Buy a used Lada Granta - what to look for

First of all, pay attention to the fact that the Lada Granta has recently undergone a long-awaited update, so the price for the old modification should drop a little. True, a time bomb has been laid under you: when you get ready to sell your horse after a while, he will already look completely toothless.

The restyled Granta, which recently went on sale (pictured), not only looks good, but also represents an extra argument when bargaining for an outdated model.

Power unit

As in the entire global automotive industry, the Granta design has a rule: the simpler the unit, the more reliable it is. Although, unfortunately, the eight-valve Grant engines have already sipped the fruits of modernization. This includes a reduction in the width of the drive belt to 17 mm instead of the previous 19 mm, and a lightweight piston group with narrow connecting rods that dangle freely along the axis of the crankshaft, and pistons that meet the valves when the belt breaks.

Lightweight piston group. It really weighs less, but what about reliability?

Lada Granta for 200,000 rubles: does it make sense to buy it

Until last year, the Lada Granta was the most popular and best-selling car in Russia. The model came as a global replacement for the VAZ “classics” and “chisels” from the 90s, that is, according to the idea, it was supposed to be the cheapest car on the Russian market, while somehow meeting the minimum modern automotive standards of the early 21st century.

The task, it must be said, is not an easy one for designers of any automobile brand. To maximize cost savings, a policy of global modification of the most modern VAZ car of the 20th century, the Kalina, was chosen. The project was called Low Cost, that is, “Low Price,” and therefore the essence of the creation came down to figuring out how to bring the cost of the new product as close as possible to the price list of the defunct front- and rear-wheel drive “classics.”

In general, it worked out: the first copies, which appeared at the very end of 2011, cost a little more than two hundred thousand rubles new with a nice appearance, good consumer qualities and relatively modern (at least for domestic cars) options, the main of which was unthinkable for the masses Russian automobile industry "automatic". However, this was achieved with maximum savings on components, technological processes and general car settings.

In general, if your gaze falls on a used Grant, you must understand that you are buying a “state employee”, which is based on the minimum price, and not on comfort, controllability, reliability, endurance, safety and modernity - all these parameters in the Grant “There is also, but exclusively in those proportions that will distinguish the model favorably from VAZ’s Sevens and Nines, and not compete with its foreign-made classmates.

So, on the secondary market for the specified money, that is, about 200,000 rubles, you can find a Lada Granta 2012-2013, that is, 5-6 year old copies, which in absentia favorably distinguishes the model from the same “Logan”, which for these the same money will be twice as old. Interestingly, since 2014, AvtoVAZ began selling Grants in a practical liftback body, although such options cannot be found for less than 250,000 rubles.

Despite the relative youth, most of the copies sold have clocked 100,000 or even 200,000 miles, so whatever one may say, you will have to prepare for certain repair costs due to physical wear and tear of parts.

The lion's share of the presented options will be with an 8-valve 1.6 engine with a power of 87 hp. and a manual transmission. Some cars can be found with an 82 hp engine. — this is what the most basic “empty” version of “Standard” was equipped with. However, the main feature of the Granta, we repeat, is the fact that it can be selected with the old Japanese 4-speed Jatco automatic transmission, which is paired with a 16-valve 1.6 engine with a power of 98 hp. Again, on the secondary market, such options will increase the cost to 250-280 thousand rubles.

The more powerful Granta with a 106-horsepower engine will go into mass production only in 2014, and therefore it is unlikely to be found used for less than 270-300 thousand rubles.

Engines

The Granta, we repeat, was equipped with two versions of the 8-valve engine and two versions of the 16-valve 1.6 engine.

The first variants are 82 hp. series 11183 and 87 hp Series 11186 are distinguished mainly by a lightweight piston group. The 82-horsepower unit is still the Kalinovsky version of the 2004 model. The more powerful engine is, of course, more modern: it was already prepared for the Grant, and therefore the engine received quite a few modifications.

