Engines and Ethics: Is It Still OK To Enjoy Driving a LADA? (1985 Lada 1200S) 

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I am from estonia. I have a lada myself. I had it for 16 years. I started driving it when i was 13. I lived in a middle of a thick forrest and school buses couldn’t get to my home. I drove it daily to a school bus stop. also my friends lived a far away from me so it was only way i could get to them. People still remember fondly at this car in my country. Now and then when i go to a drive i get warm and freindly waives from people even after all the horrible things that russia has done. Meny people grow up in these cars. Once a guy told me that he fondly remembers when he was a child the bouncy ride and the noise of the engine would make him sleep. Good memories can’t be ruined by current events.

James, you’re absolutely at your best doing quirky and niche cars. Really enjoyed this video

It feels so refreshing to see a review on anything different than a supercar, although this Lada may as well be considered a supercar in its own terms!

As a bulgarian, I laughed when I saw the bulgarian medical supplies and fire extinguisher. Just to clear some things - the original cars of this model were called "Zhiguli", and later were renamed to just Lada. Also, they weren't exactly the people's car, as they were a step above the Moskvich, and two steps above Trabant and Zaporozhets. They were seen as the sport-ish saloon in that time, as our nations were limited to buy only the forementioned cars (or a Volga, if they were could afford it). In their original state, they are quite a piece of crap, but after some mods using Fiat parts (engine and gearbox from a 131 for example), they can be quite fun.

Hi Jay, Russian here, we call it Lada in Russia too, the Lada badges and names are all on the cars too. Thanks for the video, it warms my heart to see little Russian work horse on your channel. Entire country owes its functioning to such Ladas - simple and reliable, generations leaned on these cars and we really appreciate them over here 🎉

The thing with these cars is not political, that’s not the cars fault. The bottom line is that it is a car from an era where simplicity and practicality were paramount. True, cars of today are far safer, BUT, cars of this era have something modern cars lack: Soul. Good review James, thankyou.

Nothing wrong in enjoying a Lada. It#s not the world's best or worst, but if it makes you smile, then enjoy to your hearts delight. Me, I've always liked the Lada Niva. Do a Lada Niva next! Anyways, great video as always!

I really like these “niche” videos, more that the expensive exotica . Please keep up the great work 👍

I never thought anyone could be so small-minded as to either dislike a car because of whence it came, or the driver of said car, or both. But I do tend to overestimate my fellow man. Or woman. We owned Renaults in NZ when the French nuked Mururoa Atoll. Never happened to us, but we heard French cars got keyed. Thinking back I learned to drive in a Renault 10, then ripped around in Mum's 11, then after my biking days were over bought two Simcas (please find one!!) because our neighbour had a rally version (kid you not) and then two Renault 12s - such great cars!! Il duce never stopped me buying a Moto Guzzi and Japanese atrocities in WWII never stopped my love for their cars, and car scene, now. They're just cars, and we watch because we love car shows. Drive what you want. Just drive safe!!

We had one, my grandpa bought it brand new back in 1985 Lada 1200S With blue metallic paint and black leather. It was super reliable, and believe it or not it was a pretty quick for what it was. We unfortunately had to sell it, the car had only 64 000 Kilometers on the clock. Everytime I see one, I always remember those days...

Why would current politics, have *anything* to do with your experience of a car built 35 years ago, or even now?

You are overthinking things, but it's good to see a genuinely terrifying car on the channel. I have only driven one once. This car was the same colour and brought it all back to me...

The Lada certainly was NOT the peoples car in the eastern block. You mentioned the e.g. the Trabant. The Trabant was one of the people‘s cars of the east. So was the Polski Fiat 126. A Lada was considered a really good and expensive car in most Eastern block countries.

I owned a very potent Lada Niva, When I took it for its first off road trial, a few of the old hands laughed at it. They weren't laughing at the end of the day. One of the stages had a 2ft high rock step to negotiate, the only 2 cars that got up it were a G-Wagen on difflocks and my Niva. I could tell so many tales of pissing off 4x4 owners. When I sold it the buyers arrived in a heavily modified V8 Wrangler Jeep. They asked me what the mpg was like, and I pointed at their V8 Jeep and said "The same as that". They laughed and subsequently bought it. A few weeks later I got an email thanking me for selling them the Niva as they loved it, and also my honesty regarding the fuel consumption. If you get an opportunity to drive one off road, please do have a go.

