1997 Lada Niva Cossack from North America - Comments

Instrument cluster failed for previous owner and had to be replaced at 9000km.

Headlight switch burnt out twice.

Headlight beam adjustment assembly never worked.

Drivers side window roll down assembly failed and had to be replaced, the cable cut into the pulley resulting in high resistance on the mechanism and I had to replace 2 window cranks before properly fixing the problem.

Cigarette lighter broke.

Heat control lever on dash is problematic, cable tends to slip off the mechanism. It also can't fully engage the heat valve to maximum heating. You have to reach under the dash and do it by hand.

Rear windshield washer fluid spray pump failed and I replaced it with an after market one. The fluid container was also cracked and had to be repaired when I bought it.

Front ball joints creaking and had to be replaced.

Front CV boots replaced.

Had to adjust steering box twice.

Front Differential failed at high speed on highway due to my own error. (I failed to re-fill diff after draining, to its credit, it went 350km on the highway with no oil in it before seizing).

Lost 5th gear and reverse gear on the highway in the middle of nowhere, probably linked to the differential failure.

Horn broke at steering wheel twice. (After market steering wheel though)

Rear defrost clip on window broke off.

Alternator malfunction after installing immobilizer. Had to re-build.

Leaky rear axle seal.

Reverse light switch wire became disconnected.

Foot brake stop light switch replaced.

Front windshield wipers do not function when temperature dips below minus 15 degrees Celsius.

I take the blame for the major problems with the Niva IE, the Front differential and the transmission failure. They were a result of my own error. All the other things are minor and are easily fixed. That's a good thing because they break often. I have toyed with the idea of replacing all the dash switches with simpler toggles, especially the headlight switch because it is particularly problematic. Installing after market pumps and motors to drive the wipers is also a good idea.

I have driven my Niva to Tampa FL. and back to Winnipeg MB. with no problems whatsoever. I changed the oil in Tampa and didn't burn a drop in either direction.

I like to go into the back woods and the not so travelled roads in attempt to find the perfect fishing spot. It never lets me down and comfortably carries a large fiberglass canoe on a roof rack.

In the time that I've had it, the longest its been out of commission was one month when I was waiting for transmission parts from Russia. Otherwise repairs are normally completed in a day.

I bought it at the end of 2001 for $6000 Canadian funds. It had only 46000km and was only 4 years old. To me, as far as 4x4s go, it was a steal.

I am interested in buying one of those after-market pop-up beds for the roof. Anybody know where I might find one?

I got my Lada re-painted in an attempt to fight the rust problem. I know the factory paint is poor quality so I thought paint would be a good investment. Its been one year and so far so good.

Nice review. I`ve experienced some of the minor problems you list, too. However, they can all be easily fixed. One of the joys of owning a Niva, is tinkering with and modifying the car - to one`s specifications. To me, it`s a hobby - and I love it.

If you ever get stuck for parts in Canada, bear in mind that they are plentiful in Australia and New Zealand. Lada Parts, 42 Aerodrome Rd. Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Australia, have everything from a door handle to a new transmission. The new parts are inexpensive, and the service is friendly and most efficient. I have used them for years, and have never been disappointed. Happy Motoring!

The headlight adjustment on post 1995 1.7 L Nivas, is different to early model Nivas - where there was one screw for vertical adjustment, and one for horizontal.

On the newer Nivas, there are two adjusting screws that must be turned simultaneously- as follows:

1. For horizontal adjustment: turn both screws together at the same time (obviously using two Philips screwdrivers) - either clockwise - to turn to one side - or counterclockwise - to turn the beam to the other side.

2. For vertical adjustment: turn both screws together again at the same time - but this time, turn one screw clockwise, whilst turning the other screw counterclockwise. This way you can either elevate or lower the beam.

I own a 1997 Niva, which I maintain in immaculate condition, and initially I wasn`t sure how to adjust the headlight beams- as it doesn`t indicate it in the Niva manual. I sourced the technique from another enthusiast. In your case, the adjusting mechanism may very well be faulty - but I thought I`d share my information with you just the same. Hope it`s been of some assistance. Cheers.

