LADA NIVA 1.7 Hussar 3dr 4WD (1995)

The Lada Niva - Not really worth buying, but not bad if you have to.

I had this imported and in birthday present terms it wasn't cheap. But my wife's Russian and we've got a real thing for the "East End of Europe" as I like to call it. Or she does, at least. Still, Tatiana was happy when she saw a brand new Lada Niva appear in the garage. She knows they're not great cars but she appreciates a bit of kitsch.

We live out in the sticks so the Niva's actually pretty handy for getting about as it's a proper 4x4 and everything. Of course there are better 4WD cars about (I own two of them) but there's something about its mechanical simplicity which appeals to me, so I make a point of taking it out regularly. Tati barely drives the thing so someone has to. It's really quite cute and compact though so I feel like I'm driving around in a little concept car or something, it's quite good fun.

Whilst I wish I'd saved the money I will say that it was very good value. It zips around like a little Jeep and I don't know why people laugh at Ladas as the Niva is actually really quite handy. But I don't consider it a serious car: you'd be better off spending a few extra grand on something proper.