Dacia Duster vs Jogger vs Logan Stepway - please help me decide which to get?!

[DIYNotIan]

Hi

Just wondered if there are any Dacia owner/fans on the forum?

I'm in the market for a used Dacia and wondered if I can pick people's brains as to which I should go for... I'm trying to decide between a Duster, Jogger and Logan Stepway. Petrol only, as we do a fair few very short journeys.

I live in the mountains where the roads are rough, pitted and pot-holed, which is why I'm looking at the more rugged models. Cars I've had in the past tend to suffer a fair bit and need frequent replacement of suspension related bits (drop links, shock absorbers, ball joints, arms bushes, and all that kind of stuff). From what I've learnt, the thickness of the tyre wall can help protect such parts? But does it also come down to how the car is designed and built?

On the other hand, I do do trips to town, etc. and I also occasionally do long motorway journeys.

I'm also interested in how they compare in terms of loading length as well (not volume) for when carting large and/or heavy items around.

With all that in mind, which model do you folks think would be best?

I'm also very keen to hear other reasons why people might choose one model over another?

Many thanks

(PS - as the Logan is discontinued, could there be issues with getting spares for it in the future, and is that a reason to choose a model that is still current? Or does it make no difference?)

 

[cdbe]

Probably all built on the same platform (so the same car underneath). Look for steel wheels and highest profile tyres. I doubt they're any "stronger" than other cars but at least replacement parts will be cheap and plentiful. And worth fitting branded replacement parts rather than budget stuff.

 

[Burnerman]

The great advantage of the Dacia range has to be the price.....these are effectively Renault and they aren’t especially tough - good vehicles they are though.
I’m no fan of French 4x4’s though and I’d avoid this one unless there is an extended warranty.
I find the toughest vehicle for your needs is the Toyota RAV 4, but the underbody protection is poor.
Good luck with your choice, sorry I can’t comment through ownership.
John

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Agree. If you want an all terrain vehicle then you need something stronger and more expensive.

I'd go Subaru personally.

But the Dacia, as burnerman says are Renault (older models re presented generally). But they are value for money in my opinion.

 

[Fred Blogs]

I had one of the first 7 seater Joggers which only had the 0.9 cc petrol engine. Nice car bags of room especially with the two third row seats taken out but woefully underpowered. I considered it to be actually dangerous when pulling out into heavy traffic as it would just die on me. The newer ones are hybrid but there does seem to an issue with clutches and there is a recall to alter the engine power by a software upgrade. That is not cure in my book and it doesn't seem to be working anyway. The hybrids are a lot better engine power wise so I'm told. I got rid of mine after 18 months and I now have a car with a 1.5 diesel engine, much better.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Interesting and valid point about the (lack of) power.

Not aware of any known major clutch issues. Other than driver type issue