2000 Suzuki Baleno GL 1.6

Summary:

Cheap, but not worth it in the end

Faults:

The plastic cover over the interior light keeps falling off.

The seat belt constantly frays. I have had it replaced 4 times.

Second gear and reverse always grinds.

The windows have to be pulled up extra hard or else it is still down a little bit.

General Comments:

It is an OK car, but I wouldn't recommend that you buy one. I have had heaps of mechanical problems in the two years I have owned it. The car sometimes doesn't start first time, and sometimes it just stalls for no reason.

It has a quick responsive engine though. It is fun to drive because it is small and zippy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd December, 2003

25th Mar 2004, 10:01

"The car sometimes doesn't start first time, and sometimes it just stalls for no reason."

I have an 1800cc Fuel injected version - and it started playing up. I cleaned the idler device on the manifold (the round thing with wires, held by two bolts). Remove it from the car, and although it does not dismantle - unlike previous Ford versions I have known - it responded well to Carburettor Cleaner (the sort you buy into auto shops in an aerosol). I sprayed into it and rinsed it until the liquid ran clear - and refitted it. No more problems!!

Andy S

Bristol.

1999 Suzuki Baleno GA 1.6 SOHC Unleaded

Summary:

A nice zippy little car

Faults:

The radio on the stock CD/Radio stopped working, but this was replaced with no charge.

General Comments:

I love my little Baleno hatch. It's a great little car, but sometime it can be a bit too small.

The stock performance is OK. I have added a performance air filter, lowered by 1 1/2", 15 x 195 rubber and I run her on high octane fuel and it's now it a very zippy car. It's keeps up with my mates Nissan EXA (Pulsar NX)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th March, 2003

1996 Suzuki Baleno GTX Hatch 1.8 DOHC, fuel injection

Summary:

A great looking and driving performance hatch, but beware gearbox troubles

Faults:

Basically nothing went wrong in the one year I owned the car, although at times the engine seemed to nearly drop out when idling, particularly if coasting with clutch in or after pulling up suddenly.

Also I think the gearbox may be a weakness at around 60-70 thousand k's, as when I went to sell the car to a dealer, an inspection revealed leaks "from one end of the gearbox to the other." It was going to require major work to fix (or so they said)

General Comments:

I love this car. It was a nice sporty looking hatch, but not too overdone, with after-market 16" alloys & 205/45R16 tyres and the tame factory body kit (rear spoiler, skirts, front and rear under spoilers) doing the trick.

The seats were sporty yet comfy enough, but not on the really long trips. Very reliable and never looked like needing attention, though as I say it may have run into big problems had I kept it much longer.

I should have replaced the shocks to get a better ride which was a little rough, but I don't mind that in small cars.

The clutch was very nice and responsive with a very short shift esp. for a non-specialized sports car. 1st gear has impressive torque and acceleration was great, though gear changes a little jerky, but this you expect when moving fast through the gears.

Red line/cut-out at approx 7'200, but I wouldn't recommend making a habit of this. The engine makes a lovely whining sound as it climbs through 4,5,6 K, gaining power all the way and never sounding out of breath or wanting to give it up... attacks the red line and I swear it wants to break through it, but of course the cut-out is in place.

Lastly, some great features were the anti-lock brakes, twin airbags, power windows, steering, mirrors, a very easy car to get about town in, with great rear visibility and small in size... yet the 1.8 Double Overhead Cam injection engine gives the car more punch and HP than other similar hatches, example: mirage, starlet (non-turbo), charade, etc. which generally have 1.3 or 1.5 engines at best.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th April, 2002

25th Apr 2004, 07:06

Methinks that the buying dealer was making up stories about the gearbox to drop the price he paid. When you buy a car, it's the greatest thing on wheels. Take it back two hours later and it's the worst, so they can't give you anything! My brother and I have had zero gearbox issues/comments with ours - mine is a 1995, his is a 2000 model.