Impressions about Dacia Duster

[badsykes]

Hello

Impressions on the romanian SUV ... opinions and stuff..Maybe some you drove one..I personally didn't ...I just heard owners talking about it..

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frank ... -revisions

I get a Freelander 2 feeling when looking at the facelift edition..

Be as sincere as possible...

[geeks]

I really like them. Proper no frills honest motoring! Cheap, capable and very reasonbly priced. I would genuinely own one right now if it wasn't for the fact that it isn't plated high enough to toe me race car

[badsykes]

Are you refering to the lack of the low-gearbox ?

[Wilberforce]

No, he'll be referring to the fact that the car doesn't have the capacity to legally tow his race car and trailer.

On a plate on the car in the engine bay somewhere will be stamped the maximum weights for each axle of the car, plus a maximum weight for car & trailer - gross combined or gross train weight. GCW minus the maximum weights of each axle gives you the maximum trailer weight as determined by the manufacturer.
My LWB 2.8 has approx 2500Kg towing capacity. A LR Discovery is somewhere around 3500Kg I believe, and your average family car will be some way under 2000Kg.
Obviously the weight of his race car and trailer is more than the Duster is rated to tow, so while it may well be able to physically cope, any accident and investigation could lead to all sorts of legal and insurance fun.

[Big Dav]

The cars are Renault based making parts readily available.
The base prices are attractive but beware, that is for 2wd models, 4wd models are more expensive.

I had a look at one in a Renault dealers (who are the selling agents) and felt the driving position a bit cramped.
Rear seat passengers would struggle if they are approaching 6' tall.

Boot space wasn't good for me but neither is the boot space in a Kia Sportage.....as said, for my needs anyway.

In some ways I felt the car was a freshened 1990's era motor.

Across Europe they are selling very well and the South American countries are enjoying them too where they are badged as Renaults.

If it was me and the Mrs would I consider one? Most definitely yes but with two teenage kids I have to declare the car isn't big enough for us.

[Retro Pedro]

Same 4WD system as used on the Nissan Qashqai so that can't be a bad thing.
Top of the range (4WD plus 1.5 diesel) had an introductory price of £15,000 when the first right hand drive models were being launched in the UK (last January). Compare that to a similar spec Ford Kuga etc. and a nice saving to be had. Looking at AutoTrader last night looks like the price as edge upwards from the original RHD launch.
Had a look at one and felt a bit plasticy and tinny but then getting lighter weights in the equation is a major factor on new design cars.
Fifth Gear gave them a thumps up when they did a feature on the Dacia.
Not sure how the modern sensor controlled half shaft 4WD systems will stand the course for full on mud plugging compared to the old school solid axles.

[geeks]

[badsykes]