2002 Suzuki XL-7 LX review from North America

My boyfriend's mom gave me this car a little over a year ago - we gave her his Jeep Wrangler for trade. I love it, but since I got it the AC has not worked. Took it to a mechanic and he said the same thing - the air compressor was frozen and it would be a few grand to replace. Not worth it to me - I just roll with the windows down.

About a month ago we made a trip down south to visit family, and about half way there, the power steering belt broke. We drove the next 2 1/2 hours with out power steering. Luckily, it was a fairly simple fix.

For the past few weeks though the car has been making a very loud and annoying screaming noise - I have NO idea what is causing it. If it doesn't start up right when the car starts, it does it for the first few seconds after I press on the gas... Any ideas?

I have a slow oil leak, too - not too sure where it's coming from and it has been there for at least a year.

Lastly, there's a shortage in the wiring to the tail lights. Sometimes my right brake light won't work, sometimes it does. Hopefully it'll always work if a cop is behind me. =)

I really love this car. It is very spacious, comfortable, and stylish. The newer models aren't very appealing to me.

I wish the mechanics on it were built better, but what can you expect? All the companies itch for is money. After reading that probably more than 95% of the cars AC compressors went out so soon, I think Suzuki should have recalled it and replaced them.

Besides that, I really enjoy having this car. It makes a great first car for anyone - it is my first car because it's easy to handle, it's bigger but not too big to be scared to drive/park/etc... And a great travel/family car.