Bagged Lada with actual air suspension. Now that's something I have never seen. Or expected to see. Also, please do more fun cheap old stuffs like this, sometimes it's quite a bit of a laugh sometimes very insightful.

You didn’t overthink it James. You were being you, which I think is a considerate man. Loved the phrase petrol heads and muggles, and thank you for, yet again, educating me, making me smile and removing me from the world for 20 minutes or so. 🙏

I love this channel due to the way you review cars and how well spoken you are. It makes me relaxed and happy. When you review VW or Porsche you don't mention politics nor their historical connotation with certain mustache man. Keep it unpolitical.

Why the whole song and dance about the fact it's a Russian car? I don't see anyone do that when they are testing an American car and that country has started a lot more wars than Russia.

My parents both drove one,when i was a kid...Didnt really get it back in those days,but from the money they saved by driving Lada"s they gave me and my sister a chilhood full of holidays and foreign adventures. So..Thanks, mom&dad!🙄miss u both😿

For me, these cars really remind of the Soviet regime, which was in my country before I was born. But when I see them on a street in a really good condition, kept well maintained by the 80 year old driver and his wife going shopping, it makes me very much happy :-) Nothing better than keeping an old car in a superb condition and keeping the family heritage.

the original fiat 124 won the 1967 European Car of the Year award.

Fifth gear was an addon to the original 4 speed box. It suffered with oil starvation. Trick was to over fill the gearbox to help it out

Hey Jay, I offered you my Estonian Lada 2110 last year over email if you remember. The reasons you gave are all perfectly valid reasons to enjoy a car. I had similar thoughts to you when the war started, I didn't drive it for a few weeks, but I started to think that it's a car, not a person. It represents freedom of movement, of people, of goods. It's like your first car, it can be absolutely terrible and hated by everyone, but loved by you for what it does. If you'd still like to try my 2110, I'll drive it back to the UK early next year for you :) Great vid mate!

Stop overthinking it Jay. Just enjoy the ride. I know I would be having a joyous time if I were at the wheel of a Lada. Especially a later Riva.

If we held a grudge against every car or manufacturer who had roots in a questionable regime, our roads would be either empty, boring or just bloated with soulless, PC boxes that were no fun to drive. This was a great watch. Keep bringing us the weird and quirky mixed in with the fast and fabulous.

You are definitely overthinking😅 It is just a nice Classic to enjoy! Nice Video again👍🏻

Had the FS0 version known affectionately as the Polski FIAT - It had a hand throttle that pulled the accelerator pedal down and held the speed constant 😂

This brings back memories cause in the late 80s i had a ferrari 308 gt4 which at the time was the dogs bollocks but it sometimes in the cold didn't want to start and my mates dad had a green riva that was hand painted and believe me you could see the brush marks and the odd bristle in the odd place. It was this riva that always jump started my gt4. After so long we stopped laughing at it lol. Hope you liked my memories

Need more odd ball cars on the channel, very amusing!

These things are a blessing for amateur racing and tuning in general in former USSR countries. A lot of cars of that vintage and even many newer ones have long left realm of cheap beaters and entered the collector market, but Ladas can still be had for reasonably low prices, and they have know-how base and aftermarket on par with many JDM heroes so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.

I drove a Lada Riva from Cambridge to Greece and back in 1990. We called him Reg after his number plate. My gf’s parents were proper lefties academics and bought Reg to support the soviet economy. He was though my first real car and I loved him to death. Driving through France on the way out Reg started running rough. We pulled into a French garage and, using my grade c o’ level French, I explained the problem to le mechanic. He produced a screw driver, asked me to turn the engine on and lent into the bay to adjust a single screw on the carburettor. Hey presto Reg was fit once again. I wasn’t even charged. Merci monsieur. Still miss Reg to this day.

I think Green Peace would appreciate the longevity over disposal of several generations

Yes, you are overthinking it😊

Any car that one can enjoy driving is OK by me! This Lada seems to be pretty jolly. Loved this just as much as your reviews of more exotic vehicles. Funny that you mentioned VWs - I love driving my old Karmann Ghia, which, unlike the Lada, handles motorways surprisingly well. Being rear engined, it gets relatively more refined the faster you go. Also carries shopping, bikes, etc. and as the paint is 50 odd years old, I don't need to worry about parking dings. There is freedom in having somethig cheap that I can fix and modify easily and cheaply and doesen't get the negative reactions that expensive vehicles often do. It is also quirky and charming - utterly different to a "normal" vehicle, just like this Lada. So, no, don't feel guilty!

