Comments: 1-15, 16-21
Not Very much at all.. This is my 3rd Samara and I have always been very happy with this model.. The timing belt has gone on this latest one as well as having to change 1 front brake hose..The 1997 fuel injected version is a BIG step up from the previous Samaras.. I just hope that the newer ones don't get too "westernized"..The simplicity is what originally attracted me to Soviet cars.. I do wish that they would cover the seats in sturdier fabric as they all seem to rip & tear.. Mileage is always fair to good.. At least 400kms to a 40L tank and I've never gone below 1/4 tank!!
I wish Canada was still importing Samaras..1997 was the last year!! So sad!!
Hello there!
I'm writing to you from Romania (ex communist country, you know that) and frankly I just can't understand why would someone like to buy and use a soviet made car in U.S.A.
It's just like being on a tropical island and buying a thermo-central. Why that when you have all the heat in the world, and yet for free?
I guess some weird (auto) taste?
To comment on why Lada is missed in Canada can be because they were simple cars to work on for the do it yourself. You see cars here have too much equipment that in reality has no purpose, and when this stuff breaks down you pay an arm and a leg to fix.
In Canada if a garage does not make big money in repairing your car they tell you to go home.
The guy from Rumania has a weird need to remind us that Rumania is an ex-Communist country. So what? If people find "soviet-made" cars to be dependable, reliable and excellent value for money- are they NOT supposed to buy them? We do live in a democracy, pal! The Axis group with which Rumania aligned itself some time ago, did not prevail, as I am sure you will remember - otherwise we might all be driving Volkswagens! Now that WOULD be weird!
Some People speak before looking or thinking. A good friend of mine thought I had lost my mind when I bought a new 1992 Samara in Canada. He always drove high-end cars. (His summer cottage car being a Lamborghini) I drove the car over to his place and handed him the keys to check it out. After about 15 minutes and a test drive changed that. Many years have gone by. The car is still on the road today and out lived some of his high-end cars. He doesn’t laugh about the car anymore, in fact when his high rolling friends start up about someone having parked a Lada outside his house, (they know it's my car) he just asks them “how have the repairs been on your car this month?”. And that’s what makes a Lada in Canada a Great car.
They are fun to Drive, very low repair cost, easy on gas, and best of all… they don’t get stuck in the snow like other imports do. My car will be 16 years old this April 2006 and approaching the 400 000 Km mark (365 000 Km currently). Has no rust on it. Gets rust proofed each winter, cost about 100 dollars in Canada. Has been fully repainted twice because of stone chips and scratches. Front seats look like new because I use seat covers. In all, if you take care of your Lada, it will pay for itself in happy driving returns.
And for those that are thinking but… No buts! My Lada has air conditioning, recline front bucket seats, Fully six Speaker stereo, Power antenna, and four doors just like your high-end sedan. O.. one other thing, I don’t get my skin burnt by hot leather on a hot sunny summer day.
We need Lada to come back to Canada!!
What an excellent comment! I agree with your sentiments entirely. I own a 1997 1.7L Lada Niva, and have enjoyed years of trouble free motoring. Some of my professional colleagues own expensive exotic cars, yet my Lada is invariably the "centre of attraction". The car is not "showy" or expensive- but it has that innate, indefinable quality of "charisma". I service the Niva myself, and maintain it in excellent condition. Eventually, I think the Lada marque will come back to Canada, as I hope it does here to Australia. I`d love to try out a new "Chevy Niva" 2123! Happy motoring!
I shall say that I will take Lada only if they pay me for that. :)
The car is 20 to 30 years behind in technology.
I really don`t think anyone is interested in paying you anything, so unfortunately, it looks like you won`t be driving a Lada. You may not like the car, but guess what, many do! It is an honest car, which will give years of reliable and economical motoring - as long as it is looked after, by a sensible and conscientious owner. Most people who have trouble with their cars, are just bad owners, who don`t maintain and service their cars regularly. They then blame the car for all their "woes" - rather than themselves. I agree that the technology is not the most modern, but it`s certainly not "20 or 30 years behind", as you claim. The car is not loaded up with expensive and complicated gimmicks - which makes it easy and inexpensive, to maintain.
Hi, people!
