RE: Dacia Duster
Discussion
smiffy555 said:
Question - Duster (4x4) or Niva?
Hmmmm......
Depends what you plan on using it for. They have poop loads of Niva's over here, and I looked into getting one. I was told that they have pros and cons. The pros being that they are simple mechanically, and can pretty much accept any part going with a bit of tomfoolery. The downside is that you will be doing this quite often. Hmmmm......
This Duster test was a bit off-the-mark for reporting quality.
1) RHD vehicles will be produced in India, not Romania
2) The engine of choice would be the more expensive turbo-diesel with more pulling torque.
3) The one I poked around in Berlin last month had lots going for it but the driving seat was poor with not enough leg support. For long term ownership this could be a really frustrating issue. A replacement Recaro seat would set you back around a thousand quid but they don't offer a fitting kit at the moment.
4) Also frustrating is the lack of paint options in the UK, there is a tasty metallic bronze available from Romania. In general, added options seem way too expensive against the baseline cost.
5) 4WD is probably a waste of money since the engine power is nothing to write home about, and how many folk really intend to drive around in the mud ?
6) The vehicle does look the part in the flesh and it has loads of space, but the rear seat back does not lie flat in maximum bootspace mode.
7) Romanian build quality looked good, no idea what comes out of India.
8) With these points in mind it could be great value for money, but don't you always get what you pay for ?
1) RHD vehicles will be produced in India, not Romania
2) The engine of choice would be the more expensive turbo-diesel with more pulling torque.
3) The one I poked around in Berlin last month had lots going for it but the driving seat was poor with not enough leg support. For long term ownership this could be a really frustrating issue. A replacement Recaro seat would set you back around a thousand quid but they don't offer a fitting kit at the moment.
4) Also frustrating is the lack of paint options in the UK, there is a tasty metallic bronze available from Romania. In general, added options seem way too expensive against the baseline cost.
5) 4WD is probably a waste of money since the engine power is nothing to write home about, and how many folk really intend to drive around in the mud ?
6) The vehicle does look the part in the flesh and it has loads of space, but the rear seat back does not lie flat in maximum bootspace mode.
7) Romanian build quality looked good, no idea what comes out of India.
8) With these points in mind it could be great value for money, but don't you always get what you pay for ?
Talking about a basic car: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2695...
Sorry to dig-up this topic, but I came across an UK spec Duster. The interior is way better than the EU version. Wish it will get an update like this in EU also. 
[quote name='GrahamR']
I drove down to my dealer to test drive a RHD Laureate 4x4 model today.
I was very impressed with the Duster. There appears to be one or two changes from the LHD model I drove previously - I'm happy to report they've substituted the 'Mickey Mouse' rear load cover for a new rigid type. The new dash looks good - black or dark grey with contrasting light grey. The model I test drove had the revering sensors (as I've specified on the car I've ordered as part of the 'Protection Pack') and it includes a neat little read out showing the distance or length 'before you hit' in addition to audible beeps. The model I drove was fitted with Continental tyres. There was also a blue Laureate in the show room and I must say the blue looks really nice in the flesh (wish I'd ordered the blue instead of white now!). I took a few photographs:
Graham
[/quote]
[quote name='GrahamR']
A few more pictures:
Graham
[/quote]
Source: http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/topic/89-test-drove-a-...
Here is the EU interior:
Looks outdated.
And a head to head comparison:
I hope this was useful info.
[quote name='GrahamR']
I drove down to my dealer to test drive a RHD Laureate 4x4 model today.
I was very impressed with the Duster. There appears to be one or two changes from the LHD model I drove previously - I'm happy to report they've substituted the 'Mickey Mouse' rear load cover for a new rigid type. The new dash looks good - black or dark grey with contrasting light grey. The model I test drove had the revering sensors (as I've specified on the car I've ordered as part of the 'Protection Pack') and it includes a neat little read out showing the distance or length 'before you hit' in addition to audible beeps. The model I drove was fitted with Continental tyres. There was also a blue Laureate in the show room and I must say the blue looks really nice in the flesh (wish I'd ordered the blue instead of white now!). I took a few photographs:
Graham
[/quote]
[quote name='GrahamR']
A few more pictures:
Graham
[/quote]
Source: http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/topic/89-test-drove-a-...
Here is the EU interior:
Looks outdated.
And a head to head comparison:
I hope this was useful info.
When our Duster showroom car turned up we were suitably please with the updates to the RHD models, particularly a proper load cover in the boot, the revised dash is so much better to look at and much more modern hen he LHD models too.
People who have driven them are shocked with how well they drive and how refined they are.
As an aside, that blue Duster in the showroom is an instant audit fail, it's not straight!
People who have driven them are shocked with how well they drive and how refined they are.
As an aside, that blue Duster in the showroom is an instant audit fail, it's not straight!
Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 31st January 12:03
ionutzzz said:
Sorry to dig-up this topic, but I came across an UK spec Duster. The interior is way better than the EU version. Wish it will get an update like this in EU also.
What was the price for those uk spec ones? they both have alloys no doubt other stuff.every time I try specking one of these the price goes through the roof.
toppstuff said:
I am also a fan of the Dacia Duster.