I remember a local taxi company in our town in the mid eighties having one of these. It iwould invariably breakdown mid journey and end up with the passengers pushing it along the road.

My family owned 2106 from 1996 untill 2007. Your video gives me a portion of good memories from childhood. Nowadays, these cars are popular for winter drift in Siberia region. There are even winter drift leagues. You don't need much power to drift on snow :)

Your take on cars and the way you approach certain topics when doing these reviews, is so unique. This is my favourite car review channel.

James, keep doing what you are doing. Love your car reviews.. a bit humorous, to the point and unfiltered.

If you get the chance I hope you review a 1980s Dacia 1310 (based on Renault 12) the most popular car in Romania back in the day.

I personally am more of a Trabant person, but one should never miss out on a good Lada when given an opportunity either. I just like that sporty feeling Trabant provides, being made out of “composite” and all.

I drive a 1985 Volvo 740 D24T ,and the best part is people talking to me ,I had one of those,and thumbs up,GREAT fun ,the video

What's with the trellis on the rest windows, does the owner grow ivy or roses.

Fabulous deviation from the norm Mr. JayEmm. My brother owned a Lada 1500 (nee VAZ-2103) here in Canada with the quad headlights. He bought the car new at a time when people still had great suspicions about the Soviet Union. But, Canada being so polite, he never had eggs tossed at his car or had his wing keyed. It was hit twice. Both times by drunk drivers. But the 12 gauge steel held up like a fallen vodka swilling party member on his way to an undeserved promotion. It was a fun car. Slow. Hard to shift. But a plucky people carrier. As you noted, it did come with a crank that you could manually turn over the block like a Model T! My family will miss this car for the memories it brought us. Especially when he installed an amazing Blaupunkt stereo. He would be at a traffic stop along side a Trans Am or Monte Carlo playing AC/DC, and my brother would blow them away playing Haircut 100. Ah, the eighties. So much fun.

Yes it is. I do. I will keep doing it.

Hey James, as a Long term veiwer whose been watching you since before you hit 100,000 subs i think im currently nearing the end of completing a degree in History & have spent a good period of my time in said degree studying the history of the USSR & the cold war era. i can say with experience that this video, and even if I'm being completely honest the original video, are actually doing no harm. i cannot speak for those involved in the war in Ukrain but every other conflict in history has sparked some form of satire as satire and laughter brings us together. also, yes the creators of most "Peoples cars" (yes including ford) are bad people, it doesn't mean the people in the facotrys, the engineers, the mechanics and designers are bad people and it doesn't mean they don't deserve to have their work showcased and the machines they built enjoyed. it would be unfair to not share the story of these amazing machines and the people who own them. once again the ford model T wont offend anyone to spite Henry fords past, why should the lada or Beatle be any different. Regarding the original video, don't feel bad. In the future if you make something like that just provide a disclaimer that it may be offensive and isn't intended to be taken seriously. Dont stop adding the humor to the odd video all together even if you do opt to water it down a bit.

The Lada wasn't responsible for Soviet politics. It was a proper, solid family car and maybe one of the better things to come out of it, and lots of people grew up with them.

My uncle had a couple of Lada. He swore they weee solid as a rock if looked after. Used to pull a caravan with them too.

3 to 4 THOUSAND POUNDS 😮😮. I paid £60 for mine in the early 90s and it was Mint !

Why do ladas have heated rear windscreens? So you can keep your hands warm when you’re pushing it.

Thanks, very entertaining and you are right to feature this and enjoy the Lada, it's a part of our automotive history in the UK too, my dad had one. Your video also reminded me also of my mum's old Fiat 128 that I learnt to drive in, very similar characteristics!

My first car was a Lada. Twas beige, with no radio, luckily for me it had the optional steering wheel. Halcyon days…

I know this was released a while ago but so cool to see a lada on bags!

I Once Drove a FIAT 124, even taking it on a Road Trip from Tucson to Denver and Back. It Was Fun; You Had To Laugh!!! Brilliant Video. And Greenpeace doesn’t Like ANYTHING!!!

Car makes me smile now and made me smile back in the day…

I'm from Bulgaria. I'm 24 and in some of my baby photos you can see a parking lots full of Lada's, Trabants.... I remember there being more of them when I was a kid. There is still 1-2 left on the parking blocks around my apartment.

