Suzuki Problems

Just as things are calming after Toyota's eight-million-vehicle mistakes in the USA and Europe, Mazda is hit with a 90,000-car recall in Japan and China. Australia has again dodged the recall, which only applies to a specific model of the Mazda3 not sold here, but things are looking tougher for even the world's most-admired brands. "The Mazda3 is not affected in Australia," says company spokesman Steve Maciver. "It's only the 1.6-litre engine, which we do not get here." But Toyota Australia was forced to recall the latest Prius hybrid for tweaking of the braking system; elderly Daihatsus have been recalled - ironically, under the Toyota banner; and Great Wall was forced to recall the first batch of its Chinese twin-cab utes to rectify a seat belt problem. Even Suzuki, which has one of the lowest warranty-claim rates in the country, was forced to recall the baby Alto because of a problem with wiring to the stoplights. Suzuki Australia is still sourcing a replacement stoplamp switch and will contact owners. Then there is Toyota USA, which is hit with another cloud over the Lexus GS460. It's a heavyweight SUV which is built up from the Prado and, thanks to an unsafe rating by the influential magazine 'Consumer Reports', sales have been stopped while the company conducts safety tests. It is responding to claims the car can develop a tail slide, leading to a rollover, in an emergency situation. Once again, Toyota Australia is responding with a 'no panic' reply. "The Lexus GX460 is not and has never been sold in Australia. Toyota Motor Corporation Japan has advised us that Prado is not affected by the sales stop. It has a smaller engine and significantly less weight overall, particularly over the front wheels, says Toyota and Lexus spokesman, Mike Breen. Toyota is even putting a positive spin on the Lexus development. "This is firm evidence of Toyota’s stated intention to respond even more quickly to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. It shows that Toyota is taking the matter seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue that was identified," Breen says. "Having done that, Toyota Motor Corporation has adopted its normal approach of conducting further tests on other SUVs. These vehicles have already undergone extensive testing and Toyota is confident they meet its high safety standards. Toyota is therefore conducting these tests as an additional measure to ensure customer confidence." And it's not just cheap-and-cheerful car brands that get caught up in recalls. Ferrari is also suffering after recalling more than 2000 of its F355 model fitted with a single fuel pump system and sold in the 1990s. Ferrari says it will be contacting known owners so their cars can be checked for a problem with the fuel system pipes. Porsche, meanwhile, plans to recall 152 of its all-new Panamera flagship, which sells from $270,000 to $365,000. They have to be checked for faulty seatbelt mounting points.

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.  

No more so than in Australia, where some of the best breaks in the land require a vehicle that can eat up the miles and take some bumps and knocks in order to reach the spots where the waves are rolling in. Holden Sandman One of the vehicles that immediately springs to mind is the Holden Sandman. Famous, or perhaps infamous, for its cavernous rear load space, the Sandman was devised to take advantage of the expanding "recreational" market and had room for boards, gear and sleeping bags in the back. First seen in the early 1970s, the genuine Sandman was on offer in two V8 models but it was the often lurid paintwork that caught people's attention. Holden resurrected the idea of the Sandman with a Ute-based concept car done by Reg Mombassa (and Mambo) for the 2000 Sydney motor show. It also made a trip to the North American motor show circuit but had the nude artwork on its flanks tamed before getting its U.S. visa. Price (when new): from $4156-$9554. Sold: 1974-1979 Engines: 4.2-litre and five-litre V8s Gearbox: four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Ford Escort Sundowner For those who couldn't stretch to the full-size models, Ford's Escort panel van, the Sundowner, had potential as a surf trip machine. Ford did its own Australian version of the Escort van with 1.6-litre and two-litre engines as well as full stripe kits and side "bubble" windows, as well as things like a full headlining, carpet, not to mention better fuel economy as the supercar and fuel crisis scares sent shockwaves through the industry. Ford improved the rear sleeping space by allowing the front seats to tilt forward for more rear space for the drive-in or beach. Price (when new): from $5712-$7891. Sold: 1978-1982 Engines: 1.6-litre and two-litre four-cylinder Gearbox: four-speed manual or optional three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive. Volkswagen Kombi Volkswagen's Kombi, or Type 2 as it was supposed to be known, was an icon of the anti-war movement but had fans beyond those just putting flowers in their hair and giving peace a chance. Early T1 versions had split front windscreens and barn-style side doors (and are worth a pretty penny now if you have one sitting under a sheet in the shed) but it was the T2 that built the legend in Australia. Also known as the Kombi - a name also used in Brazil, where it was also built - the VW Kombinationskraftwagen (or combined-use vehicle) lent itself to carrying boards and crew, with the campervan versions also becoming popular as surf safari vehicles. Volkswagen also tried to resurrect the Kombi surf machine with a sharp-looking Microbus concept car in 2001 and more recently a Kombi Beach model that went on sale for two years from 2006. Price (when new): from $2440-$9995. Sold: 1965-1980 Engines: 1.4-litre, 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre, 1.8-litre and two-litre four-cylinder Gearbox: four-speed manual or optional three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive. Bedford van Wave-chasers have also been known to go large by means of a 1970s Bedford Van, some of which had 173cu in (2.8-litre) Holden engines in them. Perhaps most famously used by TV's The A-team, the Bedford could be made into a muscle car or an all-rounder to cart boards and entourage. Price (when new): from $3635-$11,283. Sold: 1970-1981 Engines: two-litre four-cylinder and 2.8-litre Holden six-cylinder Gearbox: four-speed manual or optional three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive. Suzuki Sierra Suzuki is well-known for its motorcycles and little cars, but for many the icon of the brand is its little Sierra off-roaders, which many saw as a good machine to get to surf breaks limited by access. The lightweight Sierra - available with a hard-top or a removable soft-top - weren't the ideal vehicle for an overnight stop (swags or tents a must) but if you needed cheap, economical transport to a great (but remote and inaccessible) surf break, then the little Suzuki was a good bet. The company has even recently resurrected the Sierra nameplate, albeit on a model within the Jimny range. Price (when new): from $6429-$16,990. Sold: 1981-1999 Engines: one-litre, 1.3-litre four-cylinder Gearbox: four-speed and five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.

