Car Shopping (Updated)

"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17) 02/26/2016 at 23:36 • Filed to: Suzuki, Novice Car Shopper, Esteem

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What are people’s thought on the Esteem. What should I look for when buying one? I know the front crossmember needs to be checked for rust.

I am looking to buy my second car. I am currently without a car and am using my wife’s car as a daily driver. I want to look at this car tomorrow. Hopefully my wife is not too sick tomorrow. I’ve had an obsession with Suzukies since 2010. I am kind of intimidated by the car buying process, paranoid someone will try and rip me off / I’ll pay to much. Any other car shopping tips?

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ctd/5448842671…

Update: My wife was still sick and someone else bought the car yesterday. I’ve realised a larger car will be more practical. An Esteem is still on the list for the future as a weird 2nd car. As jalopnik recommended reading forums of a car and original reviews is very helpful.

Nibby > punkgoose17 02/26/2016 at 23:39

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They’re not really held in high esteem.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 00:07

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Consider that your obsession with Suzukis began eight years after Suzuki quit making their Esteem. They are/were apparently reliable little buggers despite not being much of a looker or inspiring to drive, so there’s that. I think the aftermarket parts are quite expensive, compared to the purchase price of the car. You also will be hard pressed to find a shop that knows anything about Suzukis.

As I strive to not open my mouth to complain unless I have a better idea, have you considered a Ford Focus? Many similarities, a huge market of used options, cheap and plentiful parts, and any shop you limp into can fix whatever it is that broke. Similar in a lot of ways and likely to cost you a shade more than the Suzuki (they’re more popular; the Suzuki has depreciated far more) but maintaining it will be much, much cheaper and less of a headache. You won’t have to have an item fixed multiple times as the garage had no idea what they were working on, etc.

boxrocket > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 00:17

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The only US market Suzuki models I’d recommend - and buy myself -are the SX4 and Kizashi.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 01:27

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If you want to waste money just put it in a pile and light it up.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 01:28

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Like of all the cars in the whole world how do you settle for that?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Somethin' 'bout a truck 02/27/2016 at 01:36

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A friend of mine had one. We called it the “low self-Esteem”

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 01:43

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I’d buy this before that Esteem. And I am not a Chevy guy. https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5466220740…

JDMatt > punkgoose17 02/27/2016 at 03:53

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Better call Saul

punkgoose17 > Somethin' 'bout a truck 02/27/2016 at 09:19

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I have an obsession with weird. The fact that they are so uncommon and have a horrible name makes me want one.

punkgoose17 > boxrocket 02/27/2016 at 09:21

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I love the Kizashi and like the SX4 sport sedan but they are above my very tiny budget.

punkgoose17 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/27/2016 at 09:25

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My wife has an 04 Ion. I will not buy its sibling car. I hate the Ion. My cousin calls his Cobalt the Crapbalt.

punkgoose17 > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 02/27/2016 at 12:24

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I would be okay with a Focus if I can find a non ZX3 manual transmission car in my budget. I am concerned about being able to find parts for the Esteem.

boxrocket > boxrocket 02/27/2016 at 14:05

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Oh yeah, and the Equator

Somethin' 'bout a truck > punkgoose17 02/28/2016 at 12:28

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Okay, that I can respect. I was hoping it was something like that! Good luck!