Dacia Owners Forum UK - Dacia Owners Club UK

Hello

I’ve been thinking about buying a Duster, found this forum and have been sneaking around reading comments and already getting some really useful information so thought I should formally say hello as I am in a quandary!

I had a test drive of a Duster yesterday and although the young salesman was pleasant and polite he was not much help. I really struggled to get a comfortable driving position. I raised the seat up as much as I could as I like a high driving position but then found I was reaching to touch the gear stick with my fingertips so not ideal but was advised I would get used to it ?! Didn’t realise til later that I could adjust the steering wheel as well which may have helped but wondered if other slightly vertically challenged people had this problem? I’m 5 ft 4. It was a pretty disappointing experience as I had been looking forward to the test drive.

I’ve been looking at a Duster as I live by myself in rural South Scotland so this looked good for rough roads and wintry conditions and a two wheel drive petrol as diesel isn’t suitable as I have a short drive to work each day so not good for diesel engines.

I got home and started looking at the Stepway as an alternative as it has the extended grip option but have been reading that some new owners are having what sound like some serious electrical issues which is really putting me off the Stepway - argh! What to do??!! It’s a 50 minute drive to the garage, so not just down the road if I have problems so reliability is very important which is why I was drawn to Dacia (as well as the price of course!)

Any comments and suggestions would be gratefully received! Thank you

Hi Ljb,


Glad you decided to join us and introduce yourself

Most sales staff are what they are, they shift the metal essentially and sell you as much as they can with the car, few have any technical knowledge and as you have found out, they don't always know what can be adjusted in the car to make it fit you.

I've only driven and owned Dusters, firstly the vertically challenged aspect - I am too in a way, but in the opposite direction at 6'2" which in many ways is actually worse when it comes to fitting comfortably in a lot of cars - it's a PITA basically. I have the steering wheel fully out and the seat moved back - not all the way, for me it was a case of finding the mix of seat height, horizontal position from pedals, and steering wheel reach whilst being able to access all controls without leaning forward. My only gripe is with the interior rear view mirror being too low for me as I prefer a slighltly elevated view out (literally eye level), I resolved this by replacing the mirror entirely with a smaller higher mounted one. I have driven many miles in a day for holidays and don't get any aches or pains, so for me it is very comfortable.

I appreciate your dealer isn't quite on your doorstep, but it may be well worth a revisit and trying the Duster, then the standard Sandero or Stepway if they have one, spend some time in both cars and - an hour if need be in both cars, adjust everything and see if you can find the nearest to perfect seating position with full access to all the controls. Seat back/forward, and height ajustment, steering wheel forward/backward up and down. You do get a lot more car for the money than you do with a lot of brands, but it still costs money and it has to be comfortable - which makes it easier and safer to drive!

OK, that's a Duster owners perspective - now we need some Sandero/Stepway owners although most are very happy with their cars from what I have seen...

Hi OldBear

Thanks for the welcome and reply.

I’ve not had much experience with car salesmen and I didn’t know quite what to expect but thought they might be pushing the sale hard but this was the complete opposite good to know this happens! I’m currently driving a Fiat Ducato Campervan so things like the lane keep assistant and blind spot warnings are completely new to me.

I will go back and have another try at getting the seat right and try the Stepway as well for comparison. I think I just felt a bit awkward fiddling around as the car was infront of the showroom and I was the only one there so did feel a bit stupid (woman who can’t even sort the seat out) I shall assert myself and have another go

Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on

Just to add, there are some very knowledgeable sales people but they are sparse as they move between different brand retailers pretty regularly I've found, pushy sales people are simply annoying, thankfully the hard sell types are rare.

As a potential customer they should afford you all the time you need to look at and try the car you are interested in, if you go for a test drive after this, get the car set up for you before moving off, should be a bit quicker as you will have practiced a little in the showroom model.

Trust me when I say comfort isn't gender specific, we all appreciate it. Better to take time ensuring your potential purchase fits you properly first and foremost, and you feel happy driving it

Yes please do update us, your experiences on finding the comfort "sweet spot" may well help others and be very much appreciated

@Lib

We had Stepways before we changed to Duster
Both are great cars the Stepway I had was great and trouble free so dont let what you read on the internet put you off

The advantage of the Duster is it has a higher ride height than the Stepway which will be a advantage on the rural rads you encounter in sunny Scotland..

My Mrs is only 5Ft2 so has a similar vertical challenge to you, She manages to get a comfortable driving position, bit of a nightmare t get in after she has been driving and has the seat right up I am like a extra sardine trying to squeeze into a tin so I have to put the seat down again or I cant get in

When you go back for another test dont feel pressured or awkward take as much time as you need to try things out to make sure the car fits your needs. Even ask the salesperson to leave you alone for a while to give you time to try out the different seat positions
When adjusting the seat, try the height, the forwards and backwards adjustment, also dont forget the backrest can also be moved position and can can the difference you are looking for.
once you have your seat position right you can then adjust the steering wheel position to the most suitable to match your seating position.

Bear in mind it will not feel the same as your current vehicle to drive, It can take a little while t get used to driving a different vehicle but what you want to achieve when you are testing is a comfortable position where you can reach and use all the controls without any discomfort

Hi Nessi

Thank you very much for your reply and really helpful to know that Mrs Nessi ( ) manages a comfortable seat position at 5 ft 2! I appreciate your helpful advice, as well as OldBear’s and will go back and persevere to get the right seat adjustment now I know it is possible!

Thanks again to you both

Go for it Ljb - and come back with good news after deciding on the all conquering mighty Duster - not that I am biased of course

@Ljb Remember when you go back you are not there for them to sell you any car they can convince you to buy.
You are there to fully test the car to make sure its right for you, take as much time as you need to test out the positions. If need be ask them if you can see the drivers hand book so you can see where all the adjustments are.
seat height
seat reach
seat back rest
steering wheel

Then if you go out on another test drive and it still does not feel quite right... remember anytime on the est drive you can pull up somewhere safe and make a minor adjustment to the seat to see if you can move it to a better position... Its all part of your test drive and testing its right for you.
If they are distracting you with their patter on the test drive, you can ask them to be quiet whilst you are driving and concentrating... I actually ask them to sit in the back on the test drive so they get the hint from the start

Hi Ljb,
First thing you have to remember is: You're in charge! Not only have you to be comfortable in the vehicle, it is essential for control also, so adjust to your heart's content and if the salesman takes the view that being a woman automatically makes inept, he's in the wrong job! We have a Sandero Comfort and it required a fair bit of faffing about to get the position to my satisfaction. So take your time: You are the customer and you're in charge!

As others have said take your time see if you can take a long test drive
and have a play with all the adjustments

what dealer are you useing

we have a Sandero Stepway ordered and can not wait till we get it