Page 1 of 2
So, cant drive my Niva anymore, so replacment wise.....
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:46 pm
by BigRedJ
what does anyone recommend, i need an auto and something ok on fuel, cheap to fix and around the 1000-1200 mark.
strange enough i'm looking at Jags on ebay rofl!
I'm just gutted my nivas got to go

am i nuts? lol its just a car
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:00 pm
by excossack
A mate has a Mitsibushi carisma 2.4 auto and he gets good mpg out of that
A merc 190 ?
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:33 pm
by BigRedJ
merc, costly maintenance? might look up the carisma tho

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:41 pm
by excossack
use autotrader, and specify your budget, etc and see what comes back.
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:47 pm
by OFuk
I've got a Toyota Emina for sale. 2.2 td 4x4 7 seater auto, 6 months mot left, stands me at around 6 grand in just over 18 months, all the jobs have been done and I'm looking for £1400 for it, including a free holiday in our cottage in Hungary. See here for all the details
http://www.estima-motoring.co.uk/Forum/ ... pic=5812.0
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:39 am
by BigRedJ
shame i havent got a passport! a tad over budget too tho, a long way to get a car! lol
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:43 am
by A Lewis
Hi Big Red
If you have back problems you'll want something comfortable and as you say something easy to maintain
1) Peugeot 406 - nice, comfortable and reliable and you'll pick up the face lifted petrol and diesels dead cheap nowadays
2) Ford Mondeo (2000 onwards) - nice cars, again comfortable and reliable
3) You mentioned Jaguars - well why not, they're supremely comfortable, so good for your back, and generally reliable, fuel economy isnt the best but to be honest it probably wont be much worse than your niva.
4) VW Passat 1999 onwards you can pick up passats left right and centre for daft money at the moment the 1.8 20v is smooth, the tdi's are nice too seat are firm but supportive
5) Vauxhall Omega - again comfort factor and generally trouble free motoring
6) Nissan Primeras prior to 2002 - the last of the old style primeras are great motors - dont go for anything post 2002 thats when they changed over to the latest shape and theyre useless ( i know cos i own one)
That'll keep you thinking a while!
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:26 am
by bk052
What About a Lada Samara

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:47 am
by Lada & Korean Parts
we have a customer whose back is absolutly routed.
he tried heaps of different cars etc,and couldn't find anything that would suit him.
a mate of his bought a niva,conned him into getting into it for a run around the block,& then raced out & bought one.
it was the easiest he found to get in & out of,& out of all the vehicles he drove,was the most comfortable for him,he's had it for 8 years now,and would buy a new one if he could,but is sticking with his 90 model.
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:04 pm
by BigRedJ
yeah its the heavy steering and changing gear, my right leg n left arm are knackered, so changing gear all the time knackers me out, and the general ride does me in. Sham tho because if i could i'd keep it at a 2nd car just for occasional fun, but cant afford to do that

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:18 pm
by Lada & Korean Parts
they aren't heavy to steer unless you've changed offsets (e.g. suzuki wheels
genuine clutches are easy & soft,most aftermarket (or so called "heavy duty" clutches) make the pedal harder to push
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:50 am
by baxter
Lada & Korean Parts wrote:they aren't heavy to steer unless you've changed offsets (e.g. suzuki wheels
A Niva would be one of the heaviest steering vehicles I've driven at parking speeds (even on stock tyres and rims). I'm reasonably well endowed in the arm muscle department, but I avoid taking the Niva anywhere where I'll likely to need to do a lot of parking manoeuvring.
I fully agree about getiing in-and-out and the seats though - I'm slightly arthritic and will often use the Niva instead of the CR-X to go to work simply because it's much easier to slip into and cruise to work. My only complaint is, being a over 6 footer, my knee ends up leaning against the window winder which is a slight pain on longer trips.
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:55 am
by BigRedJ
yeah, the steering is heavy, but once your used to only steering while your moving its fine. My main problem is changing gear, leaning forward a bit etc after 30 mins my back goes into fits,
saabs not one ive looked at, what are they like for spares? cost etc?
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:49 pm
by excossack
Extend the gearstick so it comes nearer to yourself?
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:59 pm
by BigRedJ
yeah i thought about it, but i think i need to be more sensible and stick yo comfey cars lol

at least ive had a fair bit or interest in it
