RE: 2021 Lada Niva Legend | Spotted
Discussion
AmyRichardson said:
biggbn said:
First mass produced 'unibody' 4x4....yeah, really antiquated for its time....
True; it's 1977, this or 2.25 S3. Or maybe a CJ5. However, 2024.
biggbn said:
Oh yeah, 100% agree. I'm just putting it out there that for its time it was a decent bit of kit and quite widely respected by the muttering rotters as George Bishop used to call them!!
Absolutely. The notion that an utilitarian/economy 4x4 should be anything other a truly awful road car - that starts here, a Renault 5 for the boonies and all that. I can't think of a proper competitor before the Vitara. LotusOmega375D said:
With all due respect the Panda was launched in 1980, so not long after the Niva in 1977. The 4wd Panda in 1983. Your 2wd Peugeot 206 cannot be older than 1998, so a full generation after the Panda. You cannot compare them. I remember being collected from school by a Panda in 1981. Even then I was shocked how cheaply built it was: eg. front seat backs barely an inch thick. As for your final comment, yes that’s exactly why the people in my original post have them.
I understand what you mean but I do have plenty of experience of much, much older cars. I know that at some point, my wife is going to turn-up at home with either a 2CV or a Renault 4 and I have absolutely no intention at all to dissuade her. 
Clivey said:
LotusOmega375D said:
With all due respect the Panda was launched in 1980, so not long after the Niva in 1977. The 4wd Panda in 1983. Your 2wd Peugeot 206 cannot be older than 1998, so a full generation after the Panda. You cannot compare them. I remember being collected from school by a Panda in 1981. Even then I was shocked how cheaply built it was: eg. front seat backs barely an inch thick. As for your final comment, yes that’s exactly why the people in my original post have them.
I understand what you mean but I do have plenty of experience of much, much older cars. I know that at some point, my wife is going to turn-up at home with either a 2CV or a Renault 4 and I have absolutely no intention at all to dissuade her. Shell used these as fleet cars in Siberia 2005
they were difficult to drift with studded tyres , but still fun ,,,,,,,,,,two things , the ice road to the base from the federal highway was 86km , there was a 40km /h speed restriction in winter at -44c even with thermal clothes your feet were like blocks of ice ! not pleasant .
they were bloody death traps in an accident 1977 technology , no airbags , no Abs , and forget crumple zone ....that was the passenger !
they were difficult to drift with studded tyres , but still fun ,,,,,,,,,,two things , the ice road to the base from the federal highway was 86km , there was a 40km /h speed restriction in winter at -44c even with thermal clothes your feet were like blocks of ice ! not pleasant .
they were bloody death traps in an accident 1977 technology , no airbags , no Abs , and forget crumple zone ....that was the passenger !
Chris C2 said:
Just a shame that someone like Dacia can't make a simple low cost Mark 2 version built like a tank to Western quality and reliability standards - could sell very well. (Too much these days to expect Land Rover to work with Tata to build one in India.)
Agreed. If Dacia isn’t careful, they are going to be perceived as too dear, and even a bit too posh for their honest value appeal. I doubt if it will happen, but a maker could now come in below Dacia on price with the sort of vehicle you imagine. (How many posts on here about cars with too many unnecessary gadgets?)“…For example, the VW Beetle had a mighty 65 years in production, while the original Mini saw little change over its 62-year run…”
Perhaps I missed it in the previous comments, but surely there is a typo in the quoted figure for the original Mini’s production run? Launched in 1959, I thought the last one rolled off the line in 2001, making it 43 years or so.
Or did some poor bugger at Longbridge not get the memo and keep screwing them together until 2020? My uncle restored one and that seemed to take about 62 years, so maybe that’s where the figure came from…
Anyway, while the Niva has some appeal, like a Renault 4 or other basic classics mentioned, perhaps its day is done, as not only its age and quality but also its nationality make its charm dwindle further.
Perhaps I missed it in the previous comments, but surely there is a typo in the quoted figure for the original Mini’s production run? Launched in 1959, I thought the last one rolled off the line in 2001, making it 43 years or so.
Or did some poor bugger at Longbridge not get the memo and keep screwing them together until 2020? My uncle restored one and that seemed to take about 62 years, so maybe that’s where the figure came from…
Anyway, while the Niva has some appeal, like a Renault 4 or other basic classics mentioned, perhaps its day is done, as not only its age and quality but also its nationality make its charm dwindle further.
Back in 80’s these were quite popular in rural Somerset. I remember going to an agricultural show and the local Lada dealer had built an off road course to show how tough they were. Was quite impressed as a child.
As a series Landrover owner I can see the attraction of driving no nonsense utilitarian vehicles. It’s surprisingly fun but for me not £15k fun.
If I wanted something similar I would go for one of aforementioned 2CV, Renault , Panda 4x4 or Beetle. £15k would also get you a very nice Landy with galvanised chassis.
Glad it exists though.
As a series Landrover owner I can see the attraction of driving no nonsense utilitarian vehicles. It’s surprisingly fun but for me not £15k fun.
If I wanted something similar I would go for one of aforementioned 2CV, Renault , Panda 4x4 or Beetle. £15k would also get you a very nice Landy with galvanised chassis.
Glad it exists though.
Gecko1978 said:
braddo said:
I can't imagine being so tone deaf as to willingly drive around in a modern Russian car. Let alone paying £15k to do it.
The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
Agree it's like buying a VW during WW2The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
Rich Boy Spanner said:
Gecko1978 said:
braddo said:
I can't imagine being so tone deaf as to willingly drive around in a modern Russian car. Let alone paying £15k to do it.
The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
Agree it's like buying a VW during WW2The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
PositronicRay said:
Rich Boy Spanner said:
Gecko1978 said:
braddo said:
I can't imagine being so tone deaf as to willingly drive around in a modern Russian car. Let alone paying £15k to do it.
The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
Agree it's like buying a VW during WW2The only acceptable destiny for this car is for it to be donated to the Ukranians.
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