Riaan
Full Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 156
Registered: Jan 25, 2012 6:19:55 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Riaan on Jan 25, 2012 7:06:37 GMT 2
Hi all. My name is Riaan, and I'm a NIva addict ;D. A few years ago I came upon a video on Youtube about a weird little 4x4 and all the extreme stuff people did with this little marvel of an automobile. Since then it was love at first sight.
After years of saving up and looking for the right Russian lady for me, I found her!!! I am proud to say I am now the proud owner of a 2000 Lada Niva 1.7 carb Sidekick.
While searching on the net I happened upon this website, and the cameradie and willingness of people on this site to share their knowledge astounded me.
I am based in Durban and hope to soon get in touch with other Nivaestii in the area.
|
|
spikes
Moderator
Posts: 3,689
Location: Mpumalanga
Town: Nelspruit
Registered: Apr 19, 2010 19:39:51 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by spikes on Jan 25, 2012 7:17:09 GMT 2
Lucky man!! You live in Durbs, Ventz and Danie are just up the road, Dheer is close by and Vincent is just down the road AND you have your NIVA Welcome Spikes
|
|
RATEL
Senior Niva Petrol Head
BOOYAH!!!
Posts: 287
Registered: May 25, 2011 16:15:58 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by RATEL on Jan 25, 2012 7:49:23 GMT 2
Glad you could find us! Welcome and congrats!!
|
|
kick01
Junior Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 85
Registered: Jan 9, 2012 15:30:37 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by kick01 on Jan 25, 2012 8:30:32 GMT 2
Welcome....
|
|
Riaan
Full Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 156
Registered: Jan 25, 2012 6:19:55 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Riaan on Jan 25, 2012 8:34:44 GMT 2
Thank you guys I can't wait to take her on a adventure, but I want to take her for a good service and tune up first. I hear Chris Swales Motors in Pinetown is good, Ive seen a few Lada's standing there. Will he be the man to see?
|
|
|
Post by marius on Jan 25, 2012 9:30:05 GMT 2
Hi Riaan A warm welcome to the forum! As far as Chris Swales and all other service providers in South Africa are concerned you will have to make up your own mind about the kind of service they provide. There are some that swear by their good service whilst others have had some serious issues. From your post I can see that you are very happy with your purchase and I can seriously recommend that you learn the ropes on how to service your car. You can download all the manuals from our Website. The Niva is very basic and easy to work on and in the process you will learn a very valuable skill and save yourself a small fortune. As far as tune up goes - I will advice that you get hold of all the specs needed in the manuals and visit a highly recommended specialist in your area to do the job properly. This job is normally quick and inexpensive and well worth it. Marius
|
|
Riaan
Full Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 156
Registered: Jan 25, 2012 6:19:55 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Riaan on Jan 25, 2012 9:46:54 GMT 2
Thank you Marius.
I will download all the manuals etc. It's just that I want to take her to be looked over by an expert first as I don't know when last and in what intervals she have been serviced. Although she is in very good nick and I expect it to be more just oil replacements etc that needs to be done.
|
|
|
Post by marius on Jan 25, 2012 10:15:23 GMT 2
It is ALWAYS a good thing to replace all the oils when you just bought a Lada. Also a good idea to check the condition of the air filter. Quick peak at the dipstick can also reveal quite a bit! IF and when you take the car to Chris or whoever make sure that you get a written quote BEFORE any work is done and also insist BEFOREHAND that all the replaced parts be made available to you. Marius
|
|
butasteve
Senior Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 366
Location: Western Cape
Town: Paarl
Registered: Jan 22, 2011 12:02:42 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by butasteve on Jan 25, 2012 10:16:09 GMT 2
Hi Riaan
Welcome, enjoy. Some pics please.
Regards Steve
|
|
|
Post by danie on Jan 25, 2012 18:38:10 GMT 2
Hi Riaan Welcome to the forum ! Nice thing about good ol' Durbs is that there are a couple of good mechanics in this area who are very capable of repairing a Lada properly. And Finetown is within spitting distance as well . But firstly - you do have to take note about what Marius have mentioned about quotes : You do need to get quotes locally - before any work gets done on your Lada !. You can also try Franco Motors, 244 Umbilo Road, Durban. The owner (Arvin Govind) is very reputable, and a formal Alfa Romeo and Fiat specialist. He has excellent knowledge about Ladas as well. Problem is , the guy is getting old, and by times when he has health problems, he is not available at his workshop. Should you be interested and you want a reference, I can send you contact details of a local owner who takes his Lada for repairs and services to Franco Motors only. I will also send you contact details of another local professional mechanic by PM. This guy has got a full time job, but also do private work at home. He is an excellent mechanic, and has excellent Lada experience. Unfortunately he is busy at home quite often, so he is not always available. Dont' forget to send some pics. Danie
|
|
Riaan
Full Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 156
Registered: Jan 25, 2012 6:19:55 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Riaan on Jan 25, 2012 19:17:10 GMT 2
Thank you Danie, all that info will really come in handy. And I will post pics soon.
|
|
|
Post by Charles on Jan 25, 2012 20:37:40 GMT 2
Welcome Riaan.
