“The reliable new Yugo is based on a very simple concept: basic transportation that won’t cost you your life savings. Which, when you think about it, isn’t exactly a revelation.” So says a 1991 Yugo GV Plus brochure. The seller has this great-looking Yugo (no, that’s not an oxymoron!) posted here on craigslist in Herald, California and they’re asking $6,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for sending in this tip!
The brochure is one of the best that I’ve seen, with some great lines, such as, “It has the same fuel injection system as Porsche, but you won’t have to sell it when you get married.” Ha! That’s gold. They’re talking about the new Bosch “Motronic” multi-port fuel injection system and it made a big difference, but came a bit late. For a car that’s been the subject of so many jokes, Yugo only had one recall in the U.S., believe it or not. Take that, Ford/GM/Dodge/Toyota/etc.
This car is one of the last to roll across our border and they were renamed the GV Plus. Fuel injection is a good thing in my world, I wish I had it on all of my old vehicles. This Yugo appears to have been repainted but we don’t know for sure. It’s certainly been debadged and that often goes with a repaint. It looks perfect in the photos, inside and out, and even the engine. I know, an engine photo in a craigslist ad. I can imagine a big crowd around this car at any car show with the hood open showing off that fancy Bosch fuel injection system.
The interior looks like new from what I can see. An early goal of mine was to own a Trabant 601 Universal (wagon), and also a Yugo GVX, the sport model. A GV Plus is even better since it should be more reliable than an earlier Yugo. We don’t get to see the back seat at all or the cargo space under the hatchback, which is unfortunate. This one has a five-speed manual, although an automatic was available in the Plus model. This car also has Bendix power brakes, a nice feature.
There it is in all its Porsche glory! Wait, why is that tester hooked up there? This is a 1.3-liter fuel-injected SOHC inline-four with 67 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. It has a new battery, and new brakes, and starts, runs, and stops great. For the record, no, this car “didn’t cost $6,500 new”, it was about a grand less. And as always, that question has absolutely nothing to do with present car values. Have any of you owned or driven a fuel-injected Yugo?
The short answer is yes I worked on one and drove it. Not many were made since this was at the tail end of production when Yugo pulled out of the US market. The majority of EFI in the 80’s and 90’s was Bosch. The EFI on the Yugo was a real basic TBI injection called Monojetronic which was to the best of my knowledge the only application in the USA but used in Europe as a low cost solution. Motronic just meant the duties of ignition and fuel injection were integrated into one control unit. Porsche was one of the first to use Motronic. Mercedes, Audi, VW, and others used K, or KE Jetronic which was mechanical with electronic support with a separate digital ignition module such as EZL or EZK.
All that gobbly gook aside Yugo had problems on several fronts and the buying public lost interest. They actually weren’t as bad as the rap people gave them. Like Hyundai in the early days dealers used these cars to sell to a credit challenged market group. Remember the days of everyone gets a car nobody goes home empty handed. I worked at one of those dealers and I often said if Hyundai can survive the abuse and lack of maintenance the customers dished out they would have a robust product. It took years to build a reputation and to become a major player.
I need to issue a correction. I should know better than to rely on memory from over 30 years ago. This engine uses Motronic and is multiport not TBI as I initially stated. Mono Jetronic was not used on this car.
You had me worried, Alpha! I mentioned that in the second paragraph but was having second thoughts after seeing your comment.
The design was that of a Fiat 124, which was the European car of the year when it came out. Throttle body fuel injection (TBI) is the simplest and most trouble free system and it is still used by racers.
My mistake. The Yugo had port injection? Still way better than carburetion.
Fiat 127, but entirely reskinned. The Fiat 124 was rear-drive, a bit bigger and the basis of the Russian Lada.
😂
A Yugo PLUS( whistles) , who was sportin’ that kind of cash? These have been featured here before, by none other, and always gets a slew of responses. The last one, dated Dec. 1, 2018, got over 50 comments. Most in the “I feel sorry” category, most just plain stupid responses based on ill gotten information. The Yugo wasn’t near as bad as many make it out to be. Fact is, I read, ’88-’91 were considered the “Golden Years” for Yugo, with over 200,000 sold. They were made in several places in Europe and employed thousands. Introduced at a time when most Americans were used to their 454s and what not, ALL small cars led a rough life, something Europeans were well used to. With proper maintenance, I heard of Yugos going as far, or farther than most small cars. Again, maintenance was the key, unlike mu old man who never changed the oil in his Oldsmobiles. Amazingly, NAPA has a whole line of replacement Yugo parts. Probably better than some Asian cars. I’d like it just for the publicity it’s accrued over the years.