At the base of the side door windows are two rubber weather strips - one on the inside, one on the outside. The outside one (as well as the inside one) has a long thin flat metal plate attached to it. The metal plate, on the outside strip, may rust over time, making window winding, up and down, stiff and difficult. It may also cause scratching of the glass - if you see some vertical scratches on the glass, it`s probably caused by this metal plate which has rusted. Solution? Take out the outer rubber strip with the offending metal plate attached. Now, remove the plate (which is probably rusted) completely off the rubber strip. Replace the rubber weather strip, after cleaning it on the inside. The glass window pane will now travel up and down, much easier and far more smoothly. The metal plate doesn`t really do anything, and doesn`t appear to be necessary. I did this procedure on both side doors several years ago, and the window winding on both doors has been smooth and efficient, ever since. Cheers, again, to all Niva enthusiasts.

Re- my comment (10th Feb.) - I inadvertently got the horizontal and vertical headlight adjustment technique, the wrong way around. The correct technique is therefore:

1. Horizontal adjustment: turn the two screws in opposite directions, i.e. one clockwise, the other counterclockwise - at the same time - to move the beam from side to side.

2. Vertical adjustment: turn the two adjusting screws in the same direction simultaneously - either clockwise or counterclockwise, to raise or to lower the beam.

This technique is correct for all 1.7L 2121 Nivas.

When it works, it works very well. My Niva would go through thick and thin. With tall and skinny snow tires, and of course, full time four wheel drive, the traction was nothing short of amazing. Took it off road a few times. A Niva will get you there, but things tend to break more often than in other vehicles. Then again, you'll usually pay much more a 4x4, so if you can put up with a higher maintenance vehicle, and want something really funky looking, a Niva is the way to go.

In Canada Niva parts are getting more scarce. A dealer in Montreal, Quebec and an import repair place in Richmond Hill, Ontario seem to be the best for knowledge and appreciation of Nivas, and for parts. I drove my Niva from Toronto to Quebec City as the longest single trip (about 800 kms or 500 miles) but it's not meant to be long distance cruiser. Very loud, and yes, 5th gear is prone to premature failure.

I bought my first Niva in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2000. It was one-year old, and cost me USD 2,500. I had to replace practically everything over the next few years, but "everything" was orders of magnitude cheaper than in Canada, even though I am not mechanical and had it done by local mechanics (I redid the front end, replaced the clutch, installed halogen headlights, and fixed a bunch of other nagging problems for around USD 300). I've moved on to other countries, and have had VWs, Mercedes, and Mahindras (India), but I loved that Niva. I belong to an international group called the Hash House Harriers ("a drinking group with a running problem") that goes running in remote spots. With my Niva, I got places that the Mitsubishis, Jeeps, Suzukis, Pathfinders, Range Rovers and Land Cruisers could only dream of. I always said that the Niva was a piece of crap in terms of finishing and minor details (the heat was never fully on in the winter and never fully off in the summer) --and it has the turning circle of an oil tanker--but when it came to getting me from point A to point B, it couldn't be beat. I'm moving soon to Armenia, and the first thing I'm going to do is buy a Niva. RICHARD.

I'm looking for parts for a Niva in Canada and I've heard mention of a garage in Richmond Hill, ON and a dealer in Montreal, PQ. I have been searching for more detailed information on both of these businesses, but cannot find a name or address for either of them.

Would anyone be able to give me some more information about these or any other dealers in Canada?

To the person looking for service, I think this is the one in Toronto.

http://www.importautocentre.ca/

I have yet to go there myself, but will be taking my Lada there when I have some time to invest.

Being of Russian descent, I just have to get one and let my friends laugh at me. So I'll be buying a '97 Niva 1.7. Living in the Montreal (Quebec) region I have found after doing much research there is a dealer in the Thunder Bay (Ont) area who has parts. If I can help you out and you me for certain parts/mods etc contact me at nickreus@hotmail.com

You`ll have the last laugh, when your friends realise what a top little 4X4 the Niva is.

I had a Niva for about a year and think that it is the best 4x4 on the planet. Unfortunately I got into a car accident with it, and now I can't seem to find one close enough to where I live in Grey/Bruce Ontario. If anyone knows where to find one, let me know.