Dacia Duster, 999cc of Throbbing Fun
Discussion
Andy monty said:
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 
Mikebentley said:
This is so true. It’s where most of us over 45s started (I’m 53). Simple almost basic cars where the fun can be had at 75- 80% of their ability where you feel connected to the car and actually drive them. My diesel 2013 Panda Trekking was a revelation, fast (enough) grippy and an absolute joy which cost £30 to tax and never returned less than 72mpg.
If people can get past the "people might think I'm poor if I drove that" mindset, it can be very liberating.
Well I am now up to 1,000 miles in the mighty Duster and it is just getting better.
I have been all over the country in my job as a Surveyor, no lock down for us. My daily up to now has been the 911. Its asleep at the moment.
I even got 2x 9ft Christmas trees in in one go.
|https://thumbsnap.com/udw91j6K[/url]
One unexpected pleasure is the comfort I experience in the Duster on UK pot-holed and undulating roads.
I have put up with 20 years of over firm ride quality with German cars now. The Duster is a revelation. Its only when you do some miles your realise you have been forced into handling over ride quality.
The Duster eats up rough roads, the ride and comfort remind me of one of my old Citroen CXs. One of the most comfortable cars I have ever owned, even to this day. I bomb along the roughest of tracks like one of our farm based modern Navaras (they are huge vehicles though and well jiucy. They also chuck up a few problems I can tell you, one is on its third 2.2 diesel engine).
It all becomes clear why when you look at the superb Continental tyres that come fitted as standard as 235/65/16s on the steels.
This gives a luxurious 120mm of pure air between the Duster wheel and the road surface. I measured it.
Coupled with the excellent suspension travel and very low overall corner weights of the vehicle, you get very little roll but plenty of wheel articulation. Quite amazing how the engineers have done it.
On my wife's expensive E class, they have had to add air-bags to replace the air they have nicked from the sidewall. The number of airbags I have replaced on 5 series Estates and E classes over the year is staggering. Not to mention the number of bent and cracked wheels and punctures caused by rough roads.
As for the Porsche, well, what do you expect? My fault for buying it I know. Dont worry Porsche, I still love my 911.
Just look at the lovely Dacia wheel though compared with the other two rim splitters.
My purchase seems to have raised a few eyebrows among those that use the company car park. We now have another x 2 70 plate Dusters, one replacing a Qashqai, the other a 5 series. My friend John from Bourne also bagged an 1.0L LPG Essential like mine on Friday, replacing his £35k Audi. I think I have started a trend.
We have beaten the system!
I also purchased a little tow bar for a little trailer, being limited to 1,500 kg braked.
That was enough for me to move one of my sick e types to the painters. He has now got it into black primer and it should be ready before Christmas.
I think the Duster proves that modern car design has produced many other vehicles that are too heavy, too complicated. too firm and too expensive.[url]
I have been all over the country in my job as a Surveyor, no lock down for us. My daily up to now has been the 911. Its asleep at the moment.
I even got 2x 9ft Christmas trees in in one go.
|https://thumbsnap.com/udw91j6K[/url]One unexpected pleasure is the comfort I experience in the Duster on UK pot-holed and undulating roads.
I have put up with 20 years of over firm ride quality with German cars now. The Duster is a revelation. Its only when you do some miles your realise you have been forced into handling over ride quality.
The Duster eats up rough roads, the ride and comfort remind me of one of my old Citroen CXs. One of the most comfortable cars I have ever owned, even to this day. I bomb along the roughest of tracks like one of our farm based modern Navaras (they are huge vehicles though and well jiucy. They also chuck up a few problems I can tell you, one is on its third 2.2 diesel engine).
It all becomes clear why when you look at the superb Continental tyres that come fitted as standard as 235/65/16s on the steels.
This gives a luxurious 120mm of pure air between the Duster wheel and the road surface. I measured it.
Coupled with the excellent suspension travel and very low overall corner weights of the vehicle, you get very little roll but plenty of wheel articulation. Quite amazing how the engineers have done it.
On my wife's expensive E class, they have had to add air-bags to replace the air they have nicked from the sidewall. The number of airbags I have replaced on 5 series Estates and E classes over the year is staggering. Not to mention the number of bent and cracked wheels and punctures caused by rough roads.
As for the Porsche, well, what do you expect? My fault for buying it I know. Dont worry Porsche, I still love my 911.
Just look at the lovely Dacia wheel though compared with the other two rim splitters.
My purchase seems to have raised a few eyebrows among those that use the company car park. We now have another x 2 70 plate Dusters, one replacing a Qashqai, the other a 5 series. My friend John from Bourne also bagged an 1.0L LPG Essential like mine on Friday, replacing his £35k Audi. I think I have started a trend.
We have beaten the system!
I also purchased a little tow bar for a little trailer, being limited to 1,500 kg braked.
That was enough for me to move one of my sick e types to the painters. He has now got it into black primer and it should be ready before Christmas.