I have to say I’m still attracted to these after all these years because they are different. But they were indeed a rotten car. I had one for a loan when the shop was working on my RX7. The wipers were temperamental as was the radio, and just driving along at 50 mph, the shifter would just decide to pop out of gear. That said, I always check them out when I see one out and about.
I liked that Yugo provided a rear defroster as standard equipment.
That was to keep your hands warm while you were pushing it to the repair facility.
Everybody and their mom uses that joke
And it’s still funny…every time.
Does it come with a bus schedule?
I have to commend Barn Finds for the greatly varied cars featured on this website. People mostly love cars they can relate to, and Barn Finds has had stories about those, as well as untouchable expensive cars, quirky cars, and anything in between. Thank you Barn finds, for not leaving me, John Q. Public, out in the cold.
Golly, what a “great car, great value”. Just think, for an appropriate dealer network YUGO could have become a shelf item at Harbor Freight, featured as “compare to” Volkswagon Rabbit or GTI.
With its Fiat ancestry, a good dealer network, and a company who is really responsive to the consumer like Honda was in the 70’s success might have followed. Unfortunately as a dealers ugly stepchild and a niche to fill the bottom of the barrel entry when you can’t finance a mid level car to a consumer Yugo had an uphill battle. Less than Honda reliability and upheaval in its home market it didn’t have a chance. They were 100,000 mile cars to the frugal consumer who wanted cheap A to B transportation and understood a maintenance schedule.
Yugo memories. The Lincoln Mercury dealer down the way, giving you a free Yugo with every Town Car purchase. And when they first were introduced, the new car show at our convention center. With all the old babushka wearing women gathered round it, and the young PR guy extolling the virtues. I walked up to it, and saw the tiniest exhaust pipe sticking out from the rear fender. I reached down and gently tapped on it, pointing it out to my friends. It immediately fell off the car, to my, and the young huckster’s surprise. Much hilarity ensued.
I too remember a car dealership giving a Yugo away if you bought a car! I also remember reading a story of a group of young guys renting a Yugo in a small European town for the week. They discovered that if it was driven in reverse, the odometer would go backwards! They drove the car in reverse often enough and paid back very little for the “miles” that they used!
I especially enjoy the engine pic with a test light front and center, lol. The test light should be included, ’cause you’ll no doubt be confronted with a need to use it. Likely more than once, lol.
A friend of mine worked at a Ford dealership in N.J. when Yugos came out.He calls me up and says come see this car we are selling !
Weeks later he tells me buyers were bringing them back …..the wipers were flying off the car when they turned them on when it rained.
Oh my gosh, that makes sense. Let me explain, I worked for American West airlines in my younger days. A coworker who lived over the state line bought one as his commuter car. During the first torrential rainstorm that Summer, his Yugo flung its wipers into oblivion.
Did you expect them to break while the sun was shining?
Found this tonight. The listing for the Yugo is mine. The paint is original. Was told was sold like that. Who knows? The test light was there to check fuses. Lol. Good write up. Thank you. Noel
Thanks for the comment, Noel! I really like this car, it looks like a gem to me.
Only reason there was only one recall on Yugo is the cars couldn’t make it in for more than one recall. You all know the joke. Yogo it can’t. Love Barnfinds
Looks to be in great shape. I’m sure it draws the crowds at car shows. I am thrown by the lack of badging if the paint is original.
Don’t know why people have to post a book of their thoughts.It about a friend that owned one or their mother.What a joke .Can’t talk about what’s at hand .
Why not? We all (maybe not you) had cars, had friends, Moms, Dad’s who had interesting cars which were part of our youth or were significant in our lives. The memories are part if the fun of the hobby. This isn’t a car repair manual site.
