Hmmm...

"The Renault Duster is a typical off roader. It has a rigid chassis, can be driven on the city roads and the suspension offers a quiet driving experience on the pothole ridden roads. And the pricing, that’s just the cherry on the cake. The Skoda Yeti, on the other hand, is a niche vehicle, meant for a select few who understand its numerous talents, don’t mind its rather European design, and are happy to pay the extra cash to enjoy the same."

(Source: http://latestnewcars.carnation.in/car-comparisons/suvs-in-india/renault-duster-vs-skoda-yeti )

 

:wonder:   

 

An interesting bit of journalism. So the chap (or lady) writing it was partially sighted then? Don't mind its rather European design! Are they having a laugh, did they actually look at the Duster? It looks as though they put the front end on, squashed the front wings together and then got Tyson to punch it square on the hooter.

 

I've got 1 down my street and 1 I see every morning on the way to work, and they are so out of proportion. Yes, the Yeti is no beauty queen but at least everything is relative in size.

 

The Duster is aimed at value, no fancy gimmicks, no luxuries (jeez, no radio, come on!), whereas the Yeti has its 'entry level' and increased specs from then on with all the bells and whistles. 

 

As a thought and just looking at Hirundos review link again, they've compared a 140 TDI, would a 110 4x4 have been more fitting as the 1.5 is ~105 break?

 

Anyway, I'm off to buy a Juke 

Anyway, I'm off to buy a Juke 

 

Don't be silly...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... all the cool cats are buying LEAFs now.

 

Oh, that's just me then.

 

... all the cool cats are buying LEAFs now.

 

 

Isn't the plural of LEAF - Leaves (As in "He leaves it out"!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

****OK, ok. I'm going....

On the subject of poor French diesels, PSA have there engine in BMW Minis and soon to be in the new 1 series too.

 

I remember when the first Peugeot diesels appeared in the 205 and we were all blown away (previously the only diesel I had driven was the original Golf diesel without a turbo........oh boy it was slow) and also owned the original Clio 16V (I drove that car hard for 40,000miles and it didn't miss a beat). I certainly don't mind French cars

 

As for the Dusters looks, I am not smitten by them, but there again when I first saw the Yeti I thought it looked like Ford Scorpion funeral car, that had been hit in the back by a truck.

Isn't the plural of LEAF - Leaves (As in "He leaves it out"!)

 

****OK, ok. I'm going....

 

Not in this case.

Ignoring the silly black edition, a 2wd top trim diesel for about 13k is cracking value, and if that was my budget I'd be quite tempted. I'd prefer the face lifted version though.

interior Yeti is clearly more civilized, or maybe not really 

 

 

My guess is that the value will plummet in no time even if they are good. In a year or 2 they will be half price secondhand

My guess is that the value will plummet in no time even if they are good. In a year or 2 they will be half price secondhand

 

Actually, if you look at CAP figures (and they basically set used car prices for a lot of the market), the Dacias don't depreciate any more heavily than lots of other makes, and 50% of a cheap car is still less than 50% of an expensive one.

 

http://www.businesscarmanager.co.uk/dacias-budget-duster-set-to-be-a-depreciation-winner/

The Duster is a Yeti competitor in the same way a Renault Laguna competes with a Skoda Superb.

The Duster is a Yeti competitor in the same way a Renault Laguna competes with a Skoda Superb.

;-)

But a Megane versus Rapid is an interesting comparison! In particular the Megane estate looks nice, and if you can get it with the Renault Nissan 1.6Dci it is probably a nice drive...

I see Autocar tested the Dacia MPV (long estate Sandero) and compared it to a Fabia estate (not the best proportioned Skoda, it must be said). Dacias do seem to work better at the smaller end of the market...

The use of this 1,5 DCI engine by Mercedes is strange indeed but shows that it is a good unit. Weird though is that on a MANUAL 180CDI diesel A-class you get this Renault engine, but on an AUTOMATIC 180CDI diesel A-class you get a 1,8 litre Mercedes unit with the EXACT same power output and torque figures (at differing rpm though)! LOL

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Class#Third_generation_.28W176:_2012.E2.80.93.29

 

But back to the Dacia.  In the latest CAR magazine they have an interesting view on one in their long term fleet.  The author goes on about how car journalists want exciting cars and how they want to go fast around corners and whatnot...  Yet when he gets into his Duster he does not remotely want to do that. The natural view on the car to take is that it is an appliance (theirs happens to be white too) and that all it is supposed to do is get you from A to B. And viewed like that they are very impressed. It does that, no more, no less. Perfect white goods in fact. And for that simple honesty I really don't mind them.

