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Suzuki Aerio Wagon
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Comments
As far as I can make out, all of my car is just the same white color.
Roof rack: Kinda tricky to install but they fit like a glove (very firm!). Instructions asume that you only use metric system, so the first problem is getting a metric ruler. Forget about the "350mm distance" from door edge and the front roof rack, It gets too close to the front glass and looks awful. Better fit it at 260mm. Then, at least, will look like the Aerio in the brochure. Nice rubber and steel holders.
Cargo Mat and Floor Tray Mat Set: Three pieces fits snuggly in every single corner. Not too heavy, but also not too light. It comes with a driver side holding screw, but mat fits so well I think is not necessary (even a problem if you want to take it off to clean).
Rear Bumper Strip: With a $30+ value, I think this is a steal. It's a light rubber mat that you need to install with a special glue (included) that needs to be mixed with water and have to be installed in a specific temperature. It's just like doing window tinting with plastic films. Messy.
Roof rack looks great in my white 2002 GLXT Aerio Sedan with color keyed mirrors and door handles. It gives some euro-styling since it's a pretty nice Mont Blanc design. It takes off some "taller" appereance since it's pretty wide (SX model roof rack is smaller and less wide). The only problem with it is wind noise during highway driving. I WOULD NOT recommend it if you don't use it often and need to drive mostly pretty fast.
Rubber bumper strip is a little science fair to install but finally gives you a better protection during cargo use. It also helps to give a nice contrast looks to an all white car.
When I had my car fixed from hail damage, the body shop (not the dealership) said it took a while to get the hood and hood prop. They've also needed to order a fog light wiring harness once and that took a week also.
My dealership has this thing where if I get the service done with them, they stamp a card and I am guaranteed 2k for a trade in. With that card, lots of the work is either 20% off, 50% off or free.
I don't think there are many of us Aerio drivers around enough for "Anytown-USA" to be able to say they know it like they might a civic.
We love our Aerio and really do not for see any mechanical issues. It just seems like a very solid pure Japanese car that can last the 10 years I want it to.
I hope I was of some help!
One major one or many tiny ones...i guess they are all major...
here's one link to the recall http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/a/02/v00736.htm
While I'm ok with the digital dash, a nice set of analogues would make the interior look a little classier....mount them on the steering wheel (like Nissan in the 350Z/Murano) if your're worried about right/left-hand drive adaptability.
The whole dash actually should be redesigned to bring some of the lower controls/switches up into a more user-friendly (and safer) position. And please, incorporate some oddment storage this time, as well as, try to minimize those nasty dash reflections. Seat comfort is excellent (though a seat height adjustment that raises and not just tilts the cushion would be welcome). Some brighter fabrics/inserts would liven up what is a fairly dark and sombre interior. The cargo cover should be higher and be retractable and storable as well. Though I like the big sideview mirrors, they make the poor aerodynamics of the Aerio (oxymoron?) even worse and contribute a lot of wind noise. Better integrated (and not quite as low) ground effects (a la Protege5), an intermittent rear wiper and 16" tires/wheels would make a good car great. Make the doors less "tinny" and, if you haven't eliminated the interior door panel buzzes already, please do...they really affect the perception of quality. And maybe it's time for Suzuki to get with the variable valve timing program....while the Aerio is competetive powerwise, it's no rocket and it's fuel economy compared to Toyota and Honda is not what it should be.
My 03 Aerio SX just turned 15K miles. Only problem to report is that I have the ocaasional brake clunk. But lately it hasn't been doing this much - probably due to the hot summer weather here is southern CA. I have made some upgrades to my car - painted brake calipers and drums red, installed chrome door locks, installed aluminum dash pieces, and installed center arm rest. When I first bought this car I wasn't too sure about Suzuki. However, this car has really sold me. I feel that this car could last well beyond 100K miles with not many problems.
