Faults:

It required a second hand carburettor and two fuel pumps plus two new water pumps (one of which was an after market one that only lasted 16,000 miles and was replaced with a Lada one). Otherwise general consumables such as tie-rods, ignition points, tyres, plus a new radiator fan and sensor unit. Interestingly the performance seemed to improve as the car aged, especially once I changed the original heavy copper ignition leads with a new set.

About a year before the car was written off I checked the diff and gearbox oil levels for the first time and amazingly not only was the diff still full but the oil was totally clean. The gearbox only required a cup of oil.

The tappets almost never needed adjustment. In 26 years I had them checked 3 times but each time they were found to be near the recommended setting.

General Comments:

I did write an earlier review of this car but ended up owning it for several more years until it was written off in an accident (not of my making). By that time it had covered 226,000 miles (363,711 km) and was still running perfectly, although it had started to consume some engine oil due to worn valve stem seals. I read of some Ladas in Europe covering 600,000 km and a Hungarian Lada taxi with 1.1 million km on the clock.

The car was very fast and agile around town but did have an unusually wide turning circle (which was wider than those of my two classic cars which are both much longer than the Lada). However, the Lada really came into its own on long distance trips, which it covered effortlessly.

Faults:

Not a lot considering the mileage - now into its third time round the clock. Changed the clutch pressure plate once, the fuel pump twice (an easy job and the last one lasted 17 years), all the brakes and brake seals, changed one of the valves after we went to lead free petrol (and never got the timing adjusted), the thermostat, one or two things on the carbie and the radiator electric fan and sensor. Other than that, the only thing that has ever actually broken on the car was the boot catch and I bought a new one for $10.

In all that time, the amazing thing is I have never had to add oil to the diff and only recently topped up the gearbox with a cupful. That was the first time it has taken oil in 20 years of running!

General Comments:

Very hard to fault. I hear jokes about Ladas, but they must be from people who have never owned one or know nothing about them as this car will still be going when all other cars have collapsed. The lada likes the open road and does 90 mph (its not supposed to according to the handbook, but there you go...) Happily cruises at 80-85 on long trips. The car got flooded in a carpark after a big storm and the water went right through the cabin. All other cars in the park had to be towed out - Lexus, BMWs, Nissan Laurels - none of them could go under their own steam, but the Lada started first turn of the key and I drove out after bailing the water out of the passenger cabin. Rust has to be kept at bay, esp in the sills and front guards, but if it's not too bad the metal is so thick you can just sand it down and paint over it. The turning circle is very wide for a small car, so you soon learn to put it on full lock for doing 360 turns.

The gearing (4 sp) is excellent and the twin barrel carb and twin chain drive OHC motor performs more like an 1800 than a 1500, esp on long hills where it leaves others in its wake. It also rides really well over rough roads even full of passenegers.