How many problems does a used Lada Vesta have? Choose a used option

The word Lada is one of the most popular in RuNet. Both in terms of the number of search queries with it, and in terms of the number of clicks on links that interest users. Our people love this business, even despite the reputation AvtoVAZ earned in the past, which, alas, will not get rid of for a long time. However, now everything is new, and Vesta in 2015 was supposed to become a symbol of change - a sign of the onset of a qualitatively new era in Tolyatti (even though the sedan is assembled in Izhevsk).

And you know what? The model largely succeeded in this even though the virtual ring sparkles with radically opposite reviews and opinions about the car and its operation. In the heat of the moment, opponents easily slip from arguments into shouting and mutual insults. From which we draw the main conclusion - this is a burning topic.

Release from 2020

And over the past almost four years, we have managed to find out the following. The model, which essentially has no direct “ancestors” and is not anyone’s successor, somehow avoided the serious “childhood diseases” that are standard in such cases . And those that were present at the beginning of production were successfully and surprisingly quickly eliminated at the plant.

Lada Granta Cross 2020: first impressions of the most affordable all-terrain vehicle in Russia

So, the hard material of the door seals, which scratches the glass during operation of the window lift, was replaced with a softer one - now the glass is in order. The chronic creaking and knocking of the stabilizer struts was eliminated by modifying the ball joint liner. Perhaps the most common ailment was also cured - the creaking of stabilizer bushings , which eight out of ten new Vesta owners complained about.

Release from 2020

Advantages of a used foreign car - look deeper

Cars from well-known concerns often remain in good condition even after 7-12 years of operation. They are able to provide comfort, provide convenient travel options, and provide good equipment. Cars of previous generations are no longer so expensive, but many of them can still be a good choice for your purchase. If you choose well, such a car will not break down and cause significant difficulties. The main advantages are:

1. Comfort. You can drive in such a car with pleasure, everything is thought out precisely for the convenience of the driver and passengers. The driver has a comfortable seating position and settings behind the wheel.
2. Equipment. In famous cars, even in basic versions there are many important additions. In particular, here you can find climate control, cruise control, and good music.
3. Appearance. Even after 10 years of operation, many cars from Germany and Japan look great. Their style was carefully thought out and remains relevant today.
4. Motors. Famous and popular cars used to have excellent units that were tested at the factory. A number of engines can travel over 1,000,000 km.
5. Assembly. It is enough just to open and close the doors in such a car to feel the benefits of the assembly. You will enjoy operating this vehicle.

What can you get burned by when choosing a used foreign car?

To successfully select a car, you should understand all the possible pitfalls. This is a complex procedure that is not always accessible to a person without experience. You can buy a “construction set” or a car restored after a terrible accident. There are risks of purchasing legally unclean vehicles with various problems, crime and arrests. When buying a new car, such problems often do not exist. Here are some examples of troubles when choosing a used foreign car:

• twisted mileage is the norm on the Russian used car market, but it is generally impossible to check this feature on many cars, and this is a problem;
• operation in commercial mode - many cars were worked in companies where drivers treat equipment terribly and do not worry about its safety, which has a bad effect on transport;
• expensive repairs - if any parts and mechanisms break down, you will have problems with financial support for repairs; foreign cars are very expensive to repair and maintain;
• poor service - often after purchase you have to change the entire set of belts, rollers, filters, as well as carry out minor restoration repairs, which is very expensive;
• the complexity of diagnostics and selection - modern masters prepare even very decrepit cars for sale simply perfectly, so you cannot distinguish a car in terrible condition from a car in ideal condition.

These are the difficulties that can await a buyer on the way to the dream of a good car. With the help of PTS research, you can find certain features of the vehicle, previous owners and participation in road accidents. But in our country, not all incidents are officially recorded; there are many foreign cars imported with mileage, the history of which is unknown. And this is a certain problem when selecting a vehicle for your use.

Maybe we should look at the new Lada?

After studying all possible problems, you may be inclined to think that it is worth studying new AvtoVAZ cars, rather than striving to buy a used foreign car. This is a logical solution that also provides a number of advantages. But there are definitely disadvantages to this choice. First, it’s worth talking about the good aspects of such a selection. For example, we can highlight the following clear benefits of purchasing a new domestic car in the showroom:

1. A new car is the best solution. You receive a car with no mileage, which begins operation under your control; it is you who set the initial parameters of the future trip.
2. Guarantee. The warranty repair conditions of the Russian manufacturer are not the best, but they work. The main thing is not to change anything in the design of the car yourself.
3. No significant damage. Even if something fails, parts will be replaced under warranty. But even in new domestic cars, serious breakdowns are rare.
4. About 3 years without suffering. Owners of used cars over 7 years old are constantly faced with problems in the form of minor problems and the need to travel to a service center.
5. Predictable maintenance. You start using the car yourself and know for sure that the mileage is not incorrect. This means that all regular maintenance of the car will be carried out with the proper quality.

