Why I choose a used Vesta and not a new Grant: 5 arguments

The official prices for the Grant start at 678 thousand rubles for a “stripped down” anti-crisis package.

The most expensive cross version should cost 872 thousand. In reality, dealerships sell cars at prices ranging from 750,000 to a million or more.

A fresh passenger car, which is still under warranty, cannot be found for this money. Except maybe Vesta.

In the secondary market of cars with “warranty” for the same money – several thousand units. Moreover, the risk with such an alternative is minimal.

Warranty still valid

The main advantage of a new car is a warranty. With Grant you don’t have to worry for 3 years or 100,000 km. But Vesta within a million can also be found with a manufacturer’s warranty.

For example, in the middle configuration with a 1.6 engine, two-year-olds are sold on the “handle”. This gives you a one-year warranty after purchase: good protection against unforeseen malfunctions.

Of course, this does not cancel the pre-purchase diagnostics. The mileage can be twisted, but they have already climbed into the units, and it is not known who. And then you can forget about the free repair at the dealer (if he notices).

More spacious inside

Grant is not well suited to the role of family car. Although hundreds of thousands of owners use it that way. The trunk is spacious in all versions except the hatchback. But the second row is frankly tight.

Vesta formally belongs to the same B class, but is much more spacious. Behind sitting comfortably together. You can go a long way and the three of us.

In high-end trim levels, second-row passengers have many options at their disposal: heating, USB ports, an armrest, cup holders and backlighting.

Drives better

The Vesta chassis demonstrates an excellent balance between reliability, power consumption and manageability. This is the first series VAZ model, where the front suspension is mounted on a subframe. And this means that Vesta should (in theory!) be better managed – and in practice this is confirmed.

Grant, with similar equanimity on bad roads, is not happy with exemplary behavior: the electric power steering is worse tuned, the reactions to steering wheel turns are braked and smeared.

Safer

Scholarships currently provided do not equip ABS. The stabilization system was previously a rarity (it was installed on separate top configurations). But count on a car with one or two airbags. Not for the full output volume, but they are still put on Grants.

Vesta is already equipped with ABS, ESP and two airbags in the “basic”. There are also side “airbags” in some configurations.

Well, in the event of an accident (God forbid!) The body of a fresh model will work better than Grants, which is essentially a variation of the first-generation Kalina.

There is a vending machine

Together with the mechanics, Vesta was equipped with an AMT robot (read how it works here) and a Jatco variator. Each option has its own advantages.

The mechanics are reliable and trouble-free. The robot is an extremely cheap version of the machine, although it is slow and often requires clutch replacement. The variator is installed with the most powerful engine, 113 hp Renault. With such a power unit, Vesta almost becomes a foreign car (here is a test with comments).

A scholarship can only be bought with a “pen”. AvtoVAZ will not have an automated transmission in the near future. So if you need a two-pedal Lada, look exclusively at the secondary.

Vesta or Grant?

The main argument for Vesta is that it can also be purchased with a guarantee. In terms of other parameters, she, as a flagship, also bypasses Grant in everything. This is a great alternative with minimal risk of “getting” money.

Although someone will rather have a new car than an old one. And choose Grant. And he will be right in his own way!

• You can read how Vesta behaved from the editors here.
• “Drive” can also be read on Viber.