Author Topic: Is there something wrong with a Dacia?  (Read 4049 times)

2Cent

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Is there something wrong with a Dacia?
« on: April 19, 2016, 03:44:54 AM »
I'm looking at a new car. The Dacia Logan seems the cheapest car with reasonable space by far. How come it's almost 50% cheaper than similar cars of other brands. Am I missing something, or are they just very efficient in making cars?

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Is there something wrong with a Dacia?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2016, 04:08:54 AM »
Wikipedia says the following (for the first gen Logan):

Quote
The Logan is based on the Dacia B0 platform, also used for the Renault Clio II and for other Renault and Nissan models.[23] It has 50% fewer parts than a high-end Renault vehicle and has a limited number of electronic devices. This makes the car cheaper to produce and easier and cheaper to repair.

Some parts are also much simpler than those of its competitors. For example, rear-view mirrors are symmetrical and can be used on either side of the car, the windshield is flatter than usual, and the dashboard is a single injection-molded piece.

The developers have taken into account several differences between road and climate conditions in developed and developing countries. The Logan suspension is soft and strong, and the chassis sits visibly higher than most other compact cars to help it negotiate dirt roads and potholes on ill-maintained asphalt roads. The engine is specially prepared to handle lower quality fuel, whereas the air conditioning is powerful enough to lower the temperature several degrees (temperatures above 40 °C are common in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea).

There you go, slightly more basic design and construction, built in a lower cost of production country (Romania) and re-using an older platform. Although for Mustachians that would be ideal. Simpler is often more reliable :)

A quick Google for reviews finds that they've got manual windows and no radio on the base model, so it would have been stripped of equipment to get the price down. Looks like they're designed mainly for developing markets.

No idea on the current model's EuroNCAP rating.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2016, 04:26:28 AM by alsoknownasDean »

RobFIRE

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Re: Is there something wrong with a Dacia?
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2016, 07:18:27 AM »
I would think that overall a used car at around the same price, therefore older but with higher specifications and, if the make is chosen appropriately, higher reliability and better fuel economy might overall be the better purchase. There is still the new car premium even if it is a basics brand.

Jack

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Re: Is there something wrong with a Dacia?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2016, 07:23:26 AM »
I would think that overall a used car at around the same price, therefore older but with higher specifications and, if the make is chosen appropriately, higher reliability and better fuel economy might overall be the better purchase. There is still the new car premium even if it is a basics brand.

Yep. A used car -- either a nicer used car the same price as a new Dacia, or better yet, a used Dacia for a lower price -- is the best plan.

 

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