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Suzuki Alto Reviews

You'll find all our Suzuki Alto reviews right here. Suzuki Alto prices range from $3,410 for the Alto Gl to $6,050 for the Alto Gl.

Our reviews offer detailed analysis of the 's features, design, practicality, fuel consumption, engine and transmission, safety, ownership and what it's like to drive.

The most recent reviews sit up the top of the page, but if you're looking for an older model year or shopping for a used car, scroll down to find Suzuki dating back as far as 1985.

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Tips to get an EOFY bargain
By Neil Dowling · 21 Jun 2013
June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 
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Used Suzuki Alto review: 2009-2011
By Graham Smith · 20 Jun 2013
The on-going quest to reduce fuel consumption was always going to throw up a car like the Suzuki Alto, a tiny hatch with a miniscule engine that could provide the answer for anyone looking to slash their fuel bills.NEWAs much as many tried to laugh it off, the India-made midget was no joke; it was a serious little car that really did ask the question of those serious about cutting their running costs.When launched it was presented as the first of a new generation of micro models that were expected to land here from places like China, Korea and India. That hasn't yet eventuated, leaving Suzuki alone to seed the market.The Alto measured a mere 3500 mm long and 1600 mm wide and weighed just 850 kg. But that didn't mean it was compromised when it came to safety. Through the use of high-strength steels Suzuki and a power of electronics has managed to achieve a creditable 4-star safety rating from ANCAP.When launched the base model GL didn't have electronic stability control, to get that you had to go upmarket to the GLX. That was rectified in 2010 when ESP was added to the entry model. Power came from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that generated 50 kW at 6000 rpm and 90 Nm at 3400 rpm.That meant it had to be revved to get the most out of it, which was something new to owners who were used to larger engines with enough torque to pull from lower revs. While the fuel economy - 4.8L/100km with the manual 'box - was admirable it lost a little of its gloss when it was realised that it required the more expensive premium unleaded.Two transmissions were offered, a five-speed manual that delivered the best fuel consumption, and a four-speed auto. Despite its small size the Alto offered reasonably comfortable accommodation, at least for some. Front seat passengers had good head and legroom, those in the back were a little cramped and the boot was small.The equipment level was quite good given its modest price tag. The GL had air-conditioning, CD sound, MP3 connectivity, remote central locking and power front windows, while the GLX had all of that plus alloys, fog lights, six speakers and tachometer.NOWFour years on from the launch and on the whole things appear to be going swimmingly for the little Suzuki. Suzuki is renowned for building quality small cars that punch well above their weight, and that seems to be true of the Alto.Owners are generally content with their decision to buy the budget hatch, which is delivering the promised fuel economy while at the same time giving little trouble. The thing most complained about is a lack of performance, but that appears to be more about the driver than the car. Most of those who complain have stepped down out of a larger car with a bigger engine that doesn't need to be revved the way the Alto's does to extract its zip.Most people also go for the auto transmission, which adds to the dull feel of the car off the line. There have been a couple of recalls of the GF Alto. The first was in 2009 and related to a wiring problem that could cause the stoplight to cease functioning.The second, in 2010, related to a potential fuel leak during refuelling. While the trade gives the Alto a big tick of approval, it comes with a warning about servicing. It's vital that the oil be changed as recommended; skipping oil changes is a recipe for an expensive engine meltdown. Cheaper cars tend to be the most neglected when it comes to maintenance, so check the service record to make sure everything is up to scratch.SMITHY SAYSNeed a run-about that's easy on the wallet? Give the Alto a go.Suzuki Alto 2009-2011Price new: $12,490 to $16,490Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder, 50 kW/90 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed man, FWDEconomy: 4.8 L/100 km (man), 5.5 L/100km (auto)Body: 4-door hatchVariants: GL, GLXSafety: 4-star ANCAP.COMING UPDo you own a Jeep Compass? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010. 
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Best fuel bill busters
By Joshua Dowling · 01 Nov 2012
Did you get a shock a couple of weeks ago when the price of petrol jumped almost 30 cents litre at the pump? Fear not, help is here.There’s little you can do about the rising cost of oil – but there is a choice of fuel-efficient cars with most mod-cons for less than $14,000 drive-away, no more to pay. Previously, it hasn’t always made economic sense to trade-in your old banger and buy a new car purely to save money on petrol. More often than not, the fuel savings are evaporated by the high cost of a new model.But that’s changing. The strong Australian dollar – and the most competitive new-car market in the free world – means you now get much more for your money. Standard fare typically includes six airbags, air-conditioning and, in most cases, wireless Bluetooth phone connectivity. That’s in addition to the miserly consumption and peace of mind new cars provide.As ever, the headline prices are for cars with manual transmission. Figure on another $2000 for auto (where available). One other word of caution: always ask how much metallic paint costs. Holden charges as much as $550 extra (Hyundai and Nissan $495 and Suzuki $475) which takes some of the shine off the bargain price.With all that in mind, we’ve assembled the four cheapest – and most worthy – fuel misers money can buy.Holden Barina SparkSales of the smallest new Holden money can buy have fallen off a cliff this year because of newer competition and the lack of an automatic transmission. But the baby Barina Spark will be worth another look in January when it finally becomes available with an automatic transmission – two years after it went on sale.The Barina Spark is among the smallest of this bunch but it comes with five doors and five seating