1989 Yugo 513 L 1.3 litre
Summary:
A practical, fun, suprisingly nippy classic
Faults:
Engine fan is faulty so motor overheats when idling.
Middle exhaust section blew and needed replaced.
Electrics have gone a bit sideways, fuses blowing easily. Currently being fixed.
Minor rust on bumper but in tidy nick for a car that is nearly 20.
General Comments:
The Yugo is terrific fun to drive. Although the car looks slow and cumbersome, the engine is pure Fiat, torque-y in low gears and with a good top end.
The interior is pretty basic, but there is plenty of room and a spacious boot.
The car handles very well and bar a few minor niggles, it has been a good one.
It is economical to drive.
There are so few Yugos like these left now in the UK (must be less than a dozen), that the car attracts a lot of attention- ranging from laughter to genuine interest.
I will definitely get another, but it looks like a long road trip to Serbia to buy a new one when this one finally gives up the ghost. However it is still going well and has a fair few thousand miles left in it.
Spares are okay to buy in the UK still, other than body panel parts, which are pretty much unobtainable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th April, 2008
13th Apr 2009, 06:02
It's nearly a year to the day since I wrote the original review. In that time my Yugo has done nearly 12,000 miles all around Europe - Estonia, Finland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and the Netherlands, as well as being driven all over Scotland. It held its own impressively on the German autobahn with a top speed of 145km/h recorded, the car was shaking like a satellite on re-entry though and this speed is not to be recommended for long.
Suffice it to say that in that time almost everything has gone wrong with the car, including:
1. Entire new thermostat and radiator required after profound failure of cooling system in Slovenia.
2. Master brake cylinder replaced.
3. Steering rack perished, fixed.
4. Rear shock absorbers replaced.
5. New front brake pads and shoes fitted.
6. Endless minor electrical faults including failure of headlights owing to faulty sensor on a pitch black, unfamiliar Fife country road. Headlights replaced, car completely re-wired twice.
7. Wiper motor gear burnt out and replaced. Wiper linkage endlessly defective and unreliable.
8. Its MOT cost £1,000 this time last year, which included substantial welding of the car chassis by the wheel arches.
Suffice it to say that the Yugo is great fun when it goes - however this version is plagued with *endless* minor problems, which don't stop you driving, but which are a bit annoying/demoralising, especially when they occur 3,000 miles from home, 3 days before Christmas.
My replacement? A Yugo 311!!
20th Dec 2008, 13:34
I bought one of these a few years ago from Telford auctions for £10 plus commission. Amazing little car! Would keep up with a friend's Fiesta XR2 no problem. Would definitely buy another if I saw one!