Later, when the more expensive Togliatti “instrument” appeared on the market, this model continued to attract buyers at a low price and good quality by domestic standards. And today, Samaras, now of the second generation, do not stand idle for a long time at the finished product sites - whatever you say, there are few new cars for 6.5-7 thousand dollars.
UNDER ONE NAME
In the Samara-2 family (as the updated Samaras are often called), there are three models that differ in bodies. The cheapest is the VAZ 2113 three-door hatchback, the same, sometimes the VAZ 2114 five-door is a little more expensive, and the VAZ 2115 sedan closes the price range.
VAZ 2113, the former "eight", attracts … a minimum of doors. Firstly, you don’t have to worry about the children in the back seat. Secondly, it is easier for a driver, especially a solid build, to enter a large “gate”. But the owner of the “thirteenth” is in wait for disappointment - a large door sags over time or the glass tries to warp when trying to close it. In addition, the “thirteenth” is absolutely not suitable for the role of a minibus - it’s hard for rear passengers to crawl into the doorway, while front passengers quickly get bored of letting them through. This author experienced on himself while riding a couple of years on the "eight".
Therefore, my next car was the "nine" (its modernized version is called VAZ 2114). If you have frequent family trips, I advise you to do the same - it will be more convenient for relatives and friends in this car. And not just them: in the cargo-passenger version with the rear seats folded through the second doors, it is easier to lay out the luggage in the compartment.
Don't you like hatchbacks? Or is the trunk too small? Then from the Samar family VAZ 2115 is best suited. The rear seat of the sedan also folds, and in the passenger-and-freight version, the cabin is longer by about 200 mm - convenient for transporting long-lengths or skis. And it’s more convenient to load things into the trunk of “tag” - the opening is wider, you will have to raise the luggage not so high.
ELECTIONS IN SAMARA
Dealers offer not only different bodies, but also equipment. The poorest - the "standard" - can be entered in the Red Book. In car dealerships, they start a conversation with the option “norm” (it is often called “junior suite”). In the arsenal is a central lock, fog lights, power windows in the front doors. However, it may happen that the dealer has "at hand" only expensive "Samaras" in the performance of "luxury". In addition to these benefits, you get athermal glass, a trip computer, heated front seats, instead of tweed, the interior is upholstered in velor.
Just don’t expect to buy “Samara” at the price indicated in the price list. “Naked” cars are extremely rare, dealers like to stuff with their own equipment. If they offer only an alarm and an anticorrosive with Lockers, consider that they got off with little blood. These are not the most useless things will add an average of 6-15 thousand rubles to the cost of a car (in the province, prices are more modest). Often the car put up for sale is already equipped with engine protection (plus 400 rubles), floor mats (450/350 rubles) are in the passenger compartment and trunk, and Samara shod with imported tires on alloy wheels (17, 000 rubles). Particularly skilled sellers will spin up the buyer by another 20-30% of the starting price of the car.
Echoes of the past
The only Samara from the old guard - the first-generation five-door hatchback - is being produced by the Syzran enterprise RosLada. VAZ 2109 3, in addition to a modest appearance, differs in door upholstery, instrument panel, unregulated steering column and meager equipment. And therefore, at the price - the difference between generations is about 8-10 thousand rubles.
Of all the Samars currently sold, I would prefer the VAZ 2109 3, and not just because of the price. The artless, but harmonious look of the “nine” is closer to me than the tastelessly updated “fourteenth”. But the practical black bumpers of the previous cars, the legends of which they are strong, can we compare them with the delicate “chippers” Samara-2 painted in body color? Large headlights “ninety-third” better illuminate the road, moreover, and ask for less, as, however, and much more. However, there is an opinion that Syzran cars are inferior to Togliatti in quality. If you carefully examine the bodywork of these models, you notice that the "fourteenth" is really more accurately assembled.
Enough for VAZ 2109 3 and unpleasant trifles. For example, a low steering wheel that literally wipes the trousers of a good (in the sense of a non-skimpy) half of drivers. On the updated "Samaras" this problem is solved by an adjustable column. In addition, the Syzran manufacturer does not indulge a potential buyer with options like a trip computer or heated seats.
PAID? GET IT
Perhaps, among the domestic models, Samara is one of the most reliable machines, primarily due to its simple design. By and large, there’s nothing to break in it, and it’s kind of silly to talk about childhood diseases of the "old woman". These are the cheapest VAZ front-wheel drive models that bother owners mostly with minor malfunctions - for example, jammed door locks, fuses blown out, flicking electric motors. But they will repair Samara at every corner - at an expensive dealer station or in a private roadside workshop.
There was a time, in car dealerships they sold “Samaras” with different engines. Now there is nothing to choose from - everyone has the same one and a half liter engine under the hoods. Catalytic converters are installed in the exhaust system, adsorbers are installed under the hoods. One and one five-speed gearbox. The power unit has an advanced model age, but convenient features. On the highway, they allow quite safe to overtake, and in city traffic jams respond friendly pulliness.
The car was lucky at one time - the eminent Porsche company completed the G8. Foreigners instilled in our car a modest appetite, good manners - with good handling, the car retained decent ride and, important for Russian conditions, a substantial ground clearance. True, the long conveyor life spoiled the Samara character a little (for more details see ZR, 2005, No. 8).
Despite the steady rise in price of VAZ models, Samara has no competitors in the class and price range yet. This car is bought by poor and practical people who grew up from the Oka and Lada, but did not save up for a foreign car. Of course, the “chisel is not the thinnest tool, but a simple tool for simple everyday work. However, nothing else is required of him.