Suzuki Aerio Wagon

vocus

I had a 2001 Mazda Protege with this same problem. I had asked the dealer to fix the alignment like 3 times, and they said it was fine. My car also tracked straight.

Come to find out, the steering wheel was installed just the smallest bit crooked. A TSB was found about it, and they took off the steering wheel and fixed it. It was fine after that.

That might be the problem with the Aerios. Worth checking in to...

jmatero

Well, I must say, I'm not sure what to make of the Aerio SX AWD... Or the SX in general. I was all set (I mean ALL SET) to write a deposit check for an Elantra GT because of how impressed I was with the vehicle. Then I noticed in back, they had 2003 Areio SX AWD models... a LOT of them (Suzuki/Hyundai dealership). The sticker was 17000 for the Hyundai and 18000 for the Suzuki with AWD. Now, I knew going into the Suzuki test drive what the pros/cons were: The Elantra has Rear Discs, Leather, Moonroof, side airbags. The Suzuki, AWD, 0% financing for 60 months. Before the test drive I said to myself: 'Self, 0% is damn tempting. Provided the two vehicles drive the same, could I give up the roof, airbags, traction control and leather for funky looks and AWD?" That's the question. So I took it for a ride (Automatic). My observations: The car is put together just a well as the Elantra GT... which is a compliment. Fit and finish on the 2003 as well as choice of materials is excellent and better than the 2002 I looked at right next to it. I prefer the looks of the Hyundai,but I don't find the Suzuki ugly or anything - just 'different'.

The engine started right up and sounded a bit more harsh than the hyundai. The car is also louder by far with brisk moves causing a good amount of noise from up front. Cruising noise was ok however. Again, even stopped at a stoplight, you could hear the engine... in the Hyundai, you hear NOTHING.

As for the interior, I've always liked the idea of sitting high like in a van... but I dont want a van... so the suzuki fits the bill there. The dash takes a little getting used to with the digital dash and 2003 models are missing the engine temp..... only a speedo, tach and fuel gauage. Oddly enough, the fuel level during my 10 minute drive went from one bar when we started to 4 bars during the ride to 2 when we got back. The 6-disc cd changer was a pleasant surprise and all controlls were within easy reach and had a nice feel to them.

The cargo area is very spacious (which shocked me since the small window behind the rear seat would make you think it would be small) and has a lot of pockets for storage. One BIG flaw.... and I just don't get this for the life of me.... The 2003 now has a rear center shoulder belt. The belt retracts into the ceiling at the rear of the car, then pivots in the ceiling at another point towards the center of the rear ceiling and then drops down to the seatback. When driving, you see this strap right in the middle of the rear view mirror moving back and forth and obscuring your view. I don't understand this move, really as many other hatchbacks, including the elantra GT, have the belt affixed to the rear seat itself. Even worse is the fact that it cannot be removed... it is permanently attached.

I drove the car in heavy rain and I can tell you, it seemed to stick like glue. It reminded me of my old impreza AWD wagon. Body lean wasn't bad at all actually and the view out of the front is GREAT... wide open. The interior is also very open and spacious.

Now my dillema.... Elantra: Cheaper, better warranty, more dealers, leather, moonroof, traction control, rear discs, side airbags, quieter cabin, smoother quieter power delivery. Aerio: Nice seating position, 0% financing, AWD. Honestly, I wouldn't consider the Aerio with FWD... particularly without the 0% deal and new warranty. In fact, it's the AWD and 0% and warranty that even made me test drive this impressive vehicle. Now the hard part..... what to do.....

frenchcar

I drove an Elantra GT last winter and was impressed for all the reasons you mentioned. We also strongly considered the Vibe, Matrix, the Mazda Protege 5, the VW Golf and the Jetta Wagon and of course the Aerio. Yes this will be a tough choice for you. We got the Aerio after an extensive search process. We prefer the high seating position and feel leather is too hot at times. We love the digital speedometer that is so easy to spot in a split second (speed traps here). For us the big item was load space with the seats folded flat (might not be an issue for you) and the GT back window is slanted so it takes up space for tall objects. The Suzuki engine has a lubricated double roller 2 stage self adjusting timing chain versus a belt like on most cars now days and that is the reason for most of the noise. You wont have to replace it. The throaty noise is at high rpms and I kind of like it as I wont have to switch to a high performance to get that sound. The 2003 model (mine is a 2002) does have an unusual back middle seat belt arrangement. I know why no other cars do it that way. They cant because they have such weak roof structures. The Aerio has sturdy stiffener bars that go throuch the floor and up the side pillars and door supports and across the top in 3 or 4 areas as mini roll over bars. Suzuki says this set up will support a roof load of 3000 pounds. You have to have strength like that to support seat belts. Some European only Jeep or SUV type vehicle had that same set up a few years ago. There must be some way to eliminate it. If I still lived where there was snow, rain, freezing rain and ice I would get AWD. I had a Subaru AWD once and it was awesome and the Aerio has the Subaru system. I also like the direct ignition set up with no distributor shaft or plug wires. Very modern. The Elantra GT is beautiful to look at and drives nice. The Aerio is more practical and does more things. A very tough choice. Buy both or rent each one for 30 days and compare. Good luck. Tom T.

