RE: Dacia Duster: PH Fleet
Discussion
I wonder.....
A second hand poverty - spec 4wd, lift it, steel Weller wheels, "proper" tyres, bash guards for sump and diffs and a snorkel/high exit exhaust...
Hmm. I think they might well be a replacement for the SJ410s and Jimnys that the green lane brigade are so fond of...
I wouldn't mind a "Mad Max" spec one..
A second hand poverty - spec 4wd, lift it, steel Weller wheels, "proper" tyres, bash guards for sump and diffs and a snorkel/high exit exhaust...
Hmm. I think they might well be a replacement for the SJ410s and Jimnys that the green lane brigade are so fond of...
I wouldn't mind a "Mad Max" spec one..
jhonn said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Fair enough. I guess I fall at the first hurdle (this is not a Dacia thing) of not understanding why anyone wants a car that looks like a 4x4, but isn't.
Some of the advantages are..Increased ground clearance - even the 2WD seems to sit a little higher than a conventional estate (handy for snow or rutted tracks)
'Command' driving position - more visibility around corners and more on-road 'presence'
Tyres and suspension may have the ability to soak up more punishment (handy for our potholed roads)
Maybe slightly more utility - (a bit boxier for awkward loads)
jhonn said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Fair enough. I guess I fall at the first hurdle (this is not a Dacia thing) of not understanding why anyone wants a car that looks like a 4x4, but isn't.
Some of the advantages are..Increased ground clearance - even the 2WD seems to sit a little higher than a conventional estate (handy for snow or rutted tracks)
'Command' driving position - more visibility around corners and more on-road 'presence'
Tyres and suspension may have the ability to soak up more punishment (handy for our potholed roads)
Maybe slightly more utility - (a bit boxier for awkward loads)
My daughters mum has had one of these from new and I must admit I've always had a fondness from it. It's an 'SUV' that doesn't have the pretentiousness of your typical Mum Wagon you see driven badly and parked over your driveway at 3.30pm!
As mentioned in the article, it's the underdog, it's not the typical Range Rover wannabe. It's a back to basics, capable car be it lugging around kids or actually doing a bit of off-roading. It's not ostentatious in it's looks and it has a somewhat utilitarian feel to it.
I was very surprised from the one I've seen that it had some attention to detail that I really wasn't expecting. I'm not talking heated steering wheels or electric seats but some nice touches that show it's not just built as a tin on wheels but really does have some thought behind it.
As mentioned in the article, it's the underdog, it's not the typical Range Rover wannabe. It's a back to basics, capable car be it lugging around kids or actually doing a bit of off-roading. It's not ostentatious in it's looks and it has a somewhat utilitarian feel to it.
I was very surprised from the one I've seen that it had some attention to detail that I really wasn't expecting. I'm not talking heated steering wheels or electric seats but some nice touches that show it's not just built as a tin on wheels but really does have some thought behind it.
I want the most basic one to go a step further. Really, who needs electric front windows?
As to the Sat Nav, I stupidly paid the £800 to have it added to my latest car and I never use it as it is dumb. Google and Waze are far superior because they constantly update the traffic situation. Plus I can say Dentist or Swimming Pool in so so town and they find it with out being forced to use the already antiquated interface of my on board system.
Makes my Ford Sync 2 a complete dinosaur.
As to the Sat Nav, I stupidly paid the £800 to have it added to my latest car and I never use it as it is dumb. Google and Waze are far superior because they constantly update the traffic situation. Plus I can say Dentist or Swimming Pool in so so town and they find it with out being forced to use the already antiquated interface of my on board system.
Makes my Ford Sync 2 a complete dinosaur.
Edited by croyde on Tuesday 31st January 17:10
The Duster does seem to have a double-DIN sized hole for the radio, so you're probably better off buying an aftermarket headunit that has Carplay/AndroidAuto on it, and then running Waze/Google Maps/etc on it instead.
Much more 'future proof' too if you are planning on keeping your Duster for any length of time.
Much more 'future proof' too if you are planning on keeping your Duster for any length of time.
Could look good lowered with bigger wheels (but not too or low too big!)
Like this...
http://s1.aecdn.com/images/news/gallery/medium/dac...
Like this...
http://s1.aecdn.com/images/news/gallery/medium/dac...
On my expedition to Iceland in 2015 I came across many of these in places that only fairly serious 4x4s were going. To me that is qualification enough that these are good bits of kit, in a totally different leage to all the other 'SUV' dross that people lap up nowadays (Vauxhall Mokka anyone?). I would happily buy one in a few years time when they're down to my price level.
Roma101 said:
jhonn said:
^^^ No worries; By the time that I might be considering buying one of these (a few years away), there'll be plenty of recent info on their reliability and I can make a decision then. My prejudice is based on personal experience with Nissans (Pathfinders/Navaras) and Renaults up to about 5 years ago - things may have improved since then.
It would be great if they offered a five or seven year warranty as standard, like some of the Korean manufacturers - that would go a long way to addressing some of the previous concerns.
Sounds like a logical plan. It would be great if they offered a five or seven year warranty as standard, like some of the Korean manufacturers - that would go a long way to addressing some of the previous concerns.
I suppose if you have been burned before, then you are more careful. I never have been so I am sure you can understand my view.
Renault offer a 4 year warranty for Renaults. I am not sure if they offer this for Dacias though.
Regards
ian2144 said:
I'm considering a Duster to replace my aging Shogun. As we are in rural Aberdeenshire and down a single farm track 4x4 is a must. Just trawled through autotrader, the base model 4x4 can be had for £11495..... bargain for a new 4x4 I would say.
Shame the 1.2 can only be had with a higher trim level which makes it just shy of £15k.Anyone know what the 1.6 is like to live with.
ChocolateFrog said:
Shame the 1.2 can only be had with a higher trim level which makes it just shy of £15k.
Anyone know what the 1.6 is like to live with.
I've only test driven the 1.5 diesel which felt ok with a bit of mid range torque. From what I've read on other forums the base 1.6 petrol isa bit wheezy. For me I don't think that would bother me too much as I want to rid myself of Diesel for good.Anyone know what the 1.6 is like to live with.
James Drake said:
Truckosaurus said:
Alternatively, buy the base model 4wd Duster for £12k, stick some winter tyres on it and you've got a decent winter beater for the next decade.
I'm not sure if they're unique to our top of the range car / wheels, but our car came as standard with continental mud and snow tyres... 
Have to admit I have a sneaking admiration for these too, and I generally don't like crossovers at all. Are they any good to drive though or are they like every other CUV?
I've had the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Fiat 500X as hire cars and all were a fairly miserable experience - think overly light controls, wallowy handling and crap visibility.
I've had the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Fiat 500X as hire cars and all were a fairly miserable experience - think overly light controls, wallowy handling and crap visibility.
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