Adrian_pt Posted February 9 Posted February 9 This was a fun few days. Moldova is modernising big time and consequently a lot of tat is disappearing off the streets - even Ladas. But there was still a lot to see - including the Seat Malaga. The Audi 80 was utterly shagged and the Honda - which was very clean - carried the plates of Transnistria, which we were due to visit. More to come! Lacquer Peel, Rustybullethole, N Dentressangle and 22 others 24 1
Tayne Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Do tell, Moldova and Transnistria are in my list for later this year as part of 50 before 50. motorpunk 1
UltraWomble Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Maybe now I can WIN SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE SOUTH MOLDAVIAN PEOPLE! MT606 and Stinkwheel 2
Rustybullethole Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Nice. I know I shan't be alone here being a licker of that bumperless, mismatched panel fart cannon bimmer. Marina door handles, puddlethumper, Adrian_pt and 3 others 2 1 3
Adrian_pt Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 After two very jolly nights in Chisinau, nursing headaches we took an utterly shagged minibus across the border. Dire road, pretty grim weather, bleak views, remarkably efficient crossing process. In Moldova we'd seen the odd Transnistrian-plated shattered but little could have prepared me for the visual feast. "New" cars are 20 years old, every other vehicle seems to be a Mk 3 Passat, and struggling going back to the 80s is still thick on the ground. Ladas are thinning out, Volga rare but existent, Euroshite is the thing. There are of course more upmarket vehicles and I enjoyed seeing the Western decadence of an S-type and an ageing Cayenne. Many seemed very well maintained - the Sierra and Rekord in particular were in lovely nick. The place itself is a total step back in time - with the good and the bad that that entails. Sickles and hammers everywhere. I suspect we were the only foreigners there at the time. We certainly felt exotic! That said, it felt reasonably safe and I didn't even have a problem going for a solo wander to snap buildings and shite. You can enter visa free if you only stay for 24 hours. Much recommended. Lacquer Peel, angle, Rustybullethole and 14 others 17
Asimo Posted February 10 Posted February 10 This is fascinating: the cutting edge of European history expressed in shite cars! Any sign of the Russian occupiers?
sheffcortinacentre Posted February 11 Posted February 11 Is nowhere safe from the scurge of mcpukes. Adrian_pt and MT606 1 1
Adrian_pt Posted February 12 Author Posted February 12 On 10/02/2025 at 21:15, Asimo said: This is fascinating: the cutting edge of European history expressed in shite cars! Any sign of the Russian occupiers? It felt very Russian. Flags everywhere and very few traces of the Romanian / Moldovan language even though over a quarter of the population technically have it as their first language - but the overall vibe was more Cold War than, say, a suburb of Moscow or St Petersburg. And a fair few uniforms walking down the street. Interestingly they have surmised that the USSR stuff is a bit of a tourist draw and they make quite a bit of that - down to a couple of USSR themed restaurants. While I'm at it, a few more from Moldova in March of last year. Sunny Jim, Lacquer Peel, Asimo and 1 other 3 1
Pieman Posted February 12 Posted February 12 On 11/02/2025 at 00:54, sheffcortinacentre said: Is nowhere safe from the scurge of mcpukes. richardmorris and Lacquer Peel 2
jim89 Posted February 12 Posted February 12 8 minutes ago, Pieman said: What "order" is that in? 'Not' ?
sheffcortinacentre Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Lucky buggers, although I can't stand any of them KFC, burger king et al they all smell & look awful. Gimme a chippy or independent sandwich shop anyday. Adrian_pt 1
sierraman Posted February 13 Posted February 13 How are a lot of those cars still on the road? I’d have thought that snow/bad winters etc would have meant they’d be a weld fest?
EyesWeldedShut Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Just now, sierraman said: How are a lot of those cars still on the road? I’d have thought that snow/bad winters etc would have meant they’d be a weld fest? No salt/grit
motorpunk Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Fantastic! I particularly like the black, semi-barrier Sierra. I’m fascinated by that corner of the world and would love to visit some day. What takes you there? Is the food awful? Have you been ripped off anywhere?
angle Posted February 13 Posted February 13 3 hours ago, motorpunk said: Fantastic! I particularly like the black, semi-barrier Sierra. I’m fascinated by that corner of the world and would love to visit some day. What takes you there? Is the food awful? Have you been ripped off anywhere? Not been to Moldova but have been to a fair bit of that part of the world and no - generally people are way, way friendlier than in Spain or France, food is great, everything is cheap. Its not exactly close but last ex-Soviet place I went to was Georgia and I would strongly recommend it for scenery / wine / friendly people / shit cars. Standard of driving is appalling, mind. My spots from there - Adrian_pt and Dyslexic Viking 2
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