Front right CV-Joint went, replaced immediatly and have no problems since.
Hatch back Gas struts do not work, but not needed, replaced with the almighty Broom Stick.
Blew Radiator hose, but not serious damage from that.
Seats are wearing slightly, but who care's with seat covers anyway.
This car handles as if it were a slot ca. Although it has a smaller motor the acceleration is good and after a short wind up can pull 150-160km/h.
It never dies it only blew a radiator hose and that was due to racing on bush tracks and overheating.
This car has great ground clearance for bush tracks and bumby roads, suspension is great and never packs in.
Managed to get the front wheels spinning and smoking on bituemen so it has the power and its torque steer is unbeliable. Reverse circle work is hilarious.
This car has a lot of grunt for a small car, 1st is very low and gives a great boot of line and then second will get it to 85km/h comforatbly to everones suprise.
It looks extremely tiny from the outside, but has fair amounts of room on the inside.
The struts can be efficiently and quite inexpensively re-gassed. I had mine done through a mobile service and it took less than 20 minutes to do the two. They work like new.
Yep, for 1.3 it is suprisingly VERY agile :)
I have to watch my foot and the speedometer in town no matter how funny it sounds, on motorways I better get in the right lane (slow or slowest) drive after some big truck so I don't waist petrol, 80-90kmh is perfect speed for it. I am not saying it cannot go 120-150 :)
1989 1.3, 3 door Samara, Czech republic. 4.10.2005.
I bought my 1990 Samara for 500 and was the best investment I could make at the age of 16 (2 yrs ago) and I started to work on it as the poor thing had pretty much most of it's guts ripped out and wires shamefully joined and hidden!! but I could do most of the repairs in my shed so costs were fairly minimal, but parts are SO expensive in Australia, I mean I paid $100 for my blinker assembly and that was second hand! I gave up on the restoration last yr due to lack of funds and part location troubles, but after taking it to 4x4 tracks I realised the power and durability of this marvellous car!! the suspension and chasis withstood all the beating I gave the car and still purrs like a kitten, not to mention that it runs on the smell of a greasy rag!! I would definitely recommend this car for any teenager for a good project or starter car!!
All in all I would give this car a 9/10!
And I have just started the restoration.. Again!!
Regarding the 1990 Lada Samara - could anyone post a picture please, and has anyone seen a convertible???
Well if you are looking for a photo of it as a Cabrio, look at the following link / address.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24015676@N02/3846544306/
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