Dacia Duster, 999cc of Throbbing Fun
Discussion
churnetboy said:
Hi
My first comment on here.
Great review 'polite person' and interesting continued discussion. The only thing I was surprised by is:
"A car that has over 20 cm of wheel articulation, in which you sit as high as a Range Rover driver."
Does it really sit as high as a RR? That's high. Most SUV's don't do that. Even expensive ones.
Cheers
I think a RR sits about 10mm higher, but the Duster has a higher approach angle also.My first comment on here.
Great review 'polite person' and interesting continued discussion. The only thing I was surprised by is:
"A car that has over 20 cm of wheel articulation, in which you sit as high as a Range Rover driver."
Does it really sit as high as a RR? That's high. Most SUV's don't do that. Even expensive ones.
Cheers
ChocolateFrog said:
I'd take NCAP with a pinch of salt these days.
If you're really worried about safety get something heavy. It doesn't matter how many safety gizmos your supermini has, if you're hit head on by something weighing twice as much you're going backwards, instantly.
Well yes, the NCAP rating only compares to vehicles of the same size. If you're really worried about safety get something heavy. It doesn't matter how many safety gizmos your supermini has, if you're hit head on by something weighing twice as much you're going backwards, instantly.
I rented one in Iceland a couple of years ago, drive it through some pretty savage conditions and through the worst weather I've ever experienced and it never missed a beat. Petrol engine was pretty gutless but got everywhere we wanted it to go and never got stuck! A far better vehicle than I had ever imagined it would be
Give it 6 months then have a look underneath at all the components they haven't painted properly, if at all...
I like the Dacia concept but they seem to be gradually going upmarket/getting unnecessarily complex/overstyled/more expensive.
Good on them for offering factory fit LPG even if it is to help them with average emissions.
Shame they haven't done a Sandero Stepway 4x4 but maybe the Kwid will come here.
I like the Dacia concept but they seem to be gradually going upmarket/getting unnecessarily complex/overstyled/more expensive.
Good on them for offering factory fit LPG even if it is to help them with average emissions.
Shame they haven't done a Sandero Stepway 4x4 but maybe the Kwid will come here.
hucumber said:
I rented one in Iceland a couple of years ago, drive it through some pretty savage conditions and through the worst weather I've ever experienced and it never missed a beat. Petrol engine was pretty gutless but got everywhere we wanted it to go and never got stuck! A far better vehicle than I had ever imagined it would be
I will do some scientific measuring with Range Rover seat height. We usually have one or two around the place.
Thanks. It's really difficult to get info on seat height. And yet it's a key reason many people buy SUVs. Certainly is key for me, as the status/affluence signalling functions are just anathema.
Sway said:
Awesome, and really very tempting...
We've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I'd go for the 1.5 diesel engine versionWe've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I've the 1.6l petrol and it's ok dragging my Conway campa TT made it up telegraph hill with a bit of boot and dropped into third
Sheepshanks said:
ChocolateFrog said:
I'd take NCAP with a pinch of salt these days.
If you're really worried about safety get something heavy. It doesn't matter how many safety gizmos your supermini has, if you're hit head on by something weighing twice as much you're going backwards, instantly.
Well yes, the NCAP rating only compares to vehicles of the same size. If you're really worried about safety get something heavy. It doesn't matter how many safety gizmos your supermini has, if you're hit head on by something weighing twice as much you're going backwards, instantly.
Andy monty said:
Sway said:
Awesome, and really very tempting...
We've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I'd go for the 1.5 diesel engine versionWe've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I've the 1.6l petrol and it's ok dragging my Conway campa TT made it up telegraph hill with a bit of boot and dropped into third
Mine is a Conway Crusader, so a fair bit heavier.
I was hoping to avoid diesel, as most runs are very short so it just doesn't get warm.
My cousin has a medical/ first aid cover business and they have two of these as rapid response vehicles for doing festivals, equestrian events etc. They’re all kitted our inside with racks of medical equipment and they have been really impressed with how they perform. They even took one up the course at an off-road trials event! Re. Towing, they run diesels but they are fine towing an ATV on a trailer behind them.
