I have a thing for the Dacia Duster...

I have a thing for the Dacia Duster...

Author
Discussion

Mr. Nice Guy

233 posts

112 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all


They suit the off road look, they look like mini UN cars in white. I'm all for them smile

Butter Face

30,299 posts

160 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Odhran said:


Spied one of these a few months ago and always meant to research whether it was a factory setup or mods by an owner. Turns out some did come from the factory like this! The Black Edition. Weighing in at £17k! Almost £6k extra for some black vinyl wrap. They do look quite cool though as far as Dusters go.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/dacia/duster/2013-...
They actually left the factory as standard cars, they were wrapped and the accessories fitted in the UK. We didn't sell any of them.

We have sold a few with those 18's on though, they do look quite badass hehe

HTP99

22,549 posts

140 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Butter Face said:
Odhran said:


Spied one of these a few months ago and always meant to research whether it was a factory setup or mods by an owner. Turns out some did come from the factory like this! The Black Edition. Weighing in at £17k! Almost £6k extra for some black vinyl wrap. They do look quite cool though as far as Dusters go.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/dacia/duster/2013-...
They actually left the factory as standard cars, they were wrapped and the accessories fitted in the UK. We didn't sell any of them.

We have sold a few with those 18's on though, they do look quite badass hehe
I remember when that edition was launched; it was a real "WTF is that all about" moment, based on the Ambience mid spec but £5k more for a crappy wrap, satnav and bigger alloys.

I really haven't a clue about the thinking behind it and I'm sure that the only ones out there were ex display because absolutely no one would buy a Duster from new like that.

DonkeyApple

55,272 posts

169 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
poing said:
All that jazz said:
Emubiker said:
they hold their value well.
roflroflrofl
Yeah they are just terrible! Hang on a minute....

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/recommended/slow...
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/dacia-duster-is-...


Add me to the list of people that really like these things, to the point that I seriously considered one even though I have no need for the space etc. I appreciate the entire concept of them an I do feel a tiny bit of envy when I see one. I like them in the same way I like an old Land Rover or a Suzuki Jimny and I'm sure they will have a similar list of aftermarket accessories for them.
I agree. I genuinely like the idea of a new car without any of the modern crap that you really just don't need. I looked at the Duster a few years ago as a cheap London car that I could park on the road to free up space for a couple of nice cars inside and then use in central London and just not care at all what happened to it etc.

The only thing that stopped me in the end was the arrival of black taxi apps which meant my original problem was solved by not needing a utility car at all in the end.

But I think more manufacturers should offer cars devoid of all fripperies.

TwigtheWonderkid

43,356 posts

150 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Jimboka said:
They don't hold their value well at all ! Horrendous depreciation.
But don't they start at about £8K????

When the new price is so low anyway, who gives a damn. Percentage wise they my suffer horrendous depreciation, but in actual cash, they have hardly any depreciation at all. Even if you threw it away after 5 years.

Slushbox

1,484 posts

105 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
I test drove one in 2014 for a morning, Laureate spec with 4x4. Admittedly, it only went up and down the motorway.

It is what it is, slightly noisy ride, cheap to run, useful on dirt roads and as winter hacks.

However, they are not wholly without issues, the Rusty Duster thread highlights Dacia UK's 'interesting' views on customer service, and some of the earlier white India-built ones have water soluble paint, and no galvanised steel:

http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/forum/topic/706-do-you...

The current face-lift Romanian-built model is getting much better reviews. However, many of the '14 plate Dusters with 'rust issues' that have been rejected by customers are still for sale on forecourts. There are also tales of lengthy waits for spares, 5 weeks for a starter motor and so forth.

The last posts in the above thread (300 pages and more) still emit tales of woe and ongoing litigative issues.



Edited by Slushbox on Wednesday 2nd December 12:04

matt-ITR

892 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
noell35 said:
Genuine question, to anyone with experience of either. Would a basic Juke be a better option?
It seems to me that the Duster has a lot more space for a start?

I've been toying with the idea of getting the top spec Laureate Prime. What are the (new, not used) alternatives for £15995?
Well the Juke is 2WD only for a start.
If you just want a car to drive around town, then maybe the Juke is an alternative.
They are tiny inside though, basically a jacked up Micra.

GeordieInExile

683 posts

120 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
soad said:
Basics such as a radio and Bluetooth connectivity aren't available on the entry-level Access model.

The top-spec Laureate has electric windows, mirrors and air-con, but it’ll cost you more than a basic Nissan Juke...
When did Bluetooth connectivity become a 'basic'? My 18 year old shed certainly doesn't have it, and it was top of its range back in the day...

battered

4,088 posts

147 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
It became a "basic" when your shed was *only* about 15 years old.tongue out

Don't worry, none of my cars have it and I don't know what it's for either. I don't want it, I regard it as a bit like aircon in that it might once have been fitted but it is now non functional ballast.

soad

32,895 posts

176 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
GeordieInExile said:
When did Bluetooth connectivity become a 'basic'? My 18 year old shed certainly doesn't have it, and it was top of its range back in the day...
Bluetooth began as a feature found only in high-end cars, introduced as a way to make hands-free phone calls behind the wheel.

