<![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Dr.Danger's got the power: Suzuki IS in the WRC for the 1st time this year with a SX4

[www.suzukisport.com]

SCROGGZILLA RAIDS AGAIN!!

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Feds:

Maybe the SX4 engineers are expecting you to cut a 3x3 hole in the airbox, slap a Yoshi header on one end of the block, a FCR carb at the other end, and a 16-39 sprocket set up to improve performance on the freeway...

Then again, neither the DRZ nor the SX4 seem to be intended for the long-distance freeway touring set. Both seem geared toward city commuting and weekend barreling down twisty country roads at 20+, with a little dirt occasionally thrown in.

Perhaps that's why Top Gear wasn't as dismayed with the gearbox, as the UK/European roadmaps have been (historically, at least) less superslab-centric.

00stephen

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @FrankGrimes: That reminds me of the rally Focus. They should get into WRC a little more and get some fanboys to drive sales.

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> I really think this would be a cool car and super cheap. It would be great if the after-market gets behind this thing. Coil-overs and exhaust and junk would be cool.
I'll take mine like this.

FrankGrimes

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Matt Hardigree: Yes, but did you take it to the piney woods and give it the airborne Jersey Sidekick test? How can we make an informed decision if we don't have ALL the information?

NovaloadMissesPolar

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> You know, if Suzi were to put a 6-speed sequential box into their cars, they could up the excitement quotient, and tie into their bikes...

Wait a minute... My DRZ is only 5-speed, and is pretty much tapped out at 80 mph...

They DO make their cars like their bikes!

Feds

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Wes Siler: I know they do, I wish they would just take a chance and import them over here to the US.

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Dr.Danger's got the power: but dozens of such vehicles already exist in europe, its just a case of jumping though the hoops required to import and sell them here.

Wes Siler

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]>

Here's what it aspires to be.
[jalopnik.com]

Mr_Krabs

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @KVHnik: +1, I was thinking the same thing, and also that it's not a bad thing.

I looked into one of these for the wife recently, but even being such a great deal, we were stuck in the used car price range. I still think it's a great little car, on paper anyway.

As always, looking forward to Part 3 to find out if it's REALLY right for me.

YankBoffin

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> reasons i won't buy this car or recommend it:

- low mpg

- not an ultra-low emissions vehicle

it's like they decided to punt on the whole energy efficient motor thing

henri

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Matt Hardigree: @rkwadd: I think we are getting closer to getting quality sporty econo-vehicles. The auto makers are not about to drop a ton of money and time on vehicles that might not give very much of a profit. We probably will see a trend to better econoboxes and maybe in the near future we might see more.

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @1300ccsoffury: Maple Lake

Matt Hardigree

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> even top gear like this car.. so it must be good.. lol

stevecmh

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> Is that Lake Tampier in the background?

1300ccsoffury

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> Don't forget that it is getting standard Nav next year.

BLS

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Dr.Danger: Luxury compacts and hatcbacks do well there as well. A3, C30, 1 series. I seriously doubt Americans will ever be able to accept expensive, high-class small cars (I see it as a legacy of the landbarges). That forces small cars to be marketed on price, which eats into quality and perpetuates the small=suck perception. It sounds like the SX4 is about as good as it gets for this class.

rkwadd

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @rkwadd: @Dr.Danger: I'm curious to see what happens with the swift. If that entry level product can propel people into larger Suzis and they maintain they're sporty/cheaper style I think they could be like Toyota in the 80's.

Matt Hardigree

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @rkwadd: People like sporty econoboxes, just not the US.

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> "It's hard to know what the Suzuki SX4 aspires to be.."

Looks like it's trying to be my 1989 Toyota Corolla All-Trac. Which is a good thing in my book. I would give it a look if I were in the market but, alas, the All-Trac is still plugging along. I would think the hp would be plenty but the low gearing is unfortunate.

KVHnik

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Matt Hardigree, anyone else: If Hyudai was the new Honda/Toyota when those two moved upmarket, is Suzuki the new Hyundai when it moves upmarket itself? Or is it all a moot point because no one cars much about econoboxes?

rkwadd

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @beercheck: I like the gearbox, easy to use, no complaints there. I think that is basically what I said. Seriously, one of the most idiot-free sticks out there, but cheap materials/bad look/4K rpm 80+ driving is not going to get you three or four stars.

Matt Hardigree

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Hot_Carl: Bah. Verona isn't really Suzuki.

beercheck

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> Top Gear (I think it was..) boy loved the shifter in the SX4 vs Mini comparo. Was pretty much the highlight. Did want a 6th, though.

beercheck

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> I'd drive it. It's kinda ugly but I still like it better than Camry/Accord/Civic etc etc. It looks like it's got heart and doesn't appear that it has $5K in electronic add-ons.

Character is more important to me than appliance-like transportation. Everybody else seems to be eliminating most of that.

mytdawg

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> i forgot where i read it online, but isn't suzuki rumoured to be developing and consequently bringing over a turbo-charged variant?

8yearoldsdude

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> Suzuki is by far the best dollar-to-car ratio around. I drove a Verona around for a few months that had leather, power sunroof, climate control, pretty nice looking wood-like accents, fog lights, a decent audio system, heated seats, and a V6. Used price 11k. Unreal. I actually wasn't embarrassed to drive it either, and I didn't hate driving it at all.

Hot_Carl

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> I think its a great looking car.. not your average box at all.

GrandMarquis_de_Sade

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> All they need is a couple turbos and a decent gearbox to make this take off.

Now I have that Don McLean "Vincent" song stuck in my head.

Starry
Starry night...

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Paul Y. is Going Dumb at the Sideshow: The SX4 is already cheap for a 2007 model, if you can find them. I have an SX4 and cant agree more with the article, its dead on, I am glad I did not upgrade my audio package.

punksmurph

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> It specs out well enough to spark interest at its price-point. If I didn't know what it looked like, I'd be intrigued. But something about looking (to me) like any number of modern econo-boxes turns me away.

I don't care that it has parts bin switchgear. I'd gladly put up with a few cheap components in an overall functional, fun, and stylish car.

And sorry, but if I'm going to spend $17k on something, 2 out of 3 ain't good enough.

smalleyxb122

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Matt Hardigree: I think the grammar hounds are still trying to sniff down the reveiw.

It sucks that the gearbox is soo terrible.

Dr.Danger, I run the Death Star

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> I could see having one of these when used ones are dirt-cheap.

At this point in my life, a new car is out of the question, and leasing is for suckers like my parents.

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Ash & Carry: Thanks, people prefer to talk when they disagree, i mix metaphors or they think i'm full of it.

Matt Hardigree

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> @Matt Hardigree: Lots of "Get-up-and-Van-Gogh" and "Value-for-the-Monet?"

/got nothing
//nice review so far

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

]]> <![CDATA[2008 Suzuki SX4, Part Two]]> Starry night or starry night.

Matt Hardigree

]]>