Which car is better to buy: a new Lada or a used foreign car

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 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:

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.

For Lada

I read the comments - I didn’t like the people writing, why are everyone so angry? I’m already on my second Vesta, by the way, they’ve been in production for about five years now. I had a regular Vesta sedan for two years. Yes, there were still small bugs in it, and creaking in the suspension in the cold and a little singing box (such a feature of the box) by the way, after 2 years there are no questions at all to the case. Everything was fixed at the maintenance. But overall, even that car was good, and over 40 years I have driven different cars, both my own and my company’s. I traded in and took the last squeak of the Vesta SV Cross - a really good and beautiful car, everyone who approaches it unanimously does not believe that this is our auto industry. No worse than used foreign cars, Lada Vesta even more so. The only drawback is prestige, and in Moscow this is important. But I grew out of this a long time ago, and I’m even glad that I’m erasing these blind foreigners.

PS You can express your opinion in the comments below.

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

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.

How to choose a used VAZ car

First, let's talk about what you should pay attention to first.

Iron

It's no secret that the car body requires the most expensive repairs. Therefore, first of all, we look at the condition of the iron. Read more about how to check the paintwork and body geometry of a used car. If you find signs that the car has been repainted, or its body geometry is damaged, most likely the vehicle has been in a serious accident. It is better to refuse to choose such a car. Also, you should not buy a vehicle with traces of corrosion. Cars of the VAZ family rust quite quickly. And to slow down the “blooming” of body elements can require a lot of effort and money.

Internal filling

Next, we check the condition of the main components and assemblies. Experts recommend especially carefully studying the performance of:

• transmission (extraneous noise when changing gears, as well as difficulties with shifting them indicate problems with the gearbox, the replacement of which (especially if it is an automatic) will cost several tens of thousands of rubles);
• suspension elements (swaying of the car when driving is the first sign of problems);
• engine (dark or bluish exhaust when the power unit is running indicates that the latter requires major repairs, which will also cost a pretty penny);
• electrical equipment (electrical problems occur quite often in used VAZs, so if, when inspecting the car, you find involuntary operation of the wipers or sound signal, be prepared to replace the mounting block).

As they say, there are always two “fools” in the market - one sells, the other buys. In 99 cases out of 100, the owner is not going to tell you about all the problems with his used car. If you are not confident that you can independently identify shortcomings in the technical condition of the vehicle, it is wise to take a knowledgeable person with you. It will help you make the right choice and, if necessary, report faults that you simply do not notice. If finances allow, one of the most rational options is to check a used car at a specialized service center. True, you will have to pay several thousand rubles for high-quality diagnostics.

You can order an on-site inspection on the Autocode website. Read more about the on-site diagnostic service.