Nissan Juke, Suzuki Jimmy, Dacia duster?

gabitzul

Ok, I am Romanian therefore must be biased (?).

The Dusters are good card indeed - their philsophy is to use parts which have already been used in other models, so older but as they are already mass produced are cheaper. Bonus - they are most likely reliable as well.

It's not really new - see Skoda.

Ah, and the roads in Romania are not good (with a few exceptions) and a lot of drivers treat their cars as tools. If they are reliable there (and they have proven to be), they will be here in the UK as well.

bigjl

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I've picked you up on this before, but don't base your observations and generalisations around famers' vehicles on the experience of a few farmers you know.


Farming in rural Northumberland or County Durham can be a very different kettle of fish to growing a bit of wheat in a sunny corner of the south-east of England.


That said, the farmers I'm referring to wouldn't use a Duster, Qashqai or Jimny either. Landcruiser, Defender, Fourtrak maybe.

The farmers I am talking about are based in the West of Scotland, Central Scotland, the Midlands and County Longford. So quite a varied sample. But none that you would consider a sunny corner of south east England. My brother in Laws dad had a Granada,it replaced a Fiesta.

I come from a farming community and no farmers seem overly interested in having an SUV, they might have a Defender knocking about somewhere though but the family car is more often than not just a normal car.

Subarus were popular back in the day (in my home town as they were sold by he local tractor dealer) but less so now, still a couple of Foresters kicking about and the only time the Forestry Commission had anything other than FWD vans round my way was when they started to privatise parts of it, my school mates dad was the head forester and he went out on his own so now has a double cab, not sure what it is though, since there are few dealers nearby its most likely a Ford Ranger.

The oddest farmers car I have ever seen was Paul McCartneys, it was a Roll Royce, covered in filth and hay inside and out, his wife drove a Series Land Rover with the only clean not being where the wiper swept. I think it was. Series One. (I mean his first wife)

My point was simply that few people have a genuine need for a lifestyle SUV or indeed a proper 4x4, but if you want one then crack on. I support your right to buy what you want.

But if you ask open questions on a forum you will get opinions you like and dislike.

On the rare occasion I drove my Pathfinder it was a nice drive, poor on fuel though. But I liked it anyway as I rarely used it as it was a working vehicle.

I like Range Rovers, full fat and sport, I like Discos aswell. I expect I would like the Evoque aswell, not so sure about the Disco Sport though, I did have a soft spot for the Freelander even though they had their faults.

I don't like the Land Cruiser, too ugly but I like the rugged appeal of the older ones, you can still buy the old ones in Africa.

http://www.toyotaghana.com/cars/lc70/index.html

If only I could afford one over there, they were giving away a free Kia Picanto (brand new)when you bought one of the big Land Cruisers last year!

bigjl

gabitzul wrote: »

Ok, I am Romanian therefore must be biased (?).

The Dusters are good card indeed - their philsophy is to use parts which have already been used in other models, so older but as they are already mass produced are cheaper. Bonus - they are most likely reliable as well.

It's not really new - see Skoda.

Ah, and the roads in Romania are not good (with a few exceptions) and a lot of drivers treat their cars as tools. If they are reliable there (and they have proven to be), they will be here in the UK as well.

Better watch out!

If you mention Romanian again people will say you are obsessed with it!

facade

sacsquacco wrote: »

I agree, and I d add that all 4 by 4s, SUVs are also pointless.Just bulky overwieght cars on stilts.I ve never had the need to go down a lane so rutted and bad that even my Vauxhall Corsa couldn't do it

On the other hand the "roads" around here are so peppered with potholes and speedbumps that you need an off roader just to get to work.

I've broken 2 sets of springs in my Note in 5 years, the Suzuki Jimny we have is still on its 15 year old ones, it is a doddle to reverse & park as it is very narrow, short, the front wheels actually have some steering lock and I can just turn in the seat and drive it backwards.
As someone said before driving the Jimny always makes you smile, on or off road.

I did have a look at the Duster this year with a view to replacing the Note & Jimny with one car, the poverty spec model comes in a shade under £12K with 4wd and fitted towpack, and the spec. is a dream- proper steel wheels with nice tall boingy tyres, no media system, just space for your own radio, no automatic this that & the other.