I think the Duster proves that modern car design has produced many other vehicles that are too heavy, too complicated. too firm and too expensive.[url]
Edited by politeperson on Saturday 5th December 21:05
Oh, and another point on beating the system,
Look at my £50 eBay Galaxy Tab!
Full Satellite Google maps, instant traffic updates with Spotify premium-blutoothed to the Dacia Radio (which is actually quite good).
Got it to turn on and off with the ignition. Just like my old Tesla Model S!
£50!
Look at my £50 eBay Galaxy Tab!
Full Satellite Google maps, instant traffic updates with Spotify premium-blutoothed to the Dacia Radio (which is actually quite good).
Got it to turn on and off with the ignition. Just like my old Tesla Model S!
£50!
politeperson said:
The Duster is a revelation. Its only when you do some miles your realise you have been forced into handling over ride quality.
.....
It all becomes clear why when you look at the superb Continental tyres that come fitted as standard as 235/65/16s on the steels.
This gives a luxurious 120mm of pure air between the Duster wheel and the road surface. I measured it.
....
Coupled with the excellent suspension travel and very low overall corner weights of the vehicle, you get very little roll but plenty of wheel articulation. Quite amazing how the engineers have done it.
......
I think the Duster proves that modern car design has produced many other vehicles that are too heavy, too complicated. too firm and too expensive
I agree completely. .....
It all becomes clear why when you look at the superb Continental tyres that come fitted as standard as 235/65/16s on the steels.
This gives a luxurious 120mm of pure air between the Duster wheel and the road surface. I measured it.
....
Coupled with the excellent suspension travel and very low overall corner weights of the vehicle, you get very little roll but plenty of wheel articulation. Quite amazing how the engineers have done it.
......
I think the Duster proves that modern car design has produced many other vehicles that are too heavy, too complicated. too firm and too expensive
The public have been convinced that a hard ride and very sharp turn-in, with little tyre depth, is desirable/projects an image of "sportiness"/"power"/"alpha".
For road cars, cars not being used at 10/10ths on a smooth track, ride quality and compliance/wheel control at 3-8/10ths is far more important and useful/pleasant to use. Easier to make decent progress on rough roads too, without having to be "on it" too.
Cars are generally better than they were in the pat, but increasingly heavy and full of unnecessary features, many of which are rarely used and wouldn't be missed.
What you've done with a basic car is brilliant.
(we have an almost 15year old, inherited, Fiesta to which I've added DAB and Bluetooth phone connection, and it is a great car. The width makes it great for cities and narrow lanes)
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 6th December 09:57
I've been thinking of taking the plunge on one of these, now might be the time, Essential looks like a good spec as Mrs B likes her digital radio.
Hang on a minute, am I reading the Dacia website right – which models can you get with 4x4? Looks like you've got to pay nearly £20k for one of them?! That can't be right surely?
Hang on a minute, am I reading the Dacia website right – which models can you get with 4x4? Looks like you've got to pay nearly £20k for one of them?! That can't be right surely?
Edited by Blackpuddin on Sunday 6th December 12:00
Blackpuddin,
I do like the romance of four wheel drive, but for most people it is unnecessary. Added weight, complexity, cost , reduced MPG and reduced reliability. Some would say it even makes the car drive worse.
If you have a sporting interest in 4WD I understand.
Worth giving them a ring if you really need it, they are quite rare models in the UK. I would be interested to find out the cheapest 4wd option.
I do like the romance of four wheel drive, but for most people it is unnecessary. Added weight, complexity, cost , reduced MPG and reduced reliability. Some would say it even makes the car drive worse.
If you have a sporting interest in 4WD I understand.
Worth giving them a ring if you really need it, they are quite rare models in the UK. I would be interested to find out the cheapest 4wd option.
politeperson said:
Blackpuddin,
I do like the romance of four wheel drive, but for most people it is unnecessary. Added weight, complexity, cost , reduced MPG and reduced reliability. Some would say it even makes the car drive worse.
If you have a sporting interest in 4WD I understand.
Worth giving them a ring if you really need it, they are quite rare models in the UK. I would be interested to find out the cheapest 4wd option.
This^^^^I do like the romance of four wheel drive, but for most people it is unnecessary. Added weight, complexity, cost , reduced MPG and reduced reliability. Some would say it even makes the car drive worse.
If you have a sporting interest in 4WD I understand.
Worth giving them a ring if you really need it, they are quite rare models in the UK. I would be interested to find out the cheapest 4wd option.
I previously had the Panda Treking which was essentially a 2wd Panda 4x4 with a trick diff and mud and snow Continental tyres. It went anywhere I tested it. I know it would have got stuck in places the 4x4 wouldn’t but I don’t really off-road. A good ride height with the right tyres and good approach and departure angles and 2 dW would be good enough 99.9% of the time.