positions, although there is really only room for two in comfort in the back. The interior has a futuristic design. It’s a user-friendly layout, with plenty of storage cubbies, although the plastics are hard to the touch.The 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is willing but, as with most cars in this class, you need to keep the revs up to maintain momentum up hills. Or keep with the traffic. Road holding is sound but not best-in-class. Happily, there’s a full-size spare in the boot.The sound system is below average and Bluetooth is not standard (it’s a $410 accessory). In North America the Barina Spark is available with internet radio; Holden is rolling this feature across the range starting with the regular Barina in the new year.As with many brands, Holden offers fixed price servicing. But check the fine print: Holden requires you to service the car every nine months, not 12, which makes it dearer to maintain over the three-year warranty period. And another thing: Holden has the dearest metallic paint option in this group. At $550 extra, be sure to haggle.VERDICTSharply priced but lacks some features standard on rivals. Wait until January for the updated model.Holden Barina SparkFrom: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.2-litre four-cylinderEconomy: 5.5L/100kmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto from JanuaryHyundai i20In the past few months the Hyundai i20 has had a facelift and a price cut, and it’s now back to being a bargain buy. When the i20 was released two years ago, Hyundai initially set the price at $16,990 – and buyers stayed away in droves.The Hyundai i20 has the longest warranty of this lot – five years and unlimited kilometres – but at this price only comes with three doors. Standard fare includes six airbags, Bluetooth connectivity (including music streaming) a new six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmissions.The i20 is among the roomiest of this quartet, with the biggest boot (Hyundai i20: 295L, Nissan Micra: 227L, Barina Spark: 170L, Suzuki Alto 110L). As with the others, it comes with a full size spare. The Hyundai i20 is also the only car in this price range to score a five-star crash safety rating (the Volkswagen Up is five-star but it is $13,990 plus on-road costs, giving it a drive-away price closer to $17,000).The Hyundai’s interior is neither striking nor dull, it’s been designed to make life easy with 12V and USB power sockets, decent sized door pockets and a roomy glovebox. Given that the i20 has the biggest engine of this bunch, it’s no surprise it has more go and copes with the daily grind with less stress than the others.Road holding is near the top of these four cars but not class-leading. We’re not a fan of the Kumho Solus tyres in the wet. In the dry they’re fine. Hyundai’s fixed-price servicing deal is among the cheapest available – but the offer runs out after three years. Disappointingly, service costs return to free-market prices in the last two years of Hyundai’s warranty coverage.Given that it has just introduced this program, here’s hoping Hyundai extends the servicing deal to five years before the first customers hit this hump in their ownership experience. And another thing: Hyundai makes a point of the fact that the i20 was designed in Germany – but it’s built in India.VERDICTThe roomiest, zippiest and safest among this quartet (also has the longest warranty). But you only get three doors at this price.Hyundai i20From: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.4-litre four-cylinderEconomy: 5.3L/100km manual, 5.9L/100km autoTransmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed autoNissan Micra STWith its bubble-shaped cutesy looks, you could be forgiven for thinking the Nissan Micra is a bit of a toy car. But it’s surprisingly capable and, in the three-cylinder guise we’ve chosen, more fuel-efficient in the real world than the rating label suggests.The Micra very nearly won a host of Car of the Year awards when it was released two years ago, winning praise for its road holding and fun-to-drive dynamics. It tops the class in this price range (and has the tightest turning circle this side of a Smart car).Picking the right time to buy is key to the Micra's appeal. It has been priced as low as $12,990 drive-away for a manual model (an absolute steal), but the current cash offer is $13,990 drive-away – or 0 per cent finance for 60 months. However, if you take the finance offer you must pay full retail, which is closer to $15,990 drive-away.Our advice? Pay cash or arrange your own finance and shoot for a $12,990 drive-away price and see if you can get a Nissan dealer to take the bait. As with the Hyundai i20, the Nissan Micra has an inoffensive but functional interior, with plenty of hidden cubbies, big door pockets and glovebox and (for an economy car) surprisingly good seats.Although there are seats for five, it’s better off carrying a maximum of four. An unusual omission, the centre back-seat position lacks a head rest. The sound system may look bland but the audio quality is above average, and the Bluetooth set-up works a treat – but it doesn’t yet include music streaming and there’s no USB power source, just a 12V socket.Nissan offers fixed price servicing for the Micra (and the rest of its range) but it’s the dearest in the business. Nissan requires a visit to the dealer every six months – and the cost of each visit is higher than the competition. And another thing: Depending on overseas demand, Nissan sources the Micra from factories in Thailand and Indonesia.VERDICTOur pick based on its current discount price, the Nissan Micra is the best to drive in this group and (contrary to the label) among the most frugal.Nissan Micra STFrom: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.2-litre three-cylinderEconomy: 5.9L/100km manual, 6.5L/100km autoTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed autoSuzuki Alto GLIf you really want to drive your dollar further, the Suzuki Alto is the champion. Priced at $11,990 drive-away, it’s making life hard for the other mainstream brands – and even the cut-throat Chinese car makers struggle to undercut it.The Suzuki Alto is three years old now but is standing up well to the test of time. Its 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is not the most refined in its class, but it operates with sewing machine-like reliability. It’s also the most frugal car in this group – in part because it demands premium unleaded petrol (95 octane), which is dearer to buy but goes further than regular petrol.The Suzuki Alto doesn’t come standard with Bluetooth but