Too many cars these days are like Apple iphones. They flatter to deceive with their excess shinyness and needless baubles, which often only exist to distract people from the reality of the product itself - which is usually mediocre at best.
The Dacia is an antidote to this.
It is the anti-Audi.
To flip that around, I have an Iphone. It does everything I will ever want a phone to do, it does it with a user friendly smooth interface, everything is made to allow an idiot like me to use it properly. It's just a really nice, well rounded product.Too many cars these days are like Apple iphones. They flatter to deceive with their excess shinyness and needless baubles, which often only exist to distract people from the reality of the product itself - which is usually mediocre at best.
The Dacia is an antidote to this.
It is the anti-Audi.
I could buy an andriod phone, which would mean I am capable of doing so many more things. But I don't want to, they have poor and messy user interfaces (in my experience so far), and I will never use any of the extra features they have. Whilst it may be a more advanced, sophisticated or powerful product, it doesn't do what I want it to do, how I want it to do it.
Hopefully that helps you understand what most people see in Audi.
Pesty said:
What was the price for those uk spec ones? they both have alloys no doubt other stuff.
every time I try specking one of these the price goes through the roof.
It's a top of the range, 4x4 Laureate trim, I think, with some accessory packs fitted.every time I try specking one of these the price goes through the roof.
The base price for the 4x4 Laureate dci 110 is 15k. The model in the photos, has some extras so I think a bit more. Maybe 16-18k. Sounds like a lot, but it's still a lot of value for your money, if you compare with other SUVs, with the same equipment fitted. That's my opinion.
Robb F said:
To flip that around, I have an Iphone. It does everything I will ever want a phone to do, it does it with a user friendly smooth interface, everything is made to allow an idiot like me to use it properly. It's just a really nice, well rounded product.
I could buy an andriod phone, which would mean I am capable of doing so many more things. But I don't want to, they have poor and messy user interfaces (in my experience so far), and I will never use any of the extra features they have. Whilst it may be a more advanced, sophisticated or powerful product, it doesn't do what I want it to do, how I want it to do it.
Hopefully that helps you understand what most people see in Audi.
iPhone is the safe choice for people who don't want to think about what they are buying. Anyone who researches the product or the price properly won't buy one.I could buy an andriod phone, which would mean I am capable of doing so many more things. But I don't want to, they have poor and messy user interfaces (in my experience so far), and I will never use any of the extra features they have. Whilst it may be a more advanced, sophisticated or powerful product, it doesn't do what I want it to do, how I want it to do it.
Hopefully that helps you understand what most people see in Audi.
Bill said:
I'm not sure that flips it around at all, you'd rather pay more for a worse product because it's shiny 
Or, it's more that it's easy to use and I don't have to be forced to learn techy stuff that I have 0% interest in (or more accurately, that annoys the s
t out of me 
).A bit like why people buy new cars, I guess.
Bill said:
I'm not sure that flips it around at all, you'd rather pay more for a worse product because it's shiny
It's not just shiny, it does everything I need it to do very well, and nothing more.Same as people who buy new Audis, they could get a better, older car for less money that is quicker or bigger. But they just want a car that is nice to sit in and lets them drive to the shops and back without worrying about something breaking and their Ipod connected to the radio.
Audi make cars (S, RS excluded) for people who don't care about cars. White goods people. They make the best white good cars. I don't want one personally, but I can totally understand why others would.
No one can accuse me of being bling though, I drive a 9 year old Clio.
braddo said:
Or, it's more that it's easy to use and I don't have to be forced to learn techy stuff that I have 0% interest in (or more accurately, that annoys the st out of me ).
A bit like why people buy new cars, I guess.
I find your argument unconvincing... I got an android phone because it's easier to use and I didn't have to get to grips with iTunes t out of me ).A bit like why people buy new cars, I guess.
(And because it's considerably cheaper.)Chris Harris said:
IanO said:
But I was prepared to for go pedestrian night vision cameras and foot operated opening boot lid, neither of which need driving lessons.
My point with the virtue of a poverty spec car is that we all chip away choosing the little things we would like until we are back to the ridiculous baubles a modern car is festooned with. I agree with Chris that heated seats would be great when hacking across a muddy field in January, but is it a slippery slope towards an expensive gadget laden car that you feel virtuous about just because it has steel wheels?
Nope. Had a Defender from new, air-con and heated seats only options you need in the sticks.My point with the virtue of a poverty spec car is that we all chip away choosing the little things we would like until we are back to the ridiculous baubles a modern car is festooned with. I agree with Chris that heated seats would be great when hacking across a muddy field in January, but is it a slippery slope towards an expensive gadget laden car that you feel virtuous about just because it has steel wheels?
Don't really need anything other than that after a cold January shoot. Turn on both seats and get the dog up on the passenger seat rather than the footweel - he's smiling all the way home right next to you
Perfect! CK
Bill said:
braddo said:
Or, it's more that it's easy to use and I don't have to be forced to learn techy stuff that I have 0% interest in (or more accurately, that annoys the st out of me ).
A bit like why people buy new cars, I guess.
I find your argument unconvincing... I got an android phone because it's easier to use and I didn't have to get to grips with iTunes t out of me ).A bit like why people buy new cars, I guess.
(And because it's considerably cheaper.)Anyway, cheap Dacia is good.
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