Suzuki Esteem

Price Paid:  $12000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Suzuki Aerio S sedan

Summary:
I love this car! I didn't even consider buying a Suzuki until I saw one on the street purely by coincidence. I loved the styling immediately and ran to see what kind of a car it was. I was more than a little surprised! I tested many cars in its class (Sentra, Elantra, Protege, Focus) and this is definately the best! The car is also a MUST test-drive for anyone over 6 ft. tall. I am actually sitting up (instead of riding go-cart style) and there is plenty of head room (I am 6'4"). I think the sedan looks super-cute and modern (somewhat Jetta-like). Some reviewers have called the car strange-looking but they must be on drugs! The car cruises beautifully at 70 MPH and handles wonderfully. Yeah, it's not a sports car but I find it very responsive. I think the Aerio may be getting ho-hum press just because it's a Suzuki and not based on actual performance. For example, Car and Driver rated it ninth worst out of ten cars sampled. But if you read the review, you see that they admit the car is very well made and the mechanical specs best everything in its class. Their apparent prejudice was that they don't like its looks or the digital dash (By the way, I didn't like the idea of a digital dash either, at first. It seemed to 80's, like the old Z cars. But it is actually well-designed and easy to read, dude)(All the magazine reviews seem to pick the Ford Focus as their favorite bit I think they're off base. I have a friend who owns a 2001 Focus and it's a good car but it doesn't measure up to my Suzuki!) The stripped down version was plenty loaded for me! AC, power windows and CD player. I just bought the car so I can't attest to reliability yet but the warranty is as good as it gets so I feel pretty secure. Also, I haven't driven it in adverse conditions yet, no rain or snow. But I'm serious, check one of these out, espercially if you're tall. Don't freak because it's a Suzuki.

Strengths:
Best mechanical specs in its class-141 hp. Smooth manual trans. Super-tall cab, roomy, roomy, roomy! Fun ride and great warranty (and low interest loan)

Weaknesses:
Doesn't handle exactly like a sports car but come on!

Price Paid:  $16500.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Aerio SX

Summary:
Have had this car for a little over four months and am very pleased with the performance so far. I like the factory 15" wheels but I just installed 17" racing wheels and it looks pretty sweet. I had a few initial problems with the car, like the hood was dented(dealer replaced)and I blew a tire(roofing nail), and my service engine soon light came on at just 4,000 miles(went of the next day), but hopefully i'm out of the water with the problems. The car is very unique looking and appears small from the outside, but they say different is better. The digital dash is cool,as well as all the power equipment and the racy red isn't too sore on the eyes. I was hoping for a little more pep from the 145hp engine(my 2002 Ford Focus gets up and goes faster with only 110hp and doesn't handle as well as the Focus). The Aerio is still a recommended buy from me.(I've only seen about four total of these cars in person so far)

Strengths:
Standard equipment is very nice on base model. SX model is loaded for a small car. All-Wheel Drive on the Aerio works great, even in deep snow. 6 disc in dash cd never skips a beat. Very smooth shifting automatic.

Weaknesses:
Reliability unknown Too many rattles from doors Digtal gas gauge never stays of full for more than two miles Drivers seat needs to go back more

Similar Products Used:
Ford Focus

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from SUZUKI

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 /Esteem (Sedan and Wagon)

Summary:
I have shopped around for American and Japanese vehicles. Suzuki came along as the best value for the buck. Thank GOD. I have both the sedan and the wagon. Try it out for yourself! Look price matters in this economy! Why should we pay more?

Strengths:
1.8 L engine, Japanese engineering, good as Toyota and Honda but a lot less expensive. Durable vehicle...

Weaknesses:
Base model does not have goodies like power windows, locks, things like that. But who needs it...

Similar Products Used:
Honda Civic, CRV, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan, and Hyundai.