lngtonge18

Curiously, why wouldn't you consider the FWD model? Getting rid of the AWD option drops the price substantially (and decreases the weight), making it cheaper then the Elantra GT. Plus, the Elantra is already FWD so comparing the 2 FWD models would make more sense. I personally see no need for AWD unless you drive through snow and ice all the time. It simply wastes gas and adds weight. The FWD model is the same great car, just lighter and cheaper. Anyway, I was just curious why you wouldn't consider the FWD.

lngtonge18

I find the AC in my black Aerio without tint to be average in the city, but excellent on the highway. It takes awhile to cool the interior down when 4 people are in the car and it's hot and humid out. That's to be expected with so much glass, the black color, and the suffocating humidity of Florida. Tint should help dramatically. As far as engine performance, the AC doesn't seem to take much power away.

In one week, I have put 1700 miles on my Aerio!!! So far, no problems to report, although I noticed the oil was low by about 1/4 of a quart. She handled 4 adult males and their luggage no problem over the long weekend. Everyone had plenty of room and were comfortable. She had no problem accelerating with all the weight either. I was impressed with its people carrying abilities for such a small car. Highway road noise is a little loud though (I think the tires are to blame for most of it). Overall, I continue to be happy with my purchase.

krichards

First of all, a big thanks to all of you on this message board! Reading the great things you had to say about the Aerio made us so confident in our decision to buy ours...besides the fact that it is so cute! At any rate, we just bought our Aerio last week and we have noticed a rattling noise coming from the back seat area on both sides. The rattling noise is definitely coming from the interior, as if something is loose. It seems to happen when driving at high speeds or on bumpy roads. We'd like to know if this is normal or if we should take it in to the dealer to get it fixed. If anyone has had a similar problem: did you take it in and what did the dealer do about it?

jmatero

Hi,
Well first, there is MORE of a difference between the AWD and FWD then just driving in snow and ice. I drove both in the rain over the weekend and I can tell you, this is not a simple FWD until the wheels slip system. It is definately an advanced system. The FWD couldn't take fast curves on the wet road... the car lost traction and the tail would slip pretty easily - as it would in most FWD cars in the rain. The AWD however was GLUED to the road - Just like my old subaru was! I then drove the two on dry pavement last night and while the FWD handled very well, the AWD was again GLUED... NO tire squeal at all.

The reason I really wasn't interested in the FWD version is that I find the main attraction is the AWD in such an affordable vehicle. I find the styling a little too 'kid racer' for my tastes (just my opinion... nice looking vehicle really... no offense) and the dealer already had two 2002 trade-ins with the lower clading scratched to hell. As nice as it is for the price, it is the AWD/0%/7-100 deal together that makes it a contender. The price of the 2003 Areio SX with AT and ABS is $17000... the same price as the fully loaded Elantra GT. I felt the AWD off-set the loss of traction control, leather, side airbags, better warranty, Alarm System, Rear Discs and Moonroof (none of which are available on the Aerio). In other words, I could justify, in my mind, the loss of Traction Control, Leather, Side Airbag Protection, Better Warranty, Alarm System, Rear Discs and the Moonroof by getting the AWD. But to spend the same amount on the FWD Aerio would be giving up too much... particularly in safety features. If I had a dog or a family, I'd get the huch vertical cargo area but I'm an active single and can't justify losing so much for a car that costs the same as the Hyundai.

To FWD Aerio owners, I'm not razzing your cars... It's a great vehicle... but I'm coming from a Passat.... trying to cut my monthly payment... so I'm Used to many safety features... losing them would bother me and with the Elantra I don't lose any of them. By the way, I understand Side Airbags and a Moonroof will be available in 2004. If the price isn't raised, that would CHANGE THINGS in favor of the suzuki.

jmatero

Hi, you might want to a simple check of some common causes of rattles in the rear. Try checking out the spare tire area to make sure the tire is secure and the tools are not bumping against anything. Also, try driving with the seatbacks folded down... if the sound stops, it could be the seat release mechanism. Finally, check your rear license plate. It is a very common source of rattling on many vehicles. Hope this helps! Either way, the vehicle is under warranty and they should be able to eliminate the problem. Any Aerio owners out there with this problem?

lngtonge18

I heard an annoying rattle at high speeds the 1st day I had my car. It was the plastic license plate surround hitting the tailgate. That could be the source of your problem. If not, do the checks jmatero suggested. One other possibility is the rear seatbelts may be banging against the side plastic trim. Hope this helps.

lngtonge18

I think this was mentioned before but I can't seem to find it and I want to make sure before buying. Does the center armrest fold up out of the way when not in use? This would be very important for me since I have a manual tranny and don't want to be bumping up against the armrest with every shift.

