Was I dreaming?

[Inspector Morose]

On the way home from the weekly wallet emptying trip with Mrs Metrobi I was pootling along Old Hill high street when a white Lada Niva cheekily popped its head out of a parking spot to go in the other direction. 'Hmm, clean for one of those', thought I,' hang on. 60 plate?' Is someone importing these again? or was it just a mirage due to excessive Autoshite lurking?

Driving so no pics I'm afraid plus I only saw it for about a few seconds, just enough to read and re read the plate in disbelief. This sort of thing seems to be happening to me a bit recently. Only a couple of days ago a white MG6 cut me up in Blackheath on the way home from work one night. Sure it was one with badges all covered in tape an all. Again no chance for a pic. (lesson to me. Must remember to carry a camera for shite spotting in the future)

I think I'm going mad.

[dollywobbler]

Yup, the Niva is back! LHD only but you can specify LPG!

[ashmicro]

Yep, they're back alright. About £9/10k. Very tough as old boot.

[Inspector Morose]

Oh yeah. Just looked up the website. Now that is tempting, very tempting.

[boobydoo]

Hey, someone bought one!!!

[garycox]

I heard they were importing them again, but SOMEBODY BOUGHT ONE?!!!!

[Vinylseats]

I was only reading about these being imported again the other day. It's like the VW Camper and Maestro all over again.

[Vinylseats]

Here's a '10' reg!

 

 

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/255838/lada_niva.html

 

Lada Niva back on sale in UK

 

Friday 16 July 2010

 

The Lada Niva, Russia's favourite 4x4, is back on sale in the UK. It's petrol only and left-hand drive, but don't let that put you off, says David Cousins

 

The Soviet Union may have collapsed, the Berlin Wall toppled and the Iron Curtain come apart at the seams, but the Lada Niva is one product of communism that is obviously made of tougher stuff. Despite having disappeared from the UK price lists in 1996 and pronounced dead, it's bounced back.

 

The man responsible for its return is Mark Key, a London-based businessman who cut his commercial teeth by importing vehicles that weren't available in the UK. He noticed there were plenty of new Nivas buzzing around in Alpine ski resorts and wondered why they weren't available in the UK.

 

"Lada stopped bringing Nivas into the UK in 1996 because they couldn't get right-hand-drive models any more and the carburettor they were using didn't meet the emissions standards. But I felt that we were missing out in the UK on something that should be good value."

 

Two months ago, Mr Key took over the UK import of Nivas and reckons there should be a steady demand from farmers and other rural dwellers who want something that's cheap, simple and capable. They now meet the emissions standards, but they're still left hand drive.

 

There's a choice of models. The standard passenger 4x4 is £9995 on the road, but there's a VAT-exempt commercial version (no back seats and obscured rear windows) for £7995 and a 2-door, 4-seat pickup for £11,999. They have UK-spec speedos and headlights, he says, and meet all the current Vehicle Certification Agency standards.

 

The current Niva is pretty much identical to the original one that used to be imported to the UK, although much of the electrics and mechanicals that used to be Russian made are now sourced from the US or Italy. Build quality has been improved too, says Mr Key.

 

What's it like? Well let's just say that the Niva will take you straight back to the 1970s. Compared to a VW Tiguan or a Land Rover Freelander it looks positively ancient, with its Fiat-derived bodyshell and boxy shape. Yet it's not unattractive and looks tall and purposeful.

 

There's no artistry about the controls - everything has that Morris Marina feel to it, with big buttons, long spindly stalks for indicators and big levers for gears, range changes and diff-lock. Don't want electric windows, electric mirrors, air-con, airbags or satnav? Good... it hasn't got them.

 

Accommodation is mixed. The driving position is good and the seats excellent, but there's limited knee-room for rear-seat passengers and the boot is very short. Having a socking great (optional) lpg tank in the back probably doesn't help.

 

Start the engine and instead of the usual diesel banging and spluttering you have a surprisingly quiet 1700cc petrol engine. There's no diesel option, though an lpg option halves the fuel cost and cuts the tax rate.

 

Despite the old-fashioned looking gearstick, it slips into gear without protest and off you go. The next surprise is that it's quieter than you'd expect. The old Niva whined like a Springer waiting for its supper, but this one is pretty restrained. Things get more raucous as speed rises but even at 80mph you can still carry on a conversation.

 

However, those giant coil springs, which allow the Niva to float over rutted farm tracks, mean there's a lot of leaning on the road. Corners and roundabouts can be taken briskly, but it's a bit like piloting a small boat on a windy day. Acceleration is, um, steady.

 

Verdict

If you want a vehicle that will mostly be used around the farm, this is ideal. It's cheap, simple, comfortable, easy to clean and laughs at rough terrain. The petrol engine and left hand drive may not be everyone's cup of tea but you'll certainly stand out from the crowd.

 

NIVA SPEC

• Engine: 1700cc petrol 80hp

• Top speed: 90mph

• 0-60mph: 17.5s

• Transmission: 5-speed with hi-lo transfer box. Permanent 4wd with diff-lock.

• Fuel consumption (combined): 31mpg

• Brakes: Disc + drum

• Towing capacity: 1610kg

• Price (4x4 passenger 4x4): £9995

• Importer: Niva Imports 020 8305 1137 or 07740 796 662 http://www.markkey.co.uk

• Two-year warranty

• Servicing: at any VAT-registered garage

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/07/18/122285/Lada-Niva-back-on-sale-in-UK.htm

 

[ladalout69]

It's a shame, I think, that they don't import the fuel injected Riva. That is one car I would go straight out and buy!. The Niva is a brilliant machine, tough and easy to work on. They also go very well in injected form...... I worked for Cants Lane Garage in Burgess Hill, Sussex (Lada dealer from 1977) and remember having the Sales Demonstrator for the weekend. I got told off for putting 400 miles on it....... worth it though!.