2005 Suzuki Forenza Wagon LX 2.0

Summary:

Best value for the money in a car period

Faults:

Other than an oil pan gasket years ago, there were no problems with the car after performing the owner's manual maintenance schedule.

At 175,000 we replaced the cat convertor, air bag module, brakes, head gasket, and a sensor of some kind.

General Comments:

We have always liked the Forenza wagon LX and still drive it a lot. Great value for the money. Consumer Reports always hated Suzukis and finally got them out of the country, but we have had five of them and like 'em.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2017

4th Feb 2017, 21:15

This car isn't a real Suzuki though; it's a Korean Daewoo with a Suzuki badge on it.

2005 Suzuki Forenza S 4.0

Summary:

Good car until you reach high mileages

Faults:

The check engine light has come on several times since I've had the car.

A transmission sensor went out after the car hit 100,000 miles. Had to have it replaced.

Just recently the car started acting funny. When started, it would act as if I had my foot on the accelerator. The engine would rev for no reason, stall, stagger, sputter. I took it to the dealership, and they said all signs point to the engine control module, which is the car's computer. They said it needs to be replaced. This is costing me over $1,000.00.

General Comments:

Overall, I have had good luck with the car. I never had any problems with it until it hit the 100,000 mile mark. It has been good on gas, held up great. Would love to drive it for another 100,000 miles, but I don't see that happening. After I get the above problem fixed, it is going on the market for sale. This was the first brand new car I ever bought and paid for, so my overall satisfaction is okay.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2011

23rd Mar 2011, 22:07

You were really lucky with your Forenza. Most Daewoos never last as long as yours. Suzuki was foolish to re-badge these cars as their own. It drove them to dead last in the reliability ratings of most publications.

In reply to 23rd Mar 2011, 22:07

24th Mar 2011, 12:29

Which is sad because the REAL Suzukis are very reliable.

In reply to 24th Mar 2011, 12:29

24th Mar 2011, 18:20

Very true. My last little Suzuki was very reliable, but I knew a Daewoo/Suzuki was a bad investment. Their real models like the Esteem, Aerio, and SX4 are very good cars. I've been waiting for them to bring over their global Swift subcompact to North America for a long time, but I've given up. I've been hearing it's coming here for about five years now. I live in Canada, and Suzuki has been pedalling a rebadged Aveo here since 2004. They call it the Swift+.

25th Mar 2011, 13:49

I wish they would bring the global Swift to the U.S. I see quite a few of them when I visit Indonesia, they are good little cars. I would consider buying one if they brought them to the US.

In reply to 23rd Mar 2011, 22:07

18th Apr 2019, 23:51

I'm still rocking a Daewoo Lanos. 189,000 miles :)

In reply to 23rd Mar 2011, 22:07

14th Oct 2019, 19:42

I'm still driving a 99 Daewoo Lanos with 191000 miles on it. Runs and drives great :)

2005 Suzuki Forenza

Summary:

I hate it

Faults:

Five months after financing the car, the transmission went out and had to be replaced under warranty.

Around the same time, the airbag sensor light came on; the dealership turned it off, but it continues to come on.

One of the components in the headlights was replaced, but the wiring harness was already burned out. Suzuki refuses to fix it, so now I only have one head light.

Speakers went out on one side while still under warranty, and the dealership "couldn't" find anything wrong with them. Five years later, they still go in and out.

Check engine light constantly comes on. I'm always told it's the gas cap.

Thermostat went out on the car.

General Comments:

This car came with a lot of really nice features like a sunroof/moonroof, cruise control, radio controls in the steering wheel, but the low performance of the car overshadows all of those things.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th June, 2010