Dacia - Anyone got one

[bluenitsuj]

Looking to change my car shortly and have seen a lot about the new Dacia range. Very reasonably priced but some feedback from actual owners would be appreciated.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

DO.... NOT... BUY They look good and have a good engine but the body is weak and they tend to concertina.

 

[bluenitsuj]

Well that sums that up then. Cheers for the feedback

 

[severnside gull]

tried out a Dacia Duster in France during the summer. Top of the range is the only realistic option apparently if you want what would be considered basic kit in most marques. Finish was perfectly adequate if unexciting. Good driving position fully adjustable (I am short but the owner was 2m) loads of room in the back for passengers and luggage - only issue rhe back seat didnt fold fully flat. Suspension okay - steering a bit sloppy but not enough to be an issue. Great fuel economy in the diesel. (2 wheel drive). Visibility okay despite hefty front pillars.
Seriously considering it as an option when we renew next year. Telling factor is that it was the most popular new car we saw all summer (been on sale in France a couple of years before here). They also do a saloon but dont remember seeing one.


hope that helps

edit: never heard of a safety issue - they are built using panels from established models on a renault chassis - would be amazed if there was a safety issue. Go drive one and ask the question snd xheck out WhstCar? reviews.

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

Basically they are owned by Renault, and are essentially based on Renault platforms. Therefore they share all the Renault faults (and advantages). Renaults also have flimsy bodywork too....... ( I can recall hiring a Renault Megane Cabriolet and pressing the boot lid which flexed like plastic, because it was made of plastic........ )

 

[Badger]

Basically they are owned by Renault, and are essentially based on Renault platforms. Therefore they share all the Renault faults (and advantages). Renaults also have flimsy bodywork too....... ( I can recall hiring a Renault Megane Cabriolet and pressing the boot lid which flexed like plastic, because it was made of plastic........ )

I think the fact that they are based on Renaults would be enough to put me off.

 

[banjo]

Renault.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Basically they are owned by Renault, and are essentially based on Renault platforms. Therefore they share all the Renault faults (and advantages). Renaults also have flimsy bodywork too....... ( I can recall hiring a Renault Megane Cabriolet and pressing the boot lid which flexed like plastic, because it was made of plastic........ )

All Dacias are also made in Romania, not France

 

[red star portslade]

They are great value. Even when you stop at traffic lights, a little Romanian fella pops out and washes your windscreen for free.

 

[SouthCoastOwl]

We hired a Dacia Sandero (sport) the other year in Corsica.

OK it was a bit flimsy, as all Renaults are, but hey ho nothing fell off in the fortnight we had it and we did have to to take it up dirt tracks every day to get to where we were staying! It was comfortable, well equipped and the performance was perfect for pootling around a soak soaked island in the med, not sure I could live with it with the pace of life we have here in England. It was a 1.6L diesel and the fuel economy was awesome, much better than my 2L diesel.

The biggest downside was that the radio only picked up French and Italian stations [sic].

 

[bluenitsuj]

Mixed views here, I will test drive one and see how that goes. I am after an economical family car, possibly on 3 yr lease with option to purchase or give back at end of the term. I currently have a Skoda Fabia, excellent runaround and usually 50 mpg average (unleaded ) but need something bigger.

Thanks for all the feedback

 

[Brian Fantana]

My parents bought a Duster about 9 months ago, and have had absolutely no trouble at all. They've probably done about 10-12k miles since purchase, with no issue.

 

[Martlet]

We also got one as a hire car (brand new) this summer. Engine went on the first journey - limped to the nearest town, was towed to garage, taxi to nearest airport (with bags), picked up new hire car. First day buggered, kids less than amused!

Needless to say, I wouldn't recommend one...

 

[Jesus Gul]

They are badged Renault Dusters here in the UAE and are very cheap indeed. They sell out too.

 

[luppers]

A lot of these cars are used as taxis in Turkey (at least the part I go to )

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

A lot of these cars are used as taxis in Turkey (at least the part I go to )

True... because they are very cheap but not that many privately owned.

 

[Shoreham Gull]

There dangerous cars, cheap for a reason and check out safety ratings , NCAP rating 3 out of 5..

I know its a new car, but u can get second hand golf, passat, leon, etc for the money ( that's my choice ) !

Just check out reviews and safety tests on Dacia ...

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

Having said that not all Plastic bodied cars are bad ( most Touring Cars and Lotus's have plastic bodies ), but there's plastic and then there's plastic. If you prang a plastic wing replacement is quite easy - no need to get a panel beater. No corrosion. Yes the gel coat will chip, and in hot countries sunlight the paint may even fade to a yucky colour and a respray won't sought that out - but does that really matter - the paint is only there to inhibit rust, and there's no rust.......

So I'd say if you want a car that you're intending to flog to death, don't care if it ends up looking sh1t, and is going to depreciate like hell, then fine. But an old Lada would be more durable and a Smart would have more street cred. ( No Maureen jokes please, an old (Fiat 124 style) Lada is built to last because they were intended to work in Siberia ).

If your after a status symbol to impress your neighbours then forget it. If plastic is your bag then a 2nd hand TVR will do the job.

(Worryingly though, modern Lada's are part owned by Renault - Nissan and look like Mk4 Escorts or re-badged Meganes, let's hope it's Nissan who set up the production lines).

 

[carlzeiss]

http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/topic/706-do-you-have-a-rusty-duster/page-4

 

[danielson81]

Dacia (or "Dat-chi-a") were originally Romanian but since 1999 Renault have been involved.

Basically before 1989, the communist regime "borrowed" Renault designs and made their own cars.

Remember these?