the current $11,990 offer for the “Indie” pack includes a portable navigation unit which comes with Bluetooth. The Alto has a hard-wearing functional interior that probably won’t win any beauty contests, but it’ll likely outlast owners. At least Suzuki is honest about how many people can fit comfortably; it only has seatbelts for four occupants.The boot is small (at least there is a ful size spare underneath) but as with all the hatchbacks here, the back seats fold so you can fit more gear. And another thing: Suzuki is the third-biggest car maker in Japan and outsells Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda and Mazda in Europe. The Alto comes from India, where Suzuki is the market leader.VERDICTAt this price, nothing gets close. The limited edition ‘Indie’ pack is a bargain as it includes navigation and Bluetooth.Suzuki Alto GLFrom: $11,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.0-litre three-cylinderEconomy: 4.7L/100km manual, 5.3L/100km autoTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto 
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Suzuki Alto 2012 Review
By Ewan Kennedy · 03 Aug 2012
The Suzuki Alto may not sing as sweetly as a church choir, but when it comes to economics it hits all the right notes. VALUE With prices starting around twelve grand and petrol sipping performance the new Suzuki light passenger car is perfectly in tune with a rarely opened wallet. This fact has not escaped the notice
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Best cheap cars
By Bruce McMahon · 07 Jul 2011
…and competent budget cars rolling out of Australian showrooms.Cheap in 2011 no longer means tin-can terrible; from $11,790 for the Suzuki Alto to $12,990 for Nissan's Micra there's the choice of five, five-door hatchbacks safer, better-equipped and better-built than ever.Ten years ago the cheapest cars on the local market were the likes of the three-door Hyundai Excel at $13,990 and the Daewoo Lanos at $13,000.Since then average Australian income has jumped 21 per cent in real terms according to the ACTU even though petrol's gone from 80 cents a litre to $1.40 and more.But car prices have fallen in real terms, thanks to increased competition, a strong dollar and new brands headed this way from China.Technology, trickling down from higher-priced machines or, like stability control, mandated by authorities has made these budget cars more attractive than ever.Malaysian maker Proton were among the first to slice retail prices in the face of a feared onslaught from China, dropping the $11,990 S16 sedan into the light car battle market last November.Now Suzuki has taken the lead on pricing. (And Proton, with stock tight while waiting for a replacement, perhaps cheaper, model later this year couldn't make it to this comparison with an S16.)Their rivals are all finding new homes. While the overall car market is sluggish, down 5.3 per cent on last year, light cars have slipped only 1.4 per cent. Some 55,000 light cars were sold to the end of May, the second biggest segment after small cars and ahead of compact SUV sales figures.Suzuki Australia's general manager Tony Devers says the light car segment has grown dramatically over the past five years as Australians become more urbanised, more inner-city focussed.For Suzuki, light car buyers are split into two camps - over-45s looking for a second car and under-25s looking for university and city transport."What's the alternative - a four or five year old car with less fuel effciency and safety?" Devers says.VALUEYou get a surprising amount of kit in a cheap car these days: electric mirrors (in all but the Alto), airconditioning, plenty of safety equipment, electric windows (front only, but all four in the Chery) and quality sound systems.There is only $1200 between the cheapest and the dearest and the resale values are pretty close, too.Vehicle sizes are also much the same as is power. You would have to be Mark Webber to pick the difference between the least powerful (Alto 50kW) and the most powerful (Chery 62kW).The Micra wins on features with Bluetooth, USB input and steering wheel audio controls, but it is also the most expensive.The Alto is cheapest, but doesn't miss out on too many creature comforts except electric mirrors. And for an extra $700 the GLX has fog lights and alloys.TECHNOLOGYThe four cheapies we tested come with the new age of downsized engine. In the Micra and Alto, they are three-cylinder powerplants. The three-cylinder models were a little rough at idle, but so economical they mark the way of the future for city cars. In real world conditions, it was difficult to pick any power differences."It's surprising they are three-cylinder cars," says guest tester William Churchill. "They're pretty zippy for a three." On a low-tech note, it is difficult to distinguish the lock and unlock buttons on the Alto and Chery key fobs, while the Micra adds a car locator button that blows the horn.DESIGNThe Micra looks the most grown up and least quirky, having lost its bug eyes in the latest restyle. It also sits the nicest on its wheels, with marginal gaps in the wheel arches.One of our guest test-drivers, Amy Spencer, says she liked the slightly SUV look of the Chery. It also has smart alloy wheels and an instantly appealing interior.The Chinese have tried hard to funk up the cabin space, even if the seats lack support and some of the fit and finish isn't the best. Alto and Barina look similar on the exterior. Inside, both have comfortable and supportive seats, but the Holden trip computer is a bit too fussy and busy for easy reading.Cabin dimensions are similar across the four, although the Micra has best back seat legroom and the most luggage capacity, while the Alto's boot is tiny.The Chery also scored points with Spencer for its handy dashboard storage compartment.She and fellow volunteer test driver Penny Langfield also noted the importance of vanity mirrors on the visors. The Micra and Barina have two vanity mirrors, while the Chery has one on the passenger's side and Alto has one on the driver's side.SAFETYLangfield commented that safety is one of the most important aspects to consider."That is the thing you worry about the most with a small car," she says.But cheap doesn't mean they have scrimped on safety features. All have electronic stability control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution.The Chery has only dual front airbags, but the rest come with six airbags.According to the Australian New Car Assessment Program, the Chery has a three-star crash rating, Barina and Alto four stars and the Micra has not yet been