Please stop me from test driving a Suzuki SX4.

[canada_versa]

I like everything about the Versa, except for waiting as I still don't have mine yet. I am liking what I see with the SX4, and am thinking that in order to ensure that I am still making the right decision in waiting for the Versa that I should at least see one, and even possibly test drive one. My biggest concern with the Versa is the tilt of the steering wheel in the driving position. For me it is just ok, and for my wife she doesn't like it. We both prefer the wheel to be tilted in an almost strai ght up/down position. It's possible that this difference alone would be enough to "steer" (ha, pun intended) me towards the SX4. The gas mileage is lower, but is still much better than what I have at present.

So, fellow Versians, please help me out here as I feel the pull of the dark forces

[canada_versa]

Sorry about the positioning of the in the above post. I had finger trouble on my mouse and didn't notice where it was positioned.

On the same thread, I am ashamed to admit that I have even gone so far as to lurk around some of the Suzuki SX4 forums. Boy, they sure love their car just like us Versa dudes.

[campersand]

Go drive it, there's nothing wrong with being completely informed about all your choices before you make a huge purchase like this. I totally understand your frustration, I've been continually researching different cars during the past 3 months that I've been waiting for my Versa. If I had found one that I liked nearly as much, I probably would own it by now. Haven't driven the SX4 but if my Versa "disappears" again on its way to the dealership, I'll definitely be headed over to my nearest Suzuki dealer to check it out.

[cyberdeity]

I mentioned in the other thread that I actually went and looked at an SX4 at a local lot. I was very impressed with it as far as looks/features/price go. The main thing I did not like was the interior - the SX4's interior just looked cheap to me when compared to the Versa, but that is of course a personal opinion. I was at the lot after closing, so I did not have an opportunity to test drive it, so I can't say anything in regards to how it handles.

The biggest thing that captured my attention was AWD. You simply can't find another AWD vehicle in that price range.

I would suggest you go drive it. If you don't, you'll always have that curious feeling wondering if you made the right choice with the Versa. At least driving it would put those doubts to rest. A car is a significant investment, and you should never have doubts with your choice - this vehicle represents your safety, style, and transportation for the foreseeable future!

I have not been to their forums to see how closely their actual MPG is to the EPA estimates. Keep in mind that many Versa owners have expressed disappointment with their lackluster mileage, which might put the SX4 that much closer if it's real-world performance is meeting or beating the estimates.

[proxim2020]

If you must leave then you must. You should buy something that both you and your wife will enjoy. I agree with campersand. You should at least test drive the vehicle to see if it's a better fit for you. You'll have something to hold over their head anyway. "If my car disappears one more time, I'm going to buy the SX4. It has this feature and that feature, but the Versa doesn't."

And don't be ashamed about visiting other boards. Before I had some certainty that my car was even ordered, I visited Kia, Toyota, and Honda boards. You should know what all your options are out there and pick the best one for you.

[sambot]

We took the sx4 out for a spin. They didn't have the awd, so we were stuck with the base model. THe interior finishing seemed cheap (dh said nasty). One of our requirements is a vehicle the 6'6" teen can actually fit in the back of. The sx4 would not accomodate him.

We tried the yaris, the fit, a hyundai, a kia, and the versa had the most room in the back seat. The kid had room for his long legs, and was not cramped in the versa. So we shall play the waiting game.

Wondering how the versa would work at plowing through the snow? Even the minivan was dragging, and normally it's undercarriage is quite high.

[canada_versa]

Does Suzuki have a history of quality that is associate with Nissan? The Murano, Pathfinder, Maxima, these are big names on the market. All I know about Suzuki is that they also make motorcycles, and they made that little tip-over-easy Sidekick thingy. Also, the SX4 is a new build being released to the market, whereas the Versa has been road tested before bringing it to North America. I have had trouble finding reliability history of Suzuki vehicles, so other than just a test drive, please share with me any knowledge you have of Suzuki as a company/brand. Thanks all!!!