I think I may be experiencing the same popping noise others have mentioned and I'm pretty sure what the cause is. On a couple of occassions, while moving at slow speeds, I have heard and felt a pop coming from the driver's front wheel after applying the brakes and then turning the wheel. I think it's simply the brake pads shifting in the caliper. It is a little annoying to hear the noise but since it doesn't happen often and isn't serious, I'm not too concerned.

frenchcar

Do the all wheel drive models have any more road clearance under the front, back and side lower body edges over the FWD models? How much? Do they have a different tire tread or tire speed rating than the fwd models? They could be different for a good reason but my dealer still has only 2002 cars. Let us know.

jmatero

I saw the 2002 FWD and 2003 AWD models mixed together and parked right next to eachother. There is NO difference in ground clearance. The car was designed from the start to include the AWD system. The skirting and lower cladding are just as low to the ground as the 2002's.

alanhart

I'm glad discussion has back around to ground clearance. I just got back from a test drive of the SX, and my friend deliberately tested it for that. The result was serious scratching on the underside -- which is not a problem in and of itself.

Has anyone had problems with the frontend when coming down from a steep hill and turning on to a flat road, for example? Turning quickly into a parking lot with a less-than-perfect entrance?

Do you think it could ever be bad enough to dislodge the front bumper?

[Overall, we loved the car.]

alanhart

A peek under the hood of the Aerio SX reveals an engine off to the passenger side, and an automatic transmission that doesn't look like it could balance things out much . . . is weight distribution an issue with this car?

lngtonge18

I find the ground clearance to be acceptable and not much different from other cars. I live off of a dirt road with some serious holes and dropoffs and I never run into problems. In fact, I run into less problems with this car than my 00 Hyundai Accent which had 2 steel tow hooks that hung below the bumper. Those tow hooks hit the ground on numerous occasions. So far, I scratched the very bottom of the front on a very high cement divider by accidentally rolling too far forward. No biggie and it could have happened to any other car. I honestly think the impression of poor ground clearance is simply an illusion.

jmatero

Well, the dealer I went to already had 2 2002 trade-ins on the SX. Both had pretty severe damage to the front end lower cladding. During my AWD test drive, the front scraped just entering the dealers lot!

As for weight distribution.... ALL transverse-mounted engines are off to one side with the tranny on the other. ALL. Usually, carmakers put the battery and fluid jugs on the tranny side to offset this. Also, with the tranny on the right, most people drive by themselves so the driver also balances it out. Not an issue.

lngtonge18

Since I own both an 02 Lancer OZ and an 03 Aerio SX, I often compare the two. The Aerio is missing nice little features that my Lancer has. For example, there is no retained accessory power after turning off the ignition and the dome light does not turn on when you remove the key from the ignition. It would be nice if it had these features. Another thing I notice is Suzuki needs to learn how to make a solid sounding door. Closing the doors sounds too metallic, tinny, and cheap. It lacks the nice solid thunk sound that my Lancer makes. The outside mirrors also appear to be too loose or poorly isolated. They vibrate in tune to the bass of my music when its not playing loud and they vibrate from the wind and road when traveling at 80 mph. A mirror should not do this.

I have one last complaint and that's with the stereo. Though it is powerful and can hold 6 CDs, it is not the most user-friendly design when it comes to playing those CDs (the rest of the functions are well-designed though). I still can't figure out how to make the CD player play when you switch from the radio. I press the disc button to switch to the CD and than the number of the CD I want to play; I hear it load it, but than nothing happens. It just sits there and there is no actual play button to push. It aggravates me and I seem to be doing what the manual says to do. The only way I can get it to play is to eject the CD and than put it back in. Anyone know what step I'm forgeting to do??

lngtonge18

I need to ask a favor of other Aerio owners. I need to find out if a vibration I'm feeling from the engine is normal or not. There are two possible ways you can help me figure this out.

First way: pop the hood and manually rev the engine by pulling on the throttle valve. Increment it slowly and don't go too high (I'm talking about 2k rpms) and see if the engine sets up a bad harmonic vibration at a very specific point (hold the throttle at that position). The engine visibly shakes pretty bad, as if something is out of round or off balance. Below and above that point the engine revs smoothly and doesn't shake.

Second way, for those who don't like getting under the hood: Get in the car, start it, and keep it in neutral or park. Use the gas pedal to slowly rev the engine up until the tach shows exactly 2k and hold it there. Have your hands on the steering wheel and see if you feel a rough shaking through the wheel. The shaking should stop if you go below or above this point.

