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Suzuki Aerio Wagon
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We choose to turn away cars such as the Suzuki line up because parts are too hard to find. If we know that we'll have to go through a dealer to get most of the parts, we'll usually send the customer to the dealer. Not only is our profit margin small on dealer parts, the time it takes to complete the vehicle is very long. Sometimes we do work with parts from the dealer, in a pinch, for the customer. However, most of the time, the customer would rather go to the dealer anyhow when we explain the time it might take to finish their work. We'll inspect brakes, suspensions etc., but we make sure to inform them we may not be the best choice as far as a company to work on their car. Also, guys get upset when cars linger in their own bays for too long.
Funny, my dealer, if you did not know this area, ya'd never know they sold zukes. No sign except a pea sized one on the front of the building.
Suzuki ought to send reps around to check this out and tell the dealers either get the sign up or lose your franchise.
Its not a good way to advertise.
So, a sensor in the gas tank was bad and a part was ordered. The loaner car was out three days and I had to pay for one of the three. I was okay with that, but not too thrilled about future warranty repair experiences.
The part came in, and I sat for a couple of hours to learn that my filler neck is out of round, thus creating a vacuum leak, thus setting off the sensor. A gas tank is en route from Cali.
I don't feel like spending a Saturday sitting around (and being bumped for other peoples' 'emergencies' like I was the last time I did a scheduled Saturday appointment.
Do I have any recourse to demand a loaner since I'm in for warranty work AND it's the third time I'm in for the same (or at least a related)problem? I'm at work before 7 am and would rather leave the car overnight and be assured that it would be done by the time I get out of work the next afternoon.
"If a Suzuki vehicle is rendered inoperable, unsafe or illegal to operate and requires an overnight repair during the 36,000-mile/3-year new vehicle limited warranty period, your Suzuki dealer will provide a courtesy rental vehicle for up to five days through Enterprise Rent-A-Car."
Sounds like your situation would qualify.
The sensor code was read, but no repair has happened yet because they had to order the part. The out of round issue came up when I went in to get the sensor replaced. So, two times to the shop and the problem has yet to be resolved.
Why should I not demand a loaner if the manual requests a repair asap? And why should I not ask for a loaner since I'm taking the car in for the third time to deal with their mistake?
Last oil change, dealer acknowledged the noise, and would enquire about it. I had them record it on the service order.
I think the vibration is from the AWD viscous coupling. I will pursue this again at next oil change to ensure if it become a bigger problem it won't be ours.
I'm not saying this is your cause of the rumble, but be prepared to have all your maintenance liabilities covered so you don't get screwed. Also, could you be a little more specific about the rumble; maybe that would help in recieving more feed back. I'm going to throw a lot of maybes here because i don't have anything to go off of besides tha fact you mentioned a rumble. Is it more of a sound rather than a feeling, visa versa? . Usually, vibration felt in the seat of your pants is blamed on crappy back tires or out of round rims or maybe a weak or broken strut. How many miles are on your car and tires? I've seen all kinds of crazy things regarding vibration at different speeds, and 49 out of 50 of them were sold new tires or rims or struts, which always cured the problem. I've also seen vibrations due to sticking rear shoes, maybe your ebrake is sticking.
My advise is: before getting involved with the dealer, take care of the more common items that might be causing this problem with someone else and in front of your own eyes. Have a reputable tire shop with newer equiptment balance all 4 tires, and tip the guy who's going to work on your car before hand and ask him if you can watch your tires spin on the balancer. I would do this even if your car is still under bumper to bumper because i've seen some techs take short cuts and just visually inspect tires and rims. This is a fast but horrible aproach, and i've seen it done many times in my own shop, which in many cases has led to a lot of unecessary agravation. Good luck, and keep us informed.
You are quite right about tire vibration as a possible cause. Having gone through this with two other cars I know what it is like, and the problems were corrected.
I do recall a prior test drive of another Aerio AWD, it behaved the same. I wrote it off at the time thinking it was just that vehicle.
However, I will take your suggestion, and have the tires checked, just to eliminate them as a cause. Thanks for the tip.
-The Vitara V6 stopped production about 2 months ago and will be DEFINITELY dropped for 2005.
-The XL-7 is supposed to be the next GV either in name or placement in the lineup. It will no longer be the biggest SUV in the lineup. Eventually, it will be redesigned in mid-05 on a GM platform.
-GM is currently working (for about a year now) on an extended version of the Saturn Vue with a different interior and slightly different styling for Suzuki to sell in Japan. Word is that it may be sold as the next XL7 here in America.
-Suzuki will get a TrailBlazer-sized SUV (the dealers words..not mine). Whether it is a rebadged TB (please NOO) or a new SUV of the same size we are yet to see.
-Suzuki may get their own version of the new GM midvans. When the next GM midvans on the Lambda platform (2007) comes out, Suzuki is DEFINITELY getting one.
-GMDAT is working on an all new SUV (concept Daewoo Thetascope) that will be brought here as a Suzuki, but in Canada as a Suzuki and Chevrolet. There is also speculation that this might be the next XL7 instead of the "Vue EXT".
-GMDAT might export the Daewoo Chairman as a Suzuki.