The 16-valve versions of the 21126 engine (98 hp) with hydraulic compensators received mainly a new intake system, which made it possible to remove 106 horsepower, as well as a number of less noticeable changes.

Generally speaking, calling one version reliable and the other unreliable will not work. As is often the case with AvtoVAZ products, old engines have the same problems, while modified ones have the same number, but new ones. Moreover, the uneven build quality makes each produced car unique, including in terms of the number of “jambs”.

To generalize, in all Granta engines, when the timing belt breaks, the valve bends. Considering that the quality of the factory belt is unimportant, and on 16-valve engines it has become 2 mm narrower, it is worth immediately replacing the entire timing belt set with a high-quality imported non-original one. Pay attention to the oil level and smoke from the exhaust pipe. If the smoke is blue and the level is below normal, it is advisable to remove a couple of spark plugs - if they show signs of oil, then you are guaranteed to get ready for repairs. Overhauled engines with a mileage of up to 100,000 km are not uncommon for Grants from careless owners.

The generator and thermostat are two more parts that are almost guaranteed to be replaced. The first one often fails due to weak bearings and belt, while the second one is simply not made very well. Saving on components is the main scourge of Grants, especially in the first years of production.

Another problem with Granta is the assembly of engine compartment parts. Get ready to check and tighten all connections every 5-10 thousand km, and, on the contrary, loosen the clamps of all kinds of hoses - they are often severely pinched and crack at the connection points in winter.

Transmission

The main transmission for the Lada Granta is the VAZ “mechanics” 2180 and its modernized version 2181. The first option is a box from the past with a traction drive: bad shifts, crunching, looseness and, of course, the famous VAZ howl, which has not been defeated to this day. Option 2181 already has a cable drive, the introduction of which primarily affected the comfort of switching.

Actually, the problems of the VAZ “mechanics” are known by heart: the first gear synchronizers, their clutches and gears are, one might say, consumables. You can immediately change the clutch release bearing, as well as the oil in the box with good imported synthetics, otherwise in winter the gears may be difficult to engage.

There is only one way to get rid of problems with the VAZ “mechanics” on the “Grant” - choose a more expensive version with a Japanese Jatco automatic transmission. The box's roots go back to the 80s of the last century, but it still has a reputation as a reliable unit and until recently was installed on various Nissan models. It is the Nissan version of the JF414E that is installed on the Grant.

“Automatic” is designed for a minimum service life of 150,000 km with an oil change every 60-80,000 km. Considering the not very large number of versions sold, the fact that few people on the Grant managed to roll out such a mileage, as well as AvtoVAZ’s order to change the entire box under warranty in case of almost any problems, there are no special statistics on machine malfunctions.

The main recommendations here are general ones: monitor the oil level, pay attention to underheating and overheating of the transmission, and also monitor the quality of the road - the crankcase of the “automatic” is located lower than that of the manual transmission, so it can inadvertently be damaged.

Suspension, steering and brakes

The weakest point of the Granta is the front struts, which can begin to knock within 5-10 thousand km after replacement. Also, silent blocks do not last long, and the traction extension brackets burst. The car is equipped with cheap pads, which when worn out can begin to creak and also damage the brake discs.

In general, the cost of repairs and suspension parts on the Lada Granta is so low that you don’t need to pay special attention to it.

Body and interior

Alas, the savings also affected these components of the Grants. Despite its young age, by the age of 5-6 years the car begins to “bloom” considerably. At risk are doors, fenders, edges of the hood and trunk, sills, and places of all kinds of connections. The quality of painting is poor, and the factory anti-gravel over time begins to fall off from the bottom.

The salon can be called a musical orchestra, because due to the low quality of materials and assembly, almost everything here makes sounds: panels, handles, lids, plugs, even ceiling trim elements can squeak and crackle. Caring owners sometimes tightened all the fasteners and even coated individual elements with silicone.

There is no sound insulation in the car, so all the noise from the street will always be in the cabin. The interior electrics are also glitchy, especially the standard radio and on-board computer.

