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Found an article relating to a Renault shortly I believe to be sold to eastern europe from Renault for just about £3200. Very little in the way of creature comforts of course but if you only need a car that gets you from a to b this seems a brilliant concept. Just think what can't go wrong....electric windows and sunroof,air con,power steering, etc etc. Of course it is not to be sold here as the Twingo wasn't, what a shame: Iwould have my name on the list presto.
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"Found an article relating to a Renault shortly"
Sounds like a good name for it.
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It?s made by Dacia a Romanian company owned by Renault, cars are sold around this price in Eastern Europe, Russia, India etc. They sell something that competes with Dacia here in the UK its called a City Rover, but MG-Rover think its worth £6500.
People in this country would rather buy something second hand for £3000 than buy a new basic car.
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They sell something that competes with Dacia here in the UK its called a City Rover, but MG-Rover think its worth £6500. People in this country would rather buy something second hand for £3000 than buy a new basic car.
Personally, I'd rather buy something second-hand for £6500 than buy a new basic car.
For that matter, until I can honestly afford to spend £30k+ on a car, I think I'll always be attracted to the second-hand market.
If you say that an averagely decent brand new car is maybe £15k, and then look on the second hand market at exactly how much car you can get for that price, I really don't see the point in spending the money on a lesser car, which will lose more money as you drive it out of the showroom than the second hand one does in it's first two years.
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My goodness - the Dacia - now there's a blast from the past!
They used to make a version of the old Renault 12 and some brave soul imported the vile things into the UK. They were, without a doubt the worst built heap of old iron ever to cross the channel!
Much, much worse than the Polski Fiat, Yugo or Ladas. They could be relied upon to lose gearbox oil with regularity and their electrics were on a par with the worst Iron Curtain country products. In fact IIRC the Romanians supplied electrics to the Lada factory, which probably is the reason we were always replacing the darned fuse boxes and alternators!
I had a pal who foolishly took an agency and at one time he had five brand new ones in his in his yard all with problems which made them unsaleable!
Roger in Spain
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Blast from the past indeed - I remember living a few doors down from the (proud?) owner of a Dacia Duster. What a horrible little flimsy box, that was - I'd hate to see what would have happened if it had actually come into contact with anything bumpier than a gravel driveway..
I wonder if he's better now? ;)
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I'd be quite happy to shell out £3k for a new car, free from all the trimmings so there is much less to go wrong.
Stick a cmall turbo diesel engine in a light medium sized car to give 50+ mpg and it would sell very well, even at $4k.
It narks me that the only things that are going wrong with my old Cavalier are annoying electric things. I'm quite happy to wind a handle to open a window etc.
If I can do more of the maintenance myself then I'll be even happier.
--
I read often, only post occasionally
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The last time someone tried to market a no frills car, we ended up with the Lada - beware we may just get what we ask for!
Joking aside, I think that a basic car of this nature would be a good move for the british market. It would take a brave manufacturer to pedal one though.
I think the problem is that Western Europe is seen as being sufficiently affluent to afford paying top dollar for reasonably well specced motors. Having said that there were those CKD Maestros.....
The other option is for a canny importer to get them here. He would have no competition, only he would need to convert them to Right Hand Drive...
Hugo
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Oy - the Lada wasn't a BAD car . The Riva range, whilst not the most advanced car in the world would, if looked after keep going for years!
The plot was lost a bit wth the Samara which really wasn't up to competing with the modern hatches of its day. In spite of that it drove pretty well and it was cheap! The finish was awful and the standard seats diabolically uncomfortable until the importers spent time sorting the seating before releasing the cars to thier dealers.The 1500 cc went pretty well too!
Roger in Spain
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Even with one finger typing my typos glare at one - sorry!
Roger in Spain
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I would rather have a used car with all the toys than a brand new stripped one. I enjoy driving and don't view it as an undesirable task therefore I buy cars that are enjoyable to drive even if they are 10 years older and the same price as a brand new one.
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It won't be £3k in Europe, though. It won't even be in Rumania to start with because otherwise it would undercut an existing model from the same factory. If it ever comes to Europe it will have to be loaded with emissions and safety kit, including ABS, that will push to price up to at least £5k.
HJ
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Who buys a "basic new car" ?
People who have no knowledge about a secondhand car, who are generally risk averse and of course do not realise that derepciation is the biggest cost.
going back to the City Rover argument - yes it is overpriced in the UK. We get the same car in India for around 6500 pounds but 40% of that are taxes etc. The car sells mainly because it is a diesel (in india) and its space - people are obsessed with fuel consumption and nothing else. The finish is not as good as the suzukis - but it is the metal for money factor that sells it.
The best example of a basic new car is the asia special Honda City - a four door notchback based on the Civic. The interior is smart but not fancy. Materials are not plush but good quality. It is toughened for asia conditions. It has PAS, EW and CL and a strong aircondiioner. The cost savings are mainly is sticking to simple suspension systems and proven mechnaicals which are modern but not leading edge. A no nonsense car and you do not feel short-changed
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>>Who buys a "basic new car" ? people who have no knowledge about a secondhand car, who are generally risk averse and of course do not realise that derepciation is the biggest cost.
And people who are sucked in by the idea of something 'new'.
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People who have no knowledge about a secondhand car, who are generally risk averse and of course do not realise that derepciation is the biggest cost.
Or possibly because they don't give a stuff about depreciation... it's not all about money you know.
JaB
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www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,302300,00.html
Sorry, but the article is in German. I may do a translation later but I haven't time now.
The car is a conservatively styled 4 door saloon (think Skoda Fabia) built on the Micra/Modus/New Clio platform. The engines are 1.4 or 1.6 litres, I'm not sure which block it's based on. It goes on sale in September and the article seems absolutely convinced that it will cost less than ?5,000.
It also meets Euro 4 emissions requirements and, with that platform, I can't see how it could fail to meet crash testing requirements (or at least would do so with the addition of airbags).
It's not the most exciting car in the world, but it's apparently roomier than a Panda and if they can do it under £5k in the UK then it looks like a flagrant bargain.
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No edit button but 2 airbags are standard as well...
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