-Since GM is bidding on SsangYong motors, they may export the Rezzo as a Suzuki.
-Suzuki has PROMISED a 2-door sports car to compete with the other imports like the Eclipse, Tiburon, tC, Celica, etc.
-Suzuki is working on a new V6 VVT 3500cc engine.
-They have plans for a full-size SUV around 06.
-Daewoo Tacuma (upcoming Chevrolet Vivant for Canada) has a 75% chance of coming to US as a Suzuki.
-A crossover SUV is expected at the end of this year, to be announced at one of the upcoming auto show. This will be a TRUE Suzuki product.
-Aerio gets an interior refresh. The same one in place for the Japanese 04 Aerio.
-Verona may get power upgrade for 05 to 170HP. It is rumored to also get side-impact airbags.
-Forenza may also get power upgrade for 05 to 140HP. It too is rumored to also get side-impact airbags.
*Now some of this is just word from the manager after I talked to him for about an hour. Some of the material I posted I read from the packet given to each dealer at the annual Regional Dealership Meeting. If any of this has been heard by anyone else, I'd love to hear about it!!!
You can almost certainly get a used replacement wheel from someone that replaced his with aftermarket rims. I can point you to a place on the web chock full of just that kind of folk, but you could most likely find it yourself through any of the popular search engines.
spares. If it IS fullsize, then your idea sounds great. I'm also thinking that the Geolanders are directional........i.e. the ones on the right side of the car have to stay on the right side and same for the left.
By now, you should have noticed you have a compact spare and can't use it for regular use. No, Geolanders on the Aerio are not directional. If you have all wheel drive, your tires must have the same tread depth. If you have a two wheel drive, mix and match all you want.
so rumours of it's impeding death may be somewhat premature. I've seen quite a few around the GTA, so they still seem to be selling ok here. I DO think Suzuki could do a better job with it, though. Styling is probably it's biggest problem....the SX hatch is about the only version I like. The Matrix isn't exactly a stunner either, but at least it has decent sized wheels & tires. The best things about the Aerio are it's interior room and comfort + it's a pretty good value compared with it's competition.
(although you lose what you saved in resale value). It's reliability has been very good as well. The digital dash (although I don't have a problem with it) doesn't do it any favours (the analogue redesign looks way better)and overall, it needs way more refinement. (Gruff engine, mediocre power despite the hp ratings and buzzing door panels leave a poor impression). It has served our needs well (wanted something economical with a bit more space than our 1993 4 door Sidekick). We may keep it as a second car and trade our 1993 Altima for a Nissan X-Trail in 2005 (or a Mazda4 or Toyota Corolla Verso, if they become available) or we'll keep the Altima
(it's in great shape with around 90,000 km (56,000 mi.)) and trade the Aerio.
BTW, frenchcar , I sat in a Swift+(Suzuki's "Aveo") last time I was in for service. It would make a great 2nd car/commuter and the front seats are good, but my head brushed the ceiling in the back and I'm only 5'10". Getting in & out of the back was also far more difficult than in the Aerio. Would probably buy an Echo hatch instead, (or maybe a Honda Jazz/Fit...one was recently spotted in Toronto).
Here's a weird thing; tell me if anyone has noticed this on their SX model: when the car is cold and started up, i here a low grumbling sound that starts at the firewall then slowly progresses to the rear end (i swear). Maybe i should just get rid of the car. After 10K i'm experiencing signs that suggest low quality of the vehicle. The fit and finish of the paint job is horrible i discovered as i waxed the car.
I balanced my own tires and noticed the rims are not exactly straight from the factory. So, Binger, i don't know what to tell you. I could give you a list of possible scenerios, but would that help?
I've spent a year and 11000 miles with an 03 Hyundai Tiburon V6 and have been positively thrilled. The build quality and refinement of this Korean car far outshines the Japanese built Aerio. Can you believe I have yet to see the dealer for any problems? Fuel economy has impressed me (got 27 mpg on the highway averaging between 80-100; the same mileage my Aerio 5 speed could muster at those speeds) and there are no buzzes coming from any interior piece even with the 360 watt Infinity system cranked loud and the bass turned up. No brake clunks and the paint shows no swirls and looks great in the sun. In my honest opinion, if you can handle the huge loss trading it in, I would do so and move on to a better car that you will be happy with. Suzuki dropped the ball with this car. It's a well designed concept that just wasn't executed well enough.
By the way, were you not the one that recently mentioned how impressed you were with the Aveo? You stated it was quieter and rides better then the Aerio. And that is a car that is cheaper then the Aerio. So, basically you admitted the Aerio is less refined then cheaper cars and even mentioned contemplating getting rid of it soon due to Suzuki's lack of interest in the car. So why is it you have a problem when I state the same thing? Oh, and having a check engine light come on due to a hose falling off is hardly what I would consider trouble free. Minor, yes, but it doesn't represent solid build quality.
Thanks!
Bud
We chose the Aerio for the extra room because it had to double as a family vacation car for camping etc.
Aside from that, the nearest Suzuki dealer is so far out of the way that buying one would be a major inconvenience. You'd think that there would be dealers closer to Boston, but there aren't.
Bummer