RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 10:17:05 GMT 2
Hi all,
I am Darius from Pretoria. Never heard of Lada Niva vehicles (although I am sure I have seen them around) until my girlfriends hard drive crashed. We were at this guys house and he has one that he is building up (Tim van den berg you there?). I was almost immediately interested in this little 4x4 and went to google to do a little research. Saw it performing on youtube, I was amazed!!
Now I do not own one just yet nor can I afford one at this point in time. But I am willing to sell my Dbl Cab Triton and with that cash get me a Lada Niva 170i. Crazy huh?
Of course my lady wouldn't understand but I am sure you guys do. I have one question though which I will post in the technical forum or general discussions (Marius, please advise). Will it be able to perform as a day to day vehicle and not break down as a land rover does so often? Cause this is what I want to use it for, day to day use and weekend playing.
Look forward to learning a lot from you guys and general chats.
Regards
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spikes
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Post by spikes on May 30, 2011 11:54:47 GMT 2
Hi Darius Welcome to the forum!! A few of the forum members use their NIVA's as daily drivers. Mine gets used fairly frequently (at least 3 to 4 times week) when I cannot get a place of work with the company car. Done almost 10000km in the 13 months that I have had the NIVA. It will soon get more time on road as our daughter will be using it for daily trips to Nelspruit. Provided you service regularly you should not have problems You will get more responses Regards Spikes
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Post by ronnie on May 30, 2011 13:26:27 GMT 2
Hi Darius
Welcome to the Forum. Do you want to buy a running Niva or one to rebuild ?. As Spikes said if you service regularly it is perfect for every day use. As you live in Pretoria the only other piece of advice I can give you is to stay away from Lada Centurion.There are many horror stories with this dealer. A properly serviced Landy also does not give problems
Ronnie
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RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 13:45:00 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Thanks I appreciate.... Although I do believe that because land rover is made to run on farms and in the cold and wet UK weather, it is probably the reason that its not running so well in South Africa (And I am referring to the older Series 3 and Series 2 models, the real Land Rover Machines). There is a joke:
"When the English got on their boats after the war with the Afrikaner, the Afrikaner stood there laughing at them and waved. The English then turned around and yelled "Don't worry, your shit is coming." 6 months later the first land rover arrived...." LMGA Do not think that I don't like Land Rover, I do.
I am just careful about the Niva as well, cause Siberia, Russia is no place like South Africa. Probably more harsh terrain etc but different climate etc.
Where is this Niva place in Centurion, I'd love to go there and just have a look. Promise not to buy just yet.
I am looking to buy a running Niva, I have been without income for the past year and can't afford my Triton anymore thus looking for a cheaper alternative. I then thought, why not satisfy both needs of daily driving and weekend playing and get the Niva. But as I said, I have concerns regarding reliability as on the LOCSA website it also states that imports of this vehicle was stopped due to ... reliability (I quickly scanned what was said).
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allan
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Post by allan on May 30, 2011 14:08:18 GMT 2
Hi Darius
Welcome to the forum.
As you are aware, Ladas are no longer imported and thus parts are difficult to get hold of, some items have to be imported and can take a few weeks.
You need to be mechanically inclined and be prepared to work on your Lada to keep things in good shape, providing you buy the right one to start off with.
Good luck and hope to see you in the rough stuff!
Allan
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 14:13:32 GMT 2
Hi Darius Welcome to the forum. As you are aware, Ladas are no longer imported and thus parts are difficult to get hold of, some items have to be imported and can take a few weeks. Allan Light (up to about 8kg) imported parts take a week (air) but heavy (more than 10kg )ones will take longer (ship). Ari
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RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 15:24:58 GMT 2
I am aware of the website where you can import your own Lada parts etc. thanks for the little bit of extra info regarding the time frame of imports Ari. Allan, me mechanically minded? Technically minded definitely but I don't know... I am not afraid to learn on the go. I am not a pen pusher as such and I am more than capable of learning. But it would probably not be a smart idea when I am looking for a Niva as a daily vehicle and I do not know how to fix it or have the parts readily available...
Regarding Centurion Lada, I was there just now and they do not sell Nivas anymore, they are not even interested in selling their own (I just wanted to see what they say Ronnie, don't beat me up just yet). They highly recommend me going to their website (http://www.ladasa.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=69) and do a bit of homework on what I should look at when buying a Niva. They also recommend buying a carburator type and not the 17i which I am looking for (I wonder what the Weber carb will do to the Niva). They also mentioned that if I am interested in a Niva I can just send them the chassis number or something and they will let me know whether I should go for it or not. If they have worked on it before that is.
