My 340, possibly for sale, 24000 miles from new

[Ian Mac]

Most of you will know I have a strange leaning toward Eastern Bloc machinary which tends to over-rule rational thinking. This means I move in somewhat strange circles and having just spent the weekend in the company of around 50 other sadly afflicted individuals touring Wiltshire in a variety of Soviet automotive splendour. I have now been given first refusal on a low mileage and mint condition Lada Samara which is likely to be for sale within the next couple of months. I will need to make a fairly quick decision and due to lack of space this probably means I will need to sell my 340.

The car has appeared on various other posts but in summary its a 1987 340 DL 1.4 five door in maroon complete with four speed gearbox, no heated seats and a LW/MW radio cassette player. The car has covered less than 23000 miles from new and is probably one of the best surviving examples being totally rust free and immaculate throughout apart from a very minor scrape to the nearside front wheel arch which has been touched-in. If a basic 340 floats your boat then this is probably as good as it gets.

I paid £750 for the car in December last year and since then I've replaced the steering rack, both track rod ends, rear shock absorbers and a couple of tyres. It will be sold with a new MOT certificate and I'll be looking for offers in the region of £900. Not cheap for a 340 but then again the best things in life never are. If it doesn't sell for somewhere near the asking price then I'm quite happy to keep it and forget the Lada.

Most of you have already seen pictures of the car but I've attached a couple below.

Cheers all, hope you like the pics.

[sven360]

Think you may be doin' yourself a favour if it doesn't sell.
IMHO.

RWD Lada

Samara.Well as me mate always says,"if you've got nowt positive to say don't say anything"

Here is my review of the Lada Samara.....

[volvosneverdie]

youll regret it dude.

good luck with the sale.

[Ian Mac]

Its not actually for sale at the moment, I'm just gauging interest and I'm not overly worried if it doesn't sell. I've had my eye on the Samara for a while and as they're now quite rare I thought I'd go for it whilst I've got the chance but its no big deal. I'd probably get bored with it anyhow....

[macplaxton]

I've had my eye on the Samara for a while and as they're now quite rare I thought I'd go for it whilst I've got the chance

You need help.

I've no problem with Eastern Bloc machinery, but a Samara??!?!?

[Ian Mac]

I'm not certain but I think I'm detecting some anti-Samara vibes...

[macplaxton]

I'm not certain but I think I'm detecting some anti-Samara vibes...

Yep, not old enough for me.

[SteveP]

Good luck with the sale, I think the original '750' price was spot on for this car... especially given that it's just a base spec Mk3. However, I may well be wrong - stranger things have happened

[Ian Mac]

Good luck with the sale, I think the original '750' price was spot on for this car... especially given that it's just a base spec Mk3. However, I may well be wrong - stranger things have happened

You're probably right Steve but it's a far better car now than when I bought it but I agree that £900 is on the heavy side. As I said earlier, I'm just testing the water and if there's no interest then I've lost nothing as I'll still be the proud owner of one of the nicest original (and probably the most basic) 340s around..

[Ian Mac]

Well, I have now bought a Lada Samara which means my 340 will probably be up for grabs. The mileage is now just over 24000, the MOT runs until next July and the tax expires at the end of December.

The car has no known faults and is totally rot free - the usual 340 trouble spots (front valance, jacking points, sills etc) are perfect as is the rest of the underside. It has minor scuff damage to the nearside front arch (not visible in the photo) which has been touched-in and the drivers door seal is split where the original elderly owner rubbed against it whilst entering and leaving the vehicle. However, this doesn't cause any problem with water entry or windnoise so I haven't bothered replacing it.

I know you can pick-up a decent 340 for less than I'm asking but remember this car has no rot, no peeling underseal, no bodged repairs, perfect underbody and engine compartment, spare wheel never fitted, every MOT certificate from new to support the mileage, plenty of MOT and tax, mint interior with front & rear floor trays, paintwork you can see your face in and no work needed unless you're even fussier than I am in which case it will need a small repair to the arch and a new door seal. With very little effort indeed the car would easily win a Best Kept Vehicle award.

The car was recently featured in Classic Car Weekly when it was spotted by them at the Blenheim Palace classic car show. I have taken it to several shows during the summer and it has been extremely well received.

I'm looking for offers around £875 which reflects its overall condition. Any inspection is welcome as I've nothing to hide and you won't be disappointed.

[somerset]

£850 and its sold mate. p.m. me ur number and ill get in touch. cheers

[Ian Mac]

Thanks for the interest in the car - it is still potentially for sale but not until I've done a few jobs to the Samara to bring it up to a condition I'd be happy with for my daily driver. As soon as I'm ready to sell the Volvo I'll post further but I'm thinking it will probably be a few weeks yet. To be honest it's so reliable I need to make sure the Lada will be just as good otherwise I know I'll regret selling the 340 as they don't come-up in this condition very often.

Cheers.