Perestroika and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union led to a deep economic crisis in Russia, accompanied by an unprecedented rampant crime. This turbulent period with regular gang squabbles, shootings and robberies is not without reason called the "dashing nineties."
The traditional cars of the leaders of large organized criminal groups at that time were Mercedes and luxury SUVs, the rank and file preferred their own "eights" / "nines", who are richer and more impressive, used black "boomers" - a very effective means of intimidation, a status attribute and tacit proof of belonging to a dangerous gang. Let's take a look at some of the iconic cars favored by Russian bandits during those harsh times.
1. VAZ-2109
The only Russian representative on the list, the VAZ-2109, was a fairly fast and unpretentious car. In the troubled times of perestroika and immediately after it, many post-Soviet citizens considered this car the most luxurious domestic product. She was admired, dreamed of.
Unsurprisingly, the five-door Nine quickly became the workhorse of the bandits of the 90s, while perfectly matched with tracksuits and possessing the necessary practicality for transporting bits (as well as small arms, corpses, money, smuggled goods, etc.). Its share accounted for a greater "criminal popularity" than that of the "younger sister", the three-door "eight" VAZ-2108. In addition, the car was relatively inexpensive, very fashionable and even mentioned in pop music of the time.
Thanks to all of the above, as well as a simple and reliable design, a dynamic streamlined design (much more attractive than chopped "eight" shapes) and the availability of spare parts, the model quickly gained recognition and spread throughout all regions of the former USSR. She had another plus - home-grown tuning masters easily adapted the standard "nines" to the individual needs of the owners.
2. BMW 525i
Why do Russians love BMW so much? Firstly, these cars have amazing performance, impeccable design and very good handling. Secondly, in the 90s, only bandits could have such a car (the BMW 5 E34 was mainly used by the "personnel" of the middle level, while the bosses held the 7th series in high esteem - more on it later), and this in itself created intrigue.
Despite the popularity of VAZ products, Russian citizens, tired of the domestic auto industry, willingly switched to foreign cars. When the car markets of the newly-minted CIS countries were filled with them, the BMW 525i became a symbol of the "crazy 90s". The high-spirited German car was ideal when running away from the police, who were still using slow Soviet cars. The nationwide love for stylish and agile BMWs is reflected in jokes, songs, and Russian "gangster" films (remember the sensational "Zhmurki").
These cars drove the common people to the sidelines, and if you owned such a car, you were respected as a successful person. After the 90s, when the standard of living rose a little, ordinary citizens willingly bought ten-year-old BMWs and older in order to feel like “a little bandits” - people with money, freedom of action and a halo of power.
Nowadays, BMWs of the 90s remain popular among young people aged 20-30 who want to plunge into the atmosphere of those dangerous times. In the post-Soviet territories, they still remember funny sayings like: “How is BMW deciphered? Bandits Can Do Everything!"
3. BMW 7
Another Bavarian product is known as the most bombarded car on post-Soviet streets in the 1990s. It was during this turbulent period that its popularity peaked, and no other car seems to have caught as many bullets as the BMW 7.
In the criminal environment, the "seven" was considered more prestigious than the 5th series, and therefore more desirable, but all the iconic "boomers" were stylish, nimble and solid, providing a powerful presence and good handling on broken Russian roads.
4. Lincoln Town Car
Prestigious American cars could be seen in large cities of Russia; they were especially appreciated in the underworld of the capital and the Moscow region. For ordinary bandits, the Lincolns were too expensive, large and clumsy. But their purpose was not an easy escape from the chases, but a demonstration of the high social status of the owner, so they were owned only by fairly solid "mafiosi".
5. Volvo 940
The huge Lincolns had a hard time in the cramped alleys of St. Petersburg, the northern (and gangster) capital of Russia. The local criminals preferred Volvo and Saabs. They were brought in massively from neighboring Sweden and Finland, and spare parts generously flowed from there.
6. Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
Luxury sedans couldn't cope with bad roads in the Russian hinterland. There the "brothers" rode off-road vehicles, and Cherokee jeeps were especially fond of. They consumed a lot of fuel, but this was not a big problem for the bandits - unlike “mere mortals”, they always had money.
7. Mercedes Gelandewagen
Russian mafiosi respected this car and considered it necessary to have one in the garage (and sometimes more than one), but they were reluctant to change into it, only out of extreme necessity. Gelendvagen, originally developed for the military needs of the eastern and western armies, seemed too noisy and uncomfortable to them, so the bosses preferred to move in luxury sedans, and the Geliks accompanied them as convoy vehicles with bodyguards on board.
8. Mitsubishi Pajero
Representative, heavy and durable, but very agile Japanese SUV often became a participant in gang meetings, showdowns, wars for power and territory. In it they fought, and rested, and died. If BMW was fired more often than others in the 90s, Pajero was more often blown up.
9. Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevy was known all over the world as a manufacturer of utilitarian family boxes on wheels. But Tahoe is something very special. Powerful and sturdy, spacious inside and formidable-looking "American" and now arouses envy and respect. It is not surprising that the outwardly luxurious nine-seater all-terrain "tank" was often used by Russian criminal gangs to deliver their fighters to bloody showdowns.
10. Mercedes-Benz W140 S-class
The S-Class was popular with gangsters from all over the world, from the Russian mafia to the Japanese yakuza. He provided a formidable and domineering presence, like a grim reaper, so the rival factions knew what to expect. There was a proverb that was remembered by many who survived the 90s: “BMW is for those who are in a hurry; Mercedes for those who made it."
Almost all post-Soviet bandits dreamed of such a limousine, but only the newly minted social elite and important crime bosses could afford the solid, luxurious and expensive “six hundredth” Merce.
Dazzling on the outside and comfortable on the inside, a respectable cruiser with enviable characteristics literally screamed about the high status of its owner. This helped to maintain credibility, but it destroyed all safety strategies: the prestigious "Germans", especially the flagship S600 / SL600 models, stood out and attracted attention wherever they appeared. It was clear to everyone that there was an important person inside. Is it any wonder that they were often set on fire, fired upon and blown up, until the "dashing 90s" became history, and the "new Russians" did not move to the new Mercedes - W240 of a subsidiary of Maybach.
In those "romantic" times, there were no prohibitions, especially on the appearance and power of cars. But similar "it is forbidden" exist now in some countries, which amazes automobile tourists.