Got a new daily - possible regret?

[Ekliptix]

Giving the 2003 X5 a time-out while I address a valve cover gasket oil leak, needed a daily that could handle my country driveway in the winter, is reliable, decent on gas and CHEAP.
Just got back today driving this from Winnipeg. 2012 Suzuki SX4. 6 speed manual, 2" lift, BFG KOs, nice head unit, back up camera etc.

PROS:

• Good fuel economy city driving, 9L/100km.
• Lots of head room.
• Button for FWD, Auto, or 4 lock.
• Good traction. My 3/4 ton 4x4 and the X5 have studded winters, but this thing likely won't need them unless it's an ice situation.
• I expect it to be reliable.
• Um, it's a lifted Suzuki, it looks cool.

CONS:

• I've never driven a slower car, including my 1988 4L Jeep cherokee. A very modest grade requires downshifting to maintain 100km/h.
• Highway fuel economy is worse then city, likely from the lift and tires. 12.5l/100km at 120km/h. Flat.
• Gearing for snow/off road. I tried climbing a 25% grade snowy hill in my yard with 4 locked and TC off. Floored in 1st gear, the traction overpowered the engine and dropped rpm from 5000rpm to idle. The power/gear seems to be the limit for getting through or up snow.

I'll drive it for a while to decide if I can handle how gutless it is while I'm getting the X5 oil leak fixed. If anyone wants to get on a list for buying it if I sell it, reply here.




Subaru Justy for comparison.



Ground clearance (side and rear):

[max_boost]

Enjoy it for what it is and if you gotta ask, ya you ragret lol

[Ekliptix]

Yea, I expect and hope it will grow on my as a 'personality' car. The car is what it is, like you said.

[AndyL]

Chick cars ftw! (Speaking as a RAV4 owner)

And it's cheap. Turbo it! That's always the solution, unless you want to throw a 50shot of Nawz on it

[killramos]

Those tires are hilarious on it. Love it.

[C4S]

Wow .. don't even know that thing exist!

I used to drive those Suzuki Sidekick ... they were fun!

[Maxx Mazda]

Is it down on power, or just naturally gutless? Maybe there’s an issue somewhere.

I do know those K02’s are HEAVY as fuck though, could be a big part of it.

[Ekliptix]

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Is it down on power, or just naturally gutless? Maybe there’s an issue somewhere.
I do know those K02’s are HEAVY as fuck though, could be a big part of it.

My 130hp (B18b?) in my 1991 integra felt incredibly more powerful then this and it did 17 seconds in the 1/4 mile. This car feel like it'd take 25+ seconds to do a 1/4 mi.
The Suzuki idles normally and sounds normal. I wish I could say if the power is down from normal, but I have not driven another one of these cars.

[J-hop]

I actually kinda like it. Super unique would be a fun winter DD. Now if we could just get some real winter going you’ll be laughing

[Ekliptix]

One more gripe: It only holds 45 L of fuel. I read this before buying car. On the drive last night there are massive stretches of highway with no open gas stations. I did run outta gas and embarrassingly needed AMA. It was actually funny though as I saw a gas station and the car literally died and rolled 300' to the pump. I thought I was a hero. Except the station was closed for renovations, hence the AMA call. My fault, not the cars. I have already bought and filled a 10L / 2.6gal jerry can that'll remain in the back. With the shitty highway fuel economy, it's range is 300km before the empty light goes on.

[Skrilla]

That things awesome haha! Turbo and put a roof basket on it with spare, lights and gas cans.

[spikerS]

That's awesome man, congrats!

This totally reminded me of the car I wanted when i was younger. 2 seater, 4x4, and easy to mod, just impossible to find...

[ExtraSlow]

I've never seen a lifted Suzuki swift before. That's cool.

[ianmcc]

I sent a FB message to the guy you bought the rusty Justy from-he was looking for a car just like that with a manual trans (although I am not sure about the lift and tires).

[tonytiger55]

Out of curiosity...When your doing 120km, what rpm is the engine at...?

[Toms-SC]

What is replacement part availability like for the SX4? Looks like a great winter beater.

[Ekliptix]

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Out of curiosity...When your doing 120km, what rpm is the engine at...?

I'll confirm when I drive it next, but I believe 2,500-3,000

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What is replacement part availability like for the SX4? Looks like a great winter beater.

RockAuto.com

[Xtrema]

If I ever go your route for a personality car, I would go for one of these:

[bourge73]

How much you need for it. And when passed the ooop I assume

[Ekliptix]

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If I ever go your route for a personality car, I would go for one of these:

That's interesting.

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How much you need for it. And when passed the ooop I assume

If I sell it after deciding it's not a good fit, I'll ask what I paid: $8k.