More white goods - 2017 Dacia Duster 1.6 Access 2WD

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Took delivery of this lovely appliance yesterday




I've been rolling around in knackered old sheds for the past few years so it's a revelation to have something comfortable, quiet and fully working!

132 miles so far and I'm impressed - the 1.6 petrol engine isn't as wheezy and underpowered as expected, helps that it's quite light I suppose!

Yes it's basic but I've never been fussed by all of the ancillary stuff in modern cars and it doesn't have much of the annoying "safety" stuff like blind spot assist which I had in a hired X Trail the other day and found it more of a distraction!

All in all it seems to be a bit of a bargain for £9500 - time will tell

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Earlier cars with rust issues were built in India, RHD production has now been moved to Romania and I'm lead to believe its much improved

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Yeah Access is the base mode at the headline £9495 - the salesman had never sold one before

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Spumfry said:

Looking on Autotrader they seem to hold their value pretty well - you might lose £3K in depreciation over the next three years - most cars lose more than that on the first day, just rolling off the forecourt.

Keep us updated.

I did notice that however this one will be here for the long term I think

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Few exterior shots after a quick wash





True to form it's now utterly pissing down so I didn't have a chance to hoover the interior




Worlds biggest "look at what you could've won" blanking plate where the stereo should be

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Just a bit

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It has an aerial fitted

Stereo and speaker wiring is there and it all looks pretty straightforward. Probably not going to bother for a bit.

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Diesel is a bit more economical but probably not as smooth and quiet. Imagine the tax is very similar for new registrations after 1st april.

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cheddar said:

I thought the base model had windy uppy windows?

Only in the back.

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Trabi601 said:

Biggest problem with poverty spec. Dusters is that you can't have air-con on them.

Can only get AC in the top spec - not that big a deal really

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No.

A radio is about £30 from Halfords though.

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Electric windows are probably as cheap or cheaper than manual in 2017 - don't need to make multiple sets of door cards etc

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3 months - I think the higher spec cars arrive slightly faster.

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Certainly built for comfort not for speed

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Jimmy Recard said:

The thing is the diesel has the six speed gearbox with a low first gear, whereas the petrol doesn't. Or it didn't when I last looked.

I'm going to have to try one I think

The 6 speed has terribly low ratios at least when coupled to the 1.6 petrol in 4x4 guise.

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Slushbox said:

Congrats on the Duster. I'm just coming up to a year in a DCi Logan. Nothing has fallen off. It's actually a nice car to 'drive' in a daddy/tartan rug sort of fashion. Zero VED and 60 mpg. :-)

Good folk at Dacia forum will help with the radio bits, plus the essential £6 bonnet seal to keep dust out of the enginey bits.

I think they added air-con to the next Ambiance spec for 2017.

http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/forum/forum/3-dacia-du...

Edited by Slushbox on Monday 13th March 13:10

Not for Duster - AC in Laureate and Prestige only.

I would've ordered an Ambiance if it had AC but all it has is a stereo, front fogs and a bit of chrome inside.

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ajb85 said:

Like it. Front end looks like a VW Amarok. Will the steel wheels not go rusty come winter?

Interesting question - hadn't thought about it to be honest. They look like they have a clear coat on though

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First long motorway journey today - good 150 miles or so

Absolutely fine, very competent despite having the "worst" engine.

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Sounds perfect for that - I'm planning on keeping mine for a long time

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I was quite surprised to find the aerial hitting the height restriction barriers in a multi storey car park - it really is unnecessarily long!

Removed the aerial and put it in the boot for now