What years of driving Samara are you talking about? Not more than 100000 km before the engine will need capital thorough repairs. Not less than 8-9 liters per 100km, and only 1500 c. sm engine! Four people inside and it will drive as at half of the power. If you want it not to rust to holes in 4 years, you should make underseal each year. Not only the bottom, but you must check and spray all the cavities of your Samara: doors inside, baffles inside and so on. Noisy, small, especially few place for the rear passengers. Any repair will cost you the same amount as for a normal car. You can buy a preowned car in a good condition for the same money as a new Samara will cost you. I am from Russia which is the country where Samara is been produced and I know what I am talking about. It is really the worst model that the VAZ have ever constructed. You will find no other VAZ models of so low quality and characteristics. I know because I used several different models of VAZ.
O.K., so that`s all the bad stuff - from someone who "knows what he`s talking about." Now for the 'good stuff'.
I`ve owned a 1.3 L Samara since 1990. It was 12 mths. old when I purchased it. In the past 15 years, I have clocked up over 160,000kms. and the little car has been thoroughly reliable. Apart from normal maintenance items, such as brake pads, tyres, plugs etc., the car has had no problems whatsoever. Perhaps, the fact that I service my car regularly, and don`t abuse it, explains why it`s been so reliable. Incidentally, I average 6-7 L/100kms. fuel consumption. I think that`s pretty good. Oh, and I don`t have any rust problems either. Being a satisfied Samara owner, for over 15 years, may I also suggest that I also "know what I`m talking about". Cheers.
Well, now that I've read everyones 'in the know' comments, here's my thoughts. I've driven a tow truck for 2 years, and serviced over 5,000 cars, I buy cars I come across for cheap. I came across a Lada Samara last year, sitting in a field up to the bumpers in mud. When asked about the car the owner said they parked it 3 years ago, after buying a new car. I ask how much they told me $200.00, well for $200 I figured it'd be a neat project. I winched it out, towed it to the car wash and checked the oil, then dropped in a battery. It started up right away, I've since insured it and put new tires on. A year later, I still drive my Lada with pride, and enjoy the simplicity of the car. As far as behind in technology, it came factory with a GM based multi-port fuel injection system used to this day in new cars!
Hi all,
I own a Samara 1997 with a 1.3 L engine. I’m in Egypt. Anyway, about the person saying that the engine with last more than 100000 KM. I’m driving this car with more than 180000 and there is no problem with the engine at all.
It’s the best one in handling, and also the braking system is very good; it helps you when you are at high speeds or in curves. There is problem about the braking if there is oil in the road. You know there is no ABS in this car.
If you're talking about the performance, it’s one of the best. I love to race with others and they don’t believe what the Samara can do. The 0-100 Km/H in just 10.5, and I have beat the following cars.
Toyota Corolla 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 with motors 1.3L, 1.6L, 1.8L
Honda Type-R, I think it was 2002 and I don’t know anything about the motor
BMW 318i 1992, 1998, 2002, 2003
BMW 316i 1995, 1996
Mercedes E230 1982, 1988, 1992
Mercedes E200 1981, 1982, 1993
Daewoo lanos 2000-2006
Daewoo Nubian 2000-2006
Golf 1982,1998,2000
Mitsubishi Lancer 1982, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2000-2006 with motors 1.3L, 1.6L
Hyundai Accent, Excel
So what do you think about the LADA SAMARA now?
Still Cr*p! The other cars were obviously stuck in traffic.
Samara is the Kalashnikov-like car. Inexpensive, easy to maintain and repair.
But there is no safety features; the body rust is ubiquitious for cars produced in mid-90's.
Best regards, Moscovite.
"There is (sic) no safety features"? The Samara has progressive crumble zones incorporated in its bodywork; the steel panels are almost twice as thick as those on equivalent Korean and Japanese vehicles; the seats are double locked for safety; apart from safety belts all around, the Samara has rear fog lamps as a standard safety feature, as well as a heated rear window; anti-dazzle interior mirror, adjustable hydraulic headlights (from the interior), steel bars in the door frames, a duel braking system (if one hydraulic circuit ever fails, the other one will ensure you can stop), a comprehensive array of gauges and warning lights in the dashboard to warn the driver of any imminent problems. In those countries where air bags are mandatory, the Samara is fitted with them.
With regard to rust, my Samara has none - and the car is a 1989 model. Perhaps its because I do wash and wax it, on occasions, and yes, it is garaged.
Guys do any of you know where to buy Lada in North America and how to register it in the USA?