Also, a new car should be serviced by an official in order to avoid negative consequences in the form of voiding the warranty or unpredictable breakdowns due to poor quality work. Even with new cars, problems and annoying situations often occur, but they happen much less frequently than with used cars from the car market. Moreover, the Lada service will eliminate the lion's share of such troubles under warranty without any extra costs on your part.

Reliability and disadvantages of main components and assemblies

Transmission

At one time, Vesta was equipped with a French manual transmission from Logan. This would be an excellent choice, since the domestic adapted five-speed gearbox is known for noise, weak synchronizers and frequent clutch replacements. The AMT “robot” accelerates the car to “hundreds” 2 seconds slower. Many people do not like the ragged rhythm of its work; the machine twitches and nods. But failures are rare for AMT. Usually the electronics just fail.

The best choice under the hood would be the Nissan 1.6 engine with a timing chain drive. But very few such cars were produced. Worth a look!

Engine

There are no serious complaints about the operation of both engines. In addition, the less powerful 1.6 has been well known for a long time. Experts, by the way, recommend it for purchase on the secondary market, despite the fact that the 1.8 (a modernized version of the 1.6 engine) is a little more dynamic. The latter sometimes experiences “overshoots”, which are expressed in increased oil consumption. Due to adaptation to Euro-5, both engines have become sensitive to fuel quality. So you have to choose a gas station.

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There are minimal complaints about the ergonomics of the cabin. But there are questions about the quality of components. For example, to the speed and software of the media system.

The first cruise control on a domestic car. They say it works well.

When the MMC is running in AUX mode, the rear view camera sometimes turns off. There is a weak connection via Bluetooth, freezes occur, after which you need to do a Hard Reset.

The adapted VAZ manual gearbox-5 is unrecognizable on the Vesta. Works like a good girl. Although most of her problems are said to have remained.

The same “robot” AMT, whose algorithm makes some people bang their heads on the dashboard in the literal and figurative sense, while others are completely delighted. Come and understand us all...

The seats turned out well in terms of shape and adjustments. And the filler does not seem to deteriorate over several years. But upholstery fabric tends to stretch, causing it to bunch up.

Comfort in the back row is quite at the level of classmate foreign cars. Except that many people complain about the darkness at night; the back row is poorly lit.

The trunk, which is logical for a Russian mass-produced sedan, is very roomy - even taking into account the fact that there is a full-size spare tire in the underground. A great bonus is the folding backrests of the second row seats.

In principle, gasoline can be chosen between AI-92 and AI-95. It depends on which one is of higher quality in your region. By the way, the hatch at the neck was not always lockable. The lock began to be installed on cars starting in 2020. As for fuel consumption, another VAZ 1.6 is capable of “washing” Solaris or Rio in this sense.

Suspension

The front anti-roll bars squeak, which is often accompanied by a knocking sound from the stabilizer struts. It is common for similar knocking noises to be heard when turning the steering wheel. The culprits are elastic liners and bushings. The shock absorbers in the rear suspension are knocking due to the poor design of the supports, which are being replaced with more elastic ones. After a run of 40-50 thousand km, play may appear in the lower bearings of the steering knuckle.

Body

If the time when problems with metal corrosion begin has not yet come for Vesta, then the paintwork has already managed to demonstrate its imperfections. The paint on bumpers is more susceptible to peeling. Door hinges often require silicone lubricant. When purchasing a car, it is important to check for the presence of a seal in the area of ​​the hood lock. In its absence, dirt accumulates under the hood, which quickly affects the operation of the electrics.

Price Vesta 2017-2018 from 440 to 600 thousand rubles.

Electrics

There are complaints about the low clarity and speed of the MMC display.
Sometimes, due to the firmware or fuses, the glass heating “burns”. Ignition coils often die. Problems with the electronic gas pedal are also not isolated failures. And in general, when it comes to electrical components, Vesta is far from ideal. There are problems, although they can be solved with little effort. Technical data Lada Vesta

pros

• design
• unpretentious motors
• cost of maintenance and operation
• acceptable comfort and equipment

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:

More impressive options

Let's move on to even more top-end cars. This category will be opened by the Alfa Romeo 159 sedan. For the price of Vesta, you can find a car produced before 2007 with both a gasoline and diesel engine, paired with a manual transmission. In this case, most likely, you will have to put up with minor body defects: abrasions, small dents, cracks, as well as chips of the plastic body kit. But the car’s interior and technical contents will be delivered to the new owner in almost perfect condition. In addition, if you look hard enough and pay a little extra, you can buy a more prestigious Alfa Romeo GT sports coupe with a 170-horsepower gasoline engine.

