Would you buy a Suzuki SX4?

[Elkins45]

A Cincinnati dealer has two of them, one with a manual and one with a CVT. Unfortunately the one in the color I like is the CVT but I would only consider a manual. It’s AWD with a 2.0L engine and they’re asking $4k for either.

Reliability seems decent from what I’ve seen but I don’t know what parts availability is like. I’m tempted to give it a test drive just to amuse myself.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I had a suzuki decades ago - well wife did - badged as a Tracker. Was a good car.

I would buy a Suzuki for one of there more unique models - but sure wouldn't line up to buy a non descript economy car version at this point. Unless your really dying for one for some reason.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you need AWD, it's better than any Subaru and cheaper than a Toyota

I honestly don't think any parts you'll need will be that hard to get. Rock Auto and other places should have the maintenance items, and even if you need something from a dealer, there's Partsouq, and I also found this site

For any $4000 car, it's all about condition. If one is in substantially better condition then the other, then get that one.

The CVT fluid isn't difficult to change. Just do it cold, measure what comes out, and refill with the same amount. No scan tool required
Cam2 CVT fluid is usually the cheapest CVT fluid that is green, if you want something the same color as OE.

Here's a video on the CVT fluid change:

 

[Zee09]

If you had expert knowledge of them and could do all mechanical work yourself i could see the interest. But if not I'd pass....

 

[DemoFly]

Great car, lousy seats. Considered one over a decade ago and ultimately decided to buy a different type of vehicle entirely.

Suzuki never sold a bad car in the US market.

 

[DCDG]

Depends on the model I see many of them still on the road I would think they're pretty solid autos. I always wanted the Kizashi for it's time it gave Audi a quiver with it's AWD and surgical steering.

 

[Kira]

Test drove one in 2012 and thought it was OK as small cars went.
My sister was the one needing a car and the CVT was used to rule it out.
She bought a 2012 Mazda3 iTouring which served her well.

Any other details, like odometer?

 

[Timmastertech]

We have one left in our customer base. Parts availability is horrible. Last state inspection it needed a parking brake cable, was never serviced aftermarket, none in the US. I wound up having to get one out of the middle east, shipping and import tariffs were far more than the cable. Currently sitting at the shop waiting for a belt tensioner and a wheel speed sensor. Parts for that one we took what we could get which arent brands we would normally use.

 

[Passport1]

I have had four Suzukis. All were rock solid reliable. I still have a Kizashi AWD and a Grand Vitara. Parts aren't that hard to find except for body parts. I wouldn't sell either of them. If I came across an SX4 manual in descent shape I'd jump on it.

 

[Elkins45]

Test drove one in 2012 and thought it was OK as small cars went.
My sister was the one needing a car and the CVT was used to rule it out.
She bought a 2012 Mazda3 iTouring which served her well.

Any other details, like odometer?

Both 2011, 114k for the CVT, 130k for the manual. Carfax looks good on both.

 

[LenZee]

The SX4 sold lots more than my Kizashi AWD, Parts are pretty easy to get.
I had a 2010 SX4 and liked it.
Selling the Kizashi now because I found an 07 Rav4 Limited 4wd with the V6 and low miles!
Had Trackers in the past and a samurai and all were very reliable.

 

[jsean]

Any documentation on that CVT being serviced? If yes, I’d get it. What other AWD are you going to get for $4k. No Toyonda because everyone on marketplace thinks they’re worth $20,000 with 300,000 miles on its 6th owner. RockAuto seems to have a lot of parts available. eBay has some of the body parts. If it’s well maintained, I’d get it.
The manual with 130k miles - same story. Will they negotiate since most can’t drive a stick anymore? Probably. If I had to pick, I’d buy that manual and roll with it.

 

[fdcg27]

Oaks Auto in the 'natti has two of these, both six speeds, listed for $3995.00.
Four grand is awfully cheap these days for a fully functional car in decent cosmetic condition, so probably worth a look.

 

[4wd]

No

 

[Elkins45]

Oaks Auto in the 'natti has two of these, both six speeds, listed for $3995.00.
Four grand is awfully cheap these days for a fully functional car in decent cosmetic condition, so probably worth a look.

Yeah, those are the ones I’m referring to. They have a whole bunch of inexpensive stuff that interests me, including a Mazda5 and a Grand Marquis.

 

[fdcg27]

Six

Yeah, those are the ones I’m referring to. They have a whole bunch of inexpensive stuff that interests me, including a Mazda5 and a Grand Marquis.

Six grand for the Mazda would be a decent deal.
They do have a variety of fairly cheap inventory.

 

[meep]

We had a grand vitara 2WD, hand-me-down to my stepdaughter. It contstantly consumed oil and while she did check it, she didn’t check it enough. It ran dry a couple of times. It didn’t care. Her aunt only did bare minimal maintenance on it. When it came to my driveway it ran a bit rough. New fluids, plugs shocks and the thing was ROCK SOLID. I considered buying it from her when she eventually traded it, and probably should have. It would have been an excellent spare vehicle. It never asked for much.

I never located the oil filter. Couldn't find it! Thankfully, her dad would get that taken care of.

My daughter and her fiancé have an SX4 i believe. Maybe a mild hybrid? It’s a very respectable scoot!! Their’s is a stick. Very well built.

The more I think about it, the more I wish we had bought the vitara from her when they sold it.

 

[odie]

Drove the SX4 ( 2014 ? ) wagon with the 6 speed manual and C.V.T. . Liked the room and handled well . They were rated terrible for crash tests . Do see them on occasion and think should of purchased one . Last , the oil filter is hard to get to and messy .

If you go to fuelly.com and go to SUZUKI then click SX4 and you'll see SX4s' with high mileage and decent gas mileage .

 

[cptbarkey]

Your Scion xB is far better. I've had a fascination for SX4's for awhile but only if they were dirt cheap.

 

[dogememe]

A what??

And no.