Charles
|
|
Ladaniva
Full Niva Petrol Head
A Lada Niva for a new lease of life
Posts: 240
Registered: Apr 1, 2011 21:33:06 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Ladaniva on Feb 1, 2012 1:02:31 GMT 2
Hi Riaan, I am glad that you found a Niva in good condition. It makes a huge difference. I suggest you take your Niva to Ventz to get it looked over properly and serviced by him. You can tell him nothing about a Niva. End van die prent. After that you take it to whoever you want to to get it serviced in your area (like the people Danie suggested, and if you can, stick to one guy) and then you tell them what to do - all the info is here on the forum. A few tips from a fool - an old fool. Do a bit of research on rust and how to prevent and fix it. Grease the Niva frequently (not over-grease). Replace the anti-freeze immediately and replace it at least once a year. Not too much antifreeze. If a rubber hose look suspect replace it immediately. Not later. Adjust the chain tension frequently. Fit a cowl over the mechanical fan if there is not one fitted. Stay away from wide wheels (too much wheel off-set) if you use your Niva off-road. Buy your Niva spares from Ventz (on your doorstep) and or order it from Pavel in Ukraine. If you get the urge to modify your Niva, rather work overtime that week and walk to work. The effect is the same as modifying your Niva. The only difference may be that your wife (or girlfriend) will think you are less of an asshole when you walk to work, because at least you will have some money and time to take her out . Charge your battery full with an intelligent charger every three weeks. Do not let the front wheels be in the air both at the same time while on the throttle. Check that the front diff is always properly attached - no play - torque the bolts. Do not say you did not get good advice from the forum, because you did from guys that own Nivas for years and learned the hard way, and still have their Nivas. Regards, Fanus
|
|
|
Post by keithbatkins on Feb 1, 2012 10:33:18 GMT 2
Hi Riaan and welcome. To add to the very good advice from Fanus try not not to let your wife/partner/whoever drive your Niva at + 140 kph. I've given up trying to stop Li from doing this to CERATOTH (even tried submerging her in water.....the Niva not Li ). But as Li says......CERATOTH has lots of Fiat bits......just like a Ferrari :-) Above all else though 'enjoy your Sidekick'. Regards, Keith and CERATOTH
|
|
vincentc
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 1,130
Registered: Mar 16, 2011 17:59:16 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by vincentc on Feb 5, 2012 11:11:29 GMT 2
Hi Riaan
Is your Niva red with a roof rack?
Regards Vincent
|
|
Riaan
Full Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 156
Registered: Jan 25, 2012 6:19:55 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Riaan on Mar 16, 2012 16:10:24 GMT 2
Hi guys, sorry I'm only replying now again. Thank you for all the tips and advice. Vincent, mine is a blue Sidekick
|
|
Ihar
Moderator
Lada Niva Driver
Honour thy forefathers and drink beer, they did
Posts: 1,520
Location: Gauteng
Town: Roodepoort
Registered: Mar 4, 2011 17:30:11 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Ihar on Mar 16, 2012 18:03:25 GMT 2
Vincent, looks like another Niva driver for you to track down
|
|
Ladaniva
Full Niva Petrol Head
A Lada Niva for a new lease of life
Posts: 240
Registered: Apr 1, 2011 21:33:06 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Ladaniva on Mar 16, 2012 21:50:09 GMT 2
Hi Keithbatkins,
My toes curled when I read the post of your wife using your Niva properly! She is somebody to take with on a long chalenging 4 x 4 trek, that for sure - she got red blood. My wife also enjoys my Niva to pieces - on and off road. I just do not get the warnings to drive a Niva slow (and other cars fast)? maybe the (fixable) vibration bug doing damage here? I had many cars and bikes, including monster performance cars, Italian cars, German cars and if there is one vehicle that just do it for me, even on tar, it is a Niva. I do not even try to explain it. Of course there is much to improve on a Niva, but I can not care less if I do it or not. That is what I call a car with character.
Regards,
Fanus
|
|