Blackpuddin said:
I've been thinking of taking the plunge on one of these, now might be the time, Essential looks like a good spec as Mrs B likes her digital radio.
Hang on a minute, am I reading the Dacia website right – which models can you get with 4x4? Looks like you've got to pay nearly £20k for one of them?! That can't be right surely?
At the moment you can only get 4x4 with the DCi engine hence the larger cost. Hang on a minute, am I reading the Dacia website right – which models can you get with 4x4? Looks like you've got to pay nearly £20k for one of them?! That can't be right surely?
Edited by Blackpuddin on Sunday 6th December 12:00
I hired a diesel Duster 4x4 in Morocco last year and thought it was great. Sipped fuel, lovely relaxed ride even on dirt roads and perfectly comfortable even after 8 hours at the wheel.
I explored heaps of tracks in the Atlas mountains without issue and only got stuck once crossing quite an extreme dried up river bed. I was only stuck for a minute and it easily bounced through when I tried again with a bit more commitment.
Later that night, I had a quick read through the manual to see about traction control settings and realised that our Dacia was actually only a 2WD! It says a lot for it's capabilities that I didn't notice the hire companies mistake despite usually driving a Land Cruiser!
I explored heaps of tracks in the Atlas mountains without issue and only got stuck once crossing quite an extreme dried up river bed. I was only stuck for a minute and it easily bounced through when I tried again with a bit more commitment.
Later that night, I had a quick read through the manual to see about traction control settings and realised that our Dacia was actually only a 2WD! It says a lot for it's capabilities that I didn't notice the hire companies mistake despite usually driving a Land Cruiser!
PushedDover said:
Blackpuddin said:
OK thanks guys, I'm maybe being a bit OTT re the need for 4x4, it's just that we've recently moved to the bottom of a steep Welsh valley with single track roads well smeared with sheep poo and mud!
Tyres are the answerI had to go into West London earlier, so I took the Duster, a round trip of 300 miles.
Dropped off to see Phil Hallewell, who had built some competition wheels for me and repaired some others that I had bent.
Very attractive competition wheel in the foreground on Dunlop 6.50 L 15 CR65 Racing tyres (owned by a famous E type racer).
|https://thumbsnap.com/jsZbv73S[/url]
The Duster swallowed at all up (7 who wheels in total). Quite a volume and quite a weight in total.
The roads were clear, the journey quiet, comfortable and unstressful.
I would not have done it any quicker in the 911.
Speed control is now everywhere on that route. 80 mph + was no problem, and the little 999cc engine does not run out of puff either at the higher speeds.
I used just over half a tank, showing 44 mpg on the computer, giving a predicted range of 460 miles.[url]
Dropped off to see Phil Hallewell, who had built some competition wheels for me and repaired some others that I had bent.
Very attractive competition wheel in the foreground on Dunlop 6.50 L 15 CR65 Racing tyres (owned by a famous E type racer).
|https://thumbsnap.com/jsZbv73S[/url]The Duster swallowed at all up (7 who wheels in total). Quite a volume and quite a weight in total.
The roads were clear, the journey quiet, comfortable and unstressful.
I would not have done it any quicker in the 911.
Speed control is now everywhere on that route. 80 mph + was no problem, and the little 999cc engine does not run out of puff either at the higher speeds.
I used just over half a tank, showing 44 mpg on the computer, giving a predicted range of 460 miles.[url]
Completely understand the sentiment on this thread.
My daily driver currently is a Jaguar F-Pace (with the 180 hp 2 litre diesel), coming from a BMW 318d.
Now lately, I've had 2 courtesy cars when the Jaguar was in the bodyshop to remedy some scratches.
First was a Ford Fiesta 3 cylinder (so 1.0 or 1.1, it didn't feel turbocharged - with a manual gearbox), second was a Seat Arona with a 3 cylinder engine and a DSG box so must have been the 110 hp version.
I intensely enjoyed driving both, and while the Jaguar feels comfortable, it feels almost unacceptably heavy now
Thinking about it, the 3 series probably strikes the best balance between fun and comfort for a daily driver for me (and I have some old cars if I want to have some rawer driving sensations). Now to convince the girlfriend that we need a smaller car...
My daily driver currently is a Jaguar F-Pace (with the 180 hp 2 litre diesel), coming from a BMW 318d.
Now lately, I've had 2 courtesy cars when the Jaguar was in the bodyshop to remedy some scratches.
First was a Ford Fiesta 3 cylinder (so 1.0 or 1.1, it didn't feel turbocharged - with a manual gearbox), second was a Seat Arona with a 3 cylinder engine and a DSG box so must have been the 110 hp version.
I intensely enjoyed driving both, and while the Jaguar feels comfortable, it feels almost unacceptably heavy now
Thinking about it, the 3 series probably strikes the best balance between fun and comfort for a daily driver for me (and I have some old cars if I want to have some rawer driving sensations). Now to convince the girlfriend that we need a smaller car...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff