1989 Suzuki Sierra from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

I'll never sell it

Faults:

Water pump failed.

Alternator failed.

Radiator leak.

O-ring on distributor failed.

Clutch spring broke needing clutch replacement.

Seats have collapsed.

Rust around the windscreen hinges.

Front rotors replaced twice, pads 3 times.

Steering box is getting some play in it.

General Comments:

Sounds unreliable from that list, but it's never failed to get me where I'm going. I've put 250 000 km of very hard driving on it. Driven through salt water nearly to the door handles, driven to work every day, summer and winter. Slide around almost every corner.

Simple to work on, any parts available very quickly from Suzuki at a reasonable price. I've only ever had to wait more than a day for parts just after the earthquake and tsunami.

Great off road if the tyre pressures are right (low).

Some exhaust gas comes in the back if top is on.

Top is very slow to put on and take off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th March, 2011

1989 Suzuki Sierra JX 1.28 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Nothing I have come across is this much fun

Faults:

Collapsed spark plugs. head gasket blown (before I owned it). Broken pin in gearshift lever.

General Comments:

Probably the most ingenious 4x4 I have ever driven. Practically unstoppable.

It's a lot of fun to drive, its like a go-kart on bigger wheels.

Kinda needs an alarm if you intend on hanging onto it for a while, the second day I had it I had a woman walk up to me and say "I want you car" I felt rather nervous after that.

Hardly a luxury car, but who cares. Take the roof off, and you get a luxury few can have.

Shame about the parts though, Suzuki don't make anything cheap.. i.e. a coil for the magna cost me $35... $140 for the Sierra.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th November, 2003

10th Oct 2018, 13:59

Sounds about right. I bought a brand spanking new one in 1989. Paid $15000 from memory. A Hilux was $20000. Got written off by a red light runner 130000km and 17 years later and couldn't be stuffed changing gears anymore so I bought an auto Swift. Very similar owner experience. Super dependable. There were 4 different fuel pumps from memory. Head gasket went too. Plastic timing cover was warped but nothing else.