Ivan1890's Response to Oskars's Review

Written on: 11/01/2006

Whilst not disagreeing with anything stated I nevertheless feel that this car should be appreciated more in a Soviet context - with particular reference to both production costs and practicality, rather than by direct comparative standards to western European cars: This is a truly remarkable vehicle insofar as (1) If it were manufactured today in Russia, on a non-subsidised basis, you would probably expect to pay around £4,000. for it. (2) Generally speaking (compared with us Brits.) Russian men will have a go at repairing anything - a useful trait when your car breaks down a hundred miles away from the nearest town. This car is potentially reparable by anyone! Do we REALLY need all of the rubbish which is loaded into western european cars: Outside temperature gauges, computer controlled this and that, etc? Is the philosophy that if it can be manufactured and installed then we must need it really correct? To this day Russian produced cars remain cheap, practical, and are easily maintained - qualities which have largely got lost along the way here. I hope that you still own this car, and are enjoying it, and will one day fully appreciate the gem which you possess. P.S. No, I won't swap it for my Bentley.