Welcome Kalos!

I can't think of anything right off hand, but if I do, I'll be back.

Actually, if you'll read my signature line, you'll see I've added quite a few little things, but mostly cosmetic or things that just make the little car more useful to me, and nothing that would void my warranty. Just Bits & Pieces, so to speak.
With all the Big Glass on the SX4, the window tint is the only thing I'd label a "Must Have".

[I love my little SX4!]

 

Some people are concerned about heated seats, other than that you can get it any way you want. Make sure you like the seating position. My wife does not care for it (too upright).

 

dislikes

The Gas mileage is only fair in this vehicle(but acceptable for me) -- If you're buying 2010 or 11- the automatic option is a CVT= people tend to love or hate them-I bought the 6 speed manual and I'm happy with the choice! There are a few minor complaints but I'm pleased so far with my choice IN THIS PRICE RANGE !!!

 

If you buy a Ford or Chevy, you can find a dealer in almost any town in the country..........NOT SO with Suzuki.
I thought I had it made with a new Suzuki dealer just 20 miles away from me.
Well so much for thinking!

My Suzuki dealer went out of business with NO word to me about where I was going to have to go for my warranty service. Now I find that my closest Suzuki Dealer/Service Center is almost 80 miles away.

It seems like Suzuki dealers going out of business is a pox on our house!

 

i have a xover, the car is great, the dealer network, not so much, i am lucky to live in a large metro area with several dealers to choose from. also i use the dealer for warranty work only; for maintenance i will do it myself or go to a trusted shop in my town.

bear in mind; there was a recent re-org within suzuki - this could very well mean more dealerships in the US, time will tell. we all have our fingers crossed!

 

Re-Org? Where did you hear about that?
If it's written up somewhere, I'd love to read it.

Same here on the warranty work.
As for the normal maintenance, once you get the right tools and have the health and ability to use them, it's not too bad. And, the personal satisfaction you get from doing your own work, is great. But, many guys my age and some even younger just can't do their own maintenance. That's where the "Trusted" shop comes into play.

Over the past few years, I've had loose oil filters three times. One from a Pennzoil Quick Change shop, one from Walmart and the last one from my Suzuki dealership.
Three was enough. I built concrete ramps in my back yard so I can do all my oil changes by myself from now on. It's really not bad, "when you have the right tools".
I had my dealer do my differential and transfer case oil changes, as per the maintenance schedule, so I have that documented, for warranty purposes. I've since found out that I can do those myself too. Inconvenient yes, messy yes, but totally do'able.

Cheers mate!

 

Link about re-org; http://bit.ly/hrzZoJ

 

Thank you!

Where there's Life, there's Hope! Eh?

I'd love to stay with Suzuki in my next car, but it's looking more and more like a Chevy or even a Kia might be somewhere in my future.
The local Chevy/Kia dealer here in town has been here longer than I have and they are well established, trusted and stable. That means as much to me as the attributes of the car itself.

Having to go 80+ miles for my warranty service, just doesn't get it.

Cheers mate!

 

A lack of dealerships is a concern as well. Our dealer went closed and luckily the Dodge dealer lost his franchise and picked up Suzuki. It is kind of a ghost town there whenever I go.

 

WOW! I had to read that twice, to see if I wrote it. I didn't, but I could have.
That's exactly what happened here. The Dodge dealer lost their franchise and picked up Suzuki from another dealer who was retiring and leaving the car business. Now a year and a half later, the Suzuki / Subaru dealer is gone too.
The land and buildings are being taken over by the Toyota dealership next door.

The Subaru franchise went to the Volvo dealer, just north of town, but Suzuki refused that location because they are not on "Auto Row". So presently we have NO Suzuki dealer at all. I'd have to say that's pretty narrow-minded thinking on Suzuki's part.

I'd love to see them go back in with the Buick dealership, where they were before, with the OLD dealer, but I understand that Buick says "NO".

Later this week, I'll be making a little road trip to Orlando to check out the Suzuki dealership there. Another road trip, means another opportunity to check out my MPG and to see if I can improve on it.

It's a shame, that I have to burn gas, to see if I can save it.

Cheers mates!
Shadow

 

I am quite lucky. My dealer is 2 miles away. It is part of a Chrysler dealership so I was some worried when they went through their troubles right after I boughtthe SX 4. Things seem stable so far.

I have had the car for years now. Maintainence has been at the dealer`s.Free oil changes the fist 4 times has alot to do with that.They changed the diff fluid for me too. I don`t know if I would buy the neer car with the cvt trans. Drove a Dodge Kaliber loaner with it and it was really bad. That being my only contact has colored my thoughts on that trans. I lked the GPS option over heated seats. Cloth seats don`t bother this old tush like leather would. Where the GPS hs been a handy option. Wheel design is better on the older cars too.

