Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Don't bring any cars that are low to the ground. Despite this being the capital, there are some areas with dirt roads and giant potholes. Think SUV and you're good. Traffic is crazy here and people drive like there's no tomorrow, so you want to sit high and have a lot of metal around you to avoid panic attacks. - Sep 2019
One you don't mind getting filthy, dented or like too much. It's best to have something that sits up high so that you can see what's happening around you. The rules of the road or only sometimes followed and it is frequent to have people simply turn from the far lane and cut you off. We have an enormous SUV Toyota with a 'cow pusher' on the front and trust me, we USE the cow pusher. Not on cows either. Though sometimes there are cows in the road! ;D - Feb 2019
Something high clearance, also something you wouldn't mind getting some small scratches etc. - Apr 2018
Roads are generally paved and in decent repair, so a sedan is doable, but a mid-sized SUV is best. Most people drive Toyota Highlanders or similar. It takes several months to ship a car and receive the appropriate clearances, so purchasing locally from an outgoing diplomat is best. - Apr 2017
Bring an SUV or something with a high clearance. While there are decent roads here in Abuja, there are times when you will need high clearance or have to go over a curb. - Jun 2016
Honestly, just about any type of car is OK. Most of the roads are pretty good, but the ones that aren't are pretty awful. Small SUVs are preferred. Parts that aren't Toyota or Honda are very hard to come by. Bring spare tires - they are very expensive to ship later. - Aug 2015
This is dependent on your needs and what your plans are. You can do most everything with a small SUV or sedan. Something you wouldn't mind getting a bump or two. There are a few vehicles for sale in the DIP crowd, or you can buy locally. 4WD is not necessary unless you are planning to travel the back roads in the country, and you can only do that with RSO permission and a police escort with armored van. - Jun 2015
Should be high carriage, the roads are bad especilly by 66 apartments. Don't bring anything you would mind getting dinged. Driving is so bad, most people have some sort of scrapes on their vehicles. - Nov 2014
Bring all your own parts, a car you don't mind getting beat up, something to handle the crap roads here. A 4WD is not necessary, but something with clearance and the ability to take a beating is nice. Traffic is awful, drivers are among the worst I have seen. Be prepared for some very aggressive driving! No respect for traffic laws, no common sense, no effective police presence(other than to collect a bribe), accidents are common-place, roads in terrible condition. When it rains - WATCH OUT! Every car that doesn't have working windshield wipers will pull under an overpass to wait out the storm. Or just to the side of the road. In doing so, the number of them there will stop or really hinder the flow of traffic. - Aug 2014
Bring as many parts and oil as you can. That stuff is marked way up here. Bring tires - you can always sell them before you go if you don't need them. Any other sort of car will do, but the higher clearance you have the easier things will be as there are some unpaved roads. That said, lots of people getting by here with older sedans and other small cars. Be smart. Do not bring a convertible. - May 2014
You would really be okay with anything in Abuja. Roads are wide and relatively well maintained. Something with higher clearance would be good for the innumerable speed bumps---and to see what's coming at you. Having a big car doesn't hurt when you're muscling through a crazy intersection, but it's not critical. However, really bright headlights, a loud horn, and good windscreen wipers are very critical. There are few street lights or traffic signals (power or bulbs are usually out) - the horn substitutes for both. The horn also seems to be an alternative to breaking or using a turn signal. Whatever you drive, be mentally prepared for 5-10 major dings and scratches, and not just on the bumper. However, resale value is very high. - May 2013
Because the roads within the Federal Capital Territory are good, a sedan is just fine for driving in the city. If you think you want to drive outside of Abuja, a 4WD is a better bet. Bring lots of spare parts with you. - Jun 2009
Rugged vehicle, especially if you plan to travel out of Abuja. Don't bring a car that you don't want to get scratched, because it will. - Mar 2009
The roads inside Abuja are paved and wide, so any type of car will work. To have an edge over the crazy driver's who do whatever they want, an SUV would be helpful. It will also help to have an SUV if you want to travel outside of Abuja without using motor pool, as not all roads are paved once you leave the city. - Sep 2008
For Abuja (as hardly anyone can/wants to travel outside of Abuja) just about any sedan or SUV will do. DEFINTELY need an SUV for outside the city. If you're lucky enough to have access to mail service, use the internet to find parts. The search for good service here always continues... - Aug 2008
Within the city a car is fine, though you may prefer to have a large vehicle just to feel safer on the roads with the idiot drivers. Toyotas, Mercedes, and BMWs seem to be the favorite choices here. Beware that if you ship a vehicle here it could be upwards of 6 months before you actually see it, though buying locally isn't much of a better gamble as the price of vehicles is remarkably high here. - Jul 2008
