I have a thing for the Dacia Duster...

[btcc123]

I must admit my wife is interested in a new Dacia Duster to replace her 2007 Ford S-max but it would not be the basic spec without a radio as I would have to talk to her in the car.

In the winter I think a 2WD with winter tyres would be a lot better than a 4WD with normal tyres if you needed to save a bit of cash.

[AndrewCrown]

Chaps

These Dusters are terribly popular in France where I spend a bit of my time... They seem to have picked up the mantle of the old Renault 4..
I think if one was to invent a 'world car' then one would come up with the Duster.

I came across this very entertaining review... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYY-M5sdX3M
Its Czech i think... I have no idea what they are saying, but after 5 minutes you can figure it out... Duster vs G Wagen, Lada Niva, Range Rover Evoque, Toyota Land Cruiser.. Though I think the Niva is handicapped with bad tyres... Interestingly there is a Duster 2wd vs 4wd acceleration and brake test in there...

Edited by AndrewCrown on Thursday 3rd December 01:43

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Jimmy Recard said:

I'm torn between going as basic as possible and then just putting my old Alpine head unit in and getting a high spec one with air con.

Probably the former. I'm really, really fancying one now

Poverty spec is the only way to go with these. That's the whole appeal.

[DonkeyApple]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Jimmy Recard said:

I'm torn between going as basic as possible and then just putting my old Alpine head unit in and getting a high spec one with air con.

Probably the former. I'm really, really fancying one now

Poverty spec is the only way to go with these. That's the whole appeal.

It does seem illogical to have any spec.

[Slushbox]

The trouble with minimalism is that less usually means 'less'. On the other hand having a car stuffed with electronics like my last Merc can mean 'more bother'.

I don't know where the line can be drawn. No aircon is a dog in the two days of English summer we get here, but it also dries the car out in winter. The audio/BlueTooth stuff is an easy after-market fix, though.

If only Dacia UK hadn't completely destroyed their public image with the Rusty Duster fiasco.

But, surely, Things Are Better Now.

[Jimmy Recard]

DonkeyApple said:

It does seem illogical to have any spec.

The thing is that I'd like air con for the convenience. I'd add the Bluetooth with a decent Alpine aftermarket head unit

But it seems you have to buy a higher trim spec to get air con so I'm torn. I think though cheapest spec and aftermarket head unit wins for me overall. Basically 0 options other than 4x4

[Butter Face]

Slushbox said:

If only Dacia UK hadn't completely destroyed their public image with the Rusty Duster fiasco.

99% of the people I speak to have never heard about it.

[HTP99]

Slushbox said:

If only Dacia UK hadn't completely destroyed their public image with the Rusty Duster fiasco.

They haven't.

[DonkeyApple]

Jimmy Recard said:

DonkeyApple said:

It does seem illogical to have any spec.

The thing is that I'd like air con for the convenience. I'd add the Bluetooth with a decent Alpine aftermarket head unit

But it seems you have to buy a higher trim spec to get air con so I'm torn. I think though cheapest spec and aftermarket head unit wins for me overall. Basically 0 options other than 4x4

The air con would trap me also. But I suspect that is the point.

[loskie]

wonder what the £360 Bluefin kit from Superchips is like. Adds 21bhp to the 1,5 dci

[morgrp]

Jimmy Recard said:

I like them but I think I'd import a Lada Niva instead.

Niva? Nah, you want eastern block utility with unstoppable 4wd - you need a UAZ-452 - still available brand new in Russia - and unbelievably tough and versatile

http://www.uaz.ru/en/cars/commercial/passenger-bus

Edited by morgrp on Saturday 5th December 21:45

[TwigtheWonderkid]

morgrp said:

Wow! I don't think I've ever wanted a vehicle so badly.

[battered]

That's very cool. Nearly as cool as a Haflinger that a schoolmate had bought for him when I was a kid. They were cheap back then, his Dad reckoned that with a top speed of about 55 he was unlikely to kill himself in it and he might learn some basic mechanics. Good call, it was cool as a polar bear in an igloo and the kid managed not to destroy it. I bet he wishes he still had it, I've not seen one for less than £6k for years, even a rat.

[DonkeyApple]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

morgrp said:

Wow! I don't think I've ever wanted a vehicle so badly.

Yup. Never knew that existed. Looks like a VW camper van for a man who pays tax.

[loskie]

Not very PH I know but how will the newer ssangyong Korando 2,2 compare?

To the Dacia not UAZ!

[Jimmy Recard]

morgrp said:

Niva? Nah, you want eastern block utility with unstoppable 4wd - you need a UAZ-452 - still available brand new in Russia - and unbelievably tough and versatile

http://www.uaz.ru/en/cars/commercial/passenger-bus

Edited by morgrp on Saturday 5th December 21:45

Have you been in one though?

I'd rather have a Niva

(I should also point out that they're not full time four wheel drive and most of them I've been in won't engage four wheel drive properly. Admittedly that's no worse than Niva regular gearbox failure!)

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Sunday 6th December 12:49

[paulwirral]

AndrewCrown said:

Chaps

These Dusters are terribly popular in France where I spend a bit of my time... They seem to have picked up the mantle of the old Renault 4..
I think if one was to invent a 'world car' then one would come up with the Duster.

I've noticed that over the past couple of years , their everywhere .

Edited by AndrewCrown on Thursday 3rd December 01:43

[patmahe]

morgrp said:

Jimmy Recard said:

I like them but I think I'd import a Lada Niva instead.

Niva? Nah, you want eastern block utility with unstoppable 4wd - you need a UAZ-452 - still available brand new in Russia - and unbelievably tough and versatile

http://www.uaz.ru/en/cars/commercial/passenger-bus

Edited by morgrp on Saturday 5th December 21:45

Thought I recognised that - it was one of the support vehicles on Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman's long way round thingy.

[bungz]

I keep trying to find an excuse to change my Stepway in for one

But the stepway hasn't really put a foot wrong so far!

[soad]

DonkeyApple said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

morgrp said:

Wow! I don't think I've ever wanted a vehicle so badly.

Yup. Never knew that existed. Looks like a VW camper van for a man who pays tax.

Used as ambulance by the old Soviet Bloc countries.