What is better, a new VAZ or a foreign car - this is the first question that those who have not yet made a final choice in favor of one option or another are trying to answer. Of course, if there are no problems with finances, then most future car owners decide to buy a foreign car, albeit a used one. And if funds are limited, then the VAZ may be an ideal option.
Although this is a domestic car, it is still a new car. And new is always new.
If it's a foreign car
Those who have the opportunity buy foreign cars, new and used, with mileage, by the way, many times more. So they always say that our AvtoVAZs are all crap, we should take foreign cars, 3-4 year old ones are much better than new VAZs.
Many people prefer to buy expensive foreign cars, even those with 10 or more miles - Mercedes, Audi, BMW. Let's estimate that our budget for buying a car is half a million. What can you get for this money? In principle, for this money you can buy a real foreign car. But you still need to take class B or class C.
If you are aiming to use this money to buy more expensive luxury cars, such as Mercedes, BMW, etc., which cost 2-3 million new, then keep in mind that they are selling you junk cars. Comfortable, but definitely worn out.
Think for yourself, is it possible to buy a luxury car for 500,000 rubles? It’s possible, but you need to invest the same amount to stroke your pride. Many people do this. More on these options a little later.
Which VAZ models are preferable?
When choosing a used car, one of the main parameters is its cost. For used VAZ cars with a price tag of 40-50 thousand rubles. It's better not to pay attention at all. For that kind of money, in most cases, sellers offer a pile of scrap metal, which will require considerable financial investment and frequent repairs. Next, let's look at more expensive options.
Budget 60-70 thousand rubles.
In this price category, it is optimal to choose representatives of the classics - VAZ 2105, VAZ 2106 or VAZ 2107. It is advisable to buy a car no older than 2003-2004. These are reliable and time-tested cars, which, with proper care and compliance with operating rules, will last for many more years.
Budget 80-90 thousand rubles.
Here the undoubted leader is the VAZ 21099, released 10-12 years ago. It is better to choose a vehicle with an injector. Experts do not recommend buying cars with a carburetor. If you decide to choose this model, pay special attention to checking the brake system. Make sure that there are no oil or other liquids leaking, and that there is no rust on the arches and sills. In addition, the weak point of the VAZ 21099 is the interior heater, so make sure it is working. Another problem inherent in these models is the strong rattling of interior trim parts, which, however, is observed in almost all old Zhiguli models.
Budget 120-160 thousand rubles.
In this category you can choose VAZ 2112, VAZ 2114 or Kalina. The latest model is one of the most successful creations of VAZ. Among the advantages of Kalina it is worth noting:
- good value for money;
- level of technological equipment not inferior to many manufacturers;
- high ground clearance, which ensures high cross-country ability;
- spacious interior;
- decent anti-corrosion properties of the body.
If you decide to choose a used VAZ 2112, first of all, check the engine. Extraneous noises from under the hood will indicate problems with the hydraulic compensators. In addition, ask the seller what type of fuel was used to refuel the vehicle: grade 92 gasoline does not have the best effect on the stability of the 16-valve power unit.
The VAZ 2114 is not very different in design from the 9 Series models, therefore it has the same problems as the VAZ 21099 (they were mentioned above).
Budget from 200 thousand rubles.
If you decide to choose a more expensive used car, pay attention to Priora or Granta. These models are distinguished by high safety indicators, increased interior comfort, and good noise insulation properties. Among the shortcomings, experts note the whimsical quality of fuel (it is advisable to fill the car with 95 grade gasoline), oil and other consumables.
What to take
What should you take for this money? You can buy Hounday Solaris, Kia Rio, Nissan Almera, in general, B-class, which will provide you with inexpensive repairs. These machines are high quality, with excellent performance characteristics.
These cars are very common in Russia; Hounday Solaris is always at the forefront of sales. And all because it is very good in its driving performance and workmanship.
You can also consider the C-class, such as the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Mazda 3. But these, for half a million, will be older, up to five years. And repairs for the C-class will be more expensive. It will be necessary to repair the steering mechanism and shock absorber struts. It will cost several times more than repairing VAZ models. But we must admit, these cars are stronger and have a mileage that is not comparable to the Lada.