tested, but the previous model with only dual front airbags had a three-star rating.DRIVINGWe took our three young volunteer drivers on a short city-based drive with plenty of hills and some freeway cruising. The Chery suffered a little from being straight out of the box with only about 150km on the odo and most of that on test.It may still be bedding in the brakes, but they felt mushy until they warmed up. Then they got a bit firmer, but still lacked initial bite and feel.The Chery's airconditioning also has a ringing sound in the fan which may go away after a while.We also noticed it revved a bit when you pushed in the clutch, indicating perhaps a slightly sticky throttle while still new.Yet the Chery drew favourable comments from all quarters for its responsive and "zippy" engine. However, Langfield noted it was "a bit sluggish coming up the hill"."I've heard all the hype about this being the cheapest car, but it goes better than I thought it would," she says. Spencer was rapt with the sound system: "It's great when you ramp it up."However, she instantly fell in love with the Micra."I liked this car from when I reversed it out of the carpark. It's quite zippy. I love the big mirrors. I like how the dashboard gives it a bit of space. It's not cramped up."She also liked the fact the seat height adjustment in the Micra and Suzuki: "It's great for short people."Churchill says the Micra's instruments are easy to read and found the audio controls on the steering wheel convenient."Smooth" was the word for Langfield to described the power, gearshift and ride."It's got a good audio system. The radio is nice and high," she says as she pumps up the volume on Triple J. She also likes the ample cup holders.The Barina is a no-fuss, solid and strong city car. "It's simple to drive but the LCD screen on the instrument panel is a bit distracting and very busy," says Churchill. Langfield agrees, but says, "I'm sure you would get used to it after a while."She liked the "smooth gear action" but found it "a bit gutless in places, but it picks up when you need it".The Suzuki surprised us all with its plucky three-cylinder engine. "It takes off when you want it to. It feels more intuitive and responsive," says Langfield.But Spencer laments the lack of boot space. "There'll be no camping weekends with this boot."Churchill says the gearshift was easy and the clutch feels light. "It's the most simple to get in and just drive."VERDICTThe Chery is the real surprise. It's better than we thought and attracted some good comments for styling, audio and power.The Barina feels safe, strong and reliable, while the Micra feels the most refined, although the most expensive. But we have to agree with the punters.While we found good and different points across the four we appreciate the Suzuki's willingness and price point as the leader of this pack.Last word goes to Langfield: "All these cars are better than my car so I really can't complain."VOTINGPenny Langfield: 1 Alto, 2 Micra, 3 Barina, 4 Chery. "It just feels good to drive. You feel like you are driving a real car, not a toy".Amy Spencer: 1 Micra, 2 Alto, 3 Barina, 4 Chery. "An all-round good car. It has a bit of storage space and just looks and feels good to drive."William Churchill: 1 Alto, 2 Barina, 3 Chery, 4 Micra. "I can get in and didn't need to get used to driving it. The dashboard is also easy to use."SUZUKI ALTO GLPrice: $11,790Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1 litre, 3-cylinder 50kW/90NmTransmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto option)Fuel: 4.7l/100km; CO2 110g/kmDimensions: 3500mm (L), 1600mm (W), 1470mm (H), 2360mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBDWarranty: 3-year/100,000kmResale: 50.9%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: 14-inch steel wheels, A/C, aux input, full-size steel spare, front power windowsBARINA SPARK CDPrice: $12,490Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.2 litre, 4-cylinder 59kW/107NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 5.6l/100km; CO2 128g/kmDimensions: 3593mm (L), 1597mm (W), 1522mm (H), 2375mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, TCSWarranty: 3 year/100,000kmResale: 52.8%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: 14-inch alloy wheels, front power windows, A/C, USB & Aux audio input, auto headlights off, optional full-size spareCHERY J1Price: $11,990Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.3 litre, 4-cylinder 62kW/122NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.7l/100km; CO2 159g/kmDimensions: 3700mm (L), 1578 (W), 1564 (H), 2390 (WB)Safety: ABS, EBD, ESP, dual front airbagsWarranty: 3 yr/100,000kmResale: 49.2%Green rating: 4 starsFeatures: 14-inch alloys, full-size steel spare, A/C, 4 power windows and mirrorsNISSAN MICRA STPrice: $12,990Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder 56Kw/100nmTransmission: 5-speed manual (four-speed auto option)Fuel: 5.9l/100km; CO2 138g/kmDimensions: 3780mm (L,) 1665mm (W), 1525mm (H), 2435mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBDWarranty: 3 year/100,000km, 3-year 24-hr roadside assistResale: 50.8%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: Bluetooth, A/C, 14-inch steel wheels, full-size steel spare, aux in, front power windowsPROTON S16 GPrice: $11,990Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder 82kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.3l/100km; CO2 148g/kmDimensions: 4257mm (L) 1680mm (W) 1502mm (H), 2465mm (WB)Safety: Driver's airbag, ESC,Warranty: three year, unlimited km, 24-hour roadside assistResale: 50.9%Green rating: 4 starsFeatures: 13-inch steel wheels, full-size steel spare, A/C, remote central locking, front power windowsUSED CAR OPTIONSTHERE are a number of options to an all-new light car if shopping for something secondhand and sensible.Among these, Glass' Guide lists manual versions of Honda's 2003 Civic Vi five-door hatchback at $12,200, the 2005 Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan at $12,990 and Mazda's 2004 Mazda 3 Neo (sedan or hatch) at $12,400.The Civic impressed at the time with good interior space and comfort, reliable reputation and a long list of gear including dual airbags, ABS plus power windows and mirrors.The Mazda3 range was an instant hit with critics and consumers, bringing style back to the marque. The Neo's standard gear included air-conditioning, dual airbags, CD player plus remote central locking. Toyota's Corolla has long been a safe and solid performer in the small to compact class; 2005 versions arrived with dual airbags, air conditioning, ABS and proven reliability.
