Dacia Duster. The perfect family car?

[white_goodman]

Just wondered if anyone had seen (or even driven) one of these yet? By my understanding, they are to be sold through Renault dealers but my local dealer doesn't seem to have any. We have been looking at new family cars for my wife. A 5 door Golf or perhaps a Skoda Yeti would be nice but way above our budget. We have been looking at cars like the Suzuki Swift, Mazda 2, Fiat Panda, Kia Rio and Skoda Citigo/Fabia. All smaller than ideal (although the Fabia is a fairly decent size). The Duster is actually a fairly stylish, decent-sized car from what I can see but I expect the headline figure of £8995 is for a 2WD petrol in white without air con, whereas the spec you would want would me a 4WD diesel with metallic and aircon (although I expect this would still be reasonable value). So what's the catch? Are they any good and how long would it take me to get one? I know that if you consider used vehicles there will be far more options but we both like the idea of new car reliability, the peace of mind of a full warranty and the promise of lower running costs.

[martin84]

white_goodman said:

I know that if you consider used vehicles there will be far more options but we both like the idea of new car reliability, the peace of mind of a full warranty and the promise of lower running costs.

You're in the wrong forum. What you need is an old 7 series or an MX-5.

[matt21]

In France / Italy at the moment. They are everywhere.

[Alucidnation]

They are basic, with very few optional extras.

Built to a price and to serve a purpose.

I do quite like the look of them though.

[Vilhelm]

It's the sort of car my dad would buy. He currently owns a base pre-facelift Ford Fusion. I'd say it's the perfect family car.

[Schuey M]

I'd not want one if they were free. Get a quality used car instead, plenty of bargains around. What makes you think a new dacia will be more reliable than a used honda for example?

[Hoygo]

matt21 said:

In France / Italy at the moment. They are everywhere.

Yep,i see many of them all over Europe,this has sold very well,been for sale for about 2 years in EU,looks decently normal not like a cheap sh!te either.

How the fvck did renault chuck out something that actually sells?

[Butter Face]

I've driven one (albeit LHD)

It's a Renault, for less money. It all works, has a cracking feel to it and is a cracking car.

[Alucidnation]

Schuey M said:

I'd not want one if they were free. Get a quality used car instead, plenty of bargains around. What makes you think a new dacia will be more reliable than a used honda for example?

Probably because no one gives a fk what you think?

[Roo]

Just come back from France and they're everywhere.

I love the fact they're being sold as a budget version of Renault. As if Renault was a premium brand in the first place.

[Garlick]

I think they're great. Base spec and steels is the only way mind you.

Sat in one, seem honest enough. I'm a fan

[elephantstone]

I like it... But i drive a berlingo.

[tercelgold]

£14,995 for the cheapest 4x4 with air con is not a bad deal either, even second hand there isn't much to match a brand new car.

[Butter Face]

tercelgold said:

£14,995.00 for the cheapest 4x4 with air con is not a bad deal either even second hand there isn't much to match a brand new car.

That's also the top spec though,

[white_goodman]

Schuey M said:

I'd not want one if they were free. Get a quality used car instead, plenty of bargains around. What makes you think a new dacia will be more reliable than a used honda for example?

As cars get older, particularly diesels, bits wear out and servicing costs soar. I appreciate that this is not a certainty but it's still a gamble. My wife and I have different priorities in a car. She wants something that is practical, cheap to run and will work, whereas I'm prepared to take a gamble on something older and more interesting (which I wouldn't be able to afford new) and take the chance that things might go wrong!

[Butter Face]

For a few hundred quid you can have a 7 year warranty too.

[tercelgold]

Butter Face said:

That's also the top spec though,

The spec is fairly basic, 2wd and wind up windows is ok but it's advertised as a bargain 4x4 and I'd be going secondhand at the bottom end. Cheapest 4x4 with aircon is their most expensive.

[S10GTA]

Massive topic on it here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&...

[Butter Face]

tercelgold said:

Butter Face said:

That's also the top spec though,

The spec is fairly basic, 2wd and wind up windows is ok but it's advertised as a bargain 4x4 and I'd be going secondhand at the bottom end.

4x4 Access 1.6 Petrol is £10,995. Thats a bargain 4x4.

4x4 Ambiance 1.5dci is £13495.

Not everybody wants diesel, or aircon.

I believe that of the pre-orders so far (I don't think I would be allowed to quote numbers) that its Access - 40%, Ambiance - 20& and Laureate - 40% Roughly.

[paulw123]

Schuey M said:

I'd not want one if they were free. Get a quality used car instead, plenty of bargains around. What makes you think a new dacia will be more reliable than a used honda for example?

a used honda will be far more reliable