So, I bit the bullet and purchased a 2010 SX4 crossover a few weeks back. Got it at the dealer that one of the members here mentioned.
So, other than the typical SX4 complaints (small gas tank, primarily), I've enjoyed it thus far. Had the opportunity to take advantage of the AWD a few times. Loving that and the remote start that the previous owner had installed for this Pittsburgh winter weather.
So, anyway, you can imagine my disgust to walk outside this afternoon to find that my new (to me) car had been vandalized.
Somebody threw a rather large rock through the rear hatch window. Glass everywhere... all the way up to the front dash (even a few pieces down in the defrost vent which I'm not sure if I can get it out of there or not).
Called the police and filed a report. The officer was nice enough but, of course, other than giving me a report to file with my insurance company, there's not really anything they can do.
I'll be calling my insurance company in the morning. Here's the question I have, though. The rear hatch won't open. I know that there is no doubt a ton of glass down in there. But, would that stop it from opening? Is there some kind of safety mechanism that would keep it closed, or, is it likely just jammed up with broken glass?
I still haven't been able to find the housing for the wiper. The only thing I can figure is that it must have shattered from the rock in the cold.
I'm sure the insurance will take care of it. Still, it's pretty frustrating. Oh, who am I kidding... it royally ticks ya off.
I was mostly just trying to figure out why I can't open the rear hatch at this point. I wanted to try and vacuum out the rest of the glass before I took it anyplace. As it is now the glass keeps coming out from below the hatch. I'd probably leave a trail all the way to the shop, lol.
I finding it interesting that you should chalk the experience down to vandalism, although, that may be nothing more than a matter of knowing what happens in your neck of the woods.
Here, if someone breaks the window on a car, robbery would be the motive - they want what's in the car, rather to damage or destroy it, and they will typically pick one of the smaller side windows (I guess they are easier to break).
As far as I know there is no safety mechanism to keep the hatch closed if the glass is broken, the lock is either jammed with glass, or perhaps they tried to jimmy it before breaking the glass (which would point to robbery as the motive).
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93 - 1.3 Suzuki Swift GLX
98 - 1.8 Mitsubishi Pajero iO
98 - 2.0 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Well, theft is always a possibility when somebody breaks out the window of a car. In this case, though, the police officer came to pretty much the same conclusion on his own. His reasoning was essentially the same as mine.
There was nothing in the car to prompt them to break into it for theft purposes. Typically, when somebody breaks into a car for theft purposes, there is something visible that prompts them to do it. That, or wanting to steal the entire vehicle.
And, there's nothing really pointing to an attempt to actually get into the car beyond that.
Further, there was another car parked next to it with a GPS unit stuck in the window that would have been a far easier target had they been looking to steal something.
I live in a relatively low income area with a lot of kids that, sadly, lead less than structured lives. Property damage is, unfortunately, not that uncommon around here. They see it as a "victim-less crime" since the insurance tends to pay for what they do. Not realizing, of course, that somebody has to pay the insurance company, along with any deductibles that the owner might have to pay.
The SX4 went in this morning for repairs. They thought that, unless parts prove to be an issue I should probably have it back by the end of the week.
They gave me a Hyundai Accent for a rental car. Ok for what it is. Glad I'm not very tall, though. As it is, I can't lean forward in the thing without bumping my head on the visor.
Still don't have it back yet. Beyond the class, the rear bumper needed repaired (probably repainted). The entire wiper mechanism needed replaced. And, something about the door handle needed to be replaced. Perhaps that involves whatever the needed to do to get the hatch open. Not sure.
Has taken them a week to get all the parts in from Suzuki (hope that doesn't become an ongoing issue).
Still don't have it back yet. Beyond the class, the rear bumper needed repaired (probably repainted). The entire wiper mechanism needed replaced. And, something about the door handle needed to be replaced. Perhaps that involves whatever the needed to do to get the hatch open. Not sure.
Has taken them a week to get all the parts in from Suzuki (hope that doesn't become an ongoing issue).
SHOULD have it done tomorrow. We'll see.
Fun Fun Fun.
so what was the verdict on the hatch? handle problems...it is a power hatch is it not?
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New SX4 Owner... Vandalized Already :-(
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