Does anyone have a Suzuki Wagon R?

[CaligulaCorday]

If so, can you please tell me about it?

Is it cheap to run?
Is it low tax/ insurance?
Is it easy to drive?
Convenient?
Any bad things about it?

Thanks

I had one, C - bought new in April 2001. Our ancient people carrier was on its last legs, DD1 was at uni, and I thought we could manage with a smaller car.

Anyway I really loved it. It's a bit unaerodynamic, so you have to take it easy round corners (not the way I normally drive) but it's very comfortable, and nice and high with loads of headroom. The back seats fold flat giving you a fairly large and very high luggage area - can fit a bike in (if you bend it a bit). Can't remember what mpg was like but it's a biggish engine in a small car so should be good.

The only major drawback with mine was that at that time it only had 4 seatbelts (since 03 it has 5 belts) and I needed to carry more than 3 passengers more often than I'd anticipated; I also missed the vast space in the back of the old bus and traded it in for a Zafira. Depreciation was horrendous, get a used one.
About 90% of them are driven by pensioners but it does v well usually in the Top Gear readers poll

Oh God I'm thinking about a pensioner's car.

That it should come to this.

So large engine -does that mean expensive fuel consumption? I was driving a vauxhall corsa (another conspicuously unglamorous car) and it was cheap as chips. I don't use the car very often but still want to make sure I don't pay a fortune for fuel.

bump

No, it uses v little fuel because the engine doesn't have to work very hard - it's supposed to get approaching 50mpg (I went looking last night) although mine didn't because I have a heavy right foot. Insurance group is 3-4.

It's not really a pensioner's car (they drive Metros ) but because it's easy to get in and out older people do like it. Kids love it and it is a very cuddly little car. Nice simple controls too.

Reviews for you:

Parkers
Top Gear (usual jokey nonsense but they don't dislike it) (NB they refer to not getting 3 in the back, but as I said you can now)

Honest John (can't link to a page on his):

What's Good
All-new structure and built in Hungary. Similar in concept to original, but much better looking. 76 bhp chain-cam 1,298cc engine with 85 lb ft torque. 14in wheels. Basically the same as the Vauxhall Agila. To get Fiat's 60 bhp, 1.2 litre 100 mpg CDI diesel engine in 2002. Joint 17th from Top in 144 car 2002 JD Power / What Car? Customer Satisfaction Survey of V and W reg cars. Suzuki generally 3rd lowest average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 43.23 v/s lowest 31.93) Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.ukCheap deals on UK supplied and warranted Suzukis at www.buysuzukidirect.co.uk 2001-2003 models had average breakdowns, problems and faults in 2003 Which survey. All Suzukis with standard radio/CD player, driver and passenger airbags and ABS with EBD from April 2004.

Suzuki's own deals at www.suzuki.co.uk
What's Bad
Cars registered before 1/3/2001 don't qualify for reduced rate VED, otherwise too soon to say. Only 89% breakdown free in 2003 Which survey.

What to Watch Out For
1.3 automatics can suffered a gearbox disaster caused by the failure of an internal lug in the gearbox casing that results in the gears being damaged.

Thanks for this USW. If I get one, it'll be a second hand one, so probably before the improvements. It still sounds OK though, except this gear box thing - but is that only for automatics?

I drove one on holiday

Apart from needing to peddle when going up hills and feeling a bit like something noddy would drive, it was fine. Nice height for getting kids in and out. It is NOT fast though. Also the air con was rubbish.

Oh that's OK my old car didn't have air con either. I really don't expect comfort or convenience from cars, I just want one that's reliable, mobile and cheap!

It IS pretty comfortable I think!

We thought it was rather cute DD called it the "funny little car"

Yes, the gearbox thing is just for the automatic (I did wonder whether to put it in or not but thought you might be an old lady automatic driver on the quiet )

The 5th belt was introduced end of 2002 I think.

This is the same as the one I had (Y reg) - £2350. Don't get that colour though, has silly pale upholstery.

This one - 03 reg, £2950 - should have the 5th belt. (Good interior pics on that one)

Oh, and here's lots of them, from £2000 & up.

Still lots there of the older model which was even more Postman-Pat like but very well loved (came 17th in the Top Gear Survey in 2002 which was what inspired me to buy mine!)

Thanks for your help, have got in one and realised I couldn't possibly drive it!

Really, C? Why not?

I am very short and felt like I was having to look upwards over the dashboard. Was very annoyed. Could have borrowed DS's spare booster seat, i suppose, but think arse may be too large for it!

Bugger.

I wondered if it might be that (I am very tall!)

There are quite a few similar cars, not all as high, eg Daewoo Matiz. (Or you could get a cushion...)

What a bizarre coincidence. I have actually bought, today, a Daewoo Matiz. It just had that slight bit of better visibility for me. A car I would never have considered (had never heard of it) but it happened to be there, within budget and in good condition. So I bought it.

Ursualaseawitch, you have special powers!