I simply want to know if this is common to all Aerios or if something is wrong with my engine. I do know that this shaking of the engine is what is causing a terrible bucking when traveling at a constant 2k rpms in 1st gear (I have the 5 speed manual so automatics won't run into this bucking). I also feel a vibration in the steering wheel at 50 mph in 5th gear which correlates to, you guessed it, 2k rpms. I at first thought the vibration in the steering was a rough road or out of balance tires until I felt the same vibration holding the gas at 2k rpms while standing still. It is real aggravating and ruining my love for the car. I don't want to waste my time taking it to the dealer since it runs fine otherwise. If I knew it was normal, than I could just learn to live with it and move on. It could just be the downside of having a relatively large 4 cylinder without balance shafts. If anyone would so kind to try this out for me and report back, I would be very very grateful. Thank you.

hpulley4

I felt bad vibrations through the steering wheel, gas pedal, etc. in the two Aerios that I test drove. Between that and the engine noise and the off-centre steering columns (also mentioned by some others) I decided to buy something else which is too bad as the power of the engine in the Aerio is definitely the best in the class and it has a lot of room. I didn't love the side skirts and cheesy chrome afterthought exhaust tip on the upper models (why can't we get AC on the base model in Canada???) either but really the engine vibrations through the wheel and pedals were the thing that killed it for me. I read about 'water filled engine mounts to reduce vibrations' in the pamphlet and had to laugh.

Is your car an early build? I was testing the brand new ones back in Feb/March -- by the sound of things others here have cars that run much more smoothly so maybe those early cars I tested were just lemons?

jmatero

I was upset, but I passed on the Aerio too. I drove the Elantra GT and GLS and they are quiet as hell with smooth power delivery and 140hp. I liked everything about the Suzuki and couldn't wait to drive it. Right off the bat, you could tell the motor was LOUD. Then under even light accelleration, the noise was just brutal. Even at idle at a stop light you could hear the motor and the wheel was shaking. I know the engine has a timing chain which explains the racket but it was just too much for a commuter car.

lngtonge18

Hpulley4: Nope, mine is an 03 model built in July.

Jmatero: I don't find the car too loud. In fact, the engine is very quiet at idle and under light acceleration (when I showed it off to my friend, he started it and than asked if it was running because he couldn't hear the engine). The engine does get loud under moderate to hard acceleration though. Road and wind noise is also pretty loud at 80 mph. I can deal with the engine and wind noise, but this one rough running spot bugs me. The Elantra is a good buy. I'm sure you will be very happy with it. I liked my 00 Accent for the most part (its utter lack of oomph is what made me buy the most powerful car in the class, LOL).

frenchcar

Bought my Aerio SX automatic in April and tested 2 others prior to buying this one. Never felt an engine vibration at idle or at speed in any of the three. Did have a vibration that was traced to 2 of the tires and that has been corrected. I can barely detect the engine noise at idle but I want to know and hear it running so I can detect changes or problems as an engine wears over the years. My father actually had the radio removed from every car he owned just so he could listen to the engine. There is noise under hard acceleration but it goes away rapidly and is quiet at 75 mph. I think a different exhaust system could change that some. I accept it as a tradeoff for such a zippy, useful, comfortable car with great load space in an inexpensive value packed car. We have owned 75 vehicles over the years from 7 or 8 different countries and each one had good points and bad. Not a perfect one in the bunch but some came closer than others. All a matter of personal choice. Some cars have balance shafts in the engine and years ago Lincoln and a few others put chunks of lead behind the bumpers in strategic spots to counter balance or eliminate chassis vibrations. Many cars have a vibration point somewhere or at some speed that lasts for a split second. It was very common in the sixties and seventies. More frequent in stick shifts. I think my engine is smoother now that we have several thousand miles on it and since we switched to Mobil One oil which is slipperyer.

alanhart

I'd love to buy an Aerio SX with confidence as to its mid-term and long-term reliability--and not just Suzuki's overall. Does anyone know if it's been available for a couple of years or more in Japan, or elsewhere? If so, any independent sources of reliability info (similar to Consumer Reports in the US)?

lngtonge18

The Aerio was new for all markets. No mid-term reliability reports are available for this model. The engine is common to other Suzuki models though, so basing its reliability on the Esteem and Vitara would make sense.

tessk

First of all congratulation to lntonge for your new 03 aerio. Responding to your CD player problem, I think there's something wrong with your unit. The steps are very simple and easy and it seems you have done just what you have to do. After you press the number of CD you want to play it should load the CD and play it automatically. You should have it checked by your dealer. The only thing I find annoying about the CD player is how it skips when I start the engine. Is this a common problem?
So far I haven't had any problem with the ground clearance. I haven't scraped the bottom, even going up and down a pretty steep driveway.
Engine noise is very quite. So quite that I can't even tell if it's running when I'm inside the car with all the windows closed. I think the muffler is making all that noise, although I kind a like it. It makes the car sounds powerful.
A week ago, I was hearing a small chattering noise driving at low speed on a slightly bumpy road. I thought it was coming from the storage drawer under the passenger seat but it wasn't. Now, the noise seems to have disappeared. I hope it remains that way.
General comment: I love this car. It handles like my old honda prelude but with all the extra storage space and a higher seat level (more body lean). Which I guess is the trade off for the extra space.

