Ah the Dacia Sandero, billed as Britians cheapest new car at the time of it's launch and cheap enough infact that it enticed Mrs Vitessetony into new car ownership for the first time. I was dragged along to the Renault Dacia dealer and duly sat through the tedium of talking to a young salesman trying to sell us everything but the car, fabric protector spray for only £450 etc.
After realising shortly that my wife was even less impressed than me at his list of nonsense products, he begrudgingly moved on to the secondary task of selling us the actual car. Mrs Vt had a very short list of requirements, namely, the cheapest car you have. This meant black bumpers, steel wheels with no trims, no radio, window winders etc. Good girl!
The Salesman was staggered by this request as it seems although they advertise the fact they sell the cheapest new car in britian no one actually buys that model and so he tried to persuade us into the next trim level up, they had this one in stock and it came with colour coded bumpers, wheel trims, Radio and electric front windows, Swanky!
Mrs Vt pointed out she didn't particularly care for any of that stuff but if they could sell it to us for the price of the bog standard car she would have it. Much toing and froing later we had our first ever brand new car.
Now onto the surprising part, It is actually a great little car to drive! Not surprisingly it feels like a car from 20 years ago the seats are fabric and comfortable the plastics are cheap but hard wearing the suspension is compliant and the chassis and steering are predictable, the normally aspirated 1.2 engine is willing and while it sounds a little thrashy and harsh when reved out rather than musical it is adequate at moving you along nicely, the gear change is notchy and can't be rushed but carry's a certain charm of it's own. Driving the car smoothly rewards you because YOU have to actually drive the car. If you drive with no sympathy or finesse the car lets you know.
It takes me back to the start of my driving career when maintaining speed was king as our underpowered little cars didn't have big power but were lightweight and keen to please on the back roads. heel and toe techniques can be practiced at sane speeds and while going up hills can be challenging coming down them is big fun!
It's a little reminder on how far other small 'cheap' cars have come on in the years gone by and that's not a good thing in my opinion. There is a lot to be said for the basics done right.
After realising shortly that my wife was even less impressed than me at his list of nonsense products, he begrudgingly moved on to the secondary task of selling us the actual car. Mrs Vt had a very short list of requirements, namely, the cheapest car you have. This meant black bumpers, steel wheels with no trims, no radio, window winders etc. Good girl!
The Salesman was staggered by this request as it seems although they advertise the fact they sell the cheapest new car in britian no one actually buys that model and so he tried to persuade us into the next trim level up, they had this one in stock and it came with colour coded bumpers, wheel trims, Radio and electric front windows, Swanky!
Mrs Vt pointed out she didn't particularly care for any of that stuff but if they could sell it to us for the price of the bog standard car she would have it. Much toing and froing later we had our first ever brand new car.
Now onto the surprising part, It is actually a great little car to drive! Not surprisingly it feels like a car from 20 years ago the seats are fabric and comfortable the plastics are cheap but hard wearing the suspension is compliant and the chassis and steering are predictable, the normally aspirated 1.2 engine is willing and while it sounds a little thrashy and harsh when reved out rather than musical it is adequate at moving you along nicely, the gear change is notchy and can't be rushed but carry's a certain charm of it's own. Driving the car smoothly rewards you because YOU have to actually drive the car. If you drive with no sympathy or finesse the car lets you know.
It takes me back to the start of my driving career when maintaining speed was king as our underpowered little cars didn't have big power but were lightweight and keen to please on the back roads. heel and toe techniques can be practiced at sane speeds and while going up hills can be challenging coming down them is big fun!
It's a little reminder on how far other small 'cheap' cars have come on in the years gone by and that's not a good thing in my opinion. There is a lot to be said for the basics done right.
