RE: SOTW: Lada Niva Cossack

[VeeDub Geezer]

I like these for the cheap, no-nonsense 4x4s that they are.

I'm not sure I could live with one daily though

[Kevin VRs]

thewheelman said:

I'd say the Panda is more of an even match for the Niva than you think.

Very funny indeed, the Panda is somewhat lacking in ground clearance compared to a Niva. The Niva is an off-roader, the Panda is a car with some off-road capabilities (a soft-roader).

Edited to add: Damn, I allowed myself to be sucked in by the troll. Apologies to all!

[rutthenut]

Wow, lotta bad-mouthing going on today!

As for the SOTW, I think it fits the bill, for a lot of people. Not too much money, does a job. Admittedly won't be luxurious, but I for one would rather see less German luxo-barges in SOTW. Not that I'd be buying this car, but like the choice.

I seem to recall a friend of a friend apparently fitting a Ford 3-litre V6 into one of these. Not sure it ever got finished as I never saw it. Can't imagine the transmission coping too well either. That was around the time I used to AWDC trials in a CJ-7, which proved itself to get further than a fair number of LR/RR entrants. That's because a big engine and auto box makes things easy for the driver when going through rough and tough terrain, not necessarily because car or driver was any better!

Reckon the Niva should be a more-than competent off-roader, given low weight, good ramp angles and proper 4wd system; expect lack of torque to be less helpful.

[Denorth]

jaganag said:

I saw several 5 door Nivas in St Petersburg a few years ago. Were they local "stretches" or standard production models? Anyone know?

standard since mid 90s. There is also another version - GMNiva, completely new car designed with GM. So the have new GMNiva and different variants fo old Niva produced at the same time.

I am sure wikipedia has someting about it

[XJSsometimeSoon]

Did the Niva ever come with a Diesel? I bet they would be reet handy with a 3l diesel from an Isuzu.

[Denorth]

XJSsometimeSoon said:

Did the Niva ever come with a Diesel? I bet they would be reet handy with a 3l diesel from an Isuzu.

some markets had 1.9l Peugeout diesel

[Gary C]

Slid off and got stuck once while competing in a rally. The recovery contact brought his Niva rather than the Landy because the Niva was better in difficult situations apparently.

Turned up, drove up a 45° mud bank, over my car then dragged me out with no fuss. Bit basic though.

[School boy]

Want a new one? http://www.markkey.co.uk/

[SimonSaid]

I'm sure the sills are rotten on this, but as a point of detail, the jacking points crumbling doesn't necessarily mean the whole sill is shot, depending on the type of jacking point. The rail-type can simply be poorly-designed and collect water, and/or suffer from paint/rustproofer cracking off due to steep angles and proximity to dirt/spray/stones etc. Protruding jacking points can rust when the sill above is still fine.

As a counterpoint, my MX5's jacking points are great, but the sills above them are suffering from some rot (or at least, will be for the next few weeks till they are cut and welded!).

Not saying this Lada's sills aren't rotten, though!

[Strawman]

300bhp/ton said:

thewheelman said:

Go around the world in hard to reach places & ask why they use LR & Toyota & not a Lada

I suspect if you venture across the ex-Soviet block you won't see many LR's at all and a heck of a lot more Lada's.

They've been used for the charity drive to Mongolia many times. Not many Lada's left in the UK because they are worth more as parts cars in Russia, as has been mentioned already. A few years ago there was a crowd in Newcastle(IIRC) buying any Lada in any condition and shipping them back there.

[markoc]

A friend's dad had one when I was in my teens. It was just an unbelievably cool car, and ever since then I've had one on my list. I can't personally vouch for their abilities but they seem to be very well regarded for something that can be bought and run on a shoestring.

[scubadude]

Interesting vehicles and thread (despite the childish toy throwing) but I won't be sold until I see one at the top of Snowdon :-)

[Defconluke]

thewheelman said:

Oh, 4 or 5 against 1 & i get blamed? Are you blind or stupid?

Consider this - without you resolutely defending your own experience and refusing to accept that many others have had positive experiences then there would be no need for the moderation team to poke their head in here at all. But hey, it's SotW and it's goes with the territory that people will try and have an arguement in here.


As a SotW it definately ticks the box of being interesting - especially as you don't see many of them now (I can't remember the last time I saw one). That's not enough make me want it though.

[djbobbins]

kotafey said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZws_ckFGno

Has anyone watched this? Same hill, same day, different cars with different results. Seems relevant.

Cheers

K

I note they didn't show the Disco failing... everything that didn't make it up the hill was Japanese... so maybe it's not looking good for my Trooper after all!

Mind you, the video also shows nothing about what tyres they all had on.

[Phil Jay]

You must be joking!!! Whatever medication you guy's are on, it's not working.

[300bhp/ton]

djbobbins said:

I note they didn't show the Disco failing... everything that didn't make it up the hill was Japanese... so maybe it's not looking good for my Trooper after all!

Mind you, the video also shows nothing about what tyres they all had on.

I noticed the Disco was omitted too despite lining up. So suspect it probably made it up too.

As for tyres, suspect a bit of a mix, but don't think it was an unfair comparison though.

[decadence]

Personally i'd go for a Cherokee for that kind of price range, but i can see its appeal for its short wheel base. Again im no off road expert but short wheel base is better i think, which is why when i had my Cherokee i saw loads of the little Suzuki rhinos with massive lift kits and wheels.

This i imagine fits the bill well for big lift, big wheels etc etc... not as a car you seriously buy so you can drive to work and back everyday.

fair SOTW, not sure why someone decieded to freak out about it though.

[ivantate]

Great little off roader, the RangeRover link is help by the fact the rear suspension design is very similar. I should imagine it has about the same thirst too.
More capable that an SJ and on the right terrain as everyone with an ounce of experience knows in the right conditions they can runs rings around the bigger stuff.

Looks tidy enough but £900 might be a bit steep.

[cheesyblob]

I don't understand why people are slagging it off, yes it may be more basic and more refined than a Defender, but it's a Utilarian car, so it doesn't really matter. A Defender is probably better in pretty much anyway, but overall probably no more 20% better and there about twice the price. If I was looking for an offroader i'd probably go for one of these at that price, but I would get a Defender if I had the money.

[Jonara]

First, a disclaimer. I know nowt about off-road driving and stupidly got an almost brand new RR Sport stuck about 10m off the road on top of a Welsh moor and had to be towed out by a mate of my brother-in-law's driving a Toyota Hilux. Nice.

A few people have pointed out you can get a new Niva for about £11k. Made me wonder whether the modern incarnation of the Niva is really a Dacia Duster. The poverty spec 4x4 diesel version is about £14k. It is cheap, basic, light and has had some fairly decent write-ups, including for off-road ability. Presumably with a decent set of off-road tyres it will do all that 90% of people will ever need to do.

Now - where is that falme resistant jacket..