1988 Lada Samara 1.5 from Sweden

Summary:

Never mind what your neighbors say - try a Lada

Faults:

When I bought this car the rear brakes were out of order. New linings and wheel cylinders needed to be fitted. There were some electrical functions that had stopped working. The silencer was rusty and needed to be replaced. After all I payed only 110 Euros. After I fixed these problems the Master cylinder has broken down (during a trip abroad) and one of the headlights stopped working. I had to relace a wire to get it lit again.

General Comments:

- Very comfortable.

- Very reliable.

- Poor design.

- Noisy transmission.

- Cheap indoor material.

- Zero oil consumption.

- So very economical.

- Excellent road holding.

- Very easy to repair.

- Sad electrical system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2005

1988 Lada Samara Deluxe 1.3 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

ROTTEN!!!

Faults:

After we had picked it up from the dealership and brought it home, we had noticed that the window winder had fallen off, there were swirls in the paintwork, the dash was fading, the hubcap had fallen off, and the tailgate rattled.

We took the car back to Lada, where we demanded a refund or a new car, but were not given one. If our car was to be fixed, we would be paying for a courtesy car!

At about 10,000 km, we were left stranded after the car had broken down. There was no oil, and there was no washer fluid. The washer fluid had only ever been used once. There were rattles from all parts of the body, as well as faded parts in the interior, broken switches, and a door lock that ended up falling out. Detail work on the side of the car had fallen off too.

At 15,000 km, the cabin had rust in it, the electrics had failed, the washer fluid had dried up again, and the car had broken down 3 times since it had broken down at 10,000 km. We went to Lada and showed them the faults. Lada never gave us a new car.

General Comments:

The most disappointing piece of rubbish made!

Bad quality, bad fuel economy, BAD EVERYTHING!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd May, 2003

10th Jun 2003, 14:30

This all must have come as a huge shock to you. After all, Ladas have a reputation as being the most reliable cars on the planet.

10th Oct 2003, 06:47

Surely a test drive and a close look at the cars at the dealership should have put you off. Brand new Ladas weren't even as good as a ten year old Hyundai.

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1988 Lada Samara S 1.3 from North America

Summary:

An attention getter

Faults:

My Samara is used strictly as an ice racer. So I am pretty hard on it. Our track is 2.2 kms long in the shape of a pork chop. It is situated in a bay on Lake Superior (Thunder Bay).

I've had a few minor problems. But the car did sit for over a year. The car was given to me for free, just take it away. I had to paint the car orange of course.

When I brought it home it needed a new master cylinder. First race I found that the right rear brake line was broken, so I had no brakes. Next was the battery and alternator being replaced.

General Comments:

The car is really fast. I'm keeping up to the guys that have raced for years. As for comfort, it's an ice racer, roll cage, safety belts and a helmet. If you want to see a picture of it, send me an email and I'll send you one. rnrpumpkin@hotmail.com

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2003

1988 Lada Samara 1.3 normally aspirated from Australia and New Zealand

Faults:

Nuffin really.

General Comments:

This car is now a rally car, rev's to 9 grand, orignal motor with 260kk on the clock! I love it.

Now own 4, (1 rally car, 2 general drivers, 1 project car).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st January, 2001