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Jul 16, 2012 16:10:48 GMT
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Jul 16, 2012 16:22:20 GMT
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Rust, everywhere. Manky carbs. You can still buy new ones!
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Jul 16, 2012 16:35:00 GMT
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Brian Damaged
West Midlands
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 9,555
Club RR Member Number: 33
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Jul 16, 2012 17:05:57 GMT
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I had one back in the early 90's, brilliant off-road but woeful on it. 25mpg was just possible with careful driving, but to be honest they are so underpowered that you inevitably end up thrashing the norks off 'em, so round town expect 18-20mpg.
If you can live with that then watch for rust everywhere, knackered bushes, rattly timing chains, oil leaks, self-detaching front crankshaft pulleys, awful brakes (the front calipers are notoriously weak) and myriad electrical maladies.
All that will be forgotten the first time you take one off-roading though. They are known as the Russian Range Rover for a very good reason. Just about unstoppable in the rough stuff.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Jul 17, 2012 12:15:45 GMT
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I'm sure you've already seen this video, but it's made me want one as well. The amount of grip is actually litterally incredible.Lowered on coilovers to go rallying and confuse the hell out of other drivers. It would require a drivetrain swap though, which is impossible here unfortunately...
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Jul 17, 2012 14:17:50 GMT
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A mate of mine had a few. He described it as sh*te but he still bought another...... It was loud, rough, slow and didn't do corners (or straight lines for that matter), but he loved it! They must be infectious.
If you want somthing different, try a UMM. Peugeot engines in a slab sided body.
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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Brian Damaged
West Midlands
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 9,555
Club RR Member Number: 33
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Jul 17, 2012 19:07:58 GMT
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I'm sure you've already seen this video, but it's made me want one as well. The amount of grip is actually litterally incredible.Lowered on coilovers to go rallying and confuse the hell out of other drivers. It would require a drivetrain swap though, which is impossible here unfortunately... Drivetrain swaps are hard on Nivas anyway. The running gear arrangement on them is incredibly strange, a combination of a live axle on the rear with IFS....but the front diff is actually bolted to the side of the engine block, making engine swaps awkward. Apparently the Fiat Twin-Cam will bolt in, but it's not straightforward. On the good side, wheel swaps are a doddle....Nivas share their PCD with the Suzuki SJ/Vitara and the Daihatsu Sportrack.
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bigt
Part of things
Posts: 88
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Jul 17, 2012 19:29:43 GMT
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The French importers were offering a Peugeot diesel engined option, possibly fitted when the vehicle arrived in France. Always been very popular in France
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Jul 18, 2012 11:39:56 GMT
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Trying to find one will be a challenge, thought almost all of them were hoovered up and shipped back to the eastern europe.
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Jul 18, 2012 12:23:22 GMT
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Jul 18, 2012 14:32:07 GMT
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Rob: If you don't mind LHD there are plenty in France, as bigt said. In fact, when you drive on narrow mountain roads, having the sterring wheel on the wrong side is a good thing because it allows to watch where you put your wheels... We have several agricultural vehicles in RHD in the mountains over here.
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Jul 18, 2012 15:23:35 GMT
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I used to own this one; It was pretty cool. nothing worked, but it kept on going anyway. The heater was jammed in the "volcano hot" position, non of the windows would open except the wee quarterlights, which would not close. Most of the electrics were dead, or would sporadically burst into life for a few minutes when least expected..... mostly minor stuff though. On the road, it was MUCH better than I expected. Handling was relatively civilised, with a ride that was acceptable for daily use. It was MILES better than a Sujuki SJ and I now have a Sporttrak, which is also a worse drive on road. They are permanant 4x4 with a lockable centre diff, so the same drive spec as a Disco/defender in a lighter bodyshell with tiny overhangs.....it really was very competant indeed offroad and on road in snow it inspired a lot of confidence. I didnt keep it purely due to bad fuel economy - Low 20's MPG at best, and very low tow capacity - 750 kgs max. If you are up for the adventure, buy one in Southern France. There are still plenty for sale that are completely rust free as mine was? and the occasional diesel one pops up for sale too.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Jul 18, 2012 17:04:44 GMT
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Forget about the LHD bit, I see you're in Germany.
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Jul 18, 2012 17:58:33 GMT
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Thanks for all the replies I take it, MPG & Rust are my biggest concerns. The South France option sounds like a good idea. Niva & Roadtrip ;D And a diesel would be awesome, though it would have to be at least 30 years old, otherwise taxes are a killer... I don't think they have like Euro 2 or something? Thanks again!
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I didn't think they stopped selling Nivas in Germany?! Given how well Citroën GS and so forth lasted compared to Britain, I suspect the British interpretation of 'rust' might be a little unfair, just aim for places that used ash rather than salt during snow.
Surely the adventure for a Niva would be to go for a former USSR place that has now joined Europe...
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Jul 19, 2012 12:29:50 GMT
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The South France option sounds like a good idea. Niva & Roadtrip ;D Take ear plugs......
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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