The stylish Infiniti FX35 crossover is also included in the list of used top cars that can be bought at the price of new AvtoVAZ cars. All-wheel drive modifications produced before 2006, but retaining their presentation, are sold for no more than 550,000 rubles, and cars with visible body defects will cost even less. Under the hood of this Japanese premium is a 280-horsepower gasoline unit, paired with an automatic transmission. Agree, it sounds much nicer than West's modest 106 horses.

You will also be able to purchase a legend of the German automobile industry - a Porsche Cayenne, but produced no later than 2003 - 2004 and equipped with a 340-horsepower gasoline engine, supplemented by an automatic transmission. A crossover with all-wheel drive and a comfortable interior will most likely be in excellent condition and will not require additional investment. Of course, minor body defects are possible: abrasions, scratches or small dents.

The prestigious Range Rover SUV, produced before 2003, also falls within Vesta’s price range. The brutal Englishman is offered mainly with a gasoline engine, automatic transmission and full “minced meat”. However, if you search hard, you can find diesel versions of the SUV, but it is worth considering that they are noticeably less reliable in operation than gasoline versions. And in general, of the above list, Range Rover is considered the most unreliable in operation.

Let's sum it up

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what is best to buy on the automobile market. For one person, only a new car, even the cheapest one, is the way out of the situation. Another will not even want to look towards the salons, convinced of inflated prices and the lack of a normal guarantee. For everyone, choosing a car will be an individual task, for which it is worth choosing a special solution. If you want a new car, but you don’t have significant money, you should take a closer look at VAZ products. Lada produces not so bad cars with excellent characteristics for Russian operating conditions.

But if you dream of comfort and a quality trip, you should look for a good foreign car. Even if it is already several years old, and the odometer reaches seventy thousand kilometers, it will still be the best purchase for you. But before transferring money for a car, check it at a good station or invite an expert to buy it, who will tell you about the features of the vehicle at first glance. This will help you avoid making a costly mistake. Choose exactly the option for buying a car that is closest and most successful for you. Which car would you prefer - a new Lada or a used foreign car?

Body

Vesta's appearance is quite European. People who see this car for the first time mistake it for a foreign car; only the nameplate gives away its origin. But it’s not always possible to see it in a car passing by. Definitely, the idea with the X-shaped design turned out to be very successful. As a result, it turned out not only to make the body original, but also to provide good aerodynamics.

There are some disadvantages. For example, there are no mudguards. Because of this, there is a risk of corrosion on the wings, and the rear of the car simply gets dirty faster. The manufacturer does not make recommendations on this matter, but it can be assumed that these vulnerable areas need to be treated with anti-corrosion compounds after each winter. The quality of the iron raises questions. Many experts point out this drawback. Whether this turns out to be true or not, time will tell. So far, only one winter has passed. These schools usually come out after 2-3 seasons.

Why should you consider VAZ?

1. Skill . To learn the basics of car servicing, it is better to buy a domestic “designer” car as your first car.
2. Maintenance cost. Repairing a domestic car will be cheaper than a foreign car.
3. Availability of spare parts. All necessary spare parts are always in stock; they do not need to be ordered.
4. Confidence behind the wheel . Beginners do not have such a big fear (as when driving a foreign car) of scratching their car.
5. Tuning. More opportunities (for less money) to improve your car.

An old foreign car or a VAZ from the assembly line?

They say that in most cases, the technical condition of a foreign car 3-7 years old is comparable to the condition of a new VAZ car. However, as Henry Ford said: “The best car is a new car.” It is likely that having purchased a new Lada, you will encounter operational problems in the first months, but you will be required to fix all these breakdowns under warranty.

What do Russian people buy? If you look at the statistics, from year to year the best-selling car in Russia was the Lada. Maybe this is due to the wealth of the population, or maybe because the VAZ remains the most practical car.

Brakes

This security element has received the most serious criticism. Yes, there is ABS, as well as EBD. All this allows you to stop the car in any conditions. The brakes on the rear wheels are usually criticized. There are drums installed there. This arrangement is now used extremely rarely. This is what many car enthusiasts who are already accustomed to foreign cars reproach the new Lada.

If you look at the tests, not only the official ones, but also those done by independent expert organizations. You can see that the brakes on Vesta cope with their duties quite well. In general, a small drawback of this configuration of the brake system will be the difficulty of replacing the pads. This is a common problem with drums.

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