For 25-year-old serial entrepreneur Timilehin, building businesses is a high-speed game. As the founder and CEO of three ventures, the crypto finance firm Bitoshi, real estate outfit Zuba & Co and streetwear fashion brand Eco20, his life moves between high-stakes client meetings, site visits on rugged Nigerian roads and networking events.
For two years while building Bitoshi, Timilehin didn’t own a car, often staying indoors for months at a time. When it was finally time to reward himself for his hard work, he bypassed a compact SUV in favour of a 2017 Lexus RX350, a machine that has completely transformed his social life and business operations.
From RAV4 Plans to the Luxury Sweet Spot
Timilehin’s journey to the fourth-generation Lexus RX350 (produced between 2016 and 2022) started with practical considerations. He initially looked at a brand-new 2025 Toyota RAV4 within the same price range. However, realising that the RAV4 felt a bit too compact for his frame and professional needs, he pivoted.
‘I needed a car with enough space,’ Timilehin explains. ‘Because of the work that I do in real estate, I needed a car that can represent me if I’m going to events and if I want to go to site.’
Drawing on the legendary durability and reliability of Toyota, Timilehin realised that stepping up to its luxury sibling, Lexus, was the smartest play. With its sharp spindle grille and striking angles, the RX350 offered executive presence without the paralysing fear of constant mechanical failures.
Defying the Luxury Car Curse
Like many first-time luxury car buyers in Nigeria, Timilehin braced himself for the worst. Preempted by horror stories about fragile luxury imports buckling under the weight of Lagos potholes, he expected to become a regular fixture at the mechanic’s workshop.
Instead, reality blew his mind. For the entire first year of ownership, the car didn’t give him a single mechanical reason to visit a mechanic, and the suspension remained dead silent. Whether navigating rough off-road terrain for real estate site inspections or driving long distances to Ibadan and Ibeju-Lekki, the RX350 glides smoothly, effectively shielding passengers from the harshness of Nigerian roads.
The Realities of Ownership: Sensors, Fuel and Traffic Pirates
While the RX350 is a fortress of reliability, owning one in Lagos comes with some specific local nuances. Timilehin’s highest single-item repair cost outside routine maintenance was ₦100,000 for a faulty blind-spot monitor sensor. When the replacement began acting up just weeks later, he chose peace of mind and simply turned the system off.
There are also risks that have little to do with the car itself. In a cautionary tale familiar to many Lagos motorists, Timilehin discovered the hard way that external chrome trim pieces are prime targets for traffic thieves. Expecting a quick ₦20,000 fix, he was shocked to learn that replacing just one stolen side chrome piece at Ladipo Market would cost around ₦70,000.
Running costs require planning, too. Timilehin services the engine roughly every three months at a cost of about ₦80,000, tracking each service meticulously by mileage and date. Daily driving, including gym sessions and business errands, means filling up about once a week. Following recent fuel price hikes, that weekly fill-up now costs around ₦80,000, up from ₦60,000.
The Ultimate Business and Lifestyle Tool
Since taking delivery of his Lexus, Timilehin’s lifestyle has undergone a complete 180-degree shift. No longer confined indoors for months, he effortlessly loads up the spacious trunk and rear cabin with merchandise and streetwear boxes for Eco20 events.
Inside, he appreciates small touches that elevate the cabin experience, from the ambient comfort and ample legroom to the classic analogue clock embedded in the dash, which gives off a subtle Rolls-Royce level of elegance.
Timilehin’s Verdict: Why the RX350 Beats the Germans
When comparing his ownership experience to rival luxury heavyweights like the BMW X5, where a single round of repairs can easily run into millions of Naira, Timilehin is convinced he made the right choice.
‘I don’t think there’s any other car brand or model that can offer you all the features that this one would offer you and still give you that luxury feeling, luxury vibe and reliability,’ Timilehin notes. For young founders, entrepreneurs and anyone looking for stress-free luxury that handles Nigerian roads with grace, the Lexus RX350 is an undisputed champion.