[sambot]

My dh is a suzuki fan. He's now driving a 91 turbo sprint with a suzuki engine. Says the engine is fabulous. He tried to convince me to buy a new sprint, but I declined. This guy who has serious cross addictions with anything to do with cars and motorcycles. He's researched suzukis to death, or at least it seems so to me. He wasn't that keen on the sx4, although suzuki does have a good rep with their engines. Part of his concern was the sx4 is a new model.

So we declined the sx4 and the sprint, despite the fact that we could have taken delivery a whole lot sooner than the delivery on the versa. I think my car will come in time for my telus contract to be up. Then I can get a new phone, with bluetooth to use in my new, blue car.

[campersand]

My dh is a suzuki fan.

What does "dh" stand for?

[sambot]

dh = dear husband

[versabundus]

Suzuki is the sales leader in Japan. That's right, they sell more cars than Toyota,Honda, or Nissan in their home market. I've had several. Always been very reliable, but basic cars. And they do have a 100k mile warranty. That little tip over thingy was the Samurai. Not exactly a road car.

[sambot]

oh yeah, one more thing I forgot about the sx4. THe sales guy said that suzuki was marketing the sx4 to young males, but most of the people who were coming in to test drive were middle aged, kids grown up types. Sort of like us. He said suzuki totally missed the real market.

THe kids prefer the versa, making sad jokes like mum's going to be driving a perversa car. Better than the s'x for u, (sx4 u). Gotta love those testosterone laden lads.

[marleyfan]

I don't know much about Suzuki cars but I know their motorcylcles are good. I ride a suzuki in the summer. Couldn't kill the motor if I tried. The bike is over 25 yrs old and still runs like a dream. If the engines in the cars are anything like their motorcycles then they are quite reliable. Still....the quality of the inside of the Versa cant be matched by any vehicle in its price range in my opinion

[Ever Victorious]

I smell another in the Ever Victorious series of Comparison Tests...

I think I'll go test drive one on Saturday.

[proxim2020]

I haven't seen or heard of any Suzuki owners complain about how unreliable their cars are. All of them seem to enjoy their purchase. I think that since Suzuki doesn't have a large market like Toyota and Honda, people are cautious to buy them. They quickly associate the Suzuki's in the same class as early Kia's and now defunct Daewoo's.

[cyberdeity]

I used to own a Geo Metro ages ago, which had a Suzuki engine in it. Unfortunately, that one died on me with 102k miles, and the cost to replace the engine was more than the car was worth, so it was retired. I don't have any other experience with them other than that, and obviously one bad story doesn't dictate any sort of reliability trend.

[OKVersa]

I saw a coal black one in a parking lot yesterday. I thought it was a Fit at first. It is really sharp. You SHOULD test drive it. Test drive everything so you have no doubts.

It really depends on what you want in a car and what your priorities are. Gas? Comfort?

We do a LOT of highway miles and we wanted the most comfortable car that got the best mileage that we could feel resonably safe in. We also knew we would have passengers from time to time and that back seat room sold us.

So just figure out what is important to you.

What other cars have you taken on test drives?

[Wyld Bill]

The Versa was love at first sight for me and my wife. After being jerked around for over a month we reluctantly started looking at other cars. Had some like/dislikes about the SX4. Test drove the SX4 & LOVED IT! HAd the wife test drive it. She liked it too. We get snow & ice here in the winter. I have a long steep driveway that dumps onto a buisy route. We just ordered a Sport model SX4. Ordered exactly what we wanted, loaded with every option, getting window tint & a power moon roof when it gets here. Arrival date 12-20-06.

[versabundus]

Congrats Wyld Bill. I guess you'll have it looking like this before long.

[Wyld Bill]

Holy huge image Batman!! Yeah I wish. Actually it's the wife's car so she'll probably have some gurly stuff on it

[proxim2020]

Well the V that we have on order is supposed to be my wife's. But we made a deal. If I bought her a new car, I get to do all the mods and designing of it.

[Wyld Bill]

Well, my wife works twice as much as me & makes twice to three times as much as me so,...it's her car.