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Suzuki Aerio Wagon Test Drive - What Did You Think?
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Gas milage is very sensitive to driving habits. Drive smoothly and it's pretty good. Pretend you're doing NASCAR and watch it hit the toilet.
For a quick lesson in how NOT to drive the Aerio, set the cruise control for 35mph and watch it make all the wrong decisions as you steer around a winding hilly road.
-Found it quite spacious
-comfortable front seats
-dash not as bad as I thought it would be
-Great sound system (CD & cassette)
-From a view point, it felt like I was driving a minivan....great view of the road.
Cons:
-The car buffetted a fair bit on the windy highway
-Engine noise and wind noise were quite loud...found that we had to yell to be heard when talking (driving about 110KM on the highway)
-There is no Temperature gauge on the digital dash (how can you monitor the engine temp?)
-We noticed a fair number or buzzing/rattling noises in the test car (only had 57 Km on the Odometer),
-was not too impressed with the dash materials (all hard plastic)
-on the sedan, when folding down the seats, the opening to the trunk was smaller than my current 01 sentra (wich is also quite small)...also, the bottom of the back rest took about 5 inches of pass through space.
Just my two cents.
So...being that there is only one other Suzuki dealer within 70 miles of this one, how well-equiped are these dealerships with parts?
Are the wear items like brakes and rotors standard and available at a Midas or Monroe? What about the oil filter? If my alternator bites it can I grab a similar one at Autozone, or is this car too unique to be able to service in Anytown-USA?
I am looking to drive something different, and not join the hundreds of Focuses and Cavaliers and Camrys I see on the road every morning, but at the same time I want to be confident in the Suzuki name that I can maintain it properly.
Also, are you finding that at your dealerships you have well-versed Suzuki mechanics? The one I am looking at seems to indicate Suzuki is their smallest nameplate in terms of sales...and the place is mainly Pontiac...so I wonder who will be working on the car?
Thanks for any responses. I do want the Aerio!
Finally, I want the Aerio SX Premium with 5-speed manual. Is $14,000 plus tax, tag, title a good target?
Thanks in advance.
Craig
Honda Element-I like it but pricey, poor gas mileage and the wife hates it.
Scion XB-I like it, wife hates it more than satan and it is dorky.
Scion XA-I like is but very small, engine is weak at best kinda pricey for what you get.
Hyundai Accent(new design)-Love the new interior however the lathargic noisy engine sucked(sorry just the best way to describe the lack of engine refinement).
Mazda 5-We loved it,drives like you expect a mazda to drive. It was the car of choice however with no rebates and little dealer money it is a pricey ride.
Focus ZX5-Been a Ford guy half my life. But the Focus seems like its put together by a high school shop class. Not even close to Asian quality. Couldnt wait to get back to the dealer to get out of it!
That leaves the Aerio-Where most econo 4 cylinders leave you wishing for a V6 this one is on par with the four found in the Mazda 5. Same size engine with very similar engine performance. The Mazda "might" have had a tighter better quality steering feel, the Suzuki holds its own in almost every aspect of the drive. I really like the way its put together, the design, features and most of all price! Havent bought yet but the dealer quoted me for a new 2006 Aerio SX Auto w/ premium package $15,490 minus $1250 rebate plus $140 tag and title plus $499 dealer fee plus sales tax.
I understand the Aerio is a dead product so no more are being made at the factory according to the dealer. They claim the last of the Aerios are soon to arrive by ship. After these, they're done. Should I hold firm for an even better price?
Craig
I ended up buying the Aerio SX Automatic with Premium package. Of all the small 5-door vehicles, the Suzuki had the best combination of quality, features, performance and price. Basically the best value in my mind. Depretiation and curtain airbags(lack of) were the only faults I could find. After driving so many cars and comparing the "value" of the Aerio, it became clear this was the car for us. Would I have bought it at full sticker price? Probably not. At the price I paid though it was a no brainer.
Craig
Thanks!
When we bought our Aerio SX the Fit just came out. At the time the Fit price was full sticker and no negotiating. I thought about it and in the end I decided that the 155hp engine, Warranty, price and unique-ness of owning a Suzuki(I've owned Suzuki Motorcycles for years)helped me decide. Either car would be a fine choice but I like having something a little different than everyone else.
Craig