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Small car review
By CarsGuide team · 20 May 2010
SUZUKI ALTO GLXNeil McDonald"IT'S almost cheap enough to put on a credit card."  So chirps a forthright female friend when I mentioned that the Alto costs just $11,790 for the starter GL model.  She did cringe when I pulled up to head out on the town though, expecting something larger than our modest Alto.  But as she settled in, elbow to elbow, the little Suzie won her over with its bright red paint scheme and bug-eyed headlights.As it whipped through inner city traffic she was even more startled by the quality of its ride, composure and zip.  Most people who have driven or been ferried around in Suzuki's little car warm to it. It is winning over friends everywhere.There are two reasons why — fuel economy and ease of parking.  The five-speed manual Alto sips fuel at the rate of 4.8 litres of petrol every 100km, allowing a reasonable range from its 35-litre tank before you have to duck into a servo.It's the ideal city car. The diminutive 1.0-litre three-cylinder is surprisingly capable around town and the five-speed is a breeze.  Being a three-cylinder it does tend to throb like a heartbeat at idle but this quirky characteristic only adds to its charm.But where it does come into its own is crowded supermarket carparks.  You can manoeuvre the Alto into the tiniest spaces, duck in to grab the groceries and be on your way while some drivers are still reversing their juggernaut off-roaders into place.The $12,490 GLX manual we drove has a few tasty must-haves like electronic stability control but also nice alloys, foglights, tachmeter, four-speaker stereo and height-adjustable driver's seat.  The only thing we really thought is missing from the spec sheet is electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.However, adjusting the passenger's mirror is reasonably easy because the car's so compact.The GLX has all the goodies but even the base GL does not skimp.  It comes with six airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, CD stereo with MP3 input and remote central locking.  What really surprises people about the Alto is its big-car like ride. The suspension is firm but rides the bumps well and the steering is direct and well-weighted. The front seats too, which are based on those in the bigger Swift, are comfy.Small children will fit in the back but it is tight for adults. Likewise the boot is relatively small. One person we know who owns one keeps the rear seats flipped forward all the time to carry gear.  Since it went on sale 10 months ago Suzuki Australia has been struggling to keep up with demand.  We can understand why.Suzuki Alto GLXPrice: From $11,790 (GL)Engine: 1.0 litresEconomy: 4.5 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front and side head airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control, air conditioning, electric windowsTick: Compact size makes parking a breezeCross: Lack of electrically adjustable exterior mirrorsKIA RIONathan MawbyONCE upon a time 'cheap and cheerful' meant a Datsun 120Y with a smiley face painted on.  Thankfully a few decades on the Kia Rio is in the picture.You could go for the ultra cheap base model for $12,990.  Spring for the four speed auto for about $17,400 drive away and you'll be a lot more cheerful than those who cheaped out on a base model when you inevitably get stuck in traffic.But the Rio doesn't stop at being cheap, it goes out of its way to save you money.  Even with the 1.6L four cylinder engine (there's also a 1.4L) speeding tickets will be the last thing on your mind.That's because you'll start to feel sorry for it at around 6000 RPM. At which point you'll be doing between 40 and 50km/h.  It can handle 100km/h, just give it a little time to get there and don't be shy about putting the foot down on hills. But you're not buying a cheap car to break the sound barrier.  If you're bound and determined to do so you could try driving it off something very, very tall — but that would void the Rio's five year unlimited kilometres warranty.  For your safety and that of others, do not do this.The flip side of a small engine is saving money on petrol, with a fuel economy of 6.8L/100km who's going to argue?  The Rio is going to suit those who want a car to go from A to B, and it ranges from average to brilliant on this front.  Handling in tight spaces, like shopping plaza car parks, is an example of the latter.Combine the responsive steering with its compact size and you can look forward to finally getting that Holy Grail car park near the doors. You know the one, it's between the two poles with paint scrapings at about the same height as the rear bumper of an over-ambitious four-wheel drive.But when you're finished bargain hunting with all the money you've saved buying a cheap car the small size will come back to haunt you as the tiny boot mocks any attempt to squeeze your new 42" plasma into it.   Add some groceries, a few bags of clothes and you'll be inching the front seats forward before coughing up bus fare for your passengers.On the plus side that means you'll be able to choose what you listen to on the way home.  Which is important when you've got a set of Tweeter speakers hooked up to an equalizer that tailors the cars sound system to your favourite tunes.A blue tooth system and iPod and mp3 connectivity will also help steer young drivers away from using their phone or iPod. A potentially life saving feature.But with a base model ANCAP rating of three stars you may feel like you're putting your bank balance ahead of your life.First car buyers on a budget and retirees looking to down size will appreciate a lot of what the Rio has to offer — just avoid freeways.Kia RioPrice: From $14,990Engine: 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre (please check with Nathan)Economy: 6.7 litres/100km, 6.8 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking.Likes: Industrial strength heating, headroom and vision, particularly side mirrors,Dislikes: Lack of power, uninspired exterior, poor use of interior space, particularly the bootFORD FIESTAFiona HudsonFIRST, an admission: there's quite a few unworn items hanging forlornly up one end of my wardrobe, sale tags still attached.  Pristine pieces include a shirt bought at such a discount that burnt-orange and brown stripes seemed an attractive combo, and jeans so cheap I kidded myself dropping two sizes would be easy.Yep, I'm a total sucker for a bargain.  So a declaration I was absolutely smitten with the Ford Fiesta CL prompted knowing nods from my partner who assumed its low price colored my judgement.There's no disputing this little ripper is value for money. The base model includes air-conditioning, CD sound system, power steering, electric windows, two airbags, anti-skid brakes and remote locking (check!).More importantly though, the Fiesta is a great drive.  The peppy 1.6-litre engine made buzzing around inner-city op shops and vintage stores even more of a joy than usual.  It accelerates brilliantly, corners neatly, and has a particularly nifty gearbox.  It's slim shape slips into the squeeziest of parking spots, making me wish I could do the same in those useless skinny jeans! There's a bit of a blind spot when reversing though.Thoughtful touches such as parking and interior lights that illuminate when you unlock it add to the impression of safety — great for women out late on their own.  