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LADA
SAMARA
(1987-1997)
BARGAIN BLOC BUYING
if, admittedly, not overly cheerful. They were imported
here between 1987 and 1997 and throughout that
period, improvements and developments were
continuous at a time when so much else in Russia seemingly became worse. The Samara has never
pretended to be anything other than inexpensive and
pretty basic transport for people who don't care too
much about impressing the neighbours. These cars are bought by people who want something that's cheap
to own, built to last and not stuffed full of gimmicky luxuries like electric windows, central locking and
power steering, not to mention airbags. Yesterday's technology then – usually reliable if a little basic.
HISTORY
The Samara hit the UK late in 1987 and imports
ceased in 1997, following the company’s inability
to adapt the engines to strict new exhaust emission regulations. There
was a plethora of models over
the years but the basic design remained the same.
It should be pointed out that the Samara bears no
relation to long-obsolete Fiats, unlike many other
former Eastern Bloc cars, including Lada’s own Riva.
When launched, it boasted a standard five-speed
gearbox, a modern 1.3-litre engine and a front-wheel
drive chassis with a three-door hatch bodyshell. The
engine was then developed into two other versions –
a 1.5 and a 1.1. The latter is really too small however,
for the weight of the car.
The five-door hatches and saloons came later and
were available until the end in 1997 with both 1.1
and 1.3-litre engines, though the last cars were base
and S trim levels. New Ladas are apparently being designed and built in
the former USSR and there is a thriving trade in exporting old UK examples
back to
their homeland!
WHAT YOU GET
A luxury-liner it isn't, though all cars come with
carpets, cloth upholstery and a rear wash/wipe.
A powerful heater is far more important to motorists
in Minsk than air conditioning or a CD autochanger, remember. So, it’s
a basic car, but all the essentials
are there. Just don't expect to jump out of a small Japanese car and into
a Samara without a moment of shock.
Interiors and seat upholstery, in particular, are hard-wearing
but so must their occupants' posteriors be.
Lada rear seats are well known for their ruggedness
(like their home-market drivers). Conversely, the front seats are generally
far too soft! As for the rest of the interior, there's very little in
the way of gadgetry to go wrong and the dash is functional with a capital
F, if unremarkable for any other reason.
Not much, really. Steer clear of those underpowered
1.1s; you need only pay slightly more for a much
better machine, a 1.3 or a 1.5. Prices start as low as
3100 but vehicles at this level may not be long for
this world. Looking at the more recent versions, you’ll
pay from £200 for 93 and 94 platers up to a maximum
of £375 for a 97-plate 1.5-litre GSX saloon.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The build quality of the cars is usually fine, though
there have been stories about dodgy panel-fit and
poor paintwork in circulation over the years. The
newer cars were certainly well built and solid.
Early cars may leak in heavy rain so check the carpets
for signs of staining, as well as any tell-tale corrosion bubbles at the
base of the windscreen, where water is most likely to have dribbled in.
Mechanically, you shouldn't have much trouble. The
engines are fairly bullet-proof, if crude. Idling is
known to be lumpy, so don't be concerned at the
sight of the motor bouncing around a little on the
mounts when cold. Chances are, it'll have you
damp-eyed, remembering your old Morris Minor or
Cortina from way back when Ladas were foreign
and exotic.
(Based on both 1.3 and 1.5 models) Spectacularly
cheap. A clutch will set you back a mere £70 and a
full exhaust an amazing £100. Brakepads are under
£20. Alternators and starter motors are both just
over £100, a radiator is about £160. A front headlamp
will cost about £40.
But you pay in the end. Well, to be fair, cheap
ownership rarely equals excitement. Nobody buys a
car in this sector of the new or used market for enthusiastic driving anyway. What you will get with
the little Lada is a capable runabout that, provided
you stay out of everyone's way in the overtaking lane,
will get you where you need to be safely and reliably.
One day not so far off, the Russians will put these cars
in museums and wonder at how well they served people
for so long. Until then, the Samara competes with the cheapest second and Third World machinery for honours
as the bargain hunter's favourite.
A Little More than Mere Teaching