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The rain sensiing wipers and autodimming rear view mirror are gone from the Elegance aswell. The Urban makes more sense than the Ambition at the minute as they removed cruise control and the Belero from it as well. I'm surprised that the MPG is higher given that its the same engine as your last one unless they have tweaked the tuning for greater economy.

Congrats on the new purchase it looks the biz. How do you find the spec compared to your last Ambition model?

The French are always loyal to Renault so Dacia being Renault owned would appeal to them. I reckon the pricing and value for money will be the key to its success in Ireland and the UK. Its interesting that the entry level in the UK has no radio where as Dacia Ireland decided that might be a cut too far over here. They are keen to make it look like a value for money brand but still with a quality product.

I've never been 100% happy the Amunsden in my Yeti, in terms of accuracy etc. Yesterday I set up my Gramin and Amunsden to the same parameters, shortest route etc for my journey home from work (about 30km). The Amunsden was 20 minutes out on the Garmin and suggested the most indirect route.

Given the reviews its getting demand could be quite good over here, particularly as they are pushing its price tag as the big selling point. The following is an example of the reviews its getting in the motoring press over here: "Whatever the more appropriate label, with a price tag of just €14,990, the equivalent to that of a superminis - the Duster is described by its promoters, with considerable justification, as "shockingly affordable", a claim deriving from the fact that it comes to market almost €8,000 cheaper than its nearest, well-established rival, the top-selling Nissan Qasqai. As Renault bosses stressed, the crossover segment is the fastest growing here, and is up 9 per cent YTD on 2011. Almost 90 per cent of vehicles in the segment, they pointed out, are over €22,500 to buy new, or €24,500 to have the same diesel engine as the best seller in the segment (aka the Qasqai). The Duster will be available in Ireland in both 4x2 and 4x4 guises with one diesel engine size, the 1.5 dCi 110bhp putting it into in Band B (similar to the Qasqai) with just two trims, Alternative 4x2 and Signature 4x2, and 4x4. It comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty which can be lengthened to a full five years for an extra €500 or so. A left-hand version of the Duster can be viewed and trialled at Dacia's nine Renault dealerships around the country from this Friday 27 July where, it was stressed, the brand will be housed in the same showrooms but separately to Renault with its own dedicated sales personnel. At a time when cash is tight, it might be worth noting that where financing is required, an attractive package, spread over 36 months, will be available allowing buyers to drive away a new car for €149 per month. Though you would expect them to say it, if you are smitten by the Duster, a product of the Renault-Nissan alliance and, it is claimed, now the fastest growing brand in Europe, it might also be worth noting that following the launch of the car in 2010, demand was such that it resulted in a six-month waiting list in Germany and France. The Dacia brand came to the fore in 2004 with the Logan, which sold 65,000 units in the first year. In 2010 Dacia became France’s fourth bestselling brand and the Duster the bestselling 4x4 there. Eight years on it now has five more models under its belt and these will arrive on these shores in due course. Since 2004 more than 1.8m Dacia models have been sold. It's not difficult to identify the reasons why. Apart from price, of course, and based on the experience of a brief drive over but a cleverly constructe test course comprising flat and undulating terrain in the environs of Tinakilly, the Duster proved itself a nimble mover. It looks well, too, managing to marry a degree of compactness with genuinely chunky off-reader looks. The cabin is sufficiently spacious and the fit-out and suspension oozes sturdiness and solidity. On the move the Duster is at all times impressively stable even over the bumpiest terrain. On the negative side, taller drivers and passengers will find the roof line a little low when entering and exiting while, in terms of safety, it has so far achieved only three-star NCAP status. In addition, specification which lacks air-con, is relatively spartan unless you can rise to the 4x4 version which will cost you in the region of an extra €4,000. However, even at that price, it’s hard to argue that chief among the Duster’s virtues appears to be genuine value for money and, for that reason alone; it’s well worth a test drive.

I priced around for my first service on my Greenline 2 at 15000km (don't like variable servicing) and the price ranged between 245 euro and 99 euro all at Skoda approved service centres. The 99 euro was listed as a special offer and was probably pitched at those with more mileage coming in for an interim service who would then require more work carried out but it worked for me.

I can see buyers who don't really care about what car they drive, picking this up because of its price and driving it til it falls apart (hopefully more than five years down the line). I pass a dealership on the way home so I might drop in to see what they look like in the flesh. Interesting that they are launching in 2013 as Dealers here are already worried about a drop in sales due to people not wanting 13 on their number plate.

May well do in these retro vehicles.

I'm on Yeti number two. The first one was the 2.0litre 110 diesel and the present one is the 1.6 greenline two in Elegance Spec. Comparing the two: Ride wise the 17inch wheels on my previous Yeti were worse than the 16inch on my present one. Engine and road noise on the Greenline is more obvious than on my 2.0 litre. I'm more than pleased with the car as it doeas all I want it to do. The boot is small especially if you opt for the spare tyre, but remember items can be stacked upwards. Ok the Octavia ride is better but the road holding on the Yeti makes up for this.

Dacia have launched the Duster in Ireland with a view to delivery in January 2013. At present they only have a fleet of left hand drive demonstrators available which would suggest that production of the right hand model has not even started yet. It's available in 110bhp 1.5 DCi only at two trim levels and a four wheel drive version, The advertised pricing is as follows: Base model 14,990, higher spec 16990, 4x4 higher spec 18990. All fall into the 225 euro road tax bracket. Only three colours are available: White, metallic black and silver metallic. Metallic paint is an extra 500 euro and an extended 5 year warrenty is 550 euro. Add in delivery charges at 600 euro. I can see a lot of people being tempted at that pricing bearing in mind that Renualt heavily discounted the Fluence and Clio here over the last few years to increase market share. The big knock will be in resale value.