As well as being practical, this beauty is more stylish than its boxy competitors, with modern curves inside and out.The dashboard is perhaps a bit too space-age  — I struggled to figure out the radio toggle and an off-putting sprawl of other buttons, but GenY would probably get it.  The cheap fabric seat coverings and some plastic fittings on the trim are minor quibbles, though by no means deal-breakers.There's absolutely no danger this little number will sit unloved in the driveway of any bargain hunter — even if you do opt for the rather hideous metallic lime green color they call "Squeeze".Ford Fiesta CLPrice: From $16,090 (three-door)Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.1 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual airbags, four-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windowsPROTON S16Kathryn FirkinI SUPPOSE it's easy to be impressed when you start with rock bottom expectations, but this car has definitely surprised me.  It's hard not to feel underwhelmed when you're told you'll be testing Australia's cheapest car, but from the get go the Proton S16 has been a winner.The lack of luxuries aside — because let's face it, there are none — this car is great to drive.  It's a lovely change driving off in a new car without feeling like you first need to read a manual.  Everything is simple and easy to use, and there are no nasty surprises.The car comes with power steering and is easy to handle.  Ducking in and out of busy city traffic is a breeze, and even the horn is surprisingly powerful.Space inside the car is also impressive.  Unlike many of its cheap counterparts, the Proton S16 won't cause too many cramped legs, or cause squabbles over who gets to ride in the front passenger seat.Having said that, you probably also won't have friends cue up to go for a ride with you.  It's also unlikely to raise your social status, impress prospective dates, or intimidate that jerk who cut you off.The car has character, despite being basic.  I even found myself giggling when I discovered I had to use a key to open the boot — very old school.It's biggest downside is the single driver's side airbag.  Unfortunately that's a pretty big downside in my books.  Another shortcoming is the sound quality of the stereo.  With just two speakers, music lovers will be wanting to upgrade their stereos straight away — or risk listening to tinny, faint tunes.There is no automatic version of the Proton S16 yet, although that's coming this year.  But while shifting between first and second gears in bumper traffic is not always a joy, you'll be surprised how quickly you move through the five gears on an open road.For a small — and cheap — car, the Proton S16 is surprisingly powerful and reaches 100km/h relatively effortlessly.  It is also fairly fuel efficient, with an economy of 6.3L/100km.  The bargain price tag means you probably also won't have too many concerns squeezing into tight parking spaces, or navigating hectic shopping centre carparks.So should you buy one?  As a basic, daily commuter car the Proton S16 is great value.  As a family car, or people mover, the safety features on this car are not really good enough.Proton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensorsProton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensors
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Suzuki Alto 2009 review
By Staff Writers · 18 Nov 2009
When I was a kid we used to play a game to while away the hours of long, boring road trips called Spotto.  Think of it as a version of the better known I Spy. The aim was to be the first to spot number plates starting with a certain letter, or an orange car or a driver wearing a hat. You get the picture.There's a modern-day version: trying to guess where a car is made. It's not an easy game to play. Australia now imports vehicles from at least 27 countries.  Some are bleedin' obvious like Japan, France and Sweden. But try China, Turkey, Spain, Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and Brazil and you get an idea of just how global we have become in our car tastes.Which neatly brings me to Suzukis Alto, the pint-sized hatch which is cheap and cheerful and affordable to run? No, its not made in Japan, but India.  Small car specialist Suzuki has neatly shoe-horned the Alto into the light car market, one of the fiercest battlegrounds where car sales are won or lost on price.While there's a bevy of cars that sell for under $20,000, there are six that break the $15,000 barrier. The Alto has the honour of being Australia's cheapest car for now at $12,490. Other cheapies are Hyundai's Getz and Proton's Savvy ($13,990), Holdens Barina ($14,790) and Kia's Rio and Protons Satria ($14,990). Some offer drive-away or special deals so pricing is a guide only.Suzuki's claim to fame as being the cheapest will soon be shot down by Proton whose S16 sedan will be priced at $11,990 drive-away when it goes on sale next month.  So it is no surprise to see Suzuki fighting hard to get the Alto name up front in the marketplace. The company recently entered the micro in the Global Green Challenge, a gruelling 3000km fuel economy run from Darwin to Adelaide.Where at one point it returned a remarkable 2l/100km and the whole journey, according to Suzuki, cost less than $160. That's getting down to the figures you would expect to see in a hybrid. Amazing stuff. Fit-out and equipmentSo is the Alto, for the price, cheap and nasty transport? Far from it, but the little hatch is built to a price point so it's no surprise so find plenty of hard plastic in the cabin. It's a small car so back seat leg room is compromised and the seats are lacking in support.Standard kit is a bit of an odd mix. You get manual door mirrors (and I can't remember the last time I drove a car with those) but Suzuki wisely has ticked the boxes for most of the desirable stuff like air conditioning, central locking and power windows.You get power steering, disc brakes up front and old fashioned drums in the rear and a basic suspension design.  The entry $12,490 GL model gets steel wheels, remote central locking, electric front windows, air conditioning, two-speaker CD audio with MP3 input, abundant cup holders and storage bins, split folding back seat and luggage load cover.On the safety front, there are six airbags, two child seat anchorages, anti-lock brakes and an engine immobiliser.  Spend two grand more for the GLX and you add alloy wheels, fog lamps, tacho (an odd looking thing stuck on the dashboard like an after thought), four-speaker audio, height adjustment for the driver's seat and stability and traction control.DrivetrainThe Alto is powered by a buzzy three cylinder (yes, they still make them) 1-litre engine which is good for 50kW and 90Nm of torque. The numbers, on paper, should mean the performance is handicapped but Suzuki has been quite clever with gear ratios for both the five-speed manual and four-speed auto to provide the best fuel economy while still retaining some zip.The Alto only has a 35-litre fuel tank, but with a claimed fuel consumption of under 5.5l/100km it is going to win many friends who are looking for cheap city transport.DrivingBeing a triple-pot, the four-seater Alto shows all the vices of the design — the out of balance engine design shakes at idle, there's a ample torque steer through the front wheels and it sounds like a sewing machine.Steep hills will catch it out, the steering is overly light, the abundant plastic in the cabin feels cheap and the engine is just adequate.  But don't let that put you off. This is basic motoring at its best. Cute design, reasonably comfortable, superbly fuel efficient, practical and cheap. What more do you want for the money. 
