Used 2001 Suzuki Esteem Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Good family car/ great on fuel
Mr.Chris, 09/24/2010
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Traded my gas guzzling Blazer for this car. This is the second esteem I have owned. the first was a 1999. The CV axles are only good it seems for 100- 130k miles. Comfortable, not a powerhouse by any means but good on gas and the A/C is freezing cold. I have almost 150K on it currently and have had really good luck with Suzuki products as a cheaper alternative to Honda with the same reliability. Folks, keep up maintenance to make it last. Simple. Regular oil changes, tune ups etc. That simple. Fun to drive, I have a bad back at age 33 so the firm seats are great. The factory CD player isn't working but the radio does. I really have no complaints. GREAT ON GAS.
Outstanding, Reliable Transportation
JCRobin, 12/27/2008
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've owned this little car for almost 6 years and drive it to and from work and around town everyday. It runs flawlessly and is actually kinda fun to drive, for a basic economy car. The engine is the best component, typical as with Suzuki motorcycles. Clarion stero is junk but easily replaced. OK it's not a Lexus but I have had absolutely no problems, it's great on gas and I intend and expect to drive it to 200k+ with only normal good maintenance practices. What more could someone expect from any car especially a value-priced underrated bargain. I will surely buy another Suzuki when the time comes.
What are you doing
richdaddy123, 02/05/2005
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I don't know what the other reviewers are doing to their cars, maybe abusing them, but I have had nothing go wrong with this car whatsoever. My parents had this same car (wagon version) and they had no troubles either. This is not a hot rod car. It's a car to get around town, and it does that very well. By the way, my parents were so impressed with the Esteem, when they traded it in they bought another Suzuki, and have had no trouble with it either.
Great value for the money
tony, 05/06/2008
2001 Suzuki Esteem GLX Sport 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car runs very good and has been very reliable. The car came fully loaded with the aero pkg, kyb sport spsn, yokohama advan's and sportline alloys. This was a limited edition. At 67k this car runs and handles very well, I use castrol syntec 5w30 in engine and royal purple in tranny. I wash the car with meguires and wax with zymol. The color is deep space blue. I turned the front rotors 2x and replaced the pads also. I change engine oil and filter every 4k miles, since tranny does not have a filter I change tranny fluid every 15k miles, mpg highway avg 28 (advan 15" tires) mpg city 24 avg
Just bought it
Mike, 02/03/2005
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
It was okay when I test drive it. The sales manager accepted my offer and I paid really cheap with very low mileage. The following day "engine check" light came on, but the car is still running. I hope nothing major repair and more to come.
Don't BUY THIS CAR
Pazzion, 04/05/2002
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car was a terrible buy. Suzuki should have stuck with making motorcycles. The cars handling was ATROCIOUS. After 6 months, my brakes went out. After a mere 4 months, there were electrical problems; my interior lights would not come on. The fuses would go out very frequently. The brakes light would come on at any random time; I would NOT have my parking brake on or my foot on the brake pedal. Even after getting the brake pads replaced, it didn't feel like it. The car would still screech and make a terrible grinding noise. Had I done my research, I would surely have bought a better vehicle, even used, for a comparable price and MUCH better quality.
Best car ever !!
western mass fan, 06/09/2009
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased new for $10,700 with sticker reading $14,999 and love the car. It's sporty drive (5 speed) and great economy 35 mpg or more place it next to my suzuki motorcyle in fun. Oil changes every 3000 miles and original spark plugs at 93,000 miles and running like a top. Rust is starting on door bottoms, and had to replace the front sub frame this month (big bucks). Still can't complain and wish I could get it back from my daughter.
Esteem rises to the occasion
Sakura Digital, 08/11/2002
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After much redesign from the 2000 model I find that the 2001 Esteem drives and handles much like a Mazda Protoge. In 1.5 years I have had NO mechanical failures and aside from car washes and oil changes this is all I have to do. This little car even has punch on the highway. And, especially when trying to park in Boston or Salem the compact size is a must to allow fitting in tight spaces. When sitting inside you do not even realize the compact size outside. Plenty of room for 5.
Great Used Car
Hawkes, 11/20/2005
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Suzuki Esteem used with less than 9,000 miles on it. The engine light went on and it took a while for service to figure out the problem. It ended up being a recall issue. I haven't had a major problem with my car since. I have been getting great mileage, I average 28 around town and 32 on the highway. I am very happy with my purchase.
It's OK!
Tincan, 08/31/2004
2001 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The 1.8L engine is powerful the exterior desing looks great, seats are supportive can't complain about the gas milage.AC and heater work great nice sounding factory 2DIN stereo, big trunk,relaible The ride /road noise in this car is horrible at highway speeds everything in the interior makes noise the auto transmission whines at speeds over 40 mph and is slow to up shift when cold. Dealership installed cheap tires had one blow out the others went flat, do not like the main headlights as daytime running lights.
It's Not Bad!
SelfEsteem, 02/19/2005
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I didn't get the lemon one! Only use it for work. I notice though that the first time I filled up the gas tank full, the needle was on "E." Will not suggest for very long travel time. Only get about 21mpg rather than 26mpg as noted by EPA.
Maintenance
FYJ, 03/19/2007
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought our car brand new in March of 2001. We now have 251,986 miles on it. The only major repair we needed to make on it was in 2005 when we replaced the ball bearings and in early 2007 when we replaced the water pump. Our car - we call her Suzy Suzuki - has been a great investment for us. Our next car for sure will a Suzuki.
Not a bad little car
thorpite, 03/31/2008
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned my Esteem for 5 years and have never had any major mechanical problems with it and it handles like a champ. I like my little car and it's great in city traffic and tight spots. I moved from Florida to Chicago and was curious to see how it would handle in ice and snow since it is very light and can be hard to handle in high winds. In snow/ice, it slides a lot in turns. The engine can be noisy but I always have the radio on, so it's not an issue for me personally. I replaced the factory CD player because mine stopped reading CDs and my intermittent windshield wipers gave out soon after purchase and now I've noticed that my wipers don't reset themselves when they turn off.
My Esteem 15yrs.....
PHL Paul, 05/15/2018
2001 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Sedan w/Cruise (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Esteem 4 cylinder Manual Transmission w cruise control. Power windows , C.D. player and cold air. In 2003. A dealer left over. Listed at $16,500 I purchased this new car with under 5000 miles gently used demo for 12,000 dollars, "A" title and 100,000 mile warranty which I never used. Brakes, tires, oil changes, wiper blades and gas. We're the norm. Not until about 115,000 did I have a Manual Transmission failure resulting in a total replacement. Not to bad for a car at that time being 12 yrs old and the replacement with labor was less than 1,500 dollars. It's sad to say goodbye but she was recently totalled and I must say withstood a major hit from the rear. SUZUKI should be proud of this defunct make and model. She stood the test of time. If you are able to acquire one check the frame as that was the only recall item I am aware of and mine had no deterioration. Great run. Thanks for reading.
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- Reliability
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Extinct- R.I.P.
Funkhybrid, 01/17/2003
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
I was so happy when I heard Suzuki was discontinuing this model, it was the most intelengent decision made regarding this car, as oppose to mine. This car is a good way to throw out $10,500. ( New) or $16k which is how much it has cost us to maintain. I have nothing positive to say regarding this auto. Except, I am glad we have three years left.
esteems, not a very good reliable-good
carter, 08/05/2002
2001 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
not a good car not good if you have to try to outdo someone who is trying to hit you on the road. you feel your car is going to overturn. tires skid in the rain no matter what mph you try to start at. motor problems