Price Paid:  $13500.00 from Suzuki of Boston, Ev

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 Suzuki Aerio GS sedan

Summary:
i love this car! okay i've only had it for a week but i'm very happy with this little car. it's an awesome value, for under 14g i have automatic transmission, a/c, CD player, power mirrors, windows, locks, cruise control, keyless entry, foglights, spoiler, intermittent wiper, tilt wheel and ABS. you can't even get ABS on a Civic unless you get the EX model which starts at 17g! it has a good engine too, 2.0 liter rated at 145 HP which comes with a 100k mile warranty. sweet! it looks small on the outside but is extremely roomy on the inside, tons of headroom, and even backseat passengers have good legroom. the backseat folds down 60/40 and there's even a center armrest in the back with a cupholder! there are 4 cupholders altogether of various sizes. the driver seat is 6-way adjustable. the seats are very comfortable with good support and both have headrests which are removable. also, i love the digital dash, those who grew up in the 80's like me will remember riding in cars when they were little and thinking how cool the digital dash was. the seating position is higher than a regular car so you feel like you are driving a minivan or something. you can see the the whole road much better this way and the windshield is huge so you can see everything. the car is about 61" tall which makes it look kind of funky but it works well. i think it looks pretty good, not the best looking car on the road but i didn't buy the car based on it's looks and performance. acceleration from a stop is slow but not too slow, you have to get on the gas pretty good if you want to get somewhere so yeah, it's no drag racer, but performance it adequate for the average person. it cruises nicely on the highway too at high speeds. this motor does not have alot of torque so to find any power you need to get the rpms up which is kind of hard to do in an automatic. i'm sure the 5 speed has better performance. i had to get auto so my wife can drive the car, so if you can, get the manual transmission. also, the trunk is huge for a car this size! i was moving stuff to my new house and you won't believe how much crap i could stuff into this car! the vent and heater controls are very easy to use, the standard CD player and radio are easy to use, don't even need to read the instruction manual. the car comes with daytime running lights which i had to get used to but it's cool.. i don't even turn on my headlights on anymore, at night i just make sure my parking lights are on and use the running lights as my headlights, but if you want to use the foglights you would probably have to turn the headlights on. i can't say enough good things about this car! anything bad you ask? yeah a few things... like there are not any cubby spaces or anything to put small stuff in but there is a storage tray which slides out from under the passenger seat. also because the rear end of the car is pretty high up sometimes it is hard to park cuz you're not sure where your rear bumper is at but you can guess since the front and rear overhang is nice and short. its the perfect size car for me anyway! i also love the color i picked. catseye blue. i still have yet to see a car looking exactly like mine which another good reason to buy this car. why drive a Civic or Corolla like everybody else in the world? nothing else looks like this car. i also like the 15" alloy wheels that come with the car, they look good enough that i won't even consider upgrading the rims like alot of people would. the headlights are nice and bright and light up the road real good. standard chrome exhaust tip looks good too. on the 2003 models you can get AWD as an option. i don't think sunroof is an option but i'm sure the dealer can install one for you if you really wanted it. also condsider the SX wagon, it is actually shorter than the sedan believe it or not, but the cargo space is unbelievable! there are even little compartments under the cover in the trunk to put your tools or whatever! okay i'm out of space here

Strengths:
standard features (GS model loaded) ABS price paid (under $14,000) nice and roomy inside powertrain warranty (100,000 miles) comfortable and easy to drive good view of the road huge trunk, can carry alot of stuff looks good, nice alloy wheels compact size, easy to park and turn nice bright headlights and foglights nice standard CD player powerful speakers (no need to upgrade) good legroom for backseat passengers center armrest in backseat engine is very quiet, cruises nicely at high speeds on highway engine easy to maintain (no timing belt or spark plug wires!) 4 cupholders! go out and buy one now. you won't regret it !!

Weaknesses:
not many cubby spaces to put stuff maybe hard to park not being able to see front or rear bumper acceleration off the line kind of slow (not much torque) but once up to speed is fine long-term reliability is unpredicatable since these cars just came out last year

Similar Products Used:
'94 Ford Probe (still driving) '93 Infiniti G20 (wife's car), this car is better '99 Hyundai Accent (traded in for this car) '87 Camaro IROC (fast but unreliable) '90 Geo Prism (slow but reliable)

Price Paid:  $12000.00 from Baker Isuzu/Suzuki

Summary:
I was unsure of the vehicles reputation, as there is not many write-ups on this vehicle...but having purchased it, I have been pleasantly surprised. It has great pick-up and passing abilitites, great AC, and it is a sharp looker...

Strengths:
standard CD player, rockin AC, great pick-up, and simple, but classy styling

Weaknesses:
a bit noisy and suspension is rough at times, blown around some on highway winds

Similar Products Used:
Mazda GLC-very good car Toyota B12-piece of junk