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Suzuki Verona

1855 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2013 at 1:21 AM

You are in the Suzuki Verona Forum.

What is this discussion about? Suzuki Verona, Sedan

Messages Page 106 of 186

#1047 of 1855 New Owner by kctom

Feb 19, 2005 (8:03 am)

I just purchased a new 2004 Verona. So far I am very pleased. It only has about 500 miles on it. I got a fantastic deal. It's everything that I expected. The engine runs well, very smooth, no EFI problems. The power is more than adequate and the high torque output makes it a very smooth car to drive.
 
Low RPM's deliver plenty of power. This is something six cylinders can do better than 4. Power comes from burning fuel. It takes fewer RPM's to burn the same amount of fuel with a 6 then it does with a 4. But the engine is probably better compare to a 4 banger otherwise, but hey so does the price.
 
I have had it for a little over 2 weeks. I drive it daily. I have found no fit and finish problems yet. Everything says quality. Everything works.
 
Both myself and a co-worker drive Suzuki Verona's. He has more miles on his than I do. So far so good. We are both very pleased and believe that it is one of the best buys out there.
 
I paid $15,000 for this car. It's an EX version. I don't know if I can get into a decent Corolla for that amount of money.
 
I am still waiting for fuel mileage figures. For mixed, primarily expressway (12 miles each way) I got 20 mpg on the first tank. The second tank did 23. With just a little more improvement, I will be quite satisfied. We will see. Also the tranney is still learning me. Mileage improves as mechanical parts break-in on a new automobile.
 
As best as I can tell, the last EFI update, which was in October, must have solved the stalling problem. I haven't experienced any of it, despite driving in a cool to cold environment. My co-worker reported that his problems disappeared after the new upgrade. I do not know why the upgrade is not working for others. My Verona is an early production model, Oct 03.
 
There is much speculation here about Verona's future, based on currect Suzuki promotional activities. Remember that automobile manufacturers work with a significant lead time. Marketing decisions visible now were developed long before the last EFI upgrade was installed in many cars and much before any field data could possible reveal it's effectiveness. The idea that Suzuki will replaced the Verona with a new model, next model year, based on problems encountered so far seems very unlikely. No auto manufacturer works with that short a lead time.
 
My guess is, that given the problems of the Verona as they stood at this time last year, Suzuki reduced 2005 production numbers. The lack of clearence sales at Suzuki dealers despite large inventories of 2004 models, tells me that Suzuki doesn't believe that it's sitting on a looser. They do not act like the value of their Veronas is in jeapardy.
 
I you have stumbled on this discussion group in your search for new car purchase, remember that there will always be a higher number of disatisfied customers than satisfied on discussion groups like this. I just hop the I won't be one of them soon. So far so good.
 
Tom
Here in KC

#1048 of 1855 Re: New Owner [kctom] by evergreen

Feb 19, 2005 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: kctom (Feb 19, 2005 8:03 am)
I am glad you are enjoying your new Verona. I agree that following these discussion groups can sometimes give you a false, and even negative, impression. I bought my Verona EX in October, 03, and now have over 17,000 miles on it. I paid 19k and have never regretted it. I was looking at a Corolla at the time but when I saw the ads about the Verona I decided to check it out. Dollar for dollar, there is not comparison, even if you pay 19k. You can pay 19k for a Corolla but you end up with a whole lot less car.
 
Shortly after my purchase, I did take the car in for some recall issue(so minor I don't even recall what it was-it certainly had no noticeable affect on the car.) Otherwise, I have only had it in the shop for oil changes. I have not had the EFI upgrade since I am not having any problems with stalling or rough idle on start up. On cold nights, we can get down into single digits in my part of the country but the Verona always starts easily and runs smoothly. In mixed driving during these winter months, I am getting 22-23mpg. The car is as tight as it was when new and everything works as it should. I am still amazed at how smooth and quiet it is. Having bought a variety of new cars over the last 40 years, the Verona has got to be one of the best overall experiences I have had.
 
My only complaint is this. I wish you could buy one painted bright red. My last car, a Passat GLX, was bright red and was very easy to find in a parking lot. It seems like the Koreans and Japanese save bright red paint for their sports cars. I wish they would change their minds and make red available on other models.
 
Otherwise, I suspect I will be happily driving my titanium silver Verona for many years, unless I can't find it at the mall some day. Then maybe I will have to look to buy something bright red.

#1049 of 1855 Re: New Owner [kctom] by chuck1

Feb 19, 2005 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: kctom (Feb 19, 2005 8:03 am)
Don't misunderstand---I am glad that there are some happy owners out there. But KCtom, you took a GREAT Chance in buying one of these automobiles. The discount alone you received should have been a red flag. It's very curious that many report here on this Bulletin Board that the dealers are not putting the Verona on the front lines on their lots. They are clearly not selling. The Forenza is doing MUCH better. The dealers also do not have any 05's in any great numbers. The reason the dealers don't have any are either they are not selling or the factory has cut back on the production. Either way, this does not look good as has been discussed here. As much as I like the looks of the Verona-there is no way I would buy one. Well, maybe at a $10,000,00 discount I would take a chance.

#1050 of 1855 Re: New Owner [chuck1] by kctom

Feb 20, 2005 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Feb 19, 2005 1:04 pm)
First Chuck, all life is a crap shoot.
 