frenchcar

The Aerio has been on the road for one and a half years in both Japan and Europe but with smaller engines, different color interiors and without some of the low ground effects cladding or spoilers that are so low. Ours looks better. The American model was to have been introduced here several months earlier but Suzuki America kept making changes. No Re-calls to date and it is a few years too soon to expect Consumers Reports to have anything on them yet. In past years I have found them to be very biased and often wrong and in later years contradict themselves and frequently give out conflicting info in the various sections of their annual auto issue. I would love to edit their annual publication for them and point out all the mistakes before they go to press. I know mechanics who laugh at some of the weak points they mention and find out how trivial some of the so called problems are. I think re-calls are more accurate and so are Technical Service Bulletins. Most of the components in the Aerio have actually been around awhile. The joke around dealers is that Suzuki mechanics are sort of like the "Maytag" repair man. I cant get over how many of the original Suzuki Samarais from 1986 and 87 are still on the road and it is unbelievable how many of the Suzuki Swift-Geo Metro coupes including the 3 cylinder have 200,000 miles on them. My sons is bulletproof but does use oil. Their motorcycles and outboard motors are good too. Their Wagon R model is the best selling car in Japan and there is even a Suzuki race series in Japan. Hope this helps.

smiller678

Hi all,

I have been monitoring this news group for a couple of months and there isn't a lot of activity as compared to Hyundai. I would like find out what people think about their Aerio SX as far as being trouble free so far, mileage, etc. I currently have a 01 Hyundai Elantra GLS. Frankly this car is the best new car I have ever owned. I have 35K miles and not a single problem. Maybe I should just keep my Elantra and get the SX in addition to it. Not sure. I really like the Aerio SX because it seems to have everything that I want: all amenties (power windows, door locks, 6 speaker CD, AC, etc), its really roomy, its peppy, good gas mileage, nice looks (kind of a boy racer image though), pretty smooth (though I think my Elantra is quieter), and a good warranty. What are some of the problems that some of you are seeing in the first 3/6 months. One of the major drawbacks is the lack of dealerships. I live in Southern Calif. and the dealerships are about 40 miles apart for Suzuki as compared to other brands which are about every 8 miles it seems.

Thanks,

Shawn

lngtonge18

Thanks for confirming how the CD player works. I think mine may actually be working ok, but has some problems reading certain CDs (they are regular CDs; I don't make my own CDs). It seemed to work fine the past couple of days, so maybe it was just a glitch or a specific CD that confused the laser. I hope it continues to work properly.

guickg

I've owned a 2002 Aerio SX auto with ABS in black since May'02. My observations follow. Positives: 1) Auto transmission shifts very well. 2) Brakes are more than adequate, but I highly recommend ABS. The wheels tend to lock up on wet surfaces, and I have felt ABS working on a number of occassions during hard braking. 3) Power steering feel is good. My steering wheel appears to be tilted just a little to the right, but the whole steering wheel assembly is titled a little to the left thus creating that off-center effect. It may also have to do with proper uniform tire pressure in all tires and wheel balancing. 4) AC takes a little bit of time to start cranking, but it is adequate, especially at highway speeds. 5) Ground clearance is pretty much standard for a compact car at 5.9". It is the appearance of extended sides and front fenders that makes one think about it more than normal. Also, the car has a look of an SUV that psychologically makes one expect higher ground clearance. But it's not an SUV. 6) Suzuki overall has a solid reputation for reliability and few recalls. Suzuki's Wagon R (as mentioned by someone earlier) is one of the best selling cars in Japan for a number of years. 7) The engine is strong for a compact car. It does get noisy during hard acceleration, but settles in when cruising. At idle it has been very quiet. 8) The digital dash is fine and easy to get used to. The scales for fuel and temperature gauges are a little too small, but if you can't see them, you probably can't see where you are going either. The dash can be seen even in direct bright sunligh pretty well. 9) Folding side mirrors are a nice touch (even Toyota Camry does not have that).
Negatives: 1) The corporate customer support number in CA is ALWAYS busy thus making it impossible to get any info. I left a message for them to call me back (as they request) and they never did. 2) Dealer network is limited which makes obtaining service more difficult. 3) My car's left front window opens and closes with a scraping sound that appears to come from inside the door although it moves fine - I'll have it checked when I do my first oil change. 4) Original equipment Yokohama tires on the car are very low grade. They are noisy on the road, squeel in hard turns, provide a somewhat rough ride and poor wet road traction (traction rating of . I had them replaced with Yokohama Avid T4 tires that have an A traction rating and deliver a softer, quieter ride with better wet road traction. The car feels much more comfortable now.
Overall recommendation: If you are specifically looking for a hatchback or a car that looks like an SUV, Aerio SX is a very solid choice. And there aren't that many cars to choose from in this category. Ford Focus has had a few recalls and its seats are not very comfortable although it is a contender in this category and resembles the Aerio in many respects. VW Golf is overpriced and underpowered, and their dealers are obnoxious and not customer friendly. Mazda Protege5 has a lower profile (less SUV-looking)and is more expensive although probably better in terms of quality, resale value and customer service. Toyota Matrix is too funky looking inside and out even compared to the Aerio. Pontiac Vibe is more expensive. Hyundai Elantra GT does not look like a typical hatchback. I just felt more comfortable in the Aerio when I test-drove it than in some of the other cars mentioned above, and that's what it came down to. I would not, however, recommend Aerio sedan as there are many other better choices available. I think that Aerio SX will be a very nice niche car for people looking for a little more flair and originality.