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Suzuki Alto GLX auto 2009 review
By Stuart Martin · 10 Nov 2009
More than a few years ago I was earning extra cash delivering pizzas in the Adelaide hills. The trials and tribulations of that career were punctuated with use and abuse of a Suzuki two-door hatch.It was an odd choice given the hilly terrain of the Blackwood/Belair area, but we persisted with its use, which regularly involved service work and more part replacements than was close to ideal, according to our boss.  It was bent, battered, bruised and butchered but it survived despite several major attempts to kill it, with the odd thrum of three-cylinder a key part of the ‘Pizza Burner's’ charm.Fast-forward nearly three decades - there's another grey hair - and we're zipping around the suburbs in Suzuki's new Indian-built Alto and there's a striking similarity in engine noise.  The three-cylinder runs like it's about to stall, but it doesn't - although there's the constant fear that it will and some inattentive SUV driver will use the Alto as a launching ramp.  We're sampling both the GLX auto - which gets the tachometer, among other things - and the GL base-model,which has a speedo only.DrivetrainIt's been quite a while since I've driven a car without a tachometer, but you're never in danger of hitting a rev limiter.  The three-cylinder strains vainly but you just can't get punish it that much - this little car is an honest machine.The automatic needs to be shifted manually for anything other than sedentary pace, but given a bit of welly it gets along without too many issues.  The manual can be stirred along a little easier, as well as not paying a weight penalty - the car with the clutch pedal is easier to punt through traffic and its diminutive size means gaps meant for a motorbike are fair game in an Alto. But you'll need to be good at reading traffic flow to take advantage of them.EconomyIt is economical, claiming around four or five litres per 100km for the combined-cycle fuel economy figure (depending on the gearbox), but the manual returned 3.9 litres per 100km during the recent Global Green Challenge, with a frugal two litres per 100km during the Adelaide city stage at the event's conclusion.EquipmentWhen you're talking sub-$20,000 the features list isn't going to have massaging seats and radar cruise control.  The standard features list includes 14in steel wheels, manually-adjustable exterior mirrors, front power windows, air conditioning, a CD sound system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, dual front, side and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes.The GLX gets fog lamps on the front, body-coloured mirrors, 14in alloys, the aforementioned tacho, four extra speakers for the sound system (which doesn't help it much), a height adjuster for the driver's side seat and stability control.Road abilityThe road manners are decent - for a shopping trolley - which means its ride quality is decent but there's not masses of prowess in the handling department.Mind you, it isn't meant to out-corner a Mazda MX-5 - and it won't, just for the record.  It can lean a bit and will run wide, but most city running isn't going to stretch its talents too far.I even picked up a pizza in it, turning for home and almost reverted to the ‘30-minutes or die’ that was the unofficial mantra way back then. Almost.  The light car segment is one that is getting more competitive and Suzuki's reputation for solid machinery should get a decent chunk of the market. 
