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There seems to be a number of long Dacia threads running and the cars themselves seem to split opinion. This I think makes them PH worthy. I've owned all-sorts of cars over the years from classic hot hatches to V8 Audis avants, as well as a handful of Italian stuff. I got my Dacia last year as fancied something rugged and simple with plenty of space that wouldn't cost the earth and serve as what my little girl calls 'the adventure wagon'. Just because it isn't a performance car, or German or exotic doesn't make it uninteresting and I've found it to be one of the most satisfying cars I've owned in a long time and pretty sure I will get another Dacia, or two, in the next year.
So what you got? extra points for anything obscure like a Dokker or Spring. I was gonna get a Duster but ended up Logan Stepway as the boot was huge.
So what you got? extra points for anything obscure like a Dokker or Spring. I was gonna get a Duster but ended up Logan Stepway as the boot was huge.
Edited by Silvanus on Monday 6th June 20:24
loserone said:
BROWN!
That looks ace, especially on those wheels.
Here's mine.
1800 miles done in the first month. Overall averaging 53.6 mpg, though the last tank was 56.6 brim to brim.
Its grand. I picked a mate up from Carlisle station on Saturday night and in 90 minutes I was able to drive in city traffic, motorways, fast twisty A road up over Hartside, then single track down to Garrigill and over to Nenthead before climbing a rocky track up Black Hill at the Northumberland border, before a couple of fords and a farm track.
The kids (5, 4, 1) fit in the back, the boot is perfectly adequate (though not furniture moving size really, but I've just had two vans), it's 4x4 when I need it, has roof bars for the roof box and should be able to tow reasonably once I've got a bar on.
To drive it's very acceptable. Compliant, well damped. It rolls a bit around corners but actually I quite like the feedback that provides. The steering is OK despite being stupidly light. Once it's out of warranty I may try lowering the assistance. The pillars are wide but the blindspots aren't all that huge.
We have the driving seat quite high as it gives better visibility which is essential on the roads here. Downside is the rear view mirror is then in the way of the road for me (5'10". Mrs L1 is, er, shorter)
Spec wise it's about perfect. AC, cruise control, android auto, reversing camera, 6 speed manual. Full size spare wheel.
Keen to get the tow bar fitted, some skid plates so I can stop worrying about the adblue and EGR being the lowest parts of the car, and a dashcam since we're keeping the thing. Hopefully I'll still feel pleased with it in 5-10 years time.
Cracking motor, some surprisingly nice details to the styling, certainly not as boring as some make out, I think they look really goodThat looks ace, especially on those wheels.
Here's mine.
1800 miles done in the first month. Overall averaging 53.6 mpg, though the last tank was 56.6 brim to brim.
Its grand. I picked a mate up from Carlisle station on Saturday night and in 90 minutes I was able to drive in city traffic, motorways, fast twisty A road up over Hartside, then single track down to Garrigill and over to Nenthead before climbing a rocky track up Black Hill at the Northumberland border, before a couple of fords and a farm track.
The kids (5, 4, 1) fit in the back, the boot is perfectly adequate (though not furniture moving size really, but I've just had two vans), it's 4x4 when I need it, has roof bars for the roof box and should be able to tow reasonably once I've got a bar on.
To drive it's very acceptable. Compliant, well damped. It rolls a bit around corners but actually I quite like the feedback that provides. The steering is OK despite being stupidly light. Once it's out of warranty I may try lowering the assistance. The pillars are wide but the blindspots aren't all that huge.
We have the driving seat quite high as it gives better visibility which is essential on the roads here. Downside is the rear view mirror is then in the way of the road for me (5'10". Mrs L1 is, er, shorter)
Spec wise it's about perfect. AC, cruise control, android auto, reversing camera, 6 speed manual. Full size spare wheel.
Keen to get the tow bar fitted, some skid plates so I can stop worrying about the adblue and EGR being the lowest parts of the car, and a dashcam since we're keeping the thing. Hopefully I'll still feel pleased with it in 5-10 years time.
Edited by loserone on Monday 6th June 22:15
blueST said:
loserone said:
Is that a 4x4 or 4x2?
I haven't quite figured out how to tell yet (without looking underneath!)
Mines 4x2, there’s no base spec or lpg 4x4 versions. Wish there was.I haven't quite figured out how to tell yet (without looking underneath!)
blueST said:
I do use it on unsurfaced roads daily, and it’s good. I immediately binned the Conti Eco Contacts for Michelin Cross Climates, which are more suited to off tarmac even if not an actual AT. Really it is the ground clearance and relatively soft suspension that makes it. I’ve not checked but my feeling is it must have more clearance than just about any other soft roader.
Ahh, interesting, I've been considering some cross climates. Definitely not a fan of the standard eco contacts, crap in the wetcroyde said:
757 said:
Brilliant! 