suzukidlr

I have sat here and read everyone who drives the Aerio SX or the sedan talk about how much engine noise. As everyone knows I am a salesman at a Suzuki Dealer in the Midwest. Now this is just my opinion and I do not want to upset anyone. But as far as I can tell the engine noise everyone thinks they here is actually the exhaust. They have a really throaty muffler which makes them kind of sound like a motorcycle. If you dont believe me rev your engine to about 5000 rpm and you will here it kind of cackle sound to it. I think it is really a cool sound, but like I said before this is just my opinion. Everyone seems to think different. But I would like to here what everyone thinks. Thanks for reading and I will keep everyone informed on what the upcoming Suzuki news is.

marco18

I was a bit confused as to the noise everyone was talking about. The noise I hear does appear to come from the exhaust... but I like it. The other day I was standing next to my car which was double parked, when suddenly a black sx (who's driver apparently saw my car) screeched by doing about 50 before downshifting as he drove by me. The sound the car was producing was pretty cool. It only made me slightly regret buying the automatic. I am still happy with my purchase though. I am 9 miles shy of hitting the 3000 mile mark and I am planning on getting my oil changed tomorrow. I read somewhere in this forum that somebody had used mobile one synthetic. Can that person give an update on what difference it has made for the car, if any. I read in Consumer Reports a while back that tests conducted comparing different oils indicated that synthetic oil did not improve the car's performance or longevity.

jmatero

Well, I had just driven 2 hyundai elantras and then the Aerio SX AWD. When giving the gas the car was a LOT louder than the elantras... very loud and booming. And at idle you didn't hear ANYTHING on the hyundai but you could hear the Suzuki engine running. Nice car, just louder than the competition. I'm still very attracted to the AWD model beause it is AWD. But you also give up side airbags, rear disc brakes and sunroof... none of which are available. I'm still undecided.

hpulley4

As I said, the problem I had when I test drove was that I felt more than I even heard the engine through the gas pedal and steering wheel. This was probably not through the exhaust.

frenchcar

We had moved to Arizona from the front range area of Colorado which is the hail storm capitol of North America (Colorado Springs to Cheyenne) and hail is rare in Tucson. There were 3 recent hail storms in Tucson and our new Aerio got hit in 2 of them. I have seen much worse but this was estimated at from $1100 to $1500. Nothing stays new forever but it has only been 6 months. Ours still runs perfect, no mechanical problems and any strange noises at first all disappeared as it got broken in and we never had any driveline vibration at any time. I talked to someone who drove a 2003 AWD model and he thought it was quieter than the 2002. I wonder if this is really true?? Anyone know??

kenson

I've been out of the country so this reply is rather late. The Center Armrest in front, which is an accessory that requires purchase, does pivot upward and move out of the way. I often do that when I engage/disengage my seatbeat or handbrake. It also has a rather large storage bin that's handy, since the Aerio SX doesn't have many small bins to hold coins, sun glasses, etc. The down side is that you will lose one central cup holder for the back. I hope this information helps.

lngtonge18

Thanks a lot Kenson! Now, i need to get my parents to order it for my b-day

lngtonge18

For those who have 03 Aerios and are annoyed with the center seatbelt going across the rear window, there is a fix! You can disconnect the seatbelt from the base in the rear seat area. There is no button to release it which made me think it was there permanently. I finally took the time to play around with the car and discovered the tag that describes how to release the center belt. You need to insert a key into a slot on the side of the base to release the belt. Once you do that, the belt retracts into the roof mount. You will still see the buckle hanging down a little, but it's much better than looking at the belt. Hope that helps others get rid of one annoyance.

smiller678

Hi all,

Anyone who bought a 2003 Aerio SX can you please state what you paid before taxes and licenses along which what options you got and the model. I am looking at a 2003 Aerio SX with Auto and Floor Mats. No ABS or AWD. The only dealer I have talked to is not budging from MSRP.

Thanks

lngtonge18

I paid MSRP for my 03 Aerio 5-speed with floor mats. 15,594 is the exact price I paid. I didn't really try to haggle, but I'm sure the dealer wouldn't have been interested. My car was the first batch of 03 models fresh off the truck. There is not much profit to be had from these cars because there are no incentives currently and there is only a $500 difference between invoice and MSRP.

smiller678

Ingtonge18,

Thanks for the input.

