just got back from russia!

[noginsk]

Hi all. My wife was originally from Russia and the two of us just got back from our 4 week trip there. I managed to see lots of cool cars that you don't see over here. I did not get many pictures because tthe cars would also have come and gone before I could get a camera out. Plus, I'm not exactly positive how to post pictures here. If anyone can point me in the right direction for that, feel free.I will however list a bunch o cars that I am looking for on the internet in order to find some pictures. Haven't found any yet, but I just started. Has anyone ever heard of the:Mazda 4- I didn't actually see this car, but saw it in a Russian car magazine. I coulnd't tell if it was an actaul production vehicle or just a concept, but it looked oh so close to the vibe/matrix. especially the roof line. Out of all the cars I learned of, this is the one that intigues me the most. I have spent much time looking on the internet since I got back looking for any mention of a Mazda 4, but can't find anything. I know I wasn't dreaming when I saw it in the magazine.Ford Focus C-max - Every other car I listed here I managed to see at least once, inluding the C-max. Like the Mazda 4, it looks very much like a vibe.Nissan Primera - This isn't a hatcback, but looks oh so sweet. Vaugely reminds me of a mazda 3 sedan.Lada/Chevrolet Niva - Lada is probably the biggest Russian car company right now. By far the most cars that I saw there were Ladas. They have a nifty and cute litte, and I mean little, 4x4. It is like a jeep wrangler, only it is not a soft top and is about the size of the mini over here, yet has the ground clearnce of the jeep. Very cool. Very old tech, but vedry cool. I have been to Russia a few times before and fell in love with this beast. But, I am sorry to say that Chevrolet, and their "outstanding" view of style for cars has joined up with Lada to make a very "Geo Trackeresque" next gen Niva. Another interesting fact about cars in Russia: Russian cars are cheap. A nearly fully loaded Lada model 112 (hatchback version of their smaller car) would run you about 4-5,000 american dollars. That is brand new, I'm not joking.Suzuki Aeiro (the euro version, I'm not sure of the euro name) - I have always been a fan of the Aerio here, but to see the classy version they get in Europe was very cool.Oka - Probably the cheapest car available in Russia. The equivalent of a half sized Yugo. Very funny to see it and watch the driver try to get the thing moving and out of the way of local traffic.Toyota Corolla hatchback (no, not the Matrix. A very different car) - I began to notice that many cars that we are accustomed to seeing here are nothing like the versions the rest of the world sees. Here, the Toyotas are rather dull and boring, there they are actually really cool.Peugot, hell ANYTHING Peugot just looks AWESOME, specifically the 207 (I think that is the right number)There were so many cars That I don't get to see over here and I was not able to remember them all, I am sure. If anyone finds any info on these cars, feel free to post it. It's good to be back among thr English speaking again...

[Merzbow]

That's sweet, I didn't think there were alot of sweet cars in Russia. My friend moved here from Russia/Ukraine about 5 years ago. Maybe he will recognize some of these names. He has a Suzuki Esteem (Balina or something over there) see any of those?Maybe if he ever goes back he can take me with.

[Flip-Side]

Its funny when you go overseas to see what kind off cars they have that we don't. When I was stationed in Europe, I saw most of the cars you have listed...except the Niva and Primera. The Corolla hatchback was pretty popular in Germany. But it has to be said that be it a BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Ford, or whatever, diesel is the majority over there. Not gas.

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by Flip-Side »Its funny when you go overseas to see what kind off cars they have that we don't. When I was stationed in Europe, I saw most of the cars you have listed...except the Niva and Primera. The Corolla hatchback was pretty popular in Germany. But it has to be said that be it a BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Ford, or whatever, diesel is the majority over there. Not gas. Maybe in th more "european" europe, but in and around moscaow it is mostly regular gas. In fact, unless I was mistaken somehow, or if they rate it differently there, you can get around 100 octane gas at every station! I think they would not have as much diesel because of the colder climate? Just a thought. Wish we could get more diesels here, gotta love 50 MPG.

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by Flip-Side » I saw most of the cars you have listed...except the Niva and Primera. I have some pictures of the Russian made Lada Niva. If you know a way for me to post them, I'll show them to you.

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by noginsk »Wish we could get more diesels here, gotta love 50 MPG.Not to mention that you practically have to go out of your way to kill a diesel engine. I can't understand why they are so incredibly durable while they are so similar to gas engines.

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »Not to mention that you practically have to go out of your way to kill a diesel engine. I can't understand why they are so incredibly durable while they are so similar to gas engines.My only guess to this would be that they have to made like a tank to withstand such high compression without blowing up. So, if it is built like a tank, then it will last a long time. Not like our delicate all aluminum 1.8 four-banger.

[noginsk]

finally figured out how to post pics (thank you joatmon)This one is of a Lada model 110 (my x holding a cat too)

Attached files

[noginsk]

link to a focus c-max http://www.directford.co.uk/

[noginsk]

link to a nissan primera http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/?id=51

[noginsk]

lada niva at cardomain http://www.cardomain.com/membe...=Niva

[noginsk]

Peugeot!!!!!!!! http://www.peugeot.co.uk/ppp/c...x.jsp

[noginsk]

finally found the mazda 4 I was talking about earlier. At the end of the article, it is said that it is going into production and the end of the year as the mazda 4, which is built on the three platform. http://www.auto123.com/en/info...25127