Dacia Logan: the car of Spain's impoverished working class
First-generation Dacia Logans, going for 700 euros, are the rational choice for self-employed workers, but also a reflection of a middle class that lost half of its
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Dacia Logan: when owning a cheap car is a sign of impoverishment
The first-generation Dacia Logan, the one that arrived in Spain in the mid-2000s for less than 8,000 euros, has become a mirror of Spaniards' loss of purchasing power. A discussion thread on responsible consumption shows how this model, nicknamed "the gypsy Cadillac," is now the rational choice for self-employed workers and employees who need a reliable, no-frills vehicle. But it is also the thermometer of a society that, according to the data, has seen its purchasing power fall by 50% over five decades.
The Dacia Logan mk1: reliable, basic and bargain-priced
The first Dacia Logans, with the 1.4 petrol engine and C emissions label, can now be found for around 700-1,200 euros second-hand. They are cars with no luxury whatsoever: no electric windows, no side airbags, with non-folding rear seats. But their mechanics, inherited from 1990s Renaults, are simple and easy for any garage to repair. "Any backstreet mechanic knows how to deal with Dacia-Renault," the thread notes. For a self-employed worker who needs a city work vehicle, with two tool cases and a mitre saw, it does the job just fine.
The comparison with the Hyundai Accent: the better option?
Against the Logan, some defend the first-generation Hyundai Accent, which at the same price offered more equipment: a rear hatch, folding seats, side airbags, electric windows and air conditioning. However, availability is lower: there are far fewer Accents than Logans on the used-car market. For anyone who needs a car now, the Logan wins on accessibility. "There's one for sale on every corner," the argument goes.
The debate over social decline
One line of analysis points out that the spread of the Dacia is a symptom of impoverishment. "Over the last 50 years we have lost 50% of our purchasing power," one comment notes. The contrast is brutal: going from a new BMW 320 to a 2008 Dacia Sandero dci is the metaphor of a life that changed. But there are also those who argue that a Dacia is a decent, reliable and economical car, like a hard-working, good-hearted vvife compared to the premium model who left you stranded. The irony is not lacking: "Now owning a Dacia is for the rich," goes the joke.
Market reality closes the discussion: in 2018 you could buy a brand-new Dacia Logan for 14,500 euros with full equipment; today, that price barely gets you a basic city car. Those who own a Dacia know it is the sensible option, but they cannot help wondering how we got here.
Related forum threads
The first-generation Dacia Logan, the one that arrived in Spain in the mid-2000s for less than 8,000 euros, has become a mirror of Spaniards' loss of purchasing power. A discussion thread on responsible consumption shows how this model, nicknamed "the gypsy Cadillac," is now the rational choice for self-employed workers and employees who need a reliable, no-frills vehicle. But it is also the thermometer of a society that, according to the data, has seen its purchasing power fall by 50% over five decades.
The Dacia Logan mk1: reliable, basic and bargain-priced
The first Dacia Logans, with the 1.4 petrol engine and C emissions label, can now be found for around 700-1,200 euros second-hand. They are cars with no luxury whatsoever: no electric windows, no side airbags, with non-folding rear seats. But their mechanics, inherited from 1990s Renaults, are simple and easy for any garage to repair. "Any backstreet mechanic knows how to deal with Dacia-Renault," the thread notes. For a self-employed worker who needs a city work vehicle, with two tool cases and a mitre saw, it does the job just fine.
The comparison with the Hyundai Accent: the better option?
Against the Logan, some defend the first-generation Hyundai Accent, which at the same price offered more equipment: a rear hatch, folding seats, side airbags, electric windows and air conditioning. However, availability is lower: there are far fewer Accents than Logans on the used-car market. For anyone who needs a car now, the Logan wins on accessibility. "There's one for sale on every corner," the argument goes.
The debate over social decline
One line of analysis points out that the spread of the Dacia is a symptom of impoverishment. "Over the last 50 years we have lost 50% of our purchasing power," one comment notes. The contrast is brutal: going from a new BMW 320 to a 2008 Dacia Sandero dci is the metaphor of a life that changed. But there are also those who argue that a Dacia is a decent, reliable and economical car, like a hard-working, good-hearted vvife compared to the premium model who left you stranded. The irony is not lacking: "Now owning a Dacia is for the rich," goes the joke.
Market reality closes the discussion: in 2018 you could buy a brand-new Dacia Logan for 14,500 euros with full equipment; today, that price barely gets you a basic city car. Those who own a Dacia know it is the sensible option, but they cannot help wondering how we got here.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (45 replies).
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