The primary complaint against this car concerns stalling. Anyone who knows anything about an automobile knows that this is a relively simple software/hardware bug in the EFI. For some reason, the EFI is trying to run the engine too lean. This means too little fuel to air ratio. I guess you had to drive and maintain one of them old cars with a carburetor to understand. Peolpe who do not understand this, avoid the car like the plague allowing me to get a great automobile for a steal of a price.
 
I believe that I have explained why the factory may have reduced the 2005 production run, if in fact, they did.
 
For some reason I having problems with this logic that I shouldn't buy a car because others aren't buying it. You're like the person who doesn't buy stock during bear makets then goes wild during the bull runs and then wonders why they don't make money in the market. If you want a good buy, you have got to be ahead of the market.
 
As far as dealers are concerned, I have notice a lack of a fire sale mentality. They a sitting on a pile of new 2004 Verona's that are not geting any newer. You would think that they would want to sell these as rapidly as they could. But they don't advertise them at all. They must believe, or Suzuki must believe, that the problems are solved and drastic measures are not neded.
 
I get the distinct feeling from your post that you are upset with me for doing something that you would not do. Why would you tell me that I just took a big chance? Ain't going to do me any good to know this now. Are you scolding me? "Shame shame, you took a chance. You bought a car when the criteria that I use should have told any rational person that they shouldn't have purchased it."
 
Oh well! I will just go back to cruising comfortably in my new Verona with it's heated leather seats and automatic temperature control and feel this terrible guilt feeling knowing that others paid more for their cars because they let fear and not logic rule their lives. It's a tough life.
 
Tom
Still here in KC

#1051 of 1855 Re: New Owner [kctom] by chuck1

Feb 20, 2005 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: kctom (Feb 20, 2005 5:38 pm)
"As far as dealers are concerned, I have notice a lack of a fire sale mentality. They a sitting on a pile of new 2004 Verona's that are not geting any newer. You would think that they would want to sell these as rapidly as they could. But they don't advertise them at all. They must believe, or Suzuki must believe, that the problems are solved and drastic measures are not needed."
 
If they are "sitting" on these cars and there are no-problems, why are they all sitting on the back of their lots? Why aren't they advertised. It seems to me if you want to sell something...anything for that matter you would want it right there in front for all to see, and advertise the heck out of out. Nope, I think Suzuki has a major porblem on their hands and have yet to figure out a solution. BTW, I do go back to the cars of "yesteryear" and those lousy carburetors....

#1052 of 1855 Re: New Owner [evergreen] by kctom

Feb 20, 2005 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: evergreen (Feb 19, 2005 12:00 pm)
Evergreen,
 
So far, that's exactly the way that I feel. It's a great car. I think that the 6 cy engine is a great idea. I didn't want a 4 banger. They rev so high just to pull away from a stop light. I didn't like the V6. I am not a lead-footed driver weaving in and out of trafic. Also, I have heard the horror stories about changing plugs. This little in-line 6 is great.
 
I was and still am impressed by the overall positive consumer reviews that the Verona has received. It is only .5 point behind the Camry even considering all of the problems that new owners experienced. I really believe that his stalling problem is behing them. Like I said, it's not brain surgery to reprogram an EFI. Obviously this car hit the road before it was ready. My gut feeling is that this is GM's fault. That behemoth of an organization cannot do anything fast IMO.
 
I didn't realize that GM was involved in this car so heavily. Me and GM cars don't get along. Maybe there is little enough GM blood in it that this won't be a problem.
 
I have a problem with red cars. I cannot help but calling them "Hello Officer Red." So I got the burgandy colored Verona. I think that they call it pearl red. It's puuuuuuurdy.
 
Two questions. How long does it take for the transmission to fully learn the driver? I don't really have a complaint about the shifting, but it could be better. Also, have you had any experiences with multi-driver situations. Does this confuse the computer?
 
Tom
 
Here in KC

#1053 of 1855 Re: New Owner [chuck1] by kctom

Feb 20, 2005 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Feb 20, 2005 5:49 pm)
Well Chuck I don't know what to tell you. I guess by your reasoning, all that Suzuki would need to do is to move those Veronas to the front of the lot and raise the prices and you would buy one tomorrow.
 
Tom

#1054 of 1855 Re: New Owner [kctom] by chuck1

Feb 20, 2005 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: kctom (Feb 20, 2005 7:51 pm)
"Well Chuck I don't know what to tell you. I guess by your reasoning, all that Suzuki would need to do is to move those Veronas to the front of the lot and raise the prices and you would buy one tomorrow."
 
Nope, even though I think they are beautiful cars, that ECM issue would keep me from buying one. It's really something how we rationalize our purchases. One of the posters said something to the effect-"Well I really don't have any complaints about how the transmission shifts-but it could be better". I think what this statement really means is-"Well- I really don't like the shifting pattern (there goes that darn ECM again!) but I guess I will have to put up with it!" Oh well....

#1056 of 1855 .5 Behind Camry? by tom willett

Feb 20, 2005 (10:55 pm)

Tom,
 
I read your post that the Verona is only .5 behind the Camry. May I ask where you read that? That sounds encouraging!
 
-Tom (Also in K.C.)

Messages Page 106 of 186

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