The price of the sensational “Moskvich 3” is too high. For 2 million rubles they should offer something better and more
The price of Moskvich 3 is not justifiably high. This conclusion was reached by the correspondent of the FBA “Economy Today”, which went to the largest car dealership in the Primorsky district of the Northern capital as a mystery shopper. The journalist went through all the stages that await a potential buyer – from evaluating your own car and test drive to sending an application for a car loan.
Test Drive
Test drive on the brand new “Moskvich 3” added questions.
“In order to take a test drive, the driver must have a driver’s license, a passport with a residence permit, plus fill out an application and familiarize himself with the rules for the temporary use of a car. By the way, not every car enthusiast will be able to drive a car – a minimum driving experience of two years is required. After observing all the bureaucratic moments, we are invited to go into the car, ”says Olga.
A manager also rides in a car with a potential buyer, who first conducts a briefing, talks about the features of the route, and then monitors the general situation and compliance with all the rules.
“I chose a gearbox with a CVT. By the way, “Moskvich” does not have a full automatic – there is a mechanic or a variator. Probably, many people know that the variable gearbox is very felt – every step and its shifting seems to “hit” you in the leg. So the Chinese Moskvich was no exception – the gear shift is felt, but not critical, ”says Olga.
The correspondent drove along a short route, which is given for a test drive: a trip in a straight line, a piece of the track, a U-turn and a return route to a car dealership.
“The weather on that day was without precipitation, there was no snow either, so the roads were dry and clean – it was not possible to find out how the car would behave on ice, whether it would resist skidding and how it would “enter” the turn.
On a clean track, everything is not bad: the suspension is harsh, but not critical. The car moves quite smoothly, sedately, accelerates to a hundred kilometers in about 12-13 seconds, which is probably quite a normal result. The “Chinese” usually have poor sound insulation, but in this car it was quite comfortable to drive without a radio, except for the howls of the variator. They are heard. The Moskvich copes well with bumps and pits – I don’t know how they feel from behind, but in front I didn’t feel particularly seasick. The seats are comfortable at first glance, but for a better assessment, of course, you need to spend a lot more time behind the wheel. The steering wheel turns quite easily, no effort is needed, ”our journalist shares his impressions.
The correspondent was satisfied with the trip and noted that she “expected the worst.” However, according to Olga, the price of Moskvich 3 is still too high.
“We had a good ride, but, frankly, the minimum price of the Moskvich raises many questions. In my opinion, for 2 million they should offer something better and more. We understand that prices have skyrocketed over the past year – in 2021 or early 2022, the machine would obviously cost less, ”she says.
The prototype of the Chinese crossover JAC JS4
Manager Alexander told Olga about the characteristics of the prototype – the Chinese crossover JAC JS4.
“The new Moskvich is a relatively large and at the same time quite compact, comfortable and economical car designed for daily trips on Russian roads,” Alexander says laconically.
But, before the trip, the journalist got ready and asked a tricky question: “On Russian roads? I read that the “Chinese” was not adapted in any way to the peculiarities of the terrain of the regions of the Russian Federation. Or I’m wrong?”
“You are not mistaken. The car is really completely Chinese, there were no modifications at the factory in Russia. But it’s not scary! The Chinese are great cars! Alexander encouraged us.
As auto experts assure, now the “conveyor” works as follows: the JAC JS4 car assembled in China is disassembled, arrives in Russia, is assembled here again, receives the Moskvich nameplate and goes on sale.
“Alexander clarified that in the foreseeable future, the Russian Federation should establish the production of all parts for the Chinese Moskvich. Theoretically, this process will speed up not only the assembly of cars that will no longer need to be ordered from China on an ongoing basis, but also the repair of already sold cars in case of a breakdown,” the journalist says.
The choice for the JAC brand was not accidental: along with Changan and Chery, it is in the top 3 of the Chinese market and has existed for more than 60 years. Reliable and unpretentious in repair, JAC has proven itself well in other CIS countries, in particular, the JAC S3 with a manual gearbox is actively purchased by the police of Kazakhstan. The brand’s lineup is wide, but in Russia, for now, only the JAC JS4 crossover will be Moskvich 3.