However, look, the first line of serious repairs begins at 100,000 km. mileage Here, in addition to the chassis, it would be necessary to do preventative repairs of the intake system, the intake system, these are the injectors, the fuel rail, check the high and low pressure pump. If the car has a DSG gearbox, then it definitely needs repair, even if it is not bothering you yet. This is the design of this gearbox. Such pleasure costs at least 50 thousand.
After such repairs, the cars run for a long time and without problems, but you still need to spend 100 thousand, or even more, on this.
But you need to be soberly aware that if you buy a used car, you are buying a pig in a poke with an unknown operating history and unknown mileage.
Before purchasing, you need to carefully check it and set the actual mileage. It's good that this car has been used carefully, you will drive it for a long time.
It’s another matter if they simply killed him, and then they twisted the mileage, disguised him where necessary, and did dry cleaning. And then you repair it when it starts to crumble, and it’s expensive. This applies to both Japanese and German cars.
But don't think that everything is so bad. There are a lot of good foreign cars for sale, 3-4 years old. For example, if you consider Korean cars, Solaris for example, three or four years old, they may be under warranty. By the way, the Koreans have a 5-year warranty.
This is, of course, in any case, better than our Lada Granta or Priora.
The optimal choice of a used car up to 400,000 rubles
If you have a limited budget, look at cars from Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Infiniti, etc. not recommended, even if you have enough money for a car, it is unlikely to be in good enough condition, with low mileage and not quite old. Very good options when choosing in the price category from 300,000 to 400,000 rubles are:
- Kia Rio;
- Hyundai Solaris;
- Daewoo Nexia;
- Volkswagen Polo Sedan;
- Renault Logan
Daewoo Nexia is the most budget option from the entire list; depending on the year of manufacture, you can buy a car in good condition even for 200,000 rubles. But the car is not particularly rich in equipment or has a strong body; the Nexia gets rusty very quickly:
- door bottoms;
- sills and rear arches;
- hood edge;
- trunk lid.
If the body metal is not treated with anticorrosive, when used on roads sprinkled with reagents, through holes in the iron may appear after 5-6 years of using the car. Otherwise, Daewoo Nexia is considered a fairly reliable vehicle, without pronounced “illnesses”, and does not cause much trouble for car owners.
The first generation Renault Logan is a cheap and very reliable car, it breaks down extremely rarely, and is characterized by extraordinary endurance. The main condition when buying a Logan is not to take the car after a taxi, and the future car owner also needs to take into account that this model has poor equipment even in the most “charged” version.
Hyundai Solaris up to 400,000 rubles is a car manufactured in 2011-2013, and not all cars fit into the budget; luxury versions are more expensive. Often a used Solaris is chosen as the first car: the vehicle is characterized by good maneuverability, road stability, a good level of comfort, and of course, reliability. But this model has one rather significant drawback - high theftability.
In terms of its characteristics, reliability, comfort and handling, the Kia Rio-3 is similar to the Solaris, and minor breakdowns also begin to occur after 200,000 km. A good option is to purchase a Kia Rio-2 (2005-2011), but there are significantly fewer cars in very good condition.
Buy Volkswagen Polo Sedan up to 400 thousand rubles. It’s not easy, as a rule, these cars are more expensive. Basically, cars from 2010-2011 fall into the price category, in a rather modest configuration.
It’s easier to choose a used car, whether your budget will be increased to 500,000 rubles, there is a larger choice of models, you can buy yourself a car with good additional equipment. But there is no need to chase prestigious car models with relatively little money in your pocket; in the end, you can invest the same amount in repairs as the vehicle itself costs.
Very often, people search the Internet for profitable purchasing options. They are bought more often than cars from a showroom without any mileage. There are several objective reasons that explain such a high demand for the secondary car market among our compatriots. But used cars also have some disadvantages in the form of possible problems caused by the natural aging processes of the car and contributing to the appearance of multiple malfunctions. Therefore, experienced car enthusiasts recommend choosing among the most reliable used cars. Moreover, this should be done on the basis of real research and tests that allow us to give an objective assessment of such a parameter as reliability.