All,

I got a brand spanking new 2003 Aerio SX FWD, with Auto, Floor Mats and Alarm. It is Pearl White. Looks like they got rid of Polar White for 03 model year. Silver would have been my next choice but my last car was silver. Anyway, I paid $16261 (MSRP was $16594) + $250 (alarm) + the usual doc fees ($45) and tax. I got $7100 (KBB trade in was $7300) for my 01 Hyundai Elantra GLS with pkg 4 (moonroof/CD/Keyless Entry/Alarm) and 35K miles on it. I felt it was a fair deal for both I and the dealer.

Anyway, about the car. Its drives really nice. The suspension is definitely tighter and more stiff than my Elantra was. Its as quiet as my Elantra at equivalent speeds (though I haven't taken it past 55mph). I think the acceleration is quieter (not by much though) than the Elantra. Elantra is quieter at idle (again not by much). The fit and finish pretty darn good. The finish is definitely better than Elantra but the fit (panel gap) is slightly worse than Elantra. In fact the Elantra has one of the tightest panel gaps around that I have seen. The biggest area where Elantra beats the Aerio is the plastics used in the interior. Some of the bits and pieces look really cheap (such as door handles, door locks, etc. Other areas such as the dash looks pretty good. In fact they are equivalent to most Chryslers such as the 300M. The AC is pretty good though not as good as the Elantra.

Happy motoring everyone. I will let you guys know how it is running.

Thanks

lngtonge18

Congrats on your new car! Is Suzuki becoming the new move-up brand for Hyundai owners, LOL? I moved up from a 2000 Accent L hatchback. Anyway, keep us posted on mileage and any problems you run into.

I noticed the same cheap interior pieces. Those rough door handles have got to go! However, the dash looks to be made of a nice quality plastic. One thing I did notice that was better over my Hyundai was the lack of rough unfinished edges on the trim pieces. My Hyundai had a lot of little rough points, but the Suzuki has none.

lngtonge18

I did the first oil change on my car this weekend at 2100 miles. It was relatively easy to do, although you do have to unscrew the lower engine cover and pull it down a little to get better access to the filter. One oversight on Suzuki's part that I noticed is when you take off the filter, oil drips on the heat shield/exhaust pipe. This could cause a burning oil smell after oil changes.

I carried my first bulky item today and was real impressed with the cargo room. I was able to put a huge 7 foot silk tree in my car and still close the hatch! It required pushing the front seat as far forward as possible and than tilting it forward as well. The tree branches took up the entire space between the roof and floor. No sedan could have carried this load without smashing all the branches. These are the times when its great to have such a versatile and roomy car. The fold-flat front seat of the Matrix would have come in handy however.

smiller678

Hi Ingtonge18,

I guess we are the only 2 Hyundai converters?

I still like Hyundais and may get another in the future. I think if Hyundai came out with a Cross Over vehicle like the Aerios SX, Vide and Matrix it would probably do well.

I washed and waxed the exterior and scott guarded my interior. I then took it for about a 20 miles drive (haven't taken it on the freeway just yet until I break her in). I have 75 miles now. Just wanted to say that I like this vehicle the more I drive it. I can't get over the amount of room it has. It turns pretty sharp. It rides pretty well and can take corners pretty well considering how tall it is. One thing I like about the Aerio SX is the exclusiveness of it. I have only seem one other on the road here in Southern Calif. The Matrix on the other hand seems as popular as the Corolla. There is one on every corner.

Is the oil plug use a standard 17mm socket? Did you have to raise the car to change the oil yourself?

Has anyone notice that the AWD version is about an inch higher from the ground. At least that is what I believe. The dealer had an AWD version in the show room. I was able to reach under to the oil drain plug pretty easily. However, when I got home in my new SX FWD it seem to be about an inch lower. I could still reach the drain plug but it just seemed tigher. Anyway, maybe I am illusioning it.

Off to read my owners manual.

Happy motoring all

jmatero

The Suzuki was a nice vehicle but I drove the 2003 SX AWD Auto (Silver and Red) back to back with the 2002 Elantra GLS and GT and the Elantras were MUCH MUCH MUCH quieter than the SX. I mean, not a subtle difference either... I had my friend and Wife in the cars and ALL commented on the SX. When we gave it the gas to pull out of the lot the noise was BOOMING and you could feel it in both the wheel and the seat of your pants. It felt like there was no insulation between on the firewall. And at Idle my Wife and I both commented that you could actually hear the engine. In both elantras, you couldn't hear a thing at idle.... to the point where you question whether the engine is even running. It's a typical 4-cyl when you're hard on the gas pedal but otherwise the ride is quiet and smooth and very refined. The SX, while it was put together well sounded much less refined. As for the interiors, the SX is still a step below the elantra... switch gear, panel gaps, etc. The Materials are quite good (plastics are nice). However, I was really shocked at what you give up in the Suzuki.... lighted power window and lock switches, side airbags, center console/armrest, Temp gauge (2003), rear disc brakes with the ABS, Sunroof, traction control. I'm really suprised somebody would trade the Hyundai for the SX over an elantra GT except for the fact it has the taller cargo space behind the rear seats. I'm still on the fence between the Elantra GT and SX AWD. My draw is the AWD actually. But I'm having a hard time with the racket from the vehicle and also the cladding. My dealer is a Hyundai Suzuki dealer and he already as two 2001 Aeiro SX's that were traded in for Elantra GT's. On Both... one worse than the other... the cladding on the car...front in particular.. was pretty scuffed up. Again, I'll drive both again today but I'm really suprised at the comments that the Elantra and SX are the same decibal-wise.

