Russian Fiat 600...??

[_Jaroslav_]

Hi Glock Girl...I live near Toronto..I've seen the "Kossack" name of the Lada Niva's over here..I thought you were laughing at the Lada itself(i can't blame you)....I admit it did sound kind of funny the way i explained it...The funniest thing i saw was a "stretch-limo" Yugo..i'm not making this up...anyways i look forward to hearing from you again ...ciao _Jaroslav_......

[CKA3KA]

to anyone in russia--can u still find zhiguli?

[glock_girl]

A stretch limo YUGO?!?!?! Oh wow!!! That's an oddity for sure!!! Ha ha ha ha!!!
I see a few Lada Samaras around. Usually they are missing parts and barely running but there's enough of them around.
But that's too funny! Stretch limo, eh? ha ha ha wow!!

[berlioz]

The "Kozzack" was just the name they gave to the car for overseas sales (although I think they provided a slightly higher level of interior fitting on it for export. I suppose they thought "Kozzack" sounded more exciting than "Niva" - but it's the same car. (BTW, this happens a lot with Russian cars. The car universally known as "Devyatka" here sells as "Lada Samara" abroad).

They later released a 5-door version Niva, but I think it looks ugly, and is underpowered. Latest Niva's are very snazzy, have a new engine-unit, improved styling, and there's a limited-edition "Togliatti Tuning" model.

I have one (of the older type) myself, and they definitely go under the name "Niva" here. They are not bad to drive, incredibly reliable, start happily even when it's -25C (I keep mine on the street) and the 4WD, even though it's a bit clunky, will get you out of ditches, or - with some good winter tyres - over packed-down ice. The main downside is that they are a bit noisy, and 5th has a rather irritating "whine" which makes it sound like the engine's labouring. Russian roads outside the big cities can be bloody awful, and if you have to - or like to - get out into the countryside, the Niva's your best bet amongst domestically-produced cars.

If you need a solid purpose-built off-roader, you'd be better to look at an UAZ. This is a fully-fledged military-use jeep. We use them in the Mongolian Gobi, and they can take a lot of punishment. If you fit some sound-proofing into them, they are surprisingly comfy. The 4WD traction is excellent, and will get you out of a Mongolian mudhole most times :-)

- mb

[glock_girl]

Hi Berlioz!!

Hey cool! We have the Samara here, but everyone I've seen is in terrible condition. You say they're reliable and start in -25C weather?? Wow! I should take one with me when I move up north

Good to hear from you again. Looking forward to the meet

Glocky

[berlioz]

Hi Glocky

>> Hey cool! We have the Samara here, but everyone I've seen is in terrible condition. You say they're reliable and start in -25C weather?? <<

No, it's the Niva ("Kozzack") which starts in -25C. The Samara (Devyatka) wouldn't start in -25C if you jump-started it down a 1:5 incline with a battery connected to the national electricity grid <g>

See ya soon!

- berlioz

[glock_girl]

Ah sorry! I misunderstood.
The Kossacks seem to be quite popular. I like the look of them, and the fact that they are one of the few 4x4 cars available. I wonder how they are on gas?

Berlioz, do all cars run on leaded fuel in Russia (that aren't Diesel)?

Glocky