Conclusion

The main advantage of the Lada Granta is its price, and the main advantage of a used Granta is the cost and ease of its maintenance. Having bought a car for 200,000 rubles, for another 30,000 rubles you can bring it to almost new condition. Even a major overhaul of a VAZ engine is unlikely to cost more than 25,000 rubles. On the other hand, all these actions do not guarantee a further comfortable life.

To be honest, it seems to us that Granta is only good in a new version, when all the “sores” and improvements fall on the shoulders of the dealer and the guarantee. For 200-250 thousand rubles today you can find the same Renault Logan, which, even twice as old, will be noticeably less problematic, at least in most components.

Chassis

Many elements of the car's chassis can be inspected even without the help of a service center or a lift. All pendants are so simple that small flaws should not become an obstacle to purchase: they can be repaired quickly and inexpensively. You just need to make sure that, for example, a strongly and unevenly balding tire was not the result of a serious accident with deformation of the mounting points of the suspension parts.

The Granta's front suspension is very simple in design and is very inexpensive to repair.

I would advise choosing a car modification with ABS. Of course, you can do without it in modern heavy traffic, but extending the compulsory motor vehicle insurance policy is painfully expensive, and you can easily drive into the rear of the car in front and not meet the limit of a regular “motor vehicle” license.

Interior and electrical

People can and love to tune these elements of a car. Some people change most of the lamps to LED or xenon ones, some cover and make the steering wheel heated. There are cooler music lovers, and some people put eco-leather covers on all their seats.

Granta's salon is simple, but not without a certain austere charm.

Here it is necessary to ensure that all this tuning does not hide the car’s defects - the covers do not mask worn out and burnt-out seats, thumping music does not hide alarm signals from the engine and chassis. And it is also important that you do not get into trouble with the traffic police for tinting or, say, xenon on a newly purchased car.

The front lighting equipment of the Grant cannot be tuned with all sorts of xenons and LEDs, otherwise a conflict with the traffic police cannot be avoided.

Poor operation of the heating installation is also possible. Check it especially carefully if you buy a car in winter. You may not even be able to get home in an unfamiliar car if the stove does not provide visibility.

Why are there so many broken Lada Grantas on the secondary market?

As specialists from a number of service centers and service stations that are directly involved in restoring equipment after an accident assure, the percentage of broken ones is in the average range. The opinion is wrong and the numbers are exaggerated.

If we look objectively at each of the brands/models, then the number of broken ones will be at the same level. The problem is typical for any technical means. The reason lies in driving skills, car control, style and manner of driving.

Anti-tuning

Not everyone considered the Grant to be a simple workhorse. Some owners tuned the car, and this was encouraged by the relatively low prices for body kit elements. Various braces, subframes, modified supports and shock absorbers are also inexpensive. They did all sorts of tuning exercises with the engines. I can only say one thing. If your aspirations do not correspond to the tastes of the previous owner, then you should not buy a tuning Grant. Troubles are guaranteed when receiving a diagnostic card, or even just complaints from traffic police inspectors on the road. The reliability of the engine and gearbox after tuning will almost certainly be lower. You need a car to drive - don't buy a tuned Granta.

Don’t buy a tuning Grant, unless this is exactly the kind of car you see in your dreams.

Granta with mileage in the middle price segment

The cost of Lada Granta used varies. The year of manufacture plays a key role.

We can trace the differentiation in the following table:

Year of issue	Cost, rub.)
2011, 2012, 2013	290000 — 325000
2014, 2015, 2016	350000 — 365000
2017, 2022	from 370000

LADA Granta Sport differs in price from the basic version by 10 - 15% upward.

This difference is explained by improved technical characteristics:

alloy 16-inch wheels;
low profile tires;
stock tires of the Yokohama brand;
front and rear brakes of increased diameter, specially adapted for high-speed conditions. The main difference from the basic ones is increased heat transfer;
reduced ground clearance by 2.0 cm;
front and rear shock absorbers are filled with inert gas.

Obviously, the price of the used Granta Sport will be changed depending on the actual configuration.