Dacia Duster, 999cc of Throbbing Fun

[Mikebentley]

MC Bodge said:

Mikebentley said:

This summer I will likely also buy a Range Rover circa £35k because I’m 53 and have always wanted one. When I reach 70 I don’t want to regret anything. The Duster will be staying though.

It will be interesting to find out whether the Range Rover ownership lives up to expectations and whether or not you choose to drive the Duster in preference.

I have very low expectations of the RR with all their known foibles. It wouldn’t be practical to use a RR for work due to the daily fuel costs but I would certainly take it for swanning about with the wife and kids at weekends etc. The Duster is a tool for work for me and is saving me £100 Pw as opposed to my diesel leased van. Mine is a Comfort and is very well equipped. I didn’t pay £2.5 k over the Essential as mine cost £11200 and it is a fantastic car...zero regrets.

[croyde]

2 days in and already winter mucky.

Commute into work and was getting bored of the car in front sticking resolutely to 20 in a 30.

So did try a cheeky overtake. Very pleasantly surprised but did go over 3000rpm

[Mikebentley]

General Gassing!
28 litres at £14.00, Petrol would have been £33.60. #winning.

[croyde]

I'm jealous lol

[Mikebentley]

The LPG thing is quite pleasant really. Today the place was between two businesses I was visiting so I pulled in and reversed up to the pumps. Very smart set up just built with a canopy covering the car and the 4/6 pumps. Attendant comes out connected the adapter and set the pump going. From start to finish fully attended and out 4 minutes later. I haven’t pumped my own fuel for 5 weeks.

Croyde it’s an eager little engine I think you will enjoy it. With regards to Lowdrag’s observation of scratchy plastics I actually find the interior superior to many in the sub £20k bracket. Our V90 feels more weighty and the materials are softer but that costs £38k so not really comparable.

[croyde]

I test drove an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce last year.

I'd actually say that the dashboard, door plastics, and centre console severely disappointed me. Seemed very low rent for a nearly £40k car.

This Duster's interior is actually alright.

[politeperson]

My Duster has zero squeaks. Nothing.
My 2020 911 has buzzing seatbelt holder, door speakers, a squeaky rear strut and has already has a door handle repair.
No issues whatsover with Dacia quality.

[Mikebentley]

I would concur pp that mine has not a single squeak or rattle. It is a very relaxing car about town or on the motorway and quiet.

[Clifford Chambers]

"I'm using the duster" Aren't words I expected to hear.

[croyde]

I've been using mine on my 8 mile each way SW London to W London commute.

According to the computer thingy, I'm doing 35mpg over the past 3 days.

If that's true, it's pretty amazing for stop start traffic, although nowhere near as bad as pre Covid.

I also didn't expect the radio to have so many functions in the Essential. Phone, Bluetooth and today I discovered it's got DAB.

Plus buttons not touchscreen, so much easier to control.

[politeperson]

The DAB radio gets consistent signal and it sounds good.

Since Radio 4 has gone totally crazy now (I had been listening to in since 1987), I have become a 6 Music fan.

[MC Bodge]

politeperson said:

Since Radio 4 has gone totally crazy now (I had been listening to in since 1987), I have become a 6 Music fan.

I listen to both. Selecting the bits I like.

[Mikebentley]

I’m using the Sat Nav upto 50 times a day. The only niggle is it finds the road but sometimes won’t let me input a number for the address even though the number exists. Radio and Bluetooth working well.

[Clifford Chambers]

Mikebentley said:

I’m using the Sat Nav upto 50 times a day.

Good grief.

[Mikebentley]

Don’t worry it’s not Uber! I’m carrying out COVID 19 work place spot checks for a Government department. My usual income stream has suffered a dramatic downturn so this work is a blessing. I’m a grafter and whilst I could afford to not work for a couple of years I want to show my son that hard work is important.
It’s very humbling to see how hard the majority of employers and employees are working out there and help them with working in a CV19 secure way. A lot of talk about “key workers” out there but in a balanced society I see it that everyone’s work is valid and key.

[sidaorb]

Message from one of my mates today that he's trading in his old Duster for a new 71 plate.

My Logan Stepway is in for its 3 year service next week and know the banter I'll get from the sales guys......must not look....must not look.

[anonymous-user]

These Renault Clio's, although not a Dacia have the throbber and seem great value at £11,500

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2020-Renault-Clio-1-0-T...

Available in a range of colours, they actually seem better value and better equipped than the new Dacia Sandero it is based on?

Plus you get a five year warranty compared to the three years with Dacia.

[Mikebentley]

Joey those Clio Plays look excellent value. I think a new Sandero at that price point would have more kit. I agree that the 5 yr warranty is also very appealing. I wonder if that gen Clio is due a facelift.

[KTF]

Mikebentley said:

Joey those Clio Plays look excellent value. I think a new Sandero at that price point would have more kit. I agree that the 5 yr warranty is also very appealing. I wonder if that gen Clio is due a facelift.

There are no interior shots on the advert but if it has the big touch screen on the dash then its the current version.

Looking at the other Clios they have for sale (same age/mileage), I eventually found one with the interior and it is the current version with the big dash mounted touchscreen.

[Silenoz]

KTF said:

There are no interior shots on the advert but if it has the big touch screen on the dash then its the current version.

Looking at the other Clios they have for sale (same age/mileage), I eventually found one with the interior and it is the current version with the big dash mounted touchscreen.

The Play doesn't have the touchscreen, so a Sandero for the same money would have this as a bonus. Depends how important that is, but £11.5k for a brand new Clio is great value.