Want a small SUV that’s got history that a brand-new RAV 4 will never offer? How about a 1991 LADA Niva with under 18,000 miles on the clock and a full resto to boot? This car, offered for a buy-it-now price of $42,795 as seen here on eBay, might be just what you need to conquer difficult terrain. The seller is also open to offers, and the Lada awaits your inspection and purchase in Spencer, MA.
The Lada Niva is a Soviet-era mini SUV that has fans the world over. It’s probably for that reason that this car is offered unapologetically, though lines in the ad like, “[C]apable of handling the harshest terrain and conditions of the Soviet Union,” feel like they need a reply. Something along the lines of, “Good thing, because the ground’s gotten a bit chewed up of late” But you have to just take this one on face value—it’s not the fault of AlphaCars that the world is in the mess it’s in, so what else can they do but boast that they have been selling Soviet-era cars for over a decade and that they have good contacts amongst people in Russia?
Mechanically, this one’s got a relatively rare 5-speed transmission and is in restored condition. It was found in a barn after having been used as the personal vehicle of the (former) Russian ambassador to Spain, then by a military officer before being relegated, then found and restored. Over the years, some of the 650,000 Nivas sold have been seen as firetrucks, military vehicles, and ambulances, amongst other roles. This one certainly looks to be in tip-top shape, its engine pounding out 75 hp from a 1.6-liter displacement. If that doesn’t sound like a lot, well, you’re right, but it sends power to all four wheels. Those are constantly driven, with high/low ranges and a locking differential making the snow-and-ice weather that’s surely coming soon something not to be feared. If I paid more than $40K for this one, I might be slightly worried about the accompanying road salt, but why spoil the fun ahead of time?
The asking price seems like a lot for a novelty, and who knows who would fix the thing if it broke, or how long parts would take to get to the US given the Russia-Ukraine situation of late. But if you were willing to brave those risks, this is a pretty cool looking little 4X4, and if the restoration company/seller lives up to their reputation, then you’re not going to have to do a lot to maintain the outstanding condition of this vehicle.
I think these cars are cool. Crude and unrefined but will go just about anywhere. Maybe not so much fun as a road car but as a off-roader it’s rugged construction makes this a good workhorse. America had the Jeep, UK had the Land Rover, Japan the Land Cruiser, and Russia has the Niva. I think any one of these would be a great off-roading choice. The asking price is about double of what I would pay for something like this. As far as the mileage being accurate I’m sure the Russian government wouldn’t lie.
Too late! I just wasted good money on a Yugo.
Umm no. I grew up in Canada where Lada’s were allowed to be sold. My neighbor at the lake had one in Quebec. Can’t count the times he came over to ask if my Dad would tow into our heated garage because it wouldn’t start in the winter. Basically a vehicle Mr. Gagnon was laughed at for buying.
Because there is no winter in Russia.
Who worries about winter when there is no competition in your home market?
Curious to know which lake that was in Quebec. My neighbour on Lac MacGregor had one before he upgrade to a Chevy S10.
Which lake in Quebec? We had a neighbour on Lac MacGregor who owned one of these during the 80’s, who then switched to a Chevy S10.
Was this near Perkins, Quebec, by chance?
There are western European sources for parts. And I am going to guess that if you are a decent shade tree mechanic you can figure these out. After all, simplicity was a selling point.
No way I would pay $40k for one, no matter how nice. But I have to admit that if I still lived in the mountains and could get one cheap, I’d give a Niva serious thought. I think it would be a hoot on forest roads and in the snow.
Too late! I just wasted good money on a Yugo.
I wouldn’t pay $42K for every Lada ever built.
Ditto.
Nope
40K for a Yugo with a lift kit. Paaaaaaass….
A lift kit AND all wheel drive to make it more complicated and less reliable.
For less than 10 K there is one in Brazil. And it looks very good.
webmotors.com.br
Well, you can buy a BRAND NEW Niva for less – they’re still in production. Also, unless you mind the stares, you can get the Putin edition – approved by the nation’s leader himself. Guess what color it is…
https://www.autouncle.se/se/d/8390471-begagnad-lada-niva-bronto-putin-edition-2017-kombi-169-000-kr
I’d rather have a RAV4. They can go more than 18,000 miles without a full restoration.
There isn’t a Soviet Era car on the face of the planet, worth $40k. Did the seller down a couple bottles of Stoli before announcing the asking price?
Saw a few Niva s in Normandy and Brittany a while back seemed to be holding up well .
Writer’s Comment: I enjoyed reading all your posts. This is one of the funnier strings I’ve seen in a while!
I grew up in Canada, too, and I remember these things. Oddball vehicles and one you’d just look at and go, “Yeah, nobody’s going to repair that thing if it breaks. Make that when it breaks. Make that right now.”
These are capable off-roaders. Regarding Canadian winters, did the owner’s Niva not have an engine heater fitted? Standard practice in Finland, which is similarly cold.
40k? To beat your kidneys into mush? Used one while working in Siberia. Very reliable if you have Russian terp on your team to negotiate for parts we needed regularly. We would flip to see who had to ride in it.
TRUE! Very true,
Having lived in Bulgaria in1967 and having gone back numerous times since 1991, almost every year, I will state some facts about these 4×4’s.
1) When they build these at the factory there was a good chance there was alcohol involved in the process.
2) You had to be on a waiting list much like the new Corvette C8 Z06 today only you had to pay for it in full first.
3) They were well known for major rust issues.
4) Extremely simple but totally unreliable.
5) You have to remove the front differential driveshaft to get
15-17mpg,(easy to do, remove 4 bolts)
6) Never met a satisfied owner, except for Vasko Popov (he doesn’t drive it, waiting for straight up trade for a new S Class)
$42k dollars? Never met a satisfied owner of any Lada. Under powered, unreliable and certainly overpriced for this one. They are $500-$4500(excellent cond) in Eastern Europe.
$42k ?? Sorry just dropped $45k for a 1985 Trabant. Dang it! I thought I had a great deal. I should have waited.
As a native montrealer , these were a common sight for a very short period
There were lada dealerships for a short period also
Never heard a good comment about them …
Hahaha! They added an extra zero to the price.
Lovely looking car. I’ve heard of the Lada Niva. It’s a shame that it was never offered here in the USA. We were still involved at the time in the stupid Cold War, no one would buy anything made in Russia, or anything from the Eastern Bloc countries.
One of the best offroaders ever made and still made.
Except rust prevention where Russians also never
minded about as Americans.
The simplicity is caused from the russian proverb
‘we dont have roads we have directions on the sky’.
So when you are somewhere lost it drives anywhere.
The quality have been increased through its long
production. Spares are avail direct from UAZ.
I had one of these when I lived in Iceland. You could not kill it. The tin worm loves them though.