And just sometimes, you can get it all and still hear the reassuring sounds of change rattling in your pocket.  Small cars don't have to be cheap and nasty or even perform like an asthmatic snail in a bid to maximise fuel economy. Nor do they have to be cramped or have the visual appeal of a packing crate that instantly identifies you as cheap.  Here are five small cars that will haul you and three friends - and do it on a miserly fuel budget. The good news is they're all less than $30,000. And that includes comprehensive safety features with electronic stability control and ABS brakes.  But best of all, turn up the wick and these things will give you a decent thrill.  Two are turbocharged and one has a 2.5-litre engine. No need to be red-faced at the traffic lights in these. Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart This looks like a small apartment block sitting on a cute set of alloys. In fact, it's a powerhouse that will dust of a lot of cars with twice the engine capacity and has room for four adults, parks in weeny car bays, runs on a sip of fuel - though you'll need premium brand - and is the perfect shopping trolley for people who like their food fast. Price: $25,740 Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 113kW/210Nm Transmission: 5-speed manual Fuel economy: 6.7 l/100km premium Performance: 0-100km/h in 7.6 sec Safety: two airbags, ESC, ABS, BA Volkswagen Polo GTI This baby sister of the Golf GTI quickly gets off the mark thanks to some component sharing and a 1.8-litre turbo engine. It comes only as a three door so may limit those with heaps of friends, though certainly looks as good as it goes. Solid German construction and versatile interior add to its appeal. Price: $26,990 Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 110kW/220Nm Transmission: 5-speed manual Fuel economy: 7.9 l/100km Premium0-100km/h: 8.2 sec Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, diff lock Ford Fiesta Zetec You can get this in three and five-door versions (extra money for the five door) and while it's not turbocharged, is a spirited performer with lots of aesthetic charm. It's an easy hatchback to live with and aside from a small fuel thirst, runs on cheaper unleaded petrol. Comprehensive safety features show you care for your friends. Price: $20,490 Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 88kW/152Nm Transmission: 5-speed manual Fuel economy: 6.1 l/100km Unleaded 0-100km/h: 8.2 sec (estimated) Safety: 5 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA Suzuki Swift Sport You know the Swift, now meet its more beefed up brother. The Sport is unassuming though gets a bigger engine and tauter suspension to accentuate its handling and acceleration. That makes it as practical and reliable as its less-powerful relations. Also has great features and the full safety package. Price: $23,990 Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 92kW/148Nm Transmission: 5-speed manual Fuel economy: 7.5 l/100km Unleaded 0-100km/h: 8.8 sec Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA Mazda3 SP25 This is a great package at a superb price. The SP25 just takes the refreshed Mazda3 to another level, boosting power and torque yet not crushing attributes such as its fuel economy. The features are also excellent as is the safety equipment. It's physically bigger than its rivals here and that means more cabin and luggage room, so it never feels like a small car. Price: $29,740 Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cyl 122kW/227Nm Transmission: 6-speed manual Fuel economy: 8.6 l/100km Unleaded 0-100km/h: 7.9 sec (estimated) Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA