Captain Jack wrote:This is all Dai's fault flashing his Zook around here and making me think naughty thoughts
Glad to be of assistance!
For that kind of money you'll either only get a zook or a niva (or something big, old and rotten
).
The problem with zook SJ's is that they're bloody uncomfortable, and the bodywork is made out of cardboard i.e, first time you get it wet it'll rot and fall off. Also the electrics can be a bit dodgy, but we're used to that aren't we? On the plus side the chassis are awesome, I've never seen a rotten one! They're very capable straight out of the box, cheap to buy and run, difficult to break and easy to fix, cheap and easy to mod, highly addictive.
Vitaras are better on the road but not so good off it. Lots of cheap ones around now, rotten bodies, strong chassis. Not as cheap to run / insure etc. Still plenty of laughs to be had, especially if you don't mind denitng it! Expnsive tax!
Bad side of the lada is that it's made out of putty, every time you put a spanner on a nut it'll round. And the bodywork is made out of the same stuff as the zook's, less economical to run, parts are less readily available. Positives, it's a lot more comfortable and can be a bit more poky (the 1700 cossack is quite nice).
So it's horses for courses mate, if you're determined to have a diseasel, get an SJ and stick a diesel in it (1.5 vauxhall or 1.9 pug are the favorite conversions) but I'm guessing you want a toy not a project.
If it's just summer fun and you ain't bothered about what it's like on the road I'd have to recommend an SJ 410. Best laughs per pound ratio by miles. £500 should get you a reasonable one with long T&T. SJ 413s and Samurais are slightly nicer on the road thanks to the 1300cc engine, but they're geared differently so there isn't much in it off road, if fact many people say the 410 is better
. Insurance? just renewed mine TPF&T on a classic policy wit 3K mile limit - £99!
Tax £115
. Go on, get a zook, you knows you wants to!
)
That's a good straight rod you're holding there 
