Old Boggy Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Has anyone any experience of these ? I know that the very early ones were a bit prone to rust, but think that this has now been resolved now that the manufacture has changed from India to Romania. Not the ideal shoot vehicle I know but have to combine my shooting with practicalities of transporting Grandchildren and the like, so my current 3 door Grand Vitara, which is excellent off road, is not the most practical car at present. Anyone use a Duster for shooting ? Thanks, OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 (edited) I dont have any experience of the Duster but my Sister in Law who lives in Turkey brought a dacia stepway , I spent quite a bit of time in it and was very impressed . It was very economical and drove nicely and had plenty of room they are part of renault so have the renault diesel engines . Edited July 10, 2016 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I have the 1.5 4x4, getting about 50mpg from it and no problems getting round shoot with it as even though no low box, 1st gear is a crawler gear to 4mph or thereabouts. Treat gears 2 to 6 as normal 5 speed box. Not a lot to break on them and both drivetrain (nissan 4x4) and engine (renault) have history as being reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I was looking at them before I bought a van/quad combo. They seemed good value for money and quite good off road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Interesting thread. I've been thinking about what a Duster 4x4 would be like. I like a bit of power when it comes to vehicles though, so the little 1.5 does concern me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Many thanks for your comments. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 They must be selling quite a few - common sight in the north west. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I thought there were issues with the Renault engine and the Dacia is their budget version I agree they seem a good size for the money How are prices holding up for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I had a look at these. There is no negotiation on the price - i tried 4 different dealers. By the time you have added items above the base spec they actually work out a little expensive for what they are, but still a good buy. They do seem a bit basic but drive pretty decently and servicing doesn't break the bank. There is a massive price difference in Diesel engined versions VS Petrol The approved used versions are not coming in that much lower than buying new to be honest, i have yet to see many private second hand sales. I said i would have a used one at the 3 year point when they should have lost a big chunk - but it doesn't seem to have worked out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodach Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Use mine on the shoot as said first gear is the crawler, pulled my trailer 225kg of water on board up hill no problem and with a good set of 4x4 tyres will do most things required off road, had mine now 2 years and only issue was head lamp fogging up and got a new one under warranty. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Allot of them are rusting heavily and being recalled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 They must be selling quite a few - common sight in the north west. Went half way round the M25 last Friday and saw hundreds of 'em. Seem to be very popular. The price is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thanks for all the replies. I was aware that there were rusting issues on some of those made in India prior to August 2014 but they seem to have now overcome this and are honouring the warranty and putting right any such issues. Having now also spoken to a few owners in my area, some of whom use theirs off road, I am convinced that all seem more than happy with the Duster so am now going ahead with a potential purchase of a used one, if indeed I can find one with fairly low mileage. As previously mentioned however, there are very few privately owned low mileage used ones for sale, which indicates that perhaps people are happy with them and hanging onto them. They cannot be too bad as you only have to drive in France to notice how many are owned over there. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thanks for all the replies. I was aware that there were rusting issues on some of those made in India prior to August 2014 but they seem to have now overcome this and are honouring the warranty and putting right any such issues. Having now also spoken to a few owners in my area, some of whom use theirs off road, I am convinced that all seem more than happy with the Duster so am now going ahead with a potential purchase of a used one, if indeed I can find one with fairly low mileage. As previously mentioned however, there are very few privately owned low mileage used ones for sale, which indicates that perhaps people are happy with them and hanging onto them. They cannot be too bad as you only have to drive in France to notice how many are owned over there. OB They might react differently when their warranties run out ? Whilst you have a OEM warranty, why change if it is all covered? Let us know how you get on as they are an interesting 4x4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 my mate who is looking for a change of 4x4 for his wife went ....as a larf to see them at the agency....the very top of the range is £15,000 ? .......any way the last larf is on him....he liked it and his mrs liked it....so he is getting one...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thinking of one meself they have what looks like great ground clearance so should be ok on the farm and the 1.5 dci engine are proven,i would defo say 60+ on a run if driven right....the laureate with the leather and all the goodies takes it up to around 16,500 quid which is alot of money extra when you think fabric interior is starting off at 10,000,so I don't know how they justified that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Thinking of one meself they have what looks like great ground clearance so should be ok on the farm and the 1.5 dci engine are proven,i would defo say 60+ on a run if driven right....the laureate with the leather and all the goodies takes it up to around 16,500 quid which is alot of money extra when you think fabric interior is starting off at 10,000,so I don't know how they justified that!! On a run at 50ish they will get up to 57, but for mixed traffic at 56 they get 50ish, dropping to 47 if you sit at 60ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 Bought one yesterday! Time will tell but so far so good. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 One month in, and I must say so far so good, I'm very pleased! Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 There are loads and loads out here in rural France. It is basically previous generation technology and basic trim, but they seem very popular and reliable. As and when my Blingo van dies I'd happily get a Dacia van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 I did a road test on one 30yrs ago or thereabouts when they first started to show up. Had it a week, went shooting in it, everything worked fine but didn't give the impression it would last very long. I am led to believe they have got it together a bit better now. the one I had on loan would certainly work as a shooting transport but not in Land Rover country. I'll be interested to hear how the new purchases turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 There are hundreds of them around Norfolk. But we are a bit tight with our cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gustaff Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 There are hundreds of them around Norfolk. But we are a bit tight with our cash. looking around the two shoots i pick up on rangerovers discovery 4 merccedes ml bmw x5 but no dacias but local dentist has one and swears buy it drive all round his little shoot were discos stumble in gateways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 Used to see a lot of them in Geneva, when I went over there resonably often. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 Mine has had a 4WD test on forest tracks and it was very good there, but not yet over rough ground. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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