TOP of the most reliable cars on the secondary market.
A used foreign car or a new domestic one
If you still buy a VAZ, which one is preferable?
I don’t want to advertise AvtoVAZ now, but cars are now actually being made at the level of Solaris, Rio, Almera.
Let's remember how fantastic sums of money were poured into our famous AvtoVAZ to lift our automobile industry off its knees. Amounts amounting to tens of billions per year. But this plant produced poor little cars with many problems. Viburnums, Grants, Priors. It was somehow insulting to receive such squalor for our money.
But time has passed, and we see that cars have really become better. It turns out that the major owner of AvtoVAZ shares is Renault-Nissan. The state is now pouring ten times less into it. And the Renault-Nissan company fights hard for quality. Whatever one may say, Lada is the best-selling brand in our country. And the price and quality became almost ideal.
Lada Vesta, the car is good, rest assured. This is not Granta, not Kalina or Priora. The car costs 500,000 rubles, now the price has risen, but somewhere still within the reachable price.
The equipment is quite decent. Everything is like a foreign car, a beautiful seven-inch display on the dashboard, a rear view camera, heated glass, heated seats, even air conditioning.
The quality of finishing is up to par. In general, everything that corresponds to a modern car. The car corresponds to the level of both Solaris and Kia Rio and Almera. No worse. Of course, as without this, there are some problems, silent blocks, for example, creaked, but I think this can be easily fixed.
But then you get a car with a 3-year and 100,000 km warranty. By the way, with a galvanized body. AvtoVAZ service has slowed down, dealers are not working as well as before. The Renault-Nissan company has also changed its sales policy and maintains it at a high level.
Of course, there is a human factor, and foreign-made services sometimes have poor service, but still, having a Lada car, you will have fewer problems than you did five years ago. And it can no longer be denied that the car has become really high quality.
I must admit, there is a negative impression left about our domestic automobile industry. Cars Kalina, Grant, Priora spoiled their reputation. There were a lot of complaints about these cars, but now they have been brought up to a good level, and the shortcomings that existed have been eliminated.
Of course, there is still work to be done, but overall it has gotten better. If anything breaks, then the spare parts, I must admit, are cheap. Compared to the prices of spare parts for foreign cars, this is several times cheaper.
Now a new series of cars is being produced, Lada Vesta, Largus, X-ray.
Largus and X-ray cars are B-0 class cars, this is the Renault Nissan platform. Such a platform seems to have nothing to do with Lada; it is assembled only there. The assembly now is also many times better than it was before. Why?
But because the Renault-Nissan company terminated contracts with suppliers who produced low-quality components. Components are brought from abroad. Although, thanks to the sanctions, our manufacturers are also catching up.
AvtoVAZ switches to our suppliers, but strictly selects them based on the quality of the parts produced. All this makes itself felt, the cars began to run better, they became much better quality.
If you hesitate, suspecting that VAZ cars are bad, then I advise you to change your mind about our cars. You can safely buy a Lada Vesta or Lada Largus. Well, here the taste, as they say, and the color... Although Largus seems to me not very beautiful, unlike Vesta.
The modern Lada line - are there any obvious shortcomings?
The old generation of cars in the form of Granta, Kalina and Priora cause a lot of trouble for owners. Buyers complain about inadequate computer errors, high consumption, poor assembly and lack of reliability in small things. With Vesta, X-RAY and Largus things are somewhat different. These are new generation cars for which VAZ technologies are rather an advantage. Here are some important benefits of buying a new car from this line:
- the cars are really nice, they have their own style, offer many interesting design details, which are implemented quite well and without problems;
- the equipment was developed jointly with Renault, the engines were improved to the required environmental levels, but at the same time remained traditional and reliable in comparison with rivals;
- the ride is quite comfortable, the new generation of Vesta and X-RAY uses modified suspension systems, the car is spacious and assembled quite well, there are no minor problems;
- despite minor problems with electronics, the car as a whole can be considered reliable, all problems do not affect the quality of the trip and can be easily fixed with the help of VAZ service stations;
- Warranty service has become much better, and the quality of parts has also improved in accordance with the rising prices for new models from domestic manufacturers, which is also important.
