If I had to drive an entry-level compact car,

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/30/2014 at 23:24 • Filed to: None

It would be the Suzuki SX4 hatchback. They seem to be excellent used value, and are relatively well-made. They also offer a manual transmission (no big surprises there) that sends 143 horsepower from the apparently quite peppy 2.0 4cyl to the wheels with, wait for it, selectable FWD, AWD, or lockable 4WD. How many cars in that class offer all 3 types of drivetrain at the driver's fingertips? Hmm, let me think, it's none. This is the car I can't believe Subaru still hasn't built. It's like a tiny Outback, only with that trick differential. And no, I've never driven one. But I would love to.

DISCUSSION (26)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:26

I want Suzuki back dammit. We'll give Mitsubishi in trade!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:26

It is a cool little car.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:27

I'm with you on that, I would own one.

AthomSfere > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:28

I did drive one, with the manual. A few problems with the car:

1) GPS, it's a pop out dash compartment with a Garmin (Not actually a problem, I like this approach but it looks weird)

2) First gear is uselessly short.

3) Small, I have seen large people drive these, but for me at 6' and a fit 180lb it felt cramped in weird places. That said, it was better than a Jetta in knee space.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/30/2014 at 23:30

Yes it is. And unlike so many compact cars today, it doesn't try too hard to be a fashion accessory, or to look like a higher end car than it is. It's very honest.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AthomSfere
06/30/2014 at 23:31

I'm short, so no issue there. I genuinely have no idea about the tranny, and in a car that cheap, the fact that it has GPS is enough for me.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/30/2014 at 23:32

I figured I should point out that this is, in fact, a car I've never driven.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:34

Time to change that.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:36

kid down the street from me has a manual SX4 with AWD in THAT color. it's awesome!

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:36

The SX4 is awesome as fuck! The biggest reason it failed is that you couldn't get a sunroof on it :(

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/30/2014 at 23:38

Even I can only look at so many cars. This one will have to wait a while. Besides, I don't think I could come up with good enough story for why I'd be pulling up in my car and looking for an SX4.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
06/30/2014 at 23:39

I do like sunroofs, but in a car like that, I guess you can do without a few things. I also like leather but in a car like this, it's not expected.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:40

"I'm drowning in ownership costs for my used German luxury sedan and want something that won't bend me over and steal my wallet when it needs something fixed."

*salesman then runs to get keys*

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/30/2014 at 23:42

I was thinking of something more along the lines of "I need a car small enough to fit in the trunk of my current car, that I can use to drive from my parking space to the door of wherever it is I happens to be, or also use instead of a spare tire," but I like your idea better.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:45

Just use both at two different dealerships, and then tape their reaction.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/30/2014 at 23:46

...that's brilliant *runs to grab camera*

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 23:48

I honestly want to see how a salesman would react to those two statements...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/30/2014 at 23:50

I do too, but I don't really fancy getting thrown out of a dealership over the second one.

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 00:07

It is one of the most unique small cars because of what it can do. I wanted one so badly when I was like 11. Havent got a damn clue why, but I ALWAYS saw this commercial and though: "Yeah MINI, You got your ass kicked so bad!"

I would like one to beat and beat and beat and see how long it can go with the horrid roads here in Mexico, and entering dirt roads at ludicrous speed. Damn, I want one!

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 00:12

I live in the mountains in Japan and Suzuki has made many small AWD vehicles over the years, very popular in the area. Of course their little jeeps are as well.

fhrblig > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 00:53

My partner owned two of them. He had a 2008 AWD Touring the longest. His had the 4-speed automatic which I HATED in regular weather, but worked well in snow. It was a good car, but it was slow and didn't get good MPG (below 20 was fairly common). His mom liked it so much that she bought one.

He traded it for a Juke last year.

DipodomysDeserti > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 01:12

They look like a lot of fun. My uncle bought one new then never changed the oil. The engine grenaded after 15k miles and Suzuki replaced it under warranty.

PheeNoIVI > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 01:34

That sounds sweet. I wish there was a hatchback like the STI that let you have complete control over where the power is sent. Not up to that 65/35 bs

duurtlang > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 03:42

If you do buy one, check if you can find Fiat Sedici parts. You'll surely be able to confuse a few people. The Sedici and the first gen SX4 were twins, and the Sedici was considered the best selling SUV (you read that right) in Italy in 2007.

Kinja'd!!!

willkinton247 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/01/2014 at 08:39

I'm pretty sure I'll be renting one of these on my honeymoon in Jamaica.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > duurtlang
07/01/2014 at 10:54

That would be fun, actually. I've always want to buy a U.S. model and then replace the front/rear fascia and wheels for one of its European counterparts.