8th Sep 2005, 10:09

The guy from Rumania has a weird need to remind us that Rumania is an ex-Communist country. So what? If people find "soviet-made" cars to be dependable, reliable and excellent value for money- are they NOT supposed to buy them? We do live in a democracy, pal! The Axis group with which Rumania aligned itself some time ago, did not prevail, as I am sure you will remember - otherwise we might all be driving Volkswagens! Now that WOULD be weird!

2nd Jan 2006, 13:23

Some People speak before looking or thinking. A good friend of mine thought I had lost my mind when I bought a new 1992 Samara in Canada. He always drove high-end cars. (His summer cottage car being a Lamborghini) I drove the car over to his place and handed him the keys to check it out. After about 15 minutes and a test drive changed that. Many years have gone by. The car is still on the road today and out lived some of his high-end cars. He doesn’t laugh about the car anymore, in fact when his high rolling friends start up about someone having parked a Lada outside his house, (they know it's my car) he just asks them “how have the repairs been on your car this month?”. And that’s what makes a Lada in Canada a Great car.

They are fun to Drive, very low repair cost, easy on gas, and best of all… they don’t get stuck in the snow like other imports do. My car will be 16 years old this April 2006 and approaching the 400 000 Km mark (365 000 Km currently). Has no rust on it. Gets rust proofed each winter, cost about 100 dollars in Canada. Has been fully repainted twice because of stone chips and scratches. Front seats look like new because I use seat covers. In all, if you take care of your Lada, it will pay for itself in happy driving returns.

And for those that are thinking but… No buts! My Lada has air conditioning, recline front bucket seats, Fully six Speaker stereo, Power antenna, and four doors just like your high-end sedan. O.. one other thing, I don’t get my skin burnt by hot leather on a hot sunny summer day.

We need Lada to come back to Canada!!

3rd Jan 2006, 22:25

What an excellent comment! I agree with your sentiments entirely. I own a 1997 1.7L Lada Niva, and have enjoyed years of trouble free motoring. Some of my professional colleagues own expensive exotic cars, yet my Lada is invariably the "centre of attraction". The car is not "showy" or expensive- but it has that innate, indefinable quality of "charisma". I service the Niva myself, and maintain it in excellent condition. Eventually, I think the Lada marque will come back to Canada, as I hope it does here to Australia. I`d love to try out a new "Chevy Niva" 2123! Happy motoring!

1st Mar 2006, 20:11

I shall say that I will take Lada only if they pay me for that. :)

The car is 20 to 30 years behind in technology.

3rd Mar 2006, 02:03

I really don`t think anyone is interested in paying you anything, so unfortunately, it looks like you won`t be driving a Lada. You may not like the car, but guess what, many do! It is an honest car, which will give years of reliable and economical motoring - as long as it is looked after, by a sensible and conscientious owner. Most people who have trouble with their cars, are just bad owners, who don`t maintain and service their cars regularly. They then blame the car for all their "woes" - rather than themselves. I agree that the technology is not the most modern, but it`s certainly not "20 or 30 years behind", as you claim. The car is not loaded up with expensive and complicated gimmicks - which makes it easy and inexpensive, to maintain.

27th Oct 2006, 11:27

Hi, people!

What years of driving Samara are you talking about? Not more than 100000 km before the engine will need capital thorough repairs. Not less than 8-9 liters per 100km, and only 1500 c. sm engine! Four people inside and it will drive as at half of the power. If you want it not to rust to holes in 4 years, you should make underseal each year. Not only the bottom, but you must check and spray all the cavities of your Samara: doors inside, baffles inside and so on. Noisy, small, especially few place for the rear passengers. Any repair will cost you the same amount as for a normal car. You can buy a preowned car in a good condition for the same money as a new Samara will cost you. I am from Russia which is the country where Samara is been produced and I know what I am talking about. It is really the worst model that the VAZ have ever constructed. You will find no other VAZ models of so low quality and characteristics. I know because I used several different models of VAZ.

1st Nov 2006, 22:18

O.K., so that`s all the bad stuff - from someone who "knows what he`s talking about." Now for the 'good stuff'.

I`ve owned a 1.3 L Samara since 1990. It was 12 mths. old when I purchased it. In the past 15 years, I have clocked up over 160,000kms. and the little car has been thoroughly reliable. Apart from normal maintenance items, such as brake pads, tyres, plugs etc., the car has had no problems whatsoever. Perhaps, the fact that I service my car regularly, and don`t abuse it, explains why it`s been so reliable. Incidentally, I average 6-7 L/100kms. fuel consumption. I think that`s pretty good. Oh, and I don`t have any rust problems either. Being a satisfied Samara owner, for over 15 years, may I also suggest that I also "know what I`m talking about". Cheers.

9th Nov 2006, 18:54

Well, now that I've read everyones 'in the know' comments, here's my thoughts. I've driven a tow truck for 2 years, and serviced over 5,000 cars, I buy cars I come across for cheap. I came across a Lada Samara last year, sitting in a field up to the bumpers in mud. When asked about the car the owner said they parked it 3 years ago, after buying a new car. I ask how much they told me $200.00, well for $200 I figured it'd be a neat project. I winched it out, towed it to the car wash and checked the oil, then dropped in a battery. It started up right away, I've since insured it and put new tires on. A year later, I still drive my Lada with pride, and enjoy the simplicity of the car. As far as behind in technology, it came factory with a GM based multi-port fuel injection system used to this day in new cars!