A 1986 Lada Niva that’s Seen Better Days

I had the chance to test out a 1986 Lada Niva in the Lithuanian countryside.

Sometimes known as simply the Niva, the Lada 4x4, or the Lada Niva, this was, and is, a car that is designed to survive the harshest of environments, and that has hardly changed since 1977.

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Locations:

- Lithuania

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My personal motorcycle: 2010 Triumph Bonneville 865cc (the base version)

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Find me on:


- PODCAST: Freedom Machines With Freddie Dobbs
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- Filming and editing: @monikameraki (Instagram)

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Music:

- The Fly Guy Five: A Walk in Marais


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[karstenflecktarn]

Forgot to mention. Germany has a very large Lada and Uaz scene. Spare Parts are good available, stocks are full. Even for UAZ you can order for very reasonable pricing in Bulgaria. So no arguments for not buying one :) with proper maintenance and short service intervalls (10tsd kilometers) both brands are very reliable.

[antonhosinsky]

Just got my own Niva the other day, a sheer stroke of luck because they are extremely rare where I live. A 1989 model, well-cared for with a fine interior and bodywork. 15 minutes after driving it when I checked it out I knew this was my car. It smells as the cars of my childhood and has those little charming triangular windows that you can open sideways, in front of the side windows. Feels solidly built and no annoying beeps if I don´t put on my safety belt or let the keys in the lock. INow I just got to find a cassette car stereo for it.

[drink]

There are many Lada Nivas in the Dutch classifieds, but prices are astronomical. For an overstock 2018 model with 250 kilometers on the clock they ask 29.800 euros

[Merc-Rover]

I'm actually looking at a 1.9 td Lada Niva in Spain.
€3500!!!

[supershelma]

The best car ever, dont stop no where. Just drive. I love lada niva.

[MARSIPAANIKAKKU-lkbz]

NICE I LIKE 2103 1500S.2107 1300 AND NIVA

[davemorgan]

Hi Freddie just watched another great video. I think the steering would have been a bit easier if it didn’t have smaller low profile tyres on the front. Keep up the good work 👍

[seanfrank]

Even if I was driving a car I wouldn't have even hesitated at that little dip. That Lada would have walked through there in 2wd.

[timtim]

Freddie should be the next Top Gear presenter.

[yevgeniyvalstion]

You know you can buy brand new one of these.

[toreking]

Lads is a vehicle I had been curious about for so long as well, I would highly recommend off-roading any 80s and early 90s 4x4, they are primitively seductive for some reason, rugged and simple, as they should.

[craigdouglasmartens]

This vehicle has nothing to do with the war along with the legendary Ural 2wd motorcycle sidecar rig. Ukrainians use them extensively and they are eminently suitable for their applications. I'd love them to be assembled in South Africa like the Mahindra PikUp. Brilliant concept.

[mmihulja]

Overall the video is interesting, however, this particular example, unfortunately, appears to lack much of its original (factory) looks - the front seats, the steering wheel, the front wheels, the side-mirrors, the presence of LPG (which was absolutely never factory-offered for Niva) and many other details have actually been subsequently changed/modified (either added or removed) and much of those obviously being stripped from some entirely different cars.

No offense of course, but I honestly I think that this particular example should not be taken into account for portraying a 1980s Niva in any case.

[kevinshaffer]

no power steering..lol..imagine trying to turn one of the huge solid steel American cars from the 40's, 50's and 60's...LOL..they were tanks...another great video!!..

[decayintheuk]

what a heap...but it looks good and I'm liking simple more and more

[Valentine]

I think a road trip from Lithuania back to the UK could be on the cards in the Lada!!? 👌

[sravan]

Hi, Can you review the new Royal Enfield Hunter 350 ? It looks like a great city commuter and very affordable.. Royal Enfield did a great job again

[oblahdes]

I drive a 1995 Jeep Cherokee (Wife has 2002 Grand Cherokee) and love it, no frills, if all falls off, the engine will still carry me around. Great bit on the Himalayas. Long live the Ukrainians.

[sappernz]

Worst car i ever owned...Im 83 yrs Aussie..therefore ive owned many, many vehicles. And yes Freddy we all know you are 6 ft 1 inch.