Dacia Sandero Ambiance

Timwithtelly

I've never owned a new car.

Have owned some nice nearly-new cars, but the days of Impreza STis and well-specced BMWs have passed.

Now, I just need a town car that can cope with 2 x 5 mile journeys a day, be big enough to take two small dogs, and manage maybe max half a dozen motorway trips a year.

No matter what configuration of needs I throw into autotrader search filters, the Dacia Sandero is always in the list.

So, did a bit of reading and an Ambiance model with the basic engine seems to be a very decent fit - DAB radio, air con, electric windows, central locking, big boot, etc.

Add in optional extra alarm and spare wheel, and it's on the road for a few quid over £8000.

New.

With 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.

And RAC cover.

Have read a load of reviews - both magazines and real owners.

Can't seem to find much fault with it, from the perspective of what I need.

So, keen to hear others' views on it as, otherwise, I think I'm likely to order one tomorrow.

Would you buy?

Have you bought?

Any feedback?

Thanks.

Timwithtelly

Dacia Sandero long-term test review

What Car saying (today) that metallic paint, alarm and spare wheel now included free, as well as a £195 reduction in price.

Can't see that reflected in any official Dacia information (yet).

Here's hoping.

poppasmurf

I have had the Sandero Stepway Laureate 1500 since December, having replaced my trusty Mondeo Titanium Estate.

I'm happy with the Dacia, albeit there are one or two niggles.  There is no opening the boot without either the key or using the interior lever - very 1980's.  The wing mirrors don't fold in, there's no central armrest either front or back, and the cruise control isn't the best to use.  

But I replaced a car which now costs £30k plus to replace with one which costs £11k, so accept there will be a trade off.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase.  Just a pity the two Dacia dealers nearest me have shut up shop in the last month.

un1eash

Motoring doesn't get much cheaper, its basically an older clio underneath and with being new you don't have to worry about any potential repair costs.
Biggest cost of a new car is depreciation and even if it loses 50% of its value over 3 years thats still only £4k.

sniffer66

Good timing. My Sandero Ambiance 0.9 TCE is being delivered on Tuesday. Just finished a lease on VW Up for 3 years, which was a great little car for what I needed but just too small and withh very little equipment.
I only need a no frills workhorse and for the price it was an easy decision.

Worth doing a comparison between the basic petrol engine and the 0.9 Turbo as well. The Turbo is a more modern Renault engine and reviews as more refined, more grunt and better petrol consumption. It has an Eco mode as well. I do quite a lot of miles so for me the additional cost of the TCE will pay for itself whilst I have the car.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Would I buy? No
Have I bought? No
Am I prejudiced without experience? Yes

To me, other than it being cheap it has nothing going for it. They are very old Renaults. Even when the cars were current and made by Renault themselves they weren’t good.

I’d have almost any nice second owner car anyway for a similar amount of money compared to having that new.

duffbeerdrinker

Am I the only person who read the title as Dacia Sandero Ambulance?

Dave Brand

No!

sniffer66

My daughter believes I drive a Sombrero

JB1891

I was reading up about these the other day and how the underpinnings are basically from a twenty year old Clio. If you’re that desperate for cheap motoring and a new car with some kind of assurance then I guess it’s worth consideration. Personally I’m not sure if I’d buy a new one.