Get a brand new Lada Niva and go see the world!

[Christian P.]

Today we met a couple from Germany who are currently driving their Lada Niva from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego.

I was totally shocked to learn that this Niva is a 2009 and that you could still get them brand new in Germany for around 9000 Euro.

They seem to really like the Niva and haven't had any problem so far.

You can follow them here - they have very nice pictures on their blog:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Aventura-Panamericana/128399620536145

This Niva is stock, except for the extra lights, the roof rack and upgraded radio/sound system.

Apparently not much has changed since the 80s. A new emblem, new side molding and slightly bigger engine - 1.7L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva

 

[Scott Brady]

That is awesome on about 10,000 different levels.

The Niva is the most popular of all Lada models. So much so that Chevy started making a Niva in a partnership with the Russian factory

We came across one in Tajikistan

 

[compactcamping]

Love it! That is one Compact ExPo vehicle ...

 

[kerry]

I used to see 4x4 Ladas in Canada in the early 80's. Are they still importing them there?

 

[UK4X4]

Dam never thought they would be still making them !

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I used to see 4x4 Ladas in Canada in the early 80's. Are they still importing them there?

I see them every so often, not new ones though. Usually they are 2 door, red, and lots of rust! lol

 

[SRN]

So awesome.

 

[Errant]

I have always wanted a niva, such a cool little car and would be great for my mountain commute!

 

[4xdog]

I spent some time a couple of years ago at the Paris Auto Show sitting in and looking around the latest Lada Niva. Just as primitive and tough as I remember from the Canadian imports I used to see in the Northeast in the early 80s.

They're very much in production. I'll scan and insert the "brochure" I got -- which is almost as sophisticated as the vehicle itself -- in a later edit to this post.

 

[The Lada Guy]

We love our Lada!

Hi,

I'm the owner of this pretty Niva and like to comment on some questions. Nivas are still being produced in Russia and to my knowledge also in other post-soviet nations and even in Ecuador. They are sold in Germany and Austria and probably in other European markets after some extras have been added to the plain Russian version: better pollution regulators, better protection against corrosion, an immobilizer to keep insurance premiums down and it's sealed so you won't get wet in heavy rains or when crossing rivers. We have a German version, so we enjoy this superior luxury.

Most of it is 30 year old technology, only the motor has been 'modernized' compared to the older model. It got a facelift, but that's barely visible. They used to be imported in Canada some 20 years ago, that's why you only see older ones there (we didn't see any at all). In Nicaragua Nivas as well as other Lada models were imported shortly after the revolution but that was 30 years and so you see only very worn models. In Costa Rica and Panama some of the older ones can be seen as well. We are curious about Ecuador, as we believe they are still produced there (or have been produced until lately).

To keep track of our adventure check our travelogue:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/La-Aventura-Panamericana/128399620536145

Any questions, do contact me:
raz_q@yahoo.de

Cheers
The Lada Guy!

:smiley_drive:

 

[Warn Industries]

Very cool. When I was in Germany in 2006, we parked next to one. It was the first time I'd seen one in person. It looked in really good shape; I bet it was newer!

- Andy

 

[Christian P.]

Hi,

I'm the owner of this pretty Niva and like to comment on some questions. Nivas are still being produced in Russia and to my knowledge also in other post-soviet nations and even in Ecuador. They are sold in Germany and Austria and probably in other European markets after some extras have been added to the plain Russian version: better pollution regulators, better protection against corrosion, an immobilizer to keep insurance premiums down and it's sealed so you won't get wet in heavy rains or when crossing rivers. We have a German version, so we enjoy this superior luxury.

Most of it is 30 year old technology, only the motor has been 'modernized' compared to the older model. It got a facelift, but that's barely visible. They used to be imported in Canada some 20 years ago, that's why you only see older ones there (we didn't see any at all). In Nicaragua Nivas as well as other Lada models were imported shortly after the revolution but that was 30 years and so you see only very worn models. In Costa Rica and Panama some of the older ones can be seen as well. We are curious about Ecuador, as we believe they are still produced there (or have been produced until lately).

To keep track of our adventure check our travelogue:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/La-Aventura-Panamericana/128399620536145

Any questions, do contact me:
raz_q@yahoo.de

Cheers
The Lada Guy!

:smiley_drive:

It was really great to meet you at the backpacker. Please keep us updated on your trip!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Every time I see a vehicle like this it makes me want a full size 4 x 4 less and less every day...lol

 

[ihatemybike]

Thanks to my interest in The BA/BE Rally and The 24 Hours of LeMons my mind has been twisted, thus this thread makes me wonder what can be done with an old Yugo. I know a guy that built one into a Corvette beating SCCA autocross racer.
http://www.misfittoysracing.com/Yugo/index.htm

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Thanks to my interest in The BA/BE Rally and The 24 Hours of LeMons my mind has been twisted, thus this thread makes me wonder what can be done with an old Yugo. I know a guy that built one into a Corvette beating SCCA autocross racer.
http://www.misfittoysracing.com/Yugo/index.htm

A few years ago I was really into Auto-X and the guy setting FTD at most of the events was in a Focus. I was always told the formula for victory is 90% driver + 5% luck + 5% vehicle.