Learn me Suzuki SX4's

Ok, so our family situation is going to be change before too long. And now the 3 car set up (Her neon, and my Golf and Miata) just isn't gonna cut it. I have proposed selling the Neon and Golf, and getting a single family friendly car. It has to be an automatic (the wife won't drive a manual, no talking her into it) and preferably have some kind of AWD. The SX4 strikes me as exactly what we're looking for. I'm aware it's not ready to tackle the mountains, but its select AWD can probably handle the snow in this area. Which is good for when the wife drives it. How is Suzuki as a brand?

Since they're old now, you can take advantage of the only downfall that I can think of with Suzukis: Massive depreciation. Otherwise, have fun.

The SX4's seem to have a pretty good reputation with testers:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2009-suzuki-sx4/

Suzuki doesn't have a deep dealer network, so hopefully the build quality stands-up over time - parts may be a bit hard to find. That wouldn't sit well if the car is the wife's personal hauler.

I really like the SX4's and Kizashi's, but I'm a sucker for cars that are heavy on features and performance, but light on the wallet.

I've driven the whole lineup and I really like the car, but found the CVT annoying. I took a fully loaded JLX waaaaay up north a few years ago (http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/02/20/test-drive-2007-suzuki-sx4-fwd.htm) and it handled all kinds of weather and terrain beautifully. Fun-wise - I preferred the base model, just because it came with a stick. It was pretty nimble.

I don't know where you live, or what the dealer situation is like, but here in Memphis we have 2 dealers within 45 minutes....and between them they have about 6 or 7 new SX4s and MAYBE as many Kizashis. The dealership in Memphis may be able to blame their location for the fact that they are (apparently?) hanging on by the skin of their teeth....the other dealership (over the border in Ms.) is in an area that WAS expanding rapidly, but has "cooled" for now.

I would like to have the opportunity to at least try a manual SX4, but neither dealership here has one.

Drewsifer wrote: ... the 3 car set up (Her neon, and my Golf and Miata) just isn't gonna cut it. I have proposed selling the Neon and Golf

I have nothing to add but I respect the idea that the Miata is not getting cut from the line up.

I have two close friends who own the same car... '07 SX-4 AWD hatches. Both have put over 100 000kms since new. One actually has a tow bar fitted and is used to haul karting equipment and renovation supplies regularly.

It seems that front wheel bearings tend to go around this time, as one has had to replace them and the other is going to have to soon.

One has had a drain clog up with leaves and collect water in the passenger footwell, something to do with drainage around the wiper boxes. Easy fix (compressed air) taken care of by the dealer I believe.

Don't expect 2WD fuel mileage but it is still VERY reasonable. I believe the newer cars come with a 6 speed, which does wonders to bring the rpms down at highway speeds (5speed = about 3k @ 62mph)

I seriously considered them but the base impreza hatch seemed like more car for not much more $. just a thought.