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Post by singemonkey on Oct 11, 2010 19:27:53 GMT 2
Guys hello. I'm Alan from Cape Town (I use that Singemonkey handle on all forums I'm on to keep things simple) and my Toyota Tazz got stolen yesterday in the wee hours of the morning. Now it would save me a lot of bother if the SAPS finds it, but I've had a think about buying a new car and thought that the only car that I actually really love within my price range is the Lada Niva (I'd also like a T34 tank, but I can't afford the gas ). It'd be nice to have a car that's a thrill to own, rather than just plain sensible. Now I know their reputation for toughness. But I also know their reputation for poor quality control. My question is this: Do you guys think that a mechanical illiterate like me (about the most complex thing I've ever done is put a spare wheel on ) could handle a Niva? It seems most of you guys really know your way around a car. Not me. I don't go off road just for the hell of it, but I do visit a lot of national parks on a regular basis ( 1 - 3 times per year) and experience some pretty poor roads. It would certainly be good to have a 4x4 in those circumstances. Furthermore I love the Soviet image of the Niva as a no-nonsense vehicle. What do I need to find out about before I know if it's going to be a mistake for someone like me? Any advice from you guys would be hugely appreciated - even if it's only to point out threads that I should have read already
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Oct 11, 2010 19:32:21 GMT 2
Hi Alan
Dont worry, before I got my lada I didn't know much either. It is a great vehicle to learn on. And all of us are here to help you along.
Ari
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Hercules
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
Posts: 785
Location: Gauteng
Town: Benoni
Registered: Oct 2, 2009 11:55:41 GMT 2
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Post by Hercules on Oct 11, 2010 19:36:33 GMT 2
Hi Alan.
Welcome to Lada Land and do not be scared as the Tazz is likely to be more complex than the Lada. Any problems are discussed on this forum and the manual are easy and understandible. The Lada is a no nonsence tuff and reliable vehicle and cheap to work on.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Oct 11, 2010 19:50:34 GMT 2
It all depends on the condition of the lada you get as to how much technical skills you will need to learn. Everything is fairly easy to do if you ask how someone else did first.
Ari
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Duane
Junior Niva Petrol Head
DARE TO DRIVE
Posts: 96
Registered: Sept 19, 2010 23:02:48 GMT 2
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Post by Duane on Oct 11, 2010 19:51:25 GMT 2
Hi
Welcome You'll learn fast
Regards
Duane
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Post by ronnie on Oct 11, 2010 20:00:10 GMT 2
Hi Alan
Welcome to the Forum. I am sure some of our Cape Town members will guide you to the correct Niva. The Lada is simple to work on and perfect to learn on.
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Oct 11, 2010 20:23:01 GMT 2
Hi Alan
Congratulations on being our 100th member - that is just great!
The good news is - just like you - I started off in Nivaland having very little technical skills - and after more than 10 years I'm still learning.
In those 10 years I've managed to keep the Niva going and today I can say that she is in pretty good shape taking me wherever I want to go with no fear.
No other car is more simple and easy to work on. The Niva is reliable and tough and if properly maintained - vital - very economical to run.
Lada spares are freely available locally - but very expensive. However you can order spares from Russia/EU at very reasonable prices. There are also some aftermarket spares available locally - like the filters, brake pads etc.
We are all willing to help you choose a Niva to suit your needs and once you have your Niva we are more than willing to guideand help you when there is an issue.
Regards Marius
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Post by Charles on Oct 11, 2010 20:52:16 GMT 2
Hi Alan
My lada isn't even running yet but allready puts a smile on my face when i sit in it. Like a local lada owner said when asked about the 4x4 capibility of a lada. ''dis n fo**en tank!''
Charles
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Post by danie on Oct 11, 2010 21:17:32 GMT 2
Hi Alan
Welcome to the Forum.
I think one should always try to find one which is still in good condition, and which has not been seriously abused during offroad conditions.
Always listen carefully what the seller has to say..........
And oh - congrats on becoming our 100th member - we are not prepared to loose you now . ;D
Regards
Danie
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darryn
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Ruchnoy Protivotankovyy Granatomyot
Posts: 713
Registered: Mar 5, 2010 21:50:09 GMT 2
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Post by darryn on Oct 11, 2010 21:57:48 GMT 2
Dude, I didn't know much either when I got mine, but I managed to learn from the very comprehensive manuals and thereby saved a pile of money. I still look out the window and smile when I see it parked outside.
I've found that just most problems on a Lada come from how it was treated in the past- and yes, there are some quality control faults, but those are minor details that can be fixed easily. In fact, that is part of the whole product life-cycle of a Lada. These cars were designed to last, but on a shoestring budget. In most facets it is diametrically opposite in nature to the cars designed in the Capitalist model. Most of us have grown up with cars that when they have even minor problems, they're sent to a mechanic; and they're then sold after 5 years. A Niva would have been shared by a couple of families and these folks would have maintained the vehicle together (I'm not making this up, I promise) until it was utterly finished- and would then apply to the government for another one.
So there is very little on this car you really can't fix yourself with a couple of spanners etc.
Although a Lada can sometimes test one's patience if tackled alone, within a community it is really a great experience.
Go a head- buy a Lada, but for heaven's sake, please don't buy one with a ZEF scoop on the bonnet like Charles did!
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Oct 11, 2010 22:05:47 GMT 2
hAHAHAHAHAHA ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Charles on Oct 11, 2010 22:15:48 GMT 2
Thanks for that one Darryn. Luckly the scoop is already off. Even this looks better Or what do you think? Charles
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Post by singemonkey on Oct 12, 2010 14:43:56 GMT 2
Wow. Thanks for so many great responses on such a small forum. Clearly you guys are very passionate about these cars.
The old-fashioned simplicity of it really is very appealing. And yes, the idea of having a car and flogging it after 5 years was something I never fancied. I would have held onto that Tazz until doomsday or until it fell apart if it hadn't been pinched (if they get it back I still will... although I think a seed has been planted). Some of my colleague's repeated car buying strikes me as a money trap.
I must say, I relish the idea of having a car that's actually exciting to see in the morning.
I've check out some of the buyers' guides and will look into them in more detail if my car doesn't turn up and I'm ready to start looking. I've also started to appreciate that the maintenance needs to be much more regular than for a modern, more disposable car.
It's a bit frustrating to start looking now, since I don't know when or if I'll be able to start looking. But I'll certainly let you know if they find the Tazz and come looking for advice if they don't.
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Post by marius on Oct 12, 2010 16:43:22 GMT 2
>> Some of my colleague's repeated car buying strikes me as a money trap.<< The world needs more people like you ;D
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spikes
Moderator
Posts: 3,689
Location: Mpumalanga
Town: Nelspruit
Registered: Apr 19, 2010 19:39:51 GMT 2
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Post by spikes on Oct 12, 2010 21:43:21 GMT 2
Hi Alan. Warm welcome to the forum. Enjoy the thrill of hunting down your ideal Lada. You will learn a lot by enquiring about all the ones offer Regards all Spikes PS send a reminder to Ari!!
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