Suzuki Esteem

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from BBC Motors

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Esteem 1.6L auto

Summary:
This car is probably on of the worst cars I've ever owned. It leaks transmission fluid and oil. The cv joints creak. The ac doesn't work. When I brought it home from the dealer I looked at the entire engine, covered with grease. I have grease all over the back of my car from the exhaust. And more problems. I think the only thing that's good about the car is the gas mileage, and the way it goes when i press on the gas. i definitely got a lemon and paid too much for it.

Strengths:
great gas mileage on the interstate, very responsive

Weaknesses:
too small (I'm little 5'4"), no accessories...not even power windows/locks, too light for windy days, and all the problems listed above.

Similar Products Used:
1990 toyota corolla, 1995 mitsubishi galant...yeah, both were better than this thing

Price Paid:  $2300.00 from Ebay motors

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 Suzuki Esteem

Summary:
I love this car. The Esteem is a good solid reliable car that has never ever let me down. Mine is now 9 years old and has 110,000 miles on the clock - it still runs like a new car. I bought it used two years ago and changed the belts and battery and had a very minor fix on the axle. I was worried how it would handle the winter, but other than these expected fixes, I have had no problems whatsoever.
This is a super dooper car.

Strengths:
Extremely reliable, solid, great mileage, runs very smooth.

Weaknesses:
If you are looking for luxury of fancy electronics, this is not the care for you

Price Paid:  $4500.00 from cunningham auto

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 suzuki esteem

Summary:
I love my car! I have not had ANY problems with it. except that my window doesnt roll up completely straight, but if i put my hand on it it works itself out. i only have 65g miles on it, i know its not much for a 97! whoever had it before has kept good care of it. i love it.

Price Paid:  $8500.00 from Freshwater Suzuki

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 esteem standard wagon

Summary:
Just thought I'd balance all these rave reviews with my experience. Bought this wagon for $8500 in 2003, w 70000 kms on it. It was the only 4 cylinder standard wagon I could find, liked the size and look, so settled for it in spite of finding it a bit gutless.

Since that time I have put over $5000 into it - transmission rebuilt twice, clutch replaced once, and numerous miscellaneous problems - starting motor, alternator, Cv joints. It's now in the shop again for what I thought was a clutch job - which it was, but caused by a failed seal in the (3rd) transmission - so to get that back on the road will be another $1500 - am approaching having paid as much in repairs as for the car. I hasten to add that I have owned 3 standards before and NEVER had clutch or transmission problems - otherwise I might have thought it was my driving.
Now maybe I just have a lemon, but another friend with this year and model just replaced their transmission too.
So take thios into consideration before buying this car - I certainly will never buy another suzuki, and it's looking like cliff time for this one.

Strengths:
????

Weaknesses:
transmission

Similar Products Used:
Toyota standard corolla wagon
Datsun standard wagon
Honda civic standard wagon

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $4500.00 from private seller

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 esteem wagon glx

Summary:
I love this car. My dad bought it for me and him to drive. Mainly me, but he uses it whenever he doesn't want to drive his porsche. Before I go further I just wanna say something about someone else's comment. Someone said the car's top speed was 85 mph. This is completely wrong. The speedo only goes to 90, but believe me, this little beauty goes 100+. And I have the 1.6L! I love the turning and handling. So fun to drive. Some people end up haveing issues with theirs, but that's just bad luck. I've seen way more positive reviews than bad reviews. THe 6-disk CD changer is nice, but the speakers are a bit lacking. Also, the clips/locks or whatevr that hold the rear seats unfolded rattle a bit and any usually tiny car noises seem to be amplified by the wagon's cargo area. But if you are listening to music or have the windows down you'll never notice.

Strengths:
Very nice ride. I love all the standard options with the glx. Only thing I'd like is CC. Heater and AC are really powerful. I love that the peak torque is at 3500rpms. It allows for nice off-the-line and solid passing capabilities compared to any other 95 HP car out there.

Weaknesses:
It'd be nice to have a bit more HP, but it's enough for most purposes.

Similar Products Used:
geo metro