the Subaru?
I make sure that I service it on time, which is after every 4,000km. I change all that needs to be changed at the scheduled service time. The other thing is that being a manual car, people don’t borrow it, which saves me from many challenges.
When did you learn driving and how long did it take you?
I went to a driving school for three weeks. I also got constant challenge classes by my spouse. I aimed at being a better driver than he is.
When servicing, how much do you spend?
Engine oil 5 litres (Total Quartz) costs about Shs65,000, air cleaner goes for Shs120,000, oil filter Shs40,000, engine wash, Shs25,000. It all totals to Shs250,000.
How do you get the spares?
I go to Kampala Motors because they are trustworthy and are the main Subaru dealers in the country.
How do you find these roads?
They are okay; you learn to live with them. I am just mindful of the ever growing pot-holes because I love and treasure my car.
What would you do to a boda boda cyclist if they scratched your car?
Well, if he doesn’t run away like they always do, I would let him go because no boda boda man pays for car damages.
What is your dream car?
That is a hard paper. Still waiting on Fuji Industries for their next generation rides. What is currently on the market is short-lived excitement.
Subaru B4
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1989. The Legacy also serves as Subaru’s flagship car. In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class and proved to be a sales success for Subaru. The Outback line was split into its own model in 2000, known as the Subaru Outback.
It is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru’s traditional boxer engine. The Legacy bears the name Liberty in Australia out of deference for Legacy Australia, a veterans’ assistance organization. As of 2008, 3.6 million Legacies have been built since its 1989 introduction.
Subaru launched the third generation Legacy in 1998, also known as the BE for sedan models and BH for wagons.
