1990 Lada Niva from North America - Comments

Carb. problems and timing (my own fault)

Handles great; more than dependable still loving it.

Been over a year since I got this 4x4 on the road;

Bought it for $300.00..spent about another $300.00 on lada parts fro a great source in Hungary.. and about another $250.00 here at Can. tire and the like.... after getting the mechanicals in order.. decided on a paint job... my son and I spent the first two weeks of Oct. of last year doing some serious sanding prep and body work...... and after about another $350,00 dollars and two weeks of labour...WOW.. even impressed myself...I have been stopped (TO DATE) three times by police- just to ask what kind of vehicle it is,,,.. A stop at the gas pumps is seldom a quick thing.. always questions and compliments.........Yeah she looks good.... only thing better-...her capabilities and reliabilety..... I still have the three 82 Nivas and am in process of lifting the yellow (Little Hummer) two inches..... I LUUUUUV these vehicles..

Robert

LOL!!! This guy is definitely from Saskatchewan. Those from Canada know what I'm talking about.

Would that be Canada's counterpart to Joe Dirt?

Once you get rid of all the import modifications (required when they were brought into Canada) and bring this little 4x4 back to Soviet original standard they will do better in the bush than any 4x4 off roader that I know of and for sure any jeep series (I have driven and owned three YJ rattle cans) or Suzuki. To the guy who is rebuilding the Niva in Sask.,Good choice, more and more people are rediscovering this machine despite the uneducated negative info leveled at it.

Bought a New Niva in 1990 and still own it in 2007. It doesn't owe me one red cent.

During that time there have been 3 - sets of tyres, two clutches, brakes relined 3 times and the steering stalk replaced. All normal wear and tear.

She loves mud, hates sand, but will cope if you deflate the tyres. She will climb at 48 degrees, manufacturers claim 52 degrees... I guess she'd do it as well.

I've had her in deep water... just make sure you dry your brakes out when you come up the other side.

The Niva has only one fault... it doesn't transmit how bad the road it's travelling on... it takes it all in its stride.