Don't feel guilty, just embrace,life brings many things, in this case,it brings a simple smile, keep it up Jay

Cheers from Ukraine! My granddad has one in a superb condition, and I actively learn to drive stick in it

A nice video. Cars like the Lada 1200 were quite popular also in relatively rich countries before they became really rich from the mid-80s to the present day. In countries that do not have their own car production, such as Norway and Denmark, cars must of course be imported and this has a relatively strong impact on the trade balance with foreign countries. Cars are therefore heavily taxed and this in turn creates incentives to buy really cheap cars. Car brands such as Lada, GAZ, Skoda and Moskvitch were relatively in demand in Norway and Denmark right up until approx. mid 80s and many still remember these cars as part of their childhood. However, I am not so lucky, but we had a Fiat 127 and a Renault 4 in the family and I have fond memories of these.

This car sounds better than a lot of modern cars lol

My Dads car radio business, did very well in the 90's thanks to Lada. So they are ok by me

Love the videos where ypu delve into those forgptten or underappriciate era cars. As a child whos childhood was the later Ciold War I love seeing inside a vehicle that was only seen on film.... please keep up the videos on such vehicle!

I had my first experience behind the wheel in a very similar Lada from about the same time period. I remember similar oddities with the instrument readings and incredibly heavy steering at low speeds. I wouldn't want to do long trips in one hut for local buzzing about they could be quite entertaining; best not to have a crash though!

When I saw the flag pinned on the dash,I thought ''not again'',I mean I am sick and tired of politics intruding everywhere.I totally agree with you Jay,things should be enjoyed for what they are,not for what people think they might represent (speaking about cars that is,not German WW2 uniforms,although they look good).Great video.

Keep doing what you are doing Jay. Don't let people take the fun out of your videos.

The synchros in the stock 4-speed were perfectly fine.

Lada 1200 was the fastest car on the roads when I lived in Budapest in the 1990s - especially the warmed up ones with lowered suspension!

Guilty? No. No matter how despicable the Russian war might be, it does not help anybody, to not drive a car built 35 years ago, only because it was built by a Russian, who is either retired or dead by now. I also did not feel very bad for having listened to some Rachmaninoff a few days ago. A friend of mine owns a 110 year old parlour grand piano (that means a mid sized Bechstein Model A of 185 cm length). The keys are plated with ivories. He practically cannot sell the piano anymore, because he cannot get any documentation about the ivories. It will not help any elephant in the world today if he would burn the piano or at least replace the ivories with plastic. But still people think it should be bad and illegal to own, use, enjoy or sell this specific piano and that there is something inherintly wrong with it. No, there is nothing wrong with it. I would not kill an elephant to build a piano nowadays just like I would not buy Russian products supporting the Russian war machine nowadays. But nope, there is nothing wrong with enjoying old stuff.

No one questions anyone driving around in a VW Beetle, and we all know who that car was designed for don’t we…

Yes, those gearboxes are synchronized) Also sounds it's transmisson gives to you aren't normal, it should be relatively silent, with no grinding noises. Also also, it's 21013, so it probably should have 1300cc engine, and unlike earlier ones comes with brakes booster.

That is a lovely example of a Lada (never thought i would say that). I like the subtle modifications this has.

My parent's first car. These are incredibly popular amongst tuners and 'entry' level (almost always the only level) racing car in Bulgaria where I am from. Great to see it get some attention. When we had it as young once my father hit 60mph and in one of the bends the wheel trim overtook us!

To be honest, I never ached for one of these. I did though, long ago, receive a lift in a Fiat 124 Special T. An absolute rocket..., the rust too. There was a time when I thought the coolest car to own would be a Lada NIva. Still do, a bit.

Dear JayEmm, I definitely like that you don’t cover current events. Unless directly related to cars. That’s my job as a former senior pharmaceutical company research executive. It’s absolutely not fun. I come here to get away from it all for a few minutes at a time. I’m grateful that your channel, an oasis of normality in a dessert of awfulness, exists. Thank you, JayEmm. You’re a good man. Best wishes Mike

Whats with the prison grill on the rear windows.

Fun fact - Steve Davies won a Lada for scoring the first televised maximum (147) at the 1982 Classic Snooker tournament

7:22 Brilliant

that exhaust sounds fantastic

As a teenager I had the use of a family "pool car" Riva 1500 Estate, and it was excellent, very comfortable & did everything you would expect of a load carrier. A handsome car too I think. This little saloon is a very pretty car, I like it a lot.

