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Suzuki XL-7
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Comments
-mike
A few tips and cautions. The lease deal is only available on an '01 Plus 4x4 Auto, ONLY. That might limit your selection, ours was the only one they had that was a 4x4.
Sale price was $20,870. The term is for 48 months (not 36). The $1995 down does not include taxes, title and tags. On ours that added up to over $800 additional. It also did not include our dealers "processing fee" of $399. We ended up putting $2800 down ($1995+$800) and rolled the $399 proc fee into the loan. Our payments are actually $258 a month. If you rolled the taxes in there, it would easily be $280 +/-. After we signed the deal, they called back to say they had forgotten to add in the property tax! Here in VA we pay a pretty steep annual property tax, although it's being phased out. On our previous Toyota leases, they paid it every year and just sent us a bill. Apparently Primus (who handles the Suzuki leases) does it differently where you pay a bit of it every month and never see a total bill. Not sure how that might work in your area. It added $3 to the monthly payment, to come out at $258.
Only 12k miles allowed each year (this is standard). Payoff at the end of the lease is only $9,995.
We figured that we could lease for four years and just walk away at the end, or if we really love the vehicle, we can buy it for $9,995 and finance that for three more years and come out not paying a whole lot more in interest than purchasing from the beginning.
The only thing I don't like about this deal is that lease term is longer than the warranty. That means if anything breaks during that fourth year, we have to fix it out of our pocket. I might consider buying the extended warranty right at the end of the factory one if I feel it might not make that fourth year trouble free.
Sorry for the ramble, just wanted you to know some of the things to look out for.
We love our Suzuki (my wife especially) and we hope to have four enjoyable years with it.
-mike
Was it a total engine failure? Maybe they didn't have the fluids topped off properly? Maybe it was something simple, like a loose rotor cap (if they even have those) or some other minor "whoops"?
We would like to hear if you know what went wrong.
Has anyone else considered those plastic dust shields? Anyone have any experience with them?
As for brake dust, the subaru guys wax their wheels, and this significantly reduces the brake dust. You don't want to use those sheilds cause they interfere with the ventilation of the rotors and can cause them to overheat.
-mike
Mine is the Burgendy Pearl, I was wondering if anyone had any off road experiences with the xl7 yet?? I also have a CRV and notice that the xl7 is very noisy (squeak and rattle) on dirt roads.
Would this be due to the full frame vs the unibody and the suspension setup being different?
Cheers,
Mike
-mike
Gas tank placement? What is bad about it?
-mike
Key is that the rear end isn't a crumple zone (the front of the other guy's car is your crumple zone)
-mike
I second Paisans suggestion about the Trooper, for about the same price as the Suzuki, you can look at an S Auto 4x4. Many dealers still have '01s on the lot. It was our first choice, but we just couldn't get the payments anywhere near the Suzuki lease. The gas mileage was the only turn off, otherwise an awesome vehicle (especially for the price).
Paisan, I too thought maybe those dust shields may cause excessive heat build up. I'll try waxing them, but what a mess.
CRV? I can't wait to meet one at a stop light, even the new '02. In an informal stop light drag race the other day, the XL-7 blew away a Ford F-150 (I know, so what) and a Honda Accord (4 cyl) that was squealing his wheels all the way across the intersection. As I watched them fade away in the rear view mirror, I thought, wow, this little buggy moves when you need it to.
We considered the CRV until we drove one. It was Honda tight, but slow, whiney, and buzzy at highway speeds. The XL-7 is a whole different class of vehicle.
Thanks.
I received my Mcneil Weather flectors (front and rear)xl-7 several weeks back. The installation went great. A very tight fit, nice looking, it really adds to the appearance,also protects from rain and weather. Please note: The Mcneil flectors install inside the window channel, no adhesive applied; A rather simple application, aprox 20 minute install.
QUESTION? Does anyone experience a lot of "Wind Noise? Does anyone have the Suzuki factory reflectors, any wind noise? Any with the adhesive installation?
I took a trip this weekend, 6 hours round trip. The "Wind Noise was very annoying, even with the CD up high. Very noticable at speeds 45mph and up.
Any suggestions? Comments?
Thanks
As to the weather Flectors: you are 100% correct. They make a little more noise than I would like. I purchased them for my 99 Windstar and the noise level is also a little high. I had a 95 Windstar with the same things but I purchased them from the Ford dealer and they also slid inside the window. They made less noise. However, I still like them. I really do not like the ones that tape on the outside. They give the car a very unfinished look. I took a 4 hour trip back from the beach this weekend and ended up closing the windows and used the air vents. I do not think they are far enough away from the vehicle. The ones on my 95 seemed to be a little longer and a little further away from the window frame, if you know what I mean?