The auto industry standard for wireless connected portable devices has since become a prevalent feature in most new vehicles.

DonkeyApple

55,272 posts

169 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
soad said:
Bluetooth began as a feature found only in high-end cars, introduced as a way to make hands-free phone calls behind the wheel.

The auto industry standard for wireless connected portable devices has since become a prevalent feature in most new vehicles.
I must admit though, that unless someone is a travelling salesman I've never really seen the need for answering the phone while driving. I've had voicemail on my phone for twenty years and that seems a much better system.

Besides, I don't think anyone has made a phone that rings loud enough to be heard over the scream of the engine or any passengers. biggrin

Slushbox

1,484 posts

105 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
BlueTeeth have come in handy a couple of times in the car, when the hospital phoned to change an appointment. I have a cheeps Windows Phone which detects driving mode, and responds to texts with a pithy message, of itself.

It also routes phone calls through the stereo, and plays them at 4 x 50 watts through the speakers. Triffic.

noell35

3,170 posts

148 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Does the 4wd have a lot less boot space than the 2wd model?

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

179 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
matt-ITR said:
I've recently bought a Duster Commercial (van) 4x4 too. Only had it a few days, but did a lot of research before buying.
Ticks lots of boxes and less than 1/2 the price of a new Mitsubishi L200, which was one of the other vehicles we were looking at.

Planning on jacking it up 5cm with new springs and fitting AT tyres which should improve the off-road ability. I am not expecting it to be like a Defender, but should do what I need it to.
I like the sound of one of these. Any quick summary of the pros and cons? What options/colour?

Downward

3,593 posts

103 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
I bought an aftermarket Bluetooth head unit for my Alfa back in 2007. I would imagine they are pretty standard now given the stereo cost around £180 8 years ago.

Not just for the phone but for streaming music.

Not sure what how you youngsters listen to music now.

Edited by Downward on Wednesday 2nd December 19:15

Butter Face

30,299 posts

160 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
noell35 said:
Does the 4wd have a lot less boot space than the 2wd model?
About 3 inches less overall height. Not a great deal.

You get a spare wheel in the boot on the 4WD.

matt-ITR

892 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Jimmy Recard said:
I like the sound of one of these. Any quick summary of the pros and cons? What options/colour?
Two model options, one basic (but not as basic as the access) and one higher spec. I went for the higher one.
All the colours that the normal car comes in I think, but £500 on top for anything except white.

Pros - It's the cheapest commercial 4WD (2WD version available too). Found a new, pre-reg top model for £10k+vat. Rear payload is 750kg.
Cons - Not much for the price. Sat Nav is extra and located in a poor area on the dash, so after market units would be better. Towing capacity isn't massive, 1.5 tonnes braked trailer I think.

It is basically a Duster without the back seats and a load tray instead. Rear windows have film over them and don't open, but the door opens so still useful for loading.
It qualifies as a commercial vehicle, so all the VAT can be reclaimed if you are VAT registered.

85Carrera

3,503 posts

237 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
I have had one of these for a year. 4WD in khaki. Only option was the satnav and Bluetooth system.

Is mainly used to do 4 miles to the staition (down country lanes, hence 4WD) but also does the tip run, picks up logs from a mate who's a greenkeeper etc. Is basic but practical and the cheap plastics etc are easy to clean (when I can be bothered).

I get about 46 mpg which is pretty good give the driving I do and it is on a 0% finance package. I'm not fussed about resale as it'll be run into the ground. No sign of any of the rust issues that plagued the earlier, Indian built cars, so hoping it will last for 10 years plus and I can divert money towards one or more other classics rather than a daily hack.

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

179 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
matt-ITR said:
Two model options, one basic (but not as basic as the access) and one higher spec. I went for the higher one.
All the colours that the normal car comes in I think, but £500 on top for anything except white.

Pros - It's the cheapest commercial 4WD (2WD version available too). Found a new, pre-reg top model for £10k+vat. Rear payload is 750kg.
Cons - Not much for the price. Sat Nav is extra and located in a poor area on the dash, so after market units would be better. Towing capacity isn't massive, 1.5 tonnes braked trailer I think.

It is basically a Duster without the back seats and a load tray instead. Rear windows have film over them and don't open, but the door opens so still useful for loading.
It qualifies as a commercial vehicle, so all the VAT can be reclaimed if you are VAT registered.
I have a Discovery 4 Commercial at the moment so I've got form for buying van versions of SUVs hehe

I'm going to have to have a test drive. I'd be happy to get one without a head unit and add an Alpine or Pioneer myself. If anything I'd prefer it. It just seems like a fantastic little run around so I'm interested in owner experiences/impressions!

matt-ITR

892 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
A top spec 4x4 one here in NL is >€25k.

Ha Ha Ha.

No thanks.

Id rather have a Skoda Yeti for quite a lot less.
Strange they are so much in NL.
In the UK they are much cheaper than Yetis compared like for like.