Shadow it`s the guy from Kansas.

 

My dealership closed up after being there from as far back as I can remember.
It was an Olds, Buick, Jeep dealer. My wifes Dodge dealer closed up. The place we go now if we really have to is a Dodge and Suzuki dealership. Not sure what else they sell. My dealership that closed was only ten miles from my house. They never told me anything when I bought my car. Three weeks later my wife drove by there and it was gone. I told her she was full of shit. I had my sales womans cell phone. I called her and asked her why the place was vacant. She came up with some lame bullshit. She could tell I was not happy. I remember even saying at the dealership the reason I'm buying the car here is because I want it serviced here. Whatever.

 

fftopic:

News reports tell us that GM has once again, taken over the NO.1 position of auto makers in the US.
For many years in my earlier life, I was a die hard GM buyer/driver.
My very first car was a 1957 Chevy Convertible. Talk about a Chick magnet!

Then a '61 Pontiac Catalina 2dht, a huge Buick wagon and three Olds Toronado's and one Dodge Caravan. My last car, related to GM was my 89 Chevy Sprint Turbo, made in Japan, by Suzuki. Since then, I've had four more Suzuki's.

I really don't know what it is......but I just love Suzuki's!!!!!
Like, I love BMW motor cycles.

I just wish there was more life in the Suzuki Dealership organization. It's enough to make a grown man cry, with all the Suzuki dealers closing.:crying:

I treat my little SX4 with tender loving care and she gives that love back to me. :sniff:

 

...dislike ....

it is not a Range Rover !
neither a Carrera !
not really a chick magnet ...
and ... there's no sunroof !!!

 

n45w73

The SX4 isn't overpriced like a Carrera, it's more reliable than a Range Rover and the chicks I know all think it's adorable, like a puppy!!!:lol: Vive les Habs!!!

 

One day, while I was at my local "Advance Auto parts" store, I was having a conversation with a cute little blonde sales girl. As we talked I was moving toward the door and she was following me. When I got to the door I asked her to "come out and see my car".
When she saw it, her eyes lit up and she almost shouted "OH, what a cute little car!"
My sentiments exactly!

So, if there are negatives to the 2010 or 2011 SX4's, I'm just not aware of them.
But if you're not 100% INTO the SX4, by all means, DON'T BUY ONE!
There are too many other cars on the market, for you to buy anything you're not satisfied with.

 

I plan to keep the zuki for quite awhile. Still have 2 years of my 0% interest loan. With only 9500 miles in two years why should I get antsy for another ride. Just drove her 120 miles today and had no problems. Can`t beat the reliability so ar. I do have an airbag light on right now. Will have it looked at when she goes in for the oil change. It`s the only thing to go wonky since I have een driving it. Took care of the loose mirror bolts and the garmin battery recalls at the last servie.When I do decide to buy again I will look at Suzukis once mor. Might be a pickup as my Sonoma is a 1995.

 

Yeah I agree with those who say there no action at the local Suzuki Dealer. I bought the 1/8" rear diff skid plate and took the car in to the dealer for a differential fluid change. I figured once I put the plate on it's on for two years. I was the only person there all morning. I think there are a lot of appealing cars out there right now for the younger crowd but the SX4 is in a crunch. Suzuki needs to build a plant here in the USA for assembly just like Honda, Toyota and Kawasaki does. Suzuki should bring over the Diesel and Electric models to provide a decent cruising range. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is getting 700 miles to a full tank. Everyone knows that the third or fourth year of the Chevy Volt is going to be amazing in range and price. If you just bought an SX4 you're going to love it - and the gas man is gonna love you.

 

Poor MPG

I've had my new SX4 Crossover CVT Tech for a week now, so I can comment on likes and dislikes.

The SX4 is a very good car for the money. I don't think it can be beat on value for purchase money. There's lots to like about the SX4. However, the SX4's deal-breaker for many people is the poor gas mileage. We're averaging 24~25mpg in mixed driving. My wife is used to ~36mpg with her old Toyota Yaris. It's true that the Yaris is lighter and has a smaller engine, but the missions of the Yaris/FIT/Versa and the SX4 (Sportback, at least) are similar, and consumers will expect similar gas mileage. We can expect to pay ~$400 extra in gasoline every year. That's $2,000 over a 5yr ownership, and suddenly the SX4 doesn't seem such a good price deal.