Sway said:
Andy monty said:
Sway said:
Awesome, and really very tempting...
We've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I'd go for the 1.5 diesel engine versionWe've got a folding camper (semi-posh trailer tent) - would it cope with towing a 900kg braked trailer a few times a year?
I've the 1.6l petrol and it's ok dragging my Conway campa TT made it up telegraph hill with a bit of boot and dropped into third
Mine is a Conway Crusader, so a fair bit heavier.
I was hoping to avoid diesel, as most runs are very short so it just doesn't get warm.
One thing I have noticed is the engine heats up really quickly.
I suppose it is because the engine block has so little mass and is alloy. On Wednesday the outside temp was -1 degrees and heat was coming through the vents in about a mile or so.
It changes direction really easily giving it an almost sporty feel in the bends. It doesn't roll much but at the same time the suspension deals with rough roads very well I suppose the front wheel driveline is light, the polar moment of inertia must be low, especially for such a tall car.
Just to be clear, all this ability has come as a bit of a shock to me as a first time owner.
When thinking about what to buy for the teenagers to learn, I wasn't comparing this to a Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Capture or whatever. I really have little interest in that whole scene.
The alternatives were a Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Polo, Fiat Panda/500 or something like that. I just though the kids might have a bit more fun with something with a bit of utility for golf clubs, camping and surf boards etc.
Must say I do feel I have come up trumps. I wasn't expecting it to be able to go places as well. Especially at 999cc. Well, it can.
Problem is, they aint getting it. Its mine-mine...MINE!!! They can catch the bus.
I suppose it is because the engine block has so little mass and is alloy. On Wednesday the outside temp was -1 degrees and heat was coming through the vents in about a mile or so.
It changes direction really easily giving it an almost sporty feel in the bends. It doesn't roll much but at the same time the suspension deals with rough roads very well I suppose the front wheel driveline is light, the polar moment of inertia must be low, especially for such a tall car.
Just to be clear, all this ability has come as a bit of a shock to me as a first time owner.
When thinking about what to buy for the teenagers to learn, I wasn't comparing this to a Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Capture or whatever. I really have little interest in that whole scene.
The alternatives were a Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Polo, Fiat Panda/500 or something like that. I just though the kids might have a bit more fun with something with a bit of utility for golf clubs, camping and surf boards etc.
Must say I do feel I have come up trumps. I wasn't expecting it to be able to go places as well. Especially at 999cc. Well, it can.
Problem is, they aint getting it. Its mine-mine...MINE!!! They can catch the bus.
MC Bodge said:
surveyor said:
I love this thread.
Not that long ago Dacia were being mocked by Top Gear. Now us petrol enthusiasts are enthusiastic.
Maybe more people are realising that there a joy to be had in relatively cheap, class-less vehicles? Not that long ago Dacia were being mocked by Top Gear. Now us petrol enthusiasts are enthusiastic.
MrGTI6 said:
They do a 150bhp turbocharged petrol version now. I suspect that would be far better-suited to towing than the old naturally-aspirated 1.6 petrol. Probably a bit more expensive though!
I'm still firmly of the opinion that older is better know someone who had a early 1l focus eco boost which decided to disassemble it's turbo and shred the engine. The old 1.6 sce lump has been round in one form or another since the early 2000's .. will look at the newer engined versions in a few years once any gremlins have been found and addressed Had it from new from 2016 and it's only let me down once (cam sensor failed and throttle body played up during our family holiday but all sorted quickly enough by the dealer ) but nothing has dropped off or failed bar that bar the cd player (which was my fault) ..
Yes the interior is basic but what do you actually need ...
Got a android APK file containing Pyclip with a £6 elm Bluetooth obdII it which gives full diagnostic and some tweaking options added full trip functions (mpg ect ) altered dash lighting so it's always illuminated in use plus turned off auto rear wipe when reverse is selected for example..
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