The Essential spec is what DACIA to me is all about.
Very interesting how you added CC to these, that was always the clincher for these poverty spec cars for me, funnily enough, seems a very cheap mod!
Being cheap cars, it appears that they all have the same ECU throughout the range. The Essential spec is what DACIA to me is all about.Very interesting how you added CC to these, that was always the clincher for these poverty spec cars for me, funnily enough, seems a very cheap mod!
It was 5 minutes to prise out the speed limiter switch by the gear stick and plug in a limiter/cruise switch from a Renault Kadjar (£18 from eBay) and hey presto! I had cruise.
Sonosp said:
HTP99 said:
Sonosp said:
Really considering the Extreme SE Duster in grey but I hear there is a major facelift coming this year so I might wait to see that first.
Where did you hear/read that? Existing Duster was only facelifted around a year ago, which generally would mean an all new Duster is about 2 years away, likely on the latest CMF platform or the latest version of it, I can't see a major facelift of the current car.
Mid 2024 will be the next Dacia major facelift, a year later the bigster will be coming out.
Info from here https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.motor1.com/news/5...
HTP99 said:
Silvanus said:
I think dropping LPG, and the entry level trim models is a UK thing, I believe LPG and essential trim are still available across Europe, shame really
LPG option being dropped is global according to the sales alert.
croyde said:
Baldchap said:
This is our new Sandero Stepway. It's the 1.0 90 but I have no idea what the spec is as we bought it in Spain
and didn't get much of a choice other than colour!
Same money as a high mileage Focus, but with 5 years warranty and servicing, plus a year's insurance. Seemed like a no-brainer.
It's not quick, but it seems well put together and relatively refined. No sat nav, but keyless and auto lights/wipers etc. It'll do us for getting bashed into by Spanish drivers!
I really like that.and didn't get much of a choice other than colour!
Same money as a high mileage Focus, but with 5 years warranty and servicing, plus a year's insurance. Seemed like a no-brainer.
It's not quick, but it seems well put together and relatively refined. No sat nav, but keyless and auto lights/wipers etc. It'll do us for getting bashed into by Spanish drivers!
KTF said:
kdri155 said:
KTF said:
What caused the engine to fail?
Timing chain failure, oil changed every 8k, regularly serviced nut it’s the joys of motoring.Joey Deacon said:
croyde said:
I called it.
Essential is back!
Bet it ain't as cheap as my one was though.
Liking that grey, and the logo, and the TFT dash but hang on!
I must not get suckered into all that crap again, I gave that all up hence why I bought my basic NATO white model with steel wheels.
No, this is clearly the next step in Renault doing a Skoda and increasing the prices so they are a couple of thousand less than the equivalent Renault. Obviously the Sandero, Stepway and Jogger were a massive increase in quality due to being based on the latest Clio platform, but I think a lot of people still have the same prejudices as they did with Skoda in the early days.Essential is back!
Bet it ain't as cheap as my one was though.
Liking that grey, and the logo, and the TFT dash but hang on!
I must not get suckered into all that crap again, I gave that all up hence why I bought my basic NATO white model with steel wheels.
This is clearly Renault accelerating the move from Dacia being seen as a budget, no image brand to being a mainstream car.
I wonder who will come along to fill the gap if Dacia do move up too much. MG have taken a different path and I'm not so sure there's an appetite for LADA with everything going on. Shame Peugeot got bought, they could have brought Talbot back (new Rancher anyone?) I'm surprised Stelantis hasn't gone after Dacia with one of there brands or sub brands considering how well Dacia cars are selling.
Joey Deacon said:
Silvanus said:
I wonder who will come along to fill the gap if Dacia do move up too much. MG have taken a different path and I'm not so sure there's an appetite for LADA with everything going on. Shame Peugeot got bought, they could have brought Talbot back (new Rancher anyone?) I'm surprised Stelantis hasn't gone after Dacia with one of there brands or sub brands considering how well Dacia cars are selling.
I don't think there will be anyone along to replace them, there is clearly so little money in producing cheap cars that nobody else will want to enter that market. Citroen produce a cheap version of the C3 named the You which is £12,995 and available to order via their website only. Other than Dacia (who have steadily increased prices over the last 18 months) this is the only other budget car I can think of.Every other brand is moving towards full EVs, so they are not going to want to create ICE cars for a market where there is little profit and will vanish in 7 years time anyway.
I think the whole budget market is going to evaporate over the next few years as Dacia go more mainstream and increase prices to match.
The only "cheap" cars I can see on the horizon is if a Chinese company start selling their EVs in the UK. The first company to sell a decent EV at a decent price will clean up.
There will always be a place for a budget brand, always has, always will as some people prefer new to used. Its why Dacia are clearing up and can't build cars fast enough.
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