Used 1997 Suzuki Esteem Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Esteem, so we've included reviews for other years of the Esteem since its last redesign.
Best car for the money
stormy23 , 11/25/2008
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought this car with 60,000 miles on it in 1998. We have had this car for 10 years and only put a water pump into it and of course brakes and normal maintenance. The car now has 168000 miles and now has died on us. We are very upset. The engine locked up on it. But honestly ,we paid $9000 for it ,which was too much at the time but we needed a car and this is all we could get with our credit at the time. I would recomend this car to anyone.
Amazing Little Car!
danac210, 12/22/2008
1997 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this little car and even though it is over 11 years old it is running great. I only needed it to go about town in, and as I only work 2 miles from home, it is perfect. I do occasionally take for longer highway trips and it does great there too. I love this reliable, tiny car. I live up a really steep, windy driveway and it does well on the sharp curves. It gets excellent gas mileage, friends have even commented on how rarely I need gas. I plan to take care of it and hope it lasts many years to come.
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See all 0 listingsTransmission Problems
jbean1, 02/12/2004
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Expect to have gear and transmission problems after 50,000 miles.
Not to shabby
Cruzin Cheap, 04/10/2003
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've owned this rig for about a year and haven't had any problems. I get good gas milage (27) and seems to have good pick up. The only problem I have is that the interior components are very crappy. The carpet has holes all over the place and pulls out from the frame very easily. It handles well and I haven't had a single problem with the engine. It is a bit narrow and doesn't fit 3 people in the back very well. The front seats are kinda cheap (I can feel the metal springs and I only weigh 160lbs). A fun cheap little car.
ok ride
shayneerin, 04/12/2003
1997 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
For the price this is a good little car. Had it a year with no problems. Gets good gas milage and has good power.
BORING
FORDMAN, 01/08/2005
1995 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car from my step sister as the 3rd owner. Other than it being INCREDIBLY slow and VERY temperamental, it is a good car. It accelerates like a slug till about 3000rpm and then it advances to turtle status. Being my first car I am glad that i'm not walking but still. This car was not designed for Colorado winters either. During extreme cold the MPG drops to about 20 from 35. It does do well when going a constant speed, i achieved 45 MPG on a long haul trip but, it just doesn't do it for me for short hops around town. I guess i can't expect that much from an engine smaller than a bottle of soda!
Very Reliable little car
Pleased1, 01/18/2010
1996 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this Esteem in 2001 for $5000 with 40,000 miles on it. I expected it to be a throw away car that would be discarded after 100,000 miles if I was lucky. 9 years later it now has 200,000 miles on it and is still going strong. I can't believe how well this little car runs. It always starts even at 30 degrees below zero. I have never had to change a sensor or had any major maintenance required other than CV boots at about 60,000 and a bearing in the transmission went out at around 100,000 miles. I consistantly get 40 mpg, mostly highway. I installed a cruise control to complete the package. The GLX comes with power door locks ,windows and mirrors definately a plus' for this car.
Overlooked
christophducati, 08/28/2004
1996 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 1996 to replace a six month old Dodge Neon that was a total lemon. While it is a plan little car the Esteem has lasted with out a single problem for years and years. In most areas I would say Suzuki is just as good as other Japanese auto makers. I love the styling and the fact that you do not see yourself coming down the street every other car.
a smile-worthy econobox
suzuiki fan, 05/13/2003
1996 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A suzukie esteem was on the lot when i was looking to replace my huge van, and i didnt even bo ther looking at it becuase it was so gastly ugly. well, whadda know, i drove it, and i fell in love. the car feels fast (even though it isnt, i mean, 98 horses, what do you expect?), corners well, and gets outstanding fuel economy. if yoru worried about buying one of thses machines, just take it for a test dive, ad dont worry aboutwhats in head of you, because this is a reliable car.