Anyone own a Suzuki?

[nicolep91]

I hope it's OK to post this here. We're in the market for a new vehicle and we're very open to suggestions!

We own a minivan right now (Plymouth Grand Voyager) and love the extra seating (we have 2 kids) but most of the minivans we've looked at with the options we want are pushing (or are over) $30,000 and we don't want to spend that much. Now that the kids are out of carseats, I wouldn't mind getting a SUV but they aren't much cheaper and I worry about the gas mileage.

Last week we looked at a Suzuki XL7 SUV and it was very nice. It seats 7 and fully loaded with leather seats, moonroof, CD player, rear air, power everything and cost about $26,000! I really liked it but don't know anything about Suzuki as a reliable company. They do offer a good warranty (7-year, 100,000 mile) but I'm still concerned. Anyone have any experience/comments/suggestions?

TIA!

 

[mamajoan]

Hi.. I had two..Suzuki Samurai's.. old ones... and I loved those little bitty jeep type vehicles.. they were alot of fun.....

they ran and ran and ran....until eldest son totalled both of them....

my mantra...."love my kids.. love my kids, love my kids" it saves my mind... LOL



Hope you will enjoy your future purchase!

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks mamajoan!

Glad to know they ran good, until they were totalled! And thankfully your son was OK too!

Anyone else have any comments or suggestions on a good multi-passenger, reasonable vehicle?

 

[MelanieC]

We had a Sazuki Samari. When we lived in Las Vegas it was great, but once we moved to Pennsyvania, it did not do well in the snow or rain. Dh ended up in a very bad crash in the rain. Had the kids or I been in the car, I don't think we would have survived. It was a miracle that he was alone at the time. Hit a mountain head on, it rolled across the road and landed upside down. He was truley lukey to walk away with only smashed glasses.

Melanie

 

[nicolep91]

Wow. MelanieC - how scary!!

The XL7 is actually supposed to be good in bad weather (with the 4WL and all) but I guess I should try driving it in inclement weather before I make a purchase!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ratpack]

Have you tried the Kia Sedona? My dad just got one and loves it. You can get one loaded and it is far cheaper than any other van on the road and has a 10 year warranty.

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ratpack!

Actually, we have considered the Kia Sedona, but we were concerned because the resale value was so low. (But come to think of it, it may be on the Suzuki also - I haven't looked into that yet!) Also, I think I'm ready to drive something besides a minivan. I'm only 30 and it makes me feel old!

 

[Itsanalias]

Originally posted by Ratpack
Have you tried the Kia Sedona? My dad just got one and loves it. You can get one loaded and it is far cheaper than any other van on the road and has a 10 year warranty.

I have a 2002 Kia Sedona. Have had it for a year and we love it. It has a 10 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, gets out of its own way when you step on the gas on the highway and is very, very comfortable. I wasn't too worried about the resale value, as we're going to keep it for at least 8 years.

As for the Suzuki, I had a Suzuki Esteem, which ran great. All I had to do was change the oil, rotate the tires and keep gas in it and it ran. I sold it to my friend when it had 80,000 miles on it. It currently has close to 100,000 miles on it and is still going strong.

 

[DMickey28]

Hi

I just wanted to say something about the Kia's... I think that they are good little cars engine wise however after seeing a few involved in low impact car accidences I will not buy one. After a minor front end collision I could physically move the fender sheet metal of the Kia Sportage with my bare hands with little physical extertion. I don't like being able to do that....

 

[Itsanalias]

Originally posted by DMickey28
Hi

I just wanted to say something about the Kia's... I think that they are good little cars engine wise however after seeing a few involved in low impact car accidences I will not buy one. After a minor front end collision I could physically move the fender sheet metal of the Kia Sportage with my bare hands with little physical extertion. I don't like being able to do that....

Which brings up something I forgot to mention - the Kia Sedona has a 5 star crash rating (meaning it's one of the safest minivans out there).

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We always check Consumer Reports before purchasing a vehicle. They address reliability, price, safety, etc... and usually compare to other vehicles in the same categories.

I've been interested in the "off brands" like Kia and Suzuki. The prices and warranties are very attractive. IMHO, if the vehicle is safe and fairly reliable and comes with a great price and warranty I wouldn't be too concerned about resale value.

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks everyone!!

I'm going to keep doing my research but so far the reports I've read on the Suzuki XL7 have been rather favorable. And it being 7 passenger seating SUV at a reasonable price is a great selling point for me. There are some other options though so I'm keeping my mind open!

Also, if anyone else is looking for a vehicle Edmunds.com and Autobytel.com are some websites with lots of great information!

 

[Ratpack]

A buddy here at work has a Suzuki XL7 and I looked at it and I recommend one thing when looking at them. Take friends with you and "load" up all the seats and see if it is truly a 7 passenger vehicle. It looks small to me. Front seats are fine and middle looks good, but the back seat doesn't look like anyone could ride back there very long unless they were small kids. Just a little tip that I do when looking at a car that might help avoid regretting the decision later.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi...... just me again! I think the smaller SUV's are great if you have young kids.. however kids grow and mine grew rather large.. 6'2DS can't hardly fit in dh's Saturn now... I know we paid alot for our Chrysler Town and Country.. but at least the big guys fit. LOL So I agree with Ratpack about Loading up the Suzuki.. great idea Ratpack!

btw... I have read great things about the Sedona's.... Kia really did some hard work putting together a van that could compete in the US market.

 

[nicolep91]

Ratpack, you're right - the 3rd row seating is very limited! I did have my kids (8 and 5) sit back there to see how it was and it was OK for them, but probably wouldn't be for an adult. But considering that it's usually just the 4 of us unless Grandma & Grandpa or some friends are along, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. It's still such a dilemma - it's either more room for 5 or less room for 7!

mamajoan - Town & Country minivans are very nice, I'm sure the price you paid was worth it if you're pleased! I might reconsider the Kia after I test drive it. I plan on really taking my time with this purchase since we aren't in a big hurry to buy and will probably try selling our current minivan ourselves beforehand.