There are no special differences, except for the body, in the design of the GAZ 2217 Sobol Barguzin minibus from other "sables". (We considered in detail the technical characteristics of the family in the article “GAZ 27527 Sable: tamed and left in the city ...” using the example of a van) Let's consider this car from a commercial point of view, without avoiding, however, technical and operational issues.
Modern GAZ 2217 and its early variants
Today GAZ 2217 Sobol is offered by the manufacturer in 16 standard versions, all 4x4. It is possible to complete the car according to the schemes of a full permanent drive and a full plug-in drive. Cabins 1+6 or 1+10 (driver and passengers). Body in two versions: with a low and medium roof. Engines: standard Sobolev UMP 4216 (Euro-4 gasoline) and diesel Cumminis (Euro-4). The price fluctuates around 650-800 thousand rubles, depending on the layout. Additional options (differential locks, instrument panels "Lux", color selection, etc.) - for some money.
Also previously there was a modification of Barguzin in the luxury version - Riviera. The price of "lyalechka" is from 710 thousand rubles. The plant today also offers the Sobol-Business option with a superior-comfort saloon, but not much more expensive than ordinary Barguzins. There was also a modification of "Sable-Taxi". A GAZ-5601 turbodiesel was installed on it. The difference between a taxi and other cars is a low roof and only 5 seats for passengers in the cabin. To the right of the driver is a place for luggage.
Previously produced GAZ 2217 and rear-wheel drive. Today, judging by the information of the GAZ Group on the corporate website, there are no such products in production. The plant abandoned them in favor of plug-in all-wheel drive and permanent all-wheel drive. Reviews of "minibuses" about rear-wheel drive versions - at least apply to the wound: the car, when fully loaded, confidently holds the road, is maneuverable, and economical. The hydraulic booster facilitates the work of drivers. Some craftsmen independently increase the number of passenger seats in the car up to 11-12, to speed up the payback, but to the detriment of passenger comfort.
Engine
The entire "Sobolevsky" series of engines is installed on the machine. In 1998, the family received 100-110 hp gasoline engines. ZMZ-402 (2.5 l, 8 cells), ZMZ-406.3 (2.3 l, 16 cells) ZMZ-406 (injector, 2.3 l, 16 cells) and the GAZ-5601 diesel plant (2, 1 l, 85 hp)
Since 2003, an injection engine ZMZ-40522.10 (2.5 l. 16 cells, 140 hp) and a GAZ-5601 turbodiesel have been installed. In 2008, Barguzin and his brothers were offered new engines: ZMZ 40524.10 and Chrysler DOHC 2.4L (2.4 l, 137 hp) and a GAZ-5602 diesel engine with 95 hp. Chrysler DOHC 2.4L was subsequently installed only on the luxury version of the Riviera - this is the only serious difference between Barguzin and the GAZ "fur" community.
Since 2009, the GAZ 2217 has received a standard UMZ-4216.10 (2.89 l, 115 hp) and a Cummins ISF 2.8L turbodiesel (2.8 l, 128 hp) for its counterparts.
Operational and technical characteristics
Performance indicators: maximum speed - 120 km / h, acceleration to hundreds - 23 s, average fuel consumption on new cars 10.7 liters. Manufacturer's warranty 2 years or 80 thousand km. Recommended maintenance is every 15 thousand km. The volume of the gas tank is 70 liters.
Dimensions: length / width / height - 4810/2030/2100 mm; base - 2760 mm; the same track for the front and rear wheels - 1700 mm. Ground clearance 150-260 mm (for different weights). Curb weight 2055 kg, gross weight - 2800-3000 kg (for different weights).
Disadvantages and advantages
The build quality of domestic cars always leaves much to be desired. For example, in one of the reviews, the happy owner of the Riviera (I remind you that this is the most expensive Sable), immediately after the purchase, discovered the missing step for entering the passenger compartment - the part simply was not screwed on as expected, and flew off somewhere along the way from the passenger compartment. Others complain about the lack of bolts in the required quantity where they should be, or their quick loss after 10-15 thousand km. The cases found on the network are isolated. But - blatant: this should not be!
The main problems that owners of cars that have been released from the assembly line for 4-5 years complain about are: gearbox and transfer case, front axle, power steering hose. These problems start selectively. It seems that different shifts of machines and units are assembled at GAZ using different technologies and from different components. The suspension begins to "harm" almost everyone after 40-50 thousand km. Closer to 100,000 km, ball bearings and struts are expected to be replaced, springs may begin to sag. After 100 thousand km, the car requires careful attention to all remaining original chassis parts as a whole.
In many reviews there is a complaint about the absolutely inconvenient location of the fuel pump filter: to get to it, you need to remove the fuel tank. And the towing eye, the need for which has been talked about for 10 years or more, has not appeared at the rear.
Maintenance and repair of cars of early models do not cause any problems for mechanics, but they greatly annoy the owners: over the years, cars break down more and more often, and spare parts from new models may differ in size. When ordering parts that were installed specifically on your car, you must accurately indicate their catalog numbers in order to avoid surprises.
Another point (which cannot be attributed to obvious shortcomings, rather to the ill-conceived layout of the cabin) is a small luggage space at the back. By the way, in different modifications there are two options for the back door: two swing doors (they open well, it is convenient to load, but there are comments about weak locking hooks) or one opening up (on the versions "Prestige", "Riviera", "Taxi" - very convenient) . But through both options you still won’t download much - there’s nowhere.
All drivers note good visibility in the car (both in front and in the rear-view mirrors) and handling. Complaints about the stove (one of the biggest pluses in terms of comfort) were not found in the reviews.
Payback - up to 1 year in the taxi mode, with low operating costs and low fuel consumption for its class. It is the payback that becomes the main reason for buying Sable. Experienced owners of the GAZ 2217 advise squeezing the maximum out of the car up to 200 thousand km and selling it if something remains of it. By such a milestone, a car as a “minibus” pays off twice.
But by 200 thousand mileage, there is practically nothing left in the car, except for the native engine and frame, strong vibrations are observed throughout the body, defects in its poor-quality assembly are fully manifested. The last statement is debatable, since (see above) - different shifts of workers assemble different identical machines. This fact also does not apply to cars of 2013 (another update) - there is still little information on the operation of new cars, it is too early to draw conclusions.
Summary
Let's be brief: the car is worth the money. But in general, Sables are a very successful family of commercial vehicles, we emphasize: namely commercial vehicles. With a smart approach to operation, the machine pays for itself. In addition: it allows you to earn on the same, and leave a little more money brought to the owner. If these "workhorses" are not worked out to the state of "trash on wheels", then you can still earn extra money on them when selling them - there is a stable demand for used cars. Some pluses, if we talk about business.
