Almost everyone knows cars, called the "Gazelle". These cars have been manufactured in Russia since 1994. Now there are several dozen of their modifications. These are both freight and passenger vehicles. In our article, we will consider one of the models - GAZ-322173, technical specifications, photos and features of this car.
Appearance
This minibus was built on the basis of van 2705. As for the design, outwardly this car is identical to its predecessor. In front is the same plastic bumper, a metal radiator grill and drop-shaped headlights, which can be made of both glass and plastic. Plastic headlights, as noted in the reviews by drivers, very quickly become unusable. The coating becomes cloudy over several years of operation, due to which not only the appearance, but also the brightness of the glow of the lamps deteriorated.
The body as a whole has the same problems as the 2705 van. Often owners complain of corrosion. If on the cargo Gazelles 3302 only doors and arches rust, then in the passenger version the entire body can deteriorate completely. This is especially noticeable on specimens that are used in large cities, where in the winter the road is sprinkled with salt and chemicals. The hood and grille are also rusted on the machine.
If the vehicle in question a few years after the start of operation does not have the defects described above, this means that it is not used in difficult climatic conditions. Another reason for the satisfactory condition is that the owner carefully monitors the body, regularly processes the metal "Antikor".
Salon
Let's move inside the car GAZ-322173. The interior here is the same as that of all Gazelles that were produced in the 90s of the last century. Of the benefits, drivers note the presence of a good stove.
The passenger version provided for two heating devices. Also in the car, good visibility and comfortable mirrors. The rest of the car deserves criticism. Plastic is hard everywhere, easily scratched. The seats are shapeless. The driver quickly gets tired of them. Noise isolation is practically absent. The engine runs very loudly, and on pretty well-maintained copies the box starts to howl. In winter, heat quickly leaves the cabin, so you have to constantly turn on the engine to warm the stove.
The passenger part of the car is separated from the cabin by a small partition. The design capacity of the car is up to 11 passengers. Some owners install additional seats. Due to which the capacity is increased to 14 people, but at the same time comfort for passengers is greatly deteriorated.
Specifications
GAZ-322173 is equipped with only one gasoline engine (other engines were also installed at 2705). Under the hood is a four-cylinder 2.5-liter unit from the Zavolzhsky Engine Plant. This is the 405th motor. It is an improved version of the 406th carburetor engine. The 405th has a distributed fuel injection, it has the best technical characteristics. So, its power is 133 horsepower, and torque is 214 Nm. Responses of owners say that this motor is "horse". To get enough traction, you have to twist it up to 4 thousand revolutions. It is with this that the entire torque of this unit is revealed.
What is the fuel consumption of the GAZ-322173? The car consumes in the city about 17 liters per 100 km. Therefore, many install gas equipment. Among the common problems of the GAZ-322173 are the risk of engine overheating and high oil consumption. This is due to the use of a cooling fan, which is not suitable in diameter.
The gearbox on the GAZ-322173 is five-speed, mechanical. The passenger model has a slightly longer resource than the cargo model. Transmission included quite clearly. In general, the box is not satisfactory. In terms of service, the gearbox needs only an oil change. It needs to be changed every 90 thousand kilometers.
Chassis
The car has the same chassis design as the 2705 van. So, in the front of the car there is a pivot beam with springs. Behind - the bridge, which is also suspended from the frame with springs. Additionally installed anti-roll bar. The brake system has a hydraulic drive and two independent circuits. Front disc brakes, rear - drum. The steering is provided with a screw-ball-nut type. Additionally there is a hydraulic booster. For cars younger than 2010, an ABS system was installed from the factory.
The chassis of the car is quite reliable and simple. However, on the go she does not cope with irregularities. The car often jumps in the pits. This is especially noticeable in the rear passenger seats.
Conclusion
We examined what a minibus GAZ-322173 represents. This machine has several advantages. This is a low price and good maintainability. However, the car has an unreliable body and has a not very comfortable interior. However, these factors do not affect the popularity of the machine. It is quite common in many regions of our country.