Some other, less important" "Cons" about the SX4:

*Small gas tank on the Crossover underlines low MPG.
*Heated seats should be available on Sportback.
*Sunroof should be available.
*Keyless ignitions should be offered on hatchbacks.
*The front seats could be a bit more supportive, especially at the front and at the side bolsters.
*Trunk Release from the Driver's seat would be nice.
*"Safe Mode" should be defeatable on the GPS
*Armrests are not well-designed
*DSP on the radio?
*Should be second power plug

Overall, I'm pleased with this car, but the low mpg and small gas tank make my wife think she's maybe made a mistake... The SX4 needs to lose ~200lb and get up around 30mpg.

 

Hi Kalos,
I've had my crossover hatchback for about 2 months now and two things stand out now that I don't like. As I mentioned in other posts here, the drivers side large pillar is a poor design and can be a safety issue if you are not constantly aware of it when you are driving. When taking corners at intersections I now take a wide swath. The second thing I mentioned is that on my model at least the cargo space has been cut down dramatically because the back seats no longer fold up against the front seats.
Other than these issues I am in love with my little vehicle. I live in the Berkshires in Massachusetts and drive over very hilly country while getting great gas mileage.
Oh, by the way, I am lucky because I can walk over to the dealership from my house.

 

Oh, by the way, I am lucky because I can walk over to the dealership from my house.

:gunsmilie:

Yep, you gotta watch those crosswalks with those big windshield pillars. Ive almost hit a few people.

 

You are lucky indeed, having a Suzuki dealer so close, not that you will need them all that often.
When my own dealer was just twenty miles away, in the nearest town, I used to stop in regularly and we were all on first name basis. That pays dividends, when you need some help.

Now, they are out of business and my nearest service center is about 70 miles away. I made it a point to visit them and make acquaintances. We're now on an email basis. When I was physically there, they examined my car and alleviated any fears I had about my passenger side air bag system not working properly. I now understand the workings of that system much better.

I've always found it's a good idea to get acquainted with your car's service center.

"A" pillar? No problem...just move your head a little.
Rear seats? Just fold them down flat if you need more trunk space.
Heated Seats? Not needed, in Florida. :lol::lol::lol:

I made it a point to take my own SX4 for a test drive before deciding to buy it. And what a test drive that was!
If there had been anything to keep me from buying that car is would have been the color.... Vapor Blue. Red was my first choice, but my little blue car was the only 4WD SX4 on the lot. With tinted windows and a red accent stripe, it looks great! It gets an extra little POP from the RED brake calipers and Black Lug Nuts.
My poor little (young) salesman is still quivering from that test ride. :lol::lol::lol:

Cheers Mates!

 

I highly reccomend immediately upgrading your headlight bulbs and installing a Magnaflow P/N 14210 if you're SX4 is a city car. These front pillars do obstruct your view and effect stopping effort so it's better to be seen and heard at intersections. I love the "cagey" feel of the extra pillars and also feel that they provide a safer cabin shape, but then there's that new class of ppl who might walk with headphones on while typing on their petri dishes all dressed in black and at just the right speed and angle that you see them a little late. They (and you) are better off feeling the low bass rumble the Magnaflow puts out. The sound wave (-3 db) also has an effect on drivers in the lane next to you traveling at speed. Before installing the muffler people would actually turn into the lane I was in. There are plenty of Youtube videos on how it sounds - not obnoxious in any way but it will certainly remind people to put eyes on you. Bottom line is simple - if you have had any close calls, get the Magnaflow - You'll Love It! $123.00 for the part and maybe $100 for installation at a reputable Muffler Shop.

 

I highly recommend immediately upgrading your headlight bulbs and ...

What headlight bulb will light up stronger on the high beam with no car modification?

 

negatives

I agree about the gas tank size. I wish mine was in the 60 L range for when I head for the "outback"! The comments mentioning "mixed make" dealerships are interesting- that doesn't happen up here! My Suzuki dealer is about 15 min away. The only thing mixed about them is that they also sell motorcycles and outboards (all Suzuki).

 

Very much worth it.
One thing that fails many guys with age, is night vision. Mine has really gotten bad. If it's not visible in my headlight beam, I don't see it.
The first time I drove my SX4 after dark, something I try NOT to do, I realized how weak the OEM headlights are.

I was chatting with a local race car driver one day, while standing beside his F250 and I noticed the Sylvania package in his truck. It was on his advise that I went right to my neighborhood Advance Auto Parts store and bought the new bulbs. I was pleasantly amazed at how much better they are than the OEM bulbs.

I've had my Sylvania Ultra bulbs for over a year now and I would never go back to the OEM bulbs.

Cheers Mate!
Shadow

 

My vision is also failing and at night is worse, guess we're in the old guys club

 

I have an 08 crossover automatic love it. Raised the front seats 2 inches for a higher seating position. Can't complain about this car at all.

 

how did you raise the seats?