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February 24, 2005

New Car III « Car Issues »

This is day three of my new car ownership.

I love it even more.

I had developed a pretty strong like of Honda products. I had purchased a used 1995 Civic back in 1998, and it did a great job for me. We purchased a brand-new Civic in 2000, and loved it. A year later, we felt we needed something bigger, and so traded both Civics for a brand-new 2001 C-RV. I have come to know what to expect from them, and appreciate their quality, workmanship, engineering, and price.

But they have now pretty much priced themselves out of my loyalty range.

And I even had some buyer's remorse on the C-RV by day three, to tell the truth.

But this Suzuki...Wow. I'm beginning to feel like they should have used the "Superman" S for their symbol.

The speed-sensitive steering works like a charm. I feel almost like it knows where I want it to go before I tell it. I've never had to use more than a light touch. The turning radius is tight, too.

Whisper quiet in operation. Plenty of power for my tastes. I still find it absolutely beautiful to look at. The engine as smooth as silk in acceleration. The fit and finish is excellent, I can't find a flaw in it anywhere.

One minor annoyance: I wish it had a "Trip Odometer" in addition to the regular one. It seems like they could have added a button and programmed the computer for a handful of bucks, and it would be worth $100 to me over the life of the car.

Still, though, this is a great car, and if it holds together well, I will probably buy a Suzuki for my next car. Of course, that should be in about seven years, since I expect to keep this car for some time.

Posted by Nathan at 07:32 AM | Comments (7)
Comments

Hi Nate...it's been a while!

I've never owned a Suzuki automobile, but I've rented several during various business trips, including the Verona. I've found them to be peppy, responsive, attractive and fairly well-equipped. Can't comment on their long-term value, as I've not had one for more than 4 weeks at a time. But my own car is a 2003 Altima (which I love), and I felt like the Verona compared well with the Altima. I think the Japanese just make better cars across the board.

Enjoy (and let's talk again soon...)!

Posted by: Dalin at February 24, 2005 08:13 AM

The Suzuki Verona is GM Daewoo-based, and the majority of Suzukis sold in the continental US are made in Ontario Canada, not Japan. ;)

Posted by: Jo at February 24, 2005 09:03 AM

Oh, and your Altima was more than likely made in Smyrna, Tennessee. It's just a smidge outside Nashville.

Posted by: Jo at February 24, 2005 09:07 AM

Jo,

Yeah well...and your mamma too. ;)

To rephrase:

"I think the Japanese just design or at least stick their name on better cars across the board."

Posted by: Dalin at February 24, 2005 09:37 AM

:P

don't make me come over there, Dalin! I am sure Nathan has your address handy, and he'd probably enjoy the irony of his only two left-leaning commenters slugging it out. ;)

Posted by: Jo at February 24, 2005 09:57 AM

So that means your next car is going to be an Altima, then, Jo? Since it's so non-foreign and all...[grin]
The Verona is actually even more worldly than Jo says: The interior and exterior of the Verona (and the Forenza, incidentally) was originally designed by an Italian design company for the Korean-based Daewoo that was purchased by GM when it went bankrupt. These designs didn't fit the GM line, so they passed them on to the Japanese company that they own 24% of: Suzuki. Who, in turn, have the engines made in Australia.

Woot!

Posted by: Nathan at February 24, 2005 10:32 AM

Hey, I have already owned a couple CAMI cars. No complaints. :)

I think it is excellent that Japan has taken note of strong work ethic and skill of American laborers. Woo!

Posted by: Jo at February 24, 2005 10:37 AM
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