Happy motoring
Why don't you try the dealership in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. They are open till 12:30 am and you can take it after work. That's what I do. The only problem is you have to call to make an appointment and sometimes it takes two or three weeks. But their service is worth it. I almost bought my car at the dealership on Queens Blvd.(the one you are referring to)but the the Bay Ridge dealer ended up finding the car I wanted. Have you ever been to their (queens) actual repair shop? It's about 2 or 3 miles away. It's a dump!! I always take my car to the Bay Ridge location for repairs, oil changes etc...Maybe they can help you once and for all.
Central FL to Harrisburg, PA, was driven in 14+ hours on 2.5 tanks of gas. Mileage was 35, 34, 33 mpg - DC traffic cut the last tank down. I used minimal a/c and did 70+ mph the majority of the trip.
Has anyone else had such a problem? How have you coped with it? If I have to re-glue the molding to the car body every few months, I might as well remove the thing completely. (Shudder!)
-d
Has anyone ever heard of a Suzuki with this problem? The mechanic and the Suzuki service department both admitted this happens very infrequently.
BTW, I'm not picking on Goodyear - it could happen anywhere, in any industry.
I'm still concerned about the longevity of the eventual repair. So far, I've been able to see at least one nearby owner of the sedan "give up" and rip off both bottom front door claddings/ moldings. The plastic anchor points left behind aren't too flattering.
Because the car is still a rare breed around where I live, I haven't been able to sneak a peek of others' vehicles to see whether the problem is prevalent.
-d
I was driving around yesterday on one bar and decided to hop onto the freeway to get to the next exit as there was a gas station that was there. As soon as I got onto the freeway my car started to sputter and spat. I ran out of gas (hadn't ran out of gas in years). My car came within a 200 yards of the offramp so I was about 400 yards from the gas station I was intended to go to. I was thinking of leaving the car and walking to get some gas but here in California you can get a ticket if you leave your car on the freeway unattended (even though you have hazard lights on). So I decided to use Suzuki's roadside assistance. Its the first time I have ever used a manufacturers roadside assistance. I have to say theirs was great. In fact better than AAA. I called them up and within a half hour they had a someone deliver me 2 free gallons of gas. No questions ask! Sizuki's the best!
Happy motoring!
thought I could make it to the next gas station
I live in southern California about 25 miles from Brea where Suzuki's US Headquarters is located. I decided to take a drive there and look around.
In their parking lot they had a 2004 Aerio SX, Verona and Forenza.
Aerio SX: This is practically the same car. From the exterior only thing that has changed is the wheels. They are 5 spoke and look a little cleaner with less indentations and creases (I lot the 2002/2003 better). Apparently they have a new engine which is a 2.3 ltr 155 hp but of course I couldn't see that. The interior they made some really nice improvements. The biggest I could see was that the shifter (auto) and steering wheel are both leather wrapped (looked really nice), all door knobs are chrome (I bought the chrome ones for my car). The door handles (which you use to open the door) are all painted silver - same color as our radio dials. You also get a center arm rest for the drivers seat. Its attached to the drivers seat.
Verona/Forenza: The fit and finish of these cars are top notch. The panel gaps are narrower than our Aerio SX and the paint job was right on par with Aerio (this is one thing I thought that Suzuki really did well in). The ineterior materials I think are first rate. Equivalent to both Toyota and Honda. They are both a step above our Aerio as far as the look and quality of the interior plastics. The interior fit was great! Both the Verona and Forenza both have nicely added silver accents - a little more than the Aerio. They look less painted and more true metal.
I think I am going to take a closer look today.
Happy motoring all.
I previously had a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS (a very good car) in which I traded it in for a 2003 Aerio SX almost a year ago. Maybe you are confusing with someone else.
If you want to get a gathering at Suzuki's Hqtrs send me an email.
The Verona I believe is made by Daewoo.
Suzuki / GM have not had time to impact anything in this car's design except for some badging. They only took over (part of) Daewoo little more than a year ago, and in that deal are forced to take the production output of the one Daewoo factory they did NOT buy. That's where these units come from.
Whether this car turns out to be good or not remains to be seen... but it is still a Daewoo, sold by Suzuki, which probably does not bode well for resale value.
I am an Aerio owner, so don't flame me, but these are the facts.