Indeed, VAZ set quite high prices for good models. But this does not mean that the cars are not worth the money. It is extremely difficult to find good representatives in the competitive range, given the price tag comparison. Buyers are especially pleased with the new Vesta SW station wagon - a wonderful car in all respects with an excellent design and very flattering reviews from its first buyers.
We invite you to watch a video featuring the latest AvtoVAZ development, Lada Vesta SW Cross:
Budget foreign cars
And yet, is it a used foreign car or a new domestic one?
If you really don’t perceive AvtoVAZ, then look at used Hyundai Solaris or Kia Rio, three or four years old. Of course, you need to look at the mileage, condition, etc. We will also touch on the issues of choosing and inspecting a car before purchasing. For now you have to decide what to buy. But keep in mind spare parts will be more expensive. But the cars are stronger too.
So, either a good used foreign-made 3-4 tap hole with a warranty, or a new VAZ with a 3-year and 100 thousand km warranty. Despite the negative reviews.
Luxury foreign cars with mileage
If you are ready to buy a C-class, luxury car, then you need to realize that maintenance will be more expensive. But there will be more comfort.
If we talk about classes D and E, then of course the class speaks for itself; the quality of foreign cars here is at its best. New ones cost around two or three million, and they cost that kind of money. Used depending on condition and mileage. If you buy 10-year-olds at a rising price, then you must clearly understand that investments will be required, and not small ones.
If you buy 10-year-olds at an exorbitant price, then you must clearly understand that investments will be required, and not small ones
Lifan X60 I
More than 30 offers from this Chinese crossover immediately fit into our budget. All advertisements for cars produced in 2015, with a 1.8 liter (128 hp) engine and a manual transmission.
Instead of the small Granta, we get a spacious crossover with a ground clearance of 179 mm and excellent visibility for the driver. The equipment will include power accessories, rear parking sensors, heated driver's seat, air conditioning and a stereo system.
But almost all “Chinese” models up to the 15th year of production have poor resistance to corrosion. Carefully inspect the body and do not forget to check the history of the option you like.
In the database of the avtocod.ru service we found only five complete reports on the Lifan X60. The most problematic option had two accidents, three restrictions, 18 fines for almost 10 thousand rubles and a duplicate vehicle title.
In just the last two months, the Chinese crossover has been searched 2,541 times through avtocod.ru.
Also read: Chinese “SUV” at the price of “Niva”: review of Lifan X60 I (before restyling)
Luxury foreign cars and restore them
Let's talk about this in detail. After all, quite a few people want to have a luxury car, but for much less money. Quite a few want to have a BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes GL. What can I tell you about this?
These cars, despite their age of 10 years or more, have a high quality interior. There is nothing creaking or cracking there. Finishing is of the highest standard.
It feels as if these years never happened and there was no mileage of 200 thousand or more. Except for minor scuffs on the driver's seat. I'm talking about those options that, of course, were not involved in an accident.
Design
Despite all the efforts of VAZ engineers, it is not possible to achieve an equally elegant streamlined body - the LADA Granta still looks like a Russian car with its massiveness, solidity and specific idea of \u200b\u200besthetics.
Hyundai Solaris received a more elegant body design, typical for Korean models;
Interior. The tactile sensations from driving a modern car have not been canceled - subjectively it is more pleasant to be in Solaris, your hands rest more comfortably on the steering wheel, the plastic is not so obvious. However, Grant lacks the notorious angularity and overly bright lighting for which Hyundai is famous;
Behavior on the road. Many people talk about the softness of the Solaris suspension, but some find it a bit harsh. However, during operation it becomes somewhat softer. However, in terms of maneuverability and engine behavior, Solaris still dominates over Granta.