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Best First Cars 2009 Review
By Karla Pincott · 30 Sep 2009
High school leavers are now facing one of the most important, daunting, yet exciting decisions of their life in buying their first car.There are so many factors to think about: price, safety, economy, running costs, vehicle age, insurance; all on limited funds and with limited knowledge about cars, and finance.To most young people, the most important thing is probably looks. After all, you don't want to be spotted by all your mates in a white Camry in the drive-through at Maccas. And who can blame you? That's why so many young people buy old grey-import Sylvias instead of Camrys. It's because they are red, they look fast and they were featured in one of the Fast and Furious movies.However, often the car ends up spending most of its time being repaired, waiting on a part to come from Japan or simply getting it to start, steer and stop. But is used the way to go? There are many small new cars on the market from as low as $13,990 which have the latest modern safety features, plus advantages of new car warranties.The best three tips we can give you are: research, research and more research. Young buyers can start by looking at classified ads on the internet and in newspapers. Comparisons will give the buyer a good feel for the true price of a car. You should work out what you need in a car even before you start looking for one.There are choices people can make when buying a new vehicle that may significantly reduce their risk of injury and theft and can even result in savings when it comes to car insurance.What you can expect for your money Young buyers are usually on a fairly limited budget. That will reduce the number of cars available.RACQ technical officer Russell Manning advises what you can expect for your money on used cars.$3000 to $5000 Few dealers operate in this segment, so look to private sales, and all the potential problems that come with them.There are no stand-outs in this segment.Buy the best you can find for the money.Steer clear of unusual, unpopular and modified vehicles, as they're more likely to cost more to keep on the road. Expect to be mainly looking at vehicles from the mid '80s.$5000 to $7500 Many dealers specialise in this bracket.Look for cars that are popular and have a good reputation, for example early 1990s Corolla, Pulsar, Lancer for small cars, and Commodore, Falcon, Camry for large cars.Anything in this bracket is likely to have travelled big distances, so look carefully.Bigger, less fuel-efficient cars are less popular these days and, depending on your circumstances, may be a good buy.Larger cars are often more durable.$7500 to $10,000 There'll be no shortage of cars in this bracket.Expect to see cars from the mid to late '90s.Again, large cars should be attractively priced due to fuel prices, but you'll also find a range of quality Japanese small vehicles and plenty from Korean makers.Take your time selecting and pick the best your money will buy.$10,000 to $12,000 There should be no difficulty finding a quality used car in this range. There will be plenty of Commodores, Falcons, Camrys and Magnas, as well as the full range of mid and small-sized cars from the late '90s.Consider putting in a few thousand dollars more and moving into an attractively priced new small car.New cars to $15,000 All these are in the light car category. And it can pay to see if you can pick up a dealer demonstration model with very low kilometres to save a little money.Hyundai's Getz is a great little car from $12,990, and the Getz Protectz pack costs an extra $1290 but includes electronic stability program, traction control system and front seat side thorax airbags, for $1290.Suzuki Alto 1.0-litre starts at $14,990 – although we’ve seen it advertised lower than that.Holden Barina 1.6-litre three-door hatch costs from around $13,690.Kia’s Rio 1.4-litre five-door hatch often costs less than $14,000.Tips 1. Buy the type, make and model of car that best suits your needs and your pocket.2. Always have a used vehicle inspected by a qualified person.3. Don’t rush to buy your car as you may regret it.4. Ignore any promise, warranty or guarantee that isn’t in writing or that is conditional in any way.5. Don’t forget the REVS certificate.6. Never sign any contract or document until it is complete and you understand it.7. Always get a copy of any contract you sign and a copy of the safety certificate.8. Obtain reliable finance before you purchase your car.9. Insure the car with a reputable company. 
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Suzuki Alto GL auto 2009 review
By Neil Dowling · 25 Sep 2009
People who say they wouldn't be seen dead in a light car, please come back and see me in 10 years. Or five years. Because, we hope, you won't be dead but commuting in a weeny car along with a traffic flow of other weeny cars on your way to work while smugly snubbing anyone with an SUV.You will change because the bright light of logic — driven by the need to preserve some of your soaring transport costs — will have illuminated above your head. This car, this Indian-made Suzuki Alto, is one of the cars that will change your mind into moving from small cars to the light-car class.Body and equipment It's clearly small and exaggerated by the chopped tail that puts the wheels at each corner — almost literally if you check out the back wheels — and the short, slanted bonnet. To be honest, it doesn't look safe. But it is! Surprisingly, the base model Alto GL has a four-star safety rating thanks to six airbags and ABS brakes with brake assist. That's as good as some much bigger cars — Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry and so on — which is a bit comforting even if the view from the driver's seat is less succinct in relaying that message.Spend an extra $2000 and the GLX model gets the all-important electronic stability control plus a few extra goodies.Drivetrain, economy and price But the big news here is the economy. Suzuki claims 4.8 litres/100km from the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine when attached to the five-speed manual gearbox and, for the four-speed auto as tested, 5.5 l/100km.Diesel cars and hybrids do better than that but can't come close to the Alto GL's $12,490 price-tag (plus on-road costs) which is less than a third of the price of a Prius. The automatic transmission is an extra $2000 and the more upmarket Alto GLX starts at $14,490.It appears the economy is not only in the fuel. However, Suzuki stipulates only premium unleaded for the Alto which bumps up the petrol bill by about 9c a litre. So if you travel 15,000km a year the premium adds only $1.20 a week to the Alto manual's fuel bill. Big deal.Driving The cheap-as-chips car seats two adults and will take two children in the back seat. Rear seat legroom is a premium, though headroom isn't bad. Recognise that filling the car with people or luggage will severely dampen any dreams you have of this car having a career on the race track. In fact, just clearing the traffic lights is a blessing.No, it's not even remotely fast and as an automatic will be defeated by Chinese scooters and triathlons in training. But that's ignoring that it is a good drive. At idle the engine emits an odd beat that's in tune with its odd-numbered pistons, and yet sparks up quickly to become a nimble if somewhat buzzy power unit.Even the auto is remarkably adept at keeping up with the charade going on beneath the bonnet. Around the city and suburbs it's a comfortable car despite the thin seats. The suspension does a pretty good job of warding off poor bitumen and it's only the chunkier country asphalt, or a sudden winter-born pothole, that will make the Alto feel uncomfortable.It cruises easily and quietly at 100km/h and will take to country roads with only the driver's fear of larger vehicles being the deciding factor. Interestingly, the Alto has a full size spare wheel but has virtually no boot space. Not even a space-saver spare will help here.There are some welcome things about the GL, such as good front seat room and its brilliant turning circle, and some not-so-good things including the manual mirror adjustment (actually even the GLX has this) and the crappy sound of the audio system. But it's the future. Maybe not my future, more likely yours.Verdict: 78/100Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.
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