So now I am left with a decision, do I buy one and use it for daily use and stand a chance of sitting without a vehicle for a while or do I go and buy one now only for offroad purposes. . .
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 15:36:25 GMT 2
For the price of a Triton DC you could get 2 ladas , one for the week and one for the weekend.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Ari
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RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 15:39:05 GMT 2
Ari!!!! Jou doring!!! Hoekom het ek nie daaraan gedink nie.... Lol
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 15:44:06 GMT 2
En dan het jy sommer ook 'n back-up voertuig as jy nou vir parte moet wag.
;D ;D ;D
Ari
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RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 15:49:27 GMT 2
Now that is a plan.... But the problem is that I would not have enough for a second one as the amount I owe on the Triton is still a bit high vs value.
What do you think about choosing a carb vs the fuel injected 170i....
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 16:32:34 GMT 2
Spencer and Spikes can tell you about the 1,7i not me. Dont try the weber if you want to play on the weekend as you will stall halfway up a hill or down a hill and flood the other direction. Standard carb is pretty good as is.
Ari
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 30, 2011 17:28:21 GMT 2
Hi Darius
I also moved out of a new (2007) KB 300 D-Teq (Wifes car) and also a KB250 (My bakkie) for a Lada 1700 carb. I have had it a few month and have done 3000 km in it already. To be honest, you are always fiddling with the Lada (I love it) and when something breaks, you jsut fix it. You get to fast hear every rattle sqeak and knock and soon know what should not be there.
I Love my Rusti and will not be replacing it.
I have a 1700 Sidekick for sale that would probably be a plan as it needs some work but is liceneced and runs.
PM me if you want to know more.
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 30, 2011 17:34:39 GMT 2
Just on the constant tinkering - Rusti has holes - Which allow LOTS of rain in... This of course started causing havoc with the immobiliser. Ronnie popped over and very gently ripped the immobiliser out. No problem ;D It was when we started the Niva, and it was idling away we started hearing horrid knocks from the Engine area After much sweating we have narrowed it down to the gearbox/intermediate/TC - which I will check out shortly. The point is though I can fix whatever is wrong with it - Which is great when you live 60km from civilisation (Durbs) Down load the manuals and check it out. You also do not need an attitude to own a Niva, the car kicks sand in their eyes all on its own. Oh yes - Welcome
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Post by Charles on May 30, 2011 17:40:36 GMT 2
Welcome!
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Post by ronnie on May 30, 2011 17:59:04 GMT 2
Hi Darius
If you buy a good well maintained Niva you do not need to worry about it letting you down, they are as reliable as any other vehicle. All the every day service parts are available off the shelf at any spares shop. I would have no hesitation in buying a 1.7i Lada Centurion have some very funny ideas when it comes to things like thermostats and injected Nivas. Remember all Nivas are now old and unless they have been properly serviced all their life could need work done to bring them up to scratch.
Ronnie
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Post by marius on May 30, 2011 18:01:41 GMT 2
Hi Darius Warm welcome to the forum. Sorry I am a bit late in my reply, but I see you got some real good advice already! We have been using our Lada as a daily for most of the last 11 years or so. There were some hick ups along the way but for most of it the car proved to be extremely economical and reliable. I can only advice you to get the Lada that is in good shape from the start. A rebuild from Ventz in PMburg is probably your best bet but you will have to wait a couple of months as he is leaving for Europe shortly. In the mean time you can obviously scout for something else. Jan's advice on his website is fairly good, but there is one thing that I do not agree with. I think he states that you can only change to 5th gear at 4500rpm! or at 120km/h. This is total shite. You can happily change into 5th gear at around 80-90km/h. What you do need is the proper lock washer in place on the output shaft. Have a look at this thread. locsa.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=technical&action=display&thread=114 Regards Marius
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Post by jaco1978 on May 30, 2011 18:54:42 GMT 2
Hi Darius,
I have nothing to add to the previous replies apart from a warm welcome, from my side, to the forum.
Regards,
Jaco
P.S. Marius, I stand corrected, but I think Ventz left yesterday for his 2 month European holiday.