The soundtrack of my early adulthood. Every mini-cab was a Lada 1200 - Reason? Cost £2999 OTR and Lada gave them a 100k miles 3 year warranty ( I suspect the mileage was more applicable than the years as it was a mini cab. People used to say they lost ALL their money but hey you could only lose £k which you lost on an escort of fwd Cavalier taxi in less than 6 months

My French father in law bought one years ago, because his car kept getting broken in to, so he bought one displayed in a big commercial centre, we used it when in France on holiday from Australia, We had a few problems with it, it leaked petrol onto road, we wondered why it smelled, and the doors were hard to close and it had only speed wipers, a pain in the rain lol But it got us once through a nasty snow storm one winter on its large Russian Tyres, my kids called it 'Our Russian Mercedes'.

It’s a car channel for goodness sake, and a rather good one at that ……..

The lengths this man goes to not mention the Beetle by name 😂

Driving around with a flag from a fascist regime might be considered controversial. I'm sure you wouldn't worry about apologising for driving a US American or British cars from countries that have murdered more people and caused more suffering than any others in history.

I would rather see vids like this which was much more interesting than a 500hp muscle car vid. Loved it, loved the tongue in cheek comments and it's a make of car with a history behind it in more ways than one. A work colleague from 25 years ago had a Lada 1300 and I have to say that in the 13 years I worked with her she had it for about 10 years and apart from the normal servicing and mot, it was never, repeat, never in a garage for a real breakdown repair just the normal occasional wear and tear repairs. Keep on the road JM. See you next time.

I bought one of these a little over 20-years ago for £100 as a temporary car. It was old and fairly knackered (not entirely the cars fault, a lack of being looked after by the previous owners, as is the fate of many a budget car). I did enjoy the ownership. It was comfortable, great visibility, the brakes and gearbox were good (I might suggest these on the car you are driving need looking at!), and being front engine and RWD - classic handling! The heavy and vague steering, though, could have been much better... Interestingly, Lada and Skoda were always bagged together; but having owned both (including several models of old Skodas), they couldn't be more different! I have to be honest, the old RWD Skoda wins for me. Thought on Russia: having watched another RU-vid channel (Bald and bankrupt), Ben has travelled all around Russia and connected countries, and most Russian people are - lovely. Their political leaders, unfortunately, are not!

That was hilarious 😂 Exhaust sounds like most blokes first thing in the morning though....

7:05 yes this is definitely the the case here in Estonia, see quite a few of them in every rally that takes place.

They are way more attractive than any modern car. With fantastic visibility and simple mechanics they should still be made.

A car you can dismantle with two screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench. I had a mate who loved these things.

I have zero issues with you driving a Lada, or Beetle. ...and personally i've always found the Ladas, and the Polski Fiat (125), charming to look at btw. I could absolutely consider buying one, as a fun and relatively cheap runabout classic.

You shouldnt feel bad for enjoying it at all. I got to drive Fiat 125p a year ago and it was lovely to drive for all the same reasons. Its very similar to that Lada but a bit bigger being based on Fiat 125 visually and mechanicly on older fiat 1300/1500. It was most fun i ever had driving a car, granted it could be not so charming for a long trip, but for weekend drives it's just lovely.

I'll bet it's a lot of fun actually! Raw, basic driving with no computers to interfere 😊

I used to have a Riva 1300 estate back in the mid 90's. Several times I used it to ferry Fiat parts from Hertfordshire to Avanti Motorsport in Somerset in an afternoon. It would cruise down the Motorway quite happily at 70+mph and was pretty comfortable, if rather noisy. An underbonnet light and adjustable headlight aim, were features normally only found on pretty high end vehicles and they didn't usually come with a Brass pump in the well equipped tool kit.

Why do lada’s have heated rear windows? To keep your hands warm in the winter, when you are pushing them!!! Boom tish! I’m here all week folks🤪

Probably your best video ever! 🙂 More left field motors and less performance stuff please.

Yes, you are entirely overthinking it!

I had a Lada 1200 back in 86 .... Stripped the engine down to its bare parts .... Home tuned it, by modifying the complete engine, so it could take on any hot hatch, except for the Peugeot 205/ 1.9 and the Renault GT5 Turbo at the lights and win ....

Back in 1987, a mate had a very early one of these. I remember a very scary drive in the fog one December, with six of us crammed into it.

The car still has the original insurance and yearly check-up stickers from Bulgaria on the lower left corner of the front glass.