Thanks for the feed back reguarding the Weather Flectors. I e'mailed Mcneil for their suggestions. I'm sort of leaning on taking them off,I enjoy the quiet ride.
Also, by chance do you know if the rear ac vents can be utilized to distribute heat to the rear section.
My touring model is around 13,800 now. Its still running fine. The tires are starting to wear and has a slight hint of road noise. Otherwise, it seems to be holding up fine.
-mike
Forgot to add it in my above post.
-mike
I guess it makes sense, since hot air rises, to have those vents on the floor and the A/C on the roof.
I was curious about those MacNeil vent shields. How do they fit inside the window slot without messing up the windows when they close?
I have the stick on type on my Tacoma and they don't look too stuck on. I like having the darker color, as opposed to the clear, because they can act like sun visors if the sun is low on your side. There is some wind noise with them, but not bad.
Has anyone seen or tried the typical stick on type on the XL-7?
Steve
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(Quarters, bumper, rear doors and some interior panels.)
-mike
Steve
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Steve
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-mike
I will use the small bulk piece for two things. The first will be to cover the hood and fenders of my XL-7. I already have a full bra for it so again it will act as a sealer to keep dirt, etc off the metal parts. The rest is plastic so I am not worried about rust, etc. I will also use a piece of the bulk to cover the back bumper of the Windstar. The rear bumpers take as muchif not more hits than the fronts do. I will do this over the weekend and will give a report.
Yours is the second blown engine I have read about in the XL-7's. Anyone have any theories? Maybe it was just an assembly fluke? Maybe an indication of an engine design flaw?
I'm a bit concerned about the longevity of this engine. Ours sounds great when it running, but when you start it up cold, it makes a bit of a rattling sound for just a second or two until, I guess, the oil gets up to the valves and lifters. Anyone else hearing that?
I hope maybe these are isolated occurances.
Enjoy your Trooper, I'm sure you'll love it!
I guess I haven't driven the other V-6's, only the CRV and the RAV4, but I think the engine is plenty peppy and goes as fast as I would expect a vehicle like this to move. We love the automatic and think it shifts very nicely, they thought it was too abrupt.
I fully agree about the quality of the interior materials being sub-par, but we like the seats and find the third row very usable, but I have to admit we don't use it on a regular basis.
They seemed really bugged by the running board ruining the off road capabilities, but most don't have them, so I felt that was a bit unfair to the non-limiteds. (Do the Tourings have them?)
I think a lot of people, Edmunds included, have preconceived notions about what Suzuki's are like and don't give them a fair shake.
Also, as Paisan noted, they don't sell for anywhere near what they sticker for, so if you looked at real purchase prices, that might soften the criticism a bit.
I can't believe they thought the RAV4 was as nice as it was. I guess if you want a tall car, it is nice, but it's awfully small as an SUV and very pricey.
Oh well, we're only leasing, so we'll just enjoy it for the next four years and not worry about the negative comments.
HTTP://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle%5Fratings/ce/html/00029.htm
HTTP://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle%5Fratings/ce/html/0116.htm
No rollovers, and no in-cab intrusions. I know at least 2 people who have T-boned or headoned heavy caddy/town-car vehicles @ 40-50mph it totalled the cars, but they were un-harmed.
-mike
As to the switch gear. Yes, knobs are nice but the buttons and levers do just as good a job. I am sure in the next redesign they will be replaced. However, from what I have read the next XL-7 will not be a truck, but a crossover like the Escape.
I have been a Ford buyer for years. However, one of the first things Jack Nasser did when he took over as Ford CEO was to fire 800 engineers and it is now showing in the product. My 95 Windstar was totaled a few weeks ago and I replace it with a 99 Windstar. This is a Pre-Nasser product. I would not get a new Ford due to all the problems they have had with recalls due to poor development and design. This is a direct reflection of Mr. Nasser’s desire for profit. I will need a new vehicle in a few years to replace my wife’s Probe (94 with 114K) and if Ford has shown me they have gotten back on track I will look at them again. However, if my XL-7 holds up well (and as of now I see no reason why it would not) I will look at the Suzuki brand first.
-mike
Drew
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-mike
Good luck with your project! :-)
Drew
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