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spikes
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Post by spikes on May 30, 2011 19:24:57 GMT 2
Hi Darius As already said, shop around until you find a well maintained NIVA. Fixing a buggered one can cost you quite a bit. When you buy try a buy from a reputable source. It is possible to "self- diagnose" the ECU in the 1.7i. Spencer did it successfully. The throttle body injection is stock GM from the late 80 early 90s. That said, fewer 1.7i were imported than 1700 carb models. I have found the electronic parts on our 1.7i trouble free. Look, drive, look and drive some more. Groetnis Spikes
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RATEL
Senior Niva Petrol Head
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 20:04:20 GMT 2
UUrrrggghhhh I want a Niva... I know of someone who wants to sell his for R28000, don't know the condition yet nor the km's. It is a 17o carb. Wil test drive it this week...
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 20:07:31 GMT 2
For R28 000 should be in fairly good condition with close to or less than 100 000km. Drive it on a gravel road if possible so that you can test drive the difflock and also the low range.
Ari
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RATEL
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Post by RATEL on May 30, 2011 20:25:46 GMT 2
Will do Ari....
Thanks everybody! Not kissing ass but you all seem like bloody nice guys. I appreciate it all.
One thing I must add by what I have heard, read and saw. The Niva is a fun and tuff little 4x4 obviously!! Its whole educational system by the sound of it as well seeing that learn about vehicles mechanically in general whilst you are repairing and servicing your own.... Sorry I have got FSS (Forever Student Syndrome).
The lady at Centurion Lada mentioned that the Fuel injection is a crappy one on the offroad track, they say it does not go as smooth and slow as the carb on offroad tracks. I don't believe everything I hear that is why I am asking you all. Is this true?
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Post by marius on May 30, 2011 20:57:52 GMT 2
Well personally I would go for the carb model but again I find Centurion's explanation a bit dodgy Slow and smooth is the way in which one should drive any off-road track regardless of what type of car or fuel system the car has. maybe someone with a TBi can comment? Ari might not agree but I would not engage the diff lock on a gravel road unless it is badly corrugated and then only for a very short distance. The diff lock should only be engaged in soft slippery stuff. Marius PS - Jaco I think you could well be right about Ventz
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Post by ronnie on May 30, 2011 21:10:20 GMT 2
Hi Spikes
What is your thoughts on the 1.7i off road. Do you agree with what Lada Centurion are saying ?
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on May 30, 2011 21:18:40 GMT 2
Marius I have to agree with you.
Charles
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 30, 2011 21:41:25 GMT 2
Sorry Marius but I do disagree.
You can engage the difflock on any surface that will allow some slippage at the wheels, from a wet tar road to gravel, mud, sand, rock and almost any thing else except dry tar or concrete.
If you engage the difflock on a dirt road you can immediately feel the steering tighten and the grip/traction improve.
Ari
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Post by Charles on May 30, 2011 21:46:11 GMT 2
ari does it handle then better around the turns when going sideways? Or am I the only one that drives like that...
Charles
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Post by marius on May 30, 2011 22:17:51 GMT 2
Well Ari I knew you were going to ;D
AND Yes you are correct you can use the diff lock when there is a chance of wheel slip like climbing a rock but driving on a firm surface with your diff lock engaged for an extended period will cause severe damage.
I would not engage it on a wet tar road or a normal gravel road.
Apart from damaging your expensive drive train you will wear your tyres down very quickly - esp during a turn - as you now effectively stops the differential from doing what it is supposed to do.
Marius
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 30, 2011 23:10:25 GMT 2
you pays your money, you makes your choices ;D As you can see, the art of disagreeing with the chairman is very much alive and well.
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spikes
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Post by spikes on May 31, 2011 6:52:27 GMT 2
Hi Spikes What is your thoughts on the 1.7i off road. Do you agree with what Lada Centurion are saying ? Ronnie The lady at Centurion Lada mentioned that the Fuel injection is a crappy one on the offroad track, they say it does not go as smooth and slow as the carb on offroad tracks. I don't believe everything I hear that is why I am asking you all. Is this true? Hi all IMHO this is another "Centurion Lada myth" I have not driven the 1700 carb model off-road but had extensive driving in a 1600. The TBI is smoother off road especially crawling over obstacles. Remember, fuel pressure remains constant with th electric fuel pump in the tank AND the re is no fuel floating in a fuel chamber regards Spikes
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