Ming's New Daily Driver (It's a GM car, but...)

[Ming]

Updated shots HERE:



I've taken delivery of my new daily driver! Flame away if you like , but remember...it still is a GM under all that badging. Next time you see those high GM Daewoo export numbers contributing to GM's bottom line you can thank me for that extra 1 at the end. The Bonneville is still in my garage awaiting needed repairs (took a minor rear end hit and the A/C and front wheel bearing are out @ about 100,000 miles) - to be retired until my other half decides to go back to work within a year (she wants to drive the Bonnie).

It's a 2007 Absolute White Suzuki Forenza Wagon with Convenience Package and several SWT ( "Suzuki Works Techno" - gotta love that quirky Engrish) accessories. One thing I didn't ask for / order was the "graphics" on the side but somehow they got on there. I checked and no other accessories were missing and my price hadn't changed, so I took it and didn't complain. I now think it actually works nicely with the white. Apparently it was a hit on the showroom floor for the couple of days before I picked it up, and they're going to build another like it (mine was the first they'd done like this / new dealership).

The car drives great, handles nicely and overall has even more of a quality feel than I had remembered from a previous test drive and visits to dealers in the past. A few things specifically feel like they've changed for the better, such as the shift knob that I remember having a loose-tooth feel in a 2005 Forenza sedan that I test drove once. The MP3-CD radio also has a nice new knob with a chrome ring that dials smoothly like a quality piece. The sound of course is only just OK compared to my Bonneville's Bose system. But at least its wired up for 9 speakers if I ever get the urge to swap some out. I like to listen to Old Time Radio serials on MP3 CD (yay, no messing around with cables & battery life anymore) a lot though, and sound quality is not an issue there. Overall I'm very pleased.







.

[psece]

Hi Ming,
Congrats on the new car. In looking up the EPA mileage, it says 22 / 30. That doesn't sound right for the car weight and engine size. Maybe the Suzuki website was showcasing 2008 figures? You will have to let us know the real world numbers. Congrats again.

[fp115]

Oh noes, it has a bra! Nice car though

[Ming]

Thanks psece - no that is correct. The fuel economy was up there on my list of importance for sure, but I was comparing it against cars like the HHR which gets about the same, even with the base 2.2L engine which is only moderately more powerful (share the same Opel roots, too). More important to me was the overall purchase price, cargo room, the fact that Suzuki was unashamed to offer an undisguised wagon (I've always liked 4-banger long wagons), and that a lot of the equipment I wanted came standard. That and the novelty of the PT-HHR-Cruiser's looks wore thin on me, and the cargo area of the HHR seemed dominated by unneeded plastic bulges.

The Forenza Wagon also has a lot more shoulder and hip room inside than the HHR, try a comparison at TrueDelta.com. That and the stylistic tiny windows (with less visibility) on the HHR killed it for me. As for other choices, there are few true wagons (not hatchbacks) still on the market new with 4-bangers coming in at the price point the Forenza Wagon comes in at. And I'll admit I have a thing for Suzuki, Holden (engine) and GM Daewoo, and what other car can satisfy all three of my interests?

I noticed that the engine usually hovers around 2,000 RPM during my driving, even when driving 55, but it has a lot more pickup / torque from a dead stop than an Aveo I once test drove. I haven't found it lacking in that department, the power is more available than the HP numbers suggested.

The engine is quiet and smooth. Not bad at all for a long-time Aussie-built Holden Family engine. The transmission is generally seamless except at very low speeds where it can hunt a bit. There is a "hold" button that apparently is useful for low traction conditions, a sort of dumb traction control and a way to avoid gear hunting in hilly terrain.

[69Firebird400]

Congrats, Ming! May you have many happy, trouble-free miles in your new car! Plus, you got a great color for the Texas sun, huh? Learned your lesson from the Bonneville's black?

[mmm...bowtie]

I love the finish on the wheels. I'm not a fan of chrome and wish more manufacturers would offer stock wheels in that color. Do any of those Suzukis come with stick shifts?

[SonicAerio]

Congrats Ming!

I know you will be happy with it as much as you took into consideration when getting a vehicle ....

Looks like you got every possible option on that except for the interior trim covers.(which don't look good as the stock look) I must really say that the white wagon with the decal down the side looks good....sporty but not overly out of place....even on a wagon I like the wheels too! Never been a fan of bras....but to each their own.....Also glad to hear that you had a good experience with the dealership....thats what Suzuki is really focusing on...getting people in to buy a vehicle and then keeping them as a repeat...

With your comment on power...I agree....I feel more power then the numbers suggest, and the radio was upgrade to the newer GM corporate unite which looks more expensive then the previous GMDAT one.

[SonicAerio]

Originally Posted by mmm...bowtie

I love the finish on the wheels. I'm not a fan of chrome and wish more manufacturers would offer stock wheels in that color. Do any of those Suzukis come with stick shifts?

The wheels are part of the line of accessories offered from SWT - Suzuki's in house performance company. Most of the items currently sold by SWT are visual, but its been rumored performance parts are on the way.

Most Suzuki's offer a manual in 1 trim or another....

Offer manual transmission:
Base Forenza Sedan
Base Forenza Wagon
Base Grand Vitara
All levels of SX4

Only automatics:
XL7
Aerio(in its final year, previous versions such as my 03 have a manual fully loaded)

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by mmm...bowtie

I love the finish on the wheels. I'm not a fan of chrome and wish more manufacturers would offer stock wheels in that color. Do any of those Suzukis come with stick shifts?

The finish on the wheels actually reminds me of the competition grey wheels you can get on a new Corvette. I think they look badass on a Vette, but if I was getting a Corvette, I'd probably still prefer polished aluminum. The chromed ones are a little too shiny, IMO.

Sorry for hijacking your new car thread with my Corvette mumblings, Ming.

[jfnz24]

Congrats on your purchase. I have to agree with a few of the other posters that I would have left the bra off. Also, what changed your mind from the Impala? Just wondering, because I am probably going to be going the Impala route in MY08, when the 3.9 is FlexFuel capable.

[t-rex]

I wonder if that dealership owns all the "Team" dealerships (Honda, Toyota) in Louisiana.

Team Honda in Baton Rouge, La. has probably the best service department on Earth. Team dealers have the best repuation in the B.R. area.

[TaHoE]

Congrats Ming! Very nice little wagon! The graphics work well with your white paint and gray wheels. However, that Bra has GOT TO GO man!

[GMCSonoma]

Nice! You could always rebadge into a Chevy Optra!!!!


Anyways, I looked a a sedan version about a year ago, as I was interested then in adding a second car to my lineup after I sold my old Sunfire... I was impressed...felt familiar too on the inside and it was comfortable as well!

[prowlerjc]

I'd have taken a manual, no bra (do small cars have training bras?), but other than that, I like it.

I like the SX/4. Was this a better value?

[Butz]

Nice little Daewoo, I hope you enjoy it.