However I was told that spares are a problem, which I find odd, as they are basically old Renaults, I think the 4x4 system is the one Nissan & Renault developed for the qasquai

The Juke is just a Clio on stilts with an odd body stuck on top.

facade

Herzlos wrote: »

Awesome Do you know when production moved over? The rust issues were the main thing putting me off from getting one (4x4 diesel in blue).

Look at the VIN number at the base of the windscreen.

If it starts U it is Romanian M will be Indian.

(Usually, you want it to start with a J = Japan if you expect half decent reliability & build quality)

Rubidium

facade wrote: »

The Juke is just a Clio on stilts with an odd !!!!!! body stuck on top.

........................

:rotfl:

Herzlos

bigjl wrote: »

I come from a farming community and no farmers seem overly interested in having an SUV, they might have a Defender knocking about somewhere though but the family car is more often than not just a normal car.

I think you're being a bit disengenuous here; all of the farmers I'm aware of in Central Scotland always have a rugged 4x4 kicking about for doing the actual work with; usually a Fourtrak or a Discovery. The rest of the cars are usually mechanically simple french hatchbacks, as sure, most of the time they are just dealing with rough roads, but they've always got a proper workhorse kicking about that can handle anything.

If they were to have a single vehicle (most likely like the OP here, or at least most of us), they'd have the 4x4 and ditch the hatchbacks. So it's not unreasonable for someone to want a 4x4 for when they need to do something a hatchback can't (most likely ride height or load capacity). maybe they just want one because they like the looks, or whatever, that's fine too.

I'm looking at the 4x4 duster because I want the extra 300kg towing capacity, otherwise I'd go for the 4x2 and put winter tyres on it. The reason I want the duster is primarily for the load space and ride height; both pretty handy with a family and a garden.

bigjl

My point being that farmers have normal cars for normal use. Yes they might have a Defender or Fourtrak or similar for towing etc.

But for run of the mill usage it isn't a case of nothing but a 4x4 will do.

That's a bit like saying farmers have tractors.

But for doing the school run or going shopping a big rugged 4x4 is not required.

If you want one fine, but few in the UK really need one. I have had a Sportrak and a Pathfinder for example, didn't really need them. A reasonably sized estate car could have done everything the Pathy did. The Sportrak was bought to use at Bures pit but I never got around to doing it so it was used in road for a few months and sold on.
I bought them because I wanted them.

If I went on an Internet forum and asked if I needed either of them to go on Holiday to the Lake District the answer would be no, not really.

But if you like the image etc then buy one.

bigjl

Herzlos wrote: »

I think you're being a bit disengenuous here; all of the farmers I'm aware of in Central Scotland always have a rugged 4x4 kicking about for doing the actual work with; usually a Fourtrak or a Discovery. The rest of the cars are usually mechanically simple french hatchbacks, as sure, most of the time they are just dealing with rough roads, but they've always got a proper workhorse kicking about that can handle anything.

If they were to have a single vehicle (most likely like the OP here, or at least most of us), they'd have the 4x4 and ditch the hatchbacks. So it's not unreasonable for someone to want a 4x4 for when they need to do something a hatchback can't (most likely ride height or load capacity). maybe they just want one because they like the looks, or whatever, that's fine too.

I'm looking at the 4x4 duster because I want the extra 300kg towing capacity, otherwise I'd go for the 4x2 and put winter tyres on it. The reason I want the duster is primarily for the load space and ride height; both pretty handy with a family and a garden.

You should reread my post Herloz.

As I have said almost the same as what you have. As far as French cars and having a seperate vehicle for rugged work go.

But as an example a school friends brother who runs the family farms has only one car, my brother in laws dad only had one car and my
mates dad in Eire only has one car.

My point was that users that regularly drive down farm tracks are happy to have normal cars.

But all along I have said if you want one buy one. I would and have.

Poppie68

I drive a Sportage which I love, easiest car I have driven, comfortable and with plenty of room. My husband on the other hand is a temporary driver of a Juke (waiting for new company car) and he hates it... Very odd shape, small boot, uncomfortable seats and no room in the back for anyone over 2ft tall.