2003 Suzuki Wagon R+ 1.3

Summary:

The best elderly citizens runabout yet made

Faults:

Stater motor failed at 68324 miles.

Had to show my mother how to put in park to start it; I can't blame Suzuki for this!

General Comments:

I bought the car for my 80 year old mother when her Nissan Prairie succumbed to terminal rust.

It is perfect for her needs, as a shopping trolley for her weekly trip to the supermarket.

Not luxurious comfort inside, but it's easy to adjust the seats to a comfortable driving position.

So easy to drive with its automatic transmission and power steering; she likes the electric windows too.

Very easy to load through the rear door, and parking is very easy because it is so small.

It is also adequate for longer trips, as long as you aren't in a hurry.

It seems to have reasonable fuel economy, although with the tiny amount of miles it is driven, it doesn't matter much. It's only had 4 tankfuls of fuel since mother has owned it.

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

Review Date: 28th October, 2011

1997 Suzuki Wagon R+ 0.9 petrol

Summary:

If you don't require any street cred and simply want to go to and from work, it's perfect!

Faults:

I had to have the sill patched for MOT, and some brake work (cleaned and replaced disks and pads).

General Comments:

This car is a perfect city car for getting to and from work.

The car is nippy around town, but the most unbelievable struggle on A roads and getting up to speed.

Very roomy inside, almost like a Tardis!

Only has 4 seat belts, so I can only carry 3 passengers.

Basic inside, but well laid out.

Has electric windows, power steering and a driver's airbag, that's it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2009

24th Apr 2009, 01:13

Was the sill corrosion or had it been chipped or damaged?

The later version 2000 - got only 4 seats to start with, but later version 2003? - got a different rear seat with 3 headrests and belts, so became a 5 seater.

There are so many mk1 Wagon Rs around still - must have been well built!

13th Aug 2010, 07:48

If you pump old or new oil into the sills via the door open sensors, the sills will not rot from the inside out.

2004 Suzuki Wagon R+ 1.3 petrol

Summary:

Suzuki shows how to make an affordable car reliable

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Economical between 43 to 49 mpg.

Have covered over 600 miles in 1 day, and got out without a ache.

5th gear very flexible, will pull from 20 mph.

Have done a airport run, with 4 adults+luggage, cruises at 70mph no problem.

Excellent service from my Suzuki dealer, but they tend to go over the top; 2nd year service with 12,000 miles cost £210, serviced to the book, changed brake fluids etc, don't think that was necessary at 12,000 miles.

Never had a rattle or something working loose.

Only criticism, paint tends to chip easy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd June, 2007

2002 Suzuki Wagon R+ GL 1.3 petrol

Summary:

A very good value buy - reliable and good to drive

Faults:

Tracking problems led to uneven tyre wear. I advise checking soon after purchase.

Persistent problem at c 47,000 miles of the "F1" fuse that covers the ignition, blowing. This caused me to consider a trade in. Electrical faults are difficult and expensive to find/cure. I decided to seek the protection of a warranty.

Minor problems with seat covers/pockets.

Rear door needs to be slammed or you may come down to a dead battery in the morning due to the interior light having been left on.

Tyres are a little unusual and therefore a little more expensive.

Irritating that Suzuki do not fit a set of rear speakers as standard (This is still true).

General Comments:

An excellent buy. The specifications are good and all the claims about access for the elderly, comfort for the tall, economy and overall practicality are true.

I have spent a number of years renovating my house and this vehicle has carried all sorts of stuff with equanimity. The space inside with the seats down compensates for the boot size which is small.

I have driven 47,000 miles and never had to top up the oil- a novel experience for me.

I have decided to renew this car with the new 1.2 version. I shall see if this lives up to other reviewer's positive comment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2006

6th May 2006, 04:22

The new 1.2GL is a good choice, but choose dealers carefully-the £7995 list is often discounted to £6995 after a dealer bonus of £1000, but this varies month to month. If your local dealer is not offering this- shop around- we were offered a new 1.2 for £6650 in London, but this is too far away, and we like our Ludlow dealers.

We had endless tracking issues on our 2001 Y Wagon R 1.3, and found the (expensive due to odd size but use internet to source for cheaper deals) tyres lasted only 15,000 miles at best. Some other reports have cited warranty claims after using the reports on here as evidence of a fault. No issues with new model- showing 4mm tread after 15,000 miles.

Sorry to hear of your fuse issue- in 80,000 miles this never happened to ours. Avoid the main dealer and visit a competent auto electrician who will rectify this for less money!

Our family has experience of numerous small cars available-both through ownership and use of company/hire cars- see our family reports on cars we own(ed)- 2006 Jimny, 2005 Ignis 4Grip, 2006 Citroen C1 to follow) as we all do 25,000 miles per year in small cars.

We do find this new 1.2 GL hard to beat. The bias of the press to cars aimed at 20 year olds is ludicrous:- for older drivers this car is peerless.

We have now covered a pleasurable 15,000 miles in 7 months, like you using the cars both as a van and a car.

NB- don't buy an Ignis as an alternative to a Wagon R, they are hopeless in either 2wd or 4wd, and are tinny and appalling to drive in comparison. We wanted a 4wd Wagon R as available on the continent as we live in a rural area, our son bought an Ignis 4Grip as an alternative- read the report!!

Before you buy- consider that the all new model is due in 2007, and will feature improvements to safety. The old model may well be substantially discounted at this time.

This model is showing its age in relation to safety features, styling and fittings such as the old fashioned face-off stereo.

If you want to buy now, take comfort that this model is thoroughly "shaken down" with years of production and improvements, all the early niggles (like the silly fabric shelf) have been resolved. It now uses the well proven Corsa engine, with good reliability history. It should be reliable getting serviced every 9,000 miles, instead of 20,000 miles as in the similar Agila!

It is shown as having very low warranty claims, and Auto Express Driver Power survey listed Suzuki as better than many prestige brands for service, value and customer satisfaction.

Good luck with your new purchase!

Happy Wagoneering!