Arthur
The authors often ask for stories on the featured cars it is what makes this site interesting
Go to Hemmings for no opinions
I was on a press trip in Korea and a young woman adressed another journalist and me, telling us that she was from Yugoslavia. Then she says, “We made a car.” Instantly, I and my compadre are thinking the same thing. How to we respond in a way that’s both honest and not insulting?
Then she says, “It was a terrible car. You go around a corner and the door flies open.”
I don’t remember what happened after that. There was just a flood of relief …
That’s funny. I truly think that kind of thing is what makes it a charming car. If you ever worked on one, you find it’s a mix bag of quality and shoddy engineering. But always a blast to the past when driving it. Always a hit at car events.
They were junk from the start. They weren’t the “beetle” ! My inlaws bought one because, exactly, they were cheap ! Not safe ! How they passed collision testing is beyond me. Efficient, yes. Don’t drive them much, don’t drive them far. I laughed out of my seat when I seen asking price a sell it for what you bought it for to some poor college student and I do mean a poor one that mommy day or the government aren’t helping.
I owned a couple in last 40 years, and they can easily do 200.000mls if properly taken care of. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Yugo EFI was the 1st car with a small engine to have a an EFI system fuel injection. All others had the so-called monotronic, 1 injector for all cylinders where carburetor used to be. Even 5 years later not all small cars had 4 injectors. Bosch developed it in mid 80’s and did not have anybody to test it. Yugo was their ideal rabbit. And they are very good systems, all parts still easily available and not too expensive. Last time I was buying I bought all 4 injectors for $150.
My only experience with Yugos was in 1992 when a co-worker gave me a lift in his so I can pick up my ’86 Honda Civic which ironically was being repaired (it just needed new brakes). If I recall, the Yugo actually didn’t ride that bad but seeing the interior in this one reminded me of how crude these things were, even in the early 90s. But it WILL draw crowds at your local C&C.
If they were a good car and reliable they were going to make a wagon called a Wego but they never made that far I know its true I read it on grims fairy tales
The Yugo is still popular in eastern Europe, they have huge car meets, where all the Yugo owners get together, though over there they are called Zestava. This would be a fun car to own if it was only 1000 bucks, but for $6500 you could buy a decent Honda Civic.
Yea, It would be fun to own a ferrari, if it was 3.000. Bucks. But for 300.000. I could buy a house. 🤪
A friend of mine had one in high school. We beat the snot outta that car. One day the catalytic converter melted. We cut it off and straight piped it. Man did it backfire after that! I think he drove it 150,000 miles before the seats fell through the floor! Great little car!
Oh! “You Go”. I just got it.
The only joke i know about these cars is what do you call a 4 door Yugo?? A wego….but i have no clue if they even had a 4 door version. Nice writeup Scotty, and good looking little car. Thanks barnfinds for what yall do.
You’re way too kind, Hollywood Collier, thanks!
I just made this (somewhat) quick Photoshop version of a four-door.
Anyone here old enough to remember this? One of the most memorable stories about a Yugo:
https://www.tctimes.com/news/remember-the-woman-in-the-yugo/article_5496a820-4159-11e7-b3ad-8391deb9664f.html
The windshield wipers flying off when activated were rain sensitive.
The test light was standard equipment.
Never seen a Yugo with rear window louvers like this. Jokes aside and say what you will but this would be great to take this to car shows and I bet it may get more attention than a C8 corvette or Ferrari since not many are around these days
Funny you say that about car shows. I actually had a guy tell me one time, please don’t park next to his corvette. Half kidding. Everyone ignored his vette to look at the Yugo. At another car show I parked next to a 100.000 dollar custom k5 blazer. I made the paper and a write up. Not him. Lol
The Yugo is sold sold sold. He will be takin to New York.He will have new adventures and make more people smile with memories. Sold to a wonderful man with a awesome car collection. We all need a Yugo once and a while.
Congratulations, Noel, and the new owner!
The Dodge dealer in my town took the Yugo franchise. They had a loaded, bodykit-equipped black-over-silver top of the line GVX out front for so long I wonder if they really wanted to sell it or just agressively upsold anyone who was serious about it to a Colt or Omni.
Listing update: this one is gone!
This car is pristine! I’m from Yugoslavia and was looking to buy one. So sad I missed this one!