Presumably because Renault were able to offer a mated manual gearbox.

On a more cost-effective basis

Whereas Merc is generally Auto-fixated.

PS

I like the "white goods" comparison , for most owners that is the basic function of any car.

I have considerable experience of Renault products having owned 2 and helped to keep a couple more operational for others. I wouldn't have one or recommend one.

There is one way the Duster might provide serious competition for a Yeti.

Buy two, one to use and one to sit around awaiting recovery and repair.

I like the "white goods" comparison , for most owners that is the basic function of any car.

 

Isn't this exactly what daewoo were aiming to be?

White goods for the every man. Didn't seem to work out very well.

Dacia might do a better job of it but i'm still skeptical that people really see cars as white goods?

I have considerable experience of Renault products having owned 2 and helped to keep a couple more operational for others. I wouldn't have one or recommend one.

There is one way the Duster might provide serious competition for a Yeti.

Buy two, one to use and one to sit around awaiting recovery and repair.

 

you mean, you need 3 yetis to do the same? then  indeed duster wins here.

The use of this 1,5 DCI engine by Mercedes is strange indeed but shows that it is a good unit. Weird though is that on a MANUAL 180CDI diesel A-class you get this Renault engine, but on an AUTOMATIC 180CDI diesel A-class you get a 1,8 litre Mercedes unit with the EXACT same power output and torque figures (at differing rpm though)! LOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Class#Third_generation_.28W176:_2012.E2.80.93.29

But back to the Dacia. In the latest CAR magazine they have an interesting view on one in their long term fleet. The author goes on about how car journalists want exciting cars and how they want to go fast around corners and whatnot... Yet when he gets into his Duster he does not remotely want to do that. The natural view on the car to take is that it is an appliance (theirs happens to be white too) and that all it is supposed to do is get you from A to B. And viewed like that they are very impressed. It does that, no more, no less. Perfect white goods in fact. And for that simple honesty I really don't mind them.

Yes, they have an honesty which is what appeals.

Remember the Skoda tag line? "Its a Skoda, honest."

Something the more pretentious owners should remember.

I like the "white goods" comparison , for most owners that is the basic function of any car.

 

 

isn't car a just another tool for moving around? maybe except RV.

I think most of us consider our cars as being more than just another 'white goods'

Otherwise why are we here discussing models and specs and getting excited about taking delivery?

I don't think I would get quite so excited about taking delivery of my new washing machine or fridge freezer, even though I am female 

I got unnaturally excited about delivery of my first fridge

Well some of younz apparently get all excited (and calm down Dear    btw) about a new motor.

Vis-a-vis, colour, trim, specs, extras, tyres rims and other inconsequential twaddle.

Some of us less so. :think:

Cheers

Marcus

Edited 25 September, 201312 yr by dieseldogg

Well some of younz apparently get all excited (and calm down Dear    btw) about a new motor.

Vis-a-vis, colour, trim, specs, extras, tyres rims and other inconsequential twaddle.

Some of us less so. :think:

Cheers

Marcus

 

 

A bit of a strange post that.  I think I must have missed something....it's probably more tongue in cheek than I can see.

 

I don't contribute vast amounts of stuff about specs and the like but rather thought that those that do add to the sum of the parts on a motoring / Skoda / model specific forum and that that was generally accepted as being a the Raison Detre for a place such as this?  The comment "Inconsequential twaddle"  really does sound the sort of thing that someone with no interest in theses things might say....which begs the question why is the poster here at all?

 

 

BUT...as I say, I've probably missed the humour in the post, so am most likely due for a right royal rollocking

Edited 25 September, 201312 yr by oldstan

While i was holidaying in France there were literally hundreds of Dacia dusters . What an awful looking car ! Whoever designed it really should pay a visit to specsavers.

On holiday in France at the moment and Dacia Duster is prolific. Unbelievably so! Extremely good value and looks pretty good too.

While i was holidaying in France there were literally hundreds of Dacia dusters . What an awful looking car ! Whoever designed it really should pay a visit to specsavers.

Do you really think that either Dacia (Renault) or Duster owners are worried about what the vehicle looks like? I suspect not...