revka

Thanks for sharing the details. We look forward to hearing more.... Happy motoring!

Revka

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smiller678

Jmatero,

Why are so suprised that I traded in my 01 Elantra GLS for a 03 Aerio SX? I wanted something like a mini SUV crossover vehicle that had a lot of room and that had a lot of value for the money. The Elantra GT to me doesn't fit the bill like the Vibe, Matrix or Aerio SX. The Elantra GT is more like a 5 door sport sedan. Besides, I personally didn't like the look. I don't like the Saab cloning (thats just a personal taste of mine).

I feel that the Aerio SX is a little quieter than my 01 Elantra GLS was during acceleration up to 3500 rpm. I haven't gone higher rpms since the car is so new. At idle the Elantra was quieter. Though I don't think by much. I drove an 02 and 03 Aerio SX and they both were pretty smooth. No racket you mentioned. The interior plastics are definitely superior (at least in looks) than the Aerio SX is. I always considered the Elantra plastics to be on par with Toyota and superior to Honda.

I have't missed the sunroof yet. The GLS in 01 and 02 never had the option of ABS/traction control when you got the sunroof. So I always had drums in the rear on my Elantra. The thing I will miss most is the center armrest/console. I will have to buy this. This should have come standard. One thing I do have to say that definitely issuperior to Hyundai is the paint job. The paint is definitely glossier and thicker. The paint job is on par with my Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 (now that is one heck of a sports car). Compared to Elantra this car sits around 1.5 inches lower. I can see why a few people has scraped there front air dams. Its almost as low as my 3000 GT is. I will definitely have a harder time changing oil than I did with my Elantra.

Actually, I am suprised you are considering the Aerio SX vs the Elantra GT. They both serve different markets. Aerio SX main competitors in my opinion are the Matrix and Vibe.

Happy motoring

lngtonge18

No fair!! You own a 3000GT VR4??? That is one SWEET car! I would be happy with even the GT SL model. I simply love that car. You are one lucky guy.

The SX has a 17mm oil plug. I did jack it up in the front a little, but not much.

smiller678

Hi lngtonge18,

My 3000 GT VR4 is a 1994 model in Pearl Yellow. It only has a tad over 21K miles. I don't drive it much. In fact on my insurance I can't drive it more than 5K miles per year.

I took a look at the front of my Aerio SX when parked next to my 3000 GT and the font air dam looks a tad lower on the Aerio SX. I was kinda of shocked. I think I will have to jack up the car a tad bit like you did. I will probably buy those car ramps. Was oil drain plug really tight? When I did my Elantra first oil change it took 30 minutes before I could get the drain plug off. The factory had over torqued it.

BTW, what color did you get? What kind of MPG are you getting?

I went to the market tonight in my SX. When I came out to the car I was looking at it from about ifty yards. I have to say this cars just looks great. I am definitely proud to be an SX owner. A great lookin little car.

Thanks

lngtonge18

Low mileage too eh? Someone likes to get some attention with that yellow hehe

Surprisingly, everything was just right as far as tightness goes. I didn't run into any problems taking the filter or plug off. I had a similar problem with my Accent. The original filter was on way too tight and required gouging and crushing the heck out of it with a screwdriver to get it off. Hyundai needs to watch the amount of torque they put on those things.

My SX is Onzx black. I haven't been watching the mileage too closely, but so far have got between 24-29mpg. The 24mpg was in total bumper-to-bumper city traffic, which isn't too bad. My Accent got as low as 24 a couple of times in regular city traffic. I expect the mileage to improve once the engine is fully broken in (around 10k), just like my Accent did.

It is a neat looking car isn't it? So unique! I have only seen one other on the road and it was 8 hours away from where I live. It was so cool to learn that my friend's favorite car in Japan is the Suzuki Wagon R (aka Aerio SX). He wanted one so bad and was jealous when he found out I bought one. It made me feel all good about my car.

suzukidlr

Yesterday me and my salesmanager decided to measure how low the SX was. At its lowest point it is around 6.5 inches. And that the lower engine cover. Then I went outside and measured a New Nissan Altima and it was 5.5 inches. That was at the exhaust. So the Aerio is actually higher than the Altima. I think the height of the vehicle makes it look closer to the ground than it actaully is. And my measurements might be a little of to. Thanks