I took a test drive in a Megane and the dealer accompanied me and directed the route to me, the same with the Kia salesperson. Both obviousley trying to keep minimum miles on their demos. When I first test drove the Yeti, the dealer told me to take it for a good spin which I did and promptly ran out off diesel. Then I remembered I had not got the dealers number on my mobile so had to go through directory enquires. The salesman came out to rescue me and was most appologetic, explaining that they had forgotten to check the fuel level (funny so had I). Ended up getting a very good deal because of this and he got my repeat buisness two years later. When I'm buying a car and investing so much money in it a short trip round the block on carefully chosen roads is not what I'm after so you're not being fussy.

A Yeti doesn't have a 7 year warranty for a start, it has a titchy boot too! I looked at the Sportage when I was changing my previous Yeti. Whilst the warrenty was good the drive was dull compared to the Yeti. The boot wasn't massive either and was less versitile as the seats don't fold completly flat. The other killer was the price to change.

It costs the same to tax as the 110 so there's no real incentive there either.I'm not familar with the system for company cars so I can't comment directly on that. Another point to consider is that I can't see it holding that extra 2 grand on the far end when you go to sell.

The Greentech is available to order here in Ireland in Ambition and Elegance spec but is 2,000 euro more expensive than bothe the 110 2litre and the Greenline so the figures just don't add up over here to chose it over either.

From the Yeti Catalogue: 0-100kph is 12.1 seconds in the Greenline compared to 9.7 seconds in the 140 Greentech diesel and 9.9 in the standard 140 diesel and 8.4 in the 170 diesel. Fuel economy is 4.6 l/100km combined in the Greenline compared to 5.1 for the Greentech 6.0 for the 140 and 5.9 for the 170. As Bossfox has said the 1.6 is more than ample for most people, the engine is more vocal and the 5 speed box lacks a certain amount of flexibility. With diesel prices continueing to rise I think most people could live with that.

While I appreciate NCAP tests are at low speeds and specific angles and may not cover every scenario, items that may seem minor such as fewer airbags can make a significant difference in terms of injury, again check out the injury paterns on both the Dacia and Yeti, equate these paterns to potential time unable to work, not able to meet bills etc. The clip on the test where the Yeti was crashed into the Superb thats freely available online shows how well the Yeti stands up.

Based on the injury paterns in the NCAP test for the Dacia v the Yeti and working for the frontline services as my day job I don't think I'd be happy taking my chances with the Dacia. The Yeti shapes up well to the Freelander and CRV on these terms.

What price do you put on safety?

The Cee'd SW is a lovely car alright, loads of room and clever storage solutions. Good solid motor. I considered it when switching from the Octavia to the Yeti but there wasn't much of a difference in the price to change and the Yeti had more toys. I looked at it again when changing this time but was told that the new model SW would be out in the Autumn of 2012. Kia Ireland don't offer any optional extras, what you see is what you get.

+1 sixth gear woulld make a big difference to the Greenline but for some reason Skoda don't think the same way.

I have found these two sites very useful and inspiring. Zack Arais was a photographer that got caught it the trap that many of us fall into, thinking that if only I had that extra piece of equipment. He went broke and eventualy started up again with the philosophy of learning to use what he had, hence the "One Light workshops". Syl Arena is the expert on Canon speedlites and how to use them. He also does mad shots with multiple speedlites just to see what can be done. Syl's book on speedlites is a mine of information. http://zackarias.com/workshop/onelight-dvd/ http://pixsylated.com/blog/

Sounds like what I'm after as I don't like these Contis they remind me of a set of Semperits I had years ago on a Mark 3 Escort.

On that topic Pete-n what is your opinion of the Continental Premium Contact 2 in relation to road noise, would the Pirella be a better choice in terms of road holding and road noise when it comes time to change?

This is Peugeots version of the Mitsubuishi ASX, Citreon are also releasing one. The ASX hasn't done well because of poor engine choices at the minute in terms of emissions. Also for such a big footprint there is less space than the Yeti or so it appears inside.

I made the change from the 110 2wd to the 1.6 Greenline in January and here are my thoughts so far: Fuel economy: there is an improvement but as the car has only covered 3000km so far and is still tight I haven't sat down to calculate it yet. Driving:Sitting at 80kph the car sits at 1500 revs in 5th, move to 100kph and it sits around 1800 revs in 5th. As Plumber has said the gear ratios take a bit of getting used to after the 2 litre and you lose some of the fun factor here but you get used to it and its still a fun car to drive. Overtaking: There's no noticable difference over the 110.Engine and road noise: Engine and road noise: The 1.6 imo appears less refined than the 110 and is more audible inside but as I've said before there appears to be less sound proofing. The extra road noise appears to be a combination of this and the Conti Premium contact 2 tyres which incidently have less grip in the wet compared to previous tyres I have owned. Stop/start is excellent. Overall I am quite happy with the Greenline so far. Residuals should be good based on it's credentials however for anyone planning to keep one long term i.e over five years I don't know how expensive it will work out in terms of maintenance of all the extra technology (specialised battery, stop start, brake recouperation system).