Used 2002 Suzuki Esteem Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2002 Esteem, so we've included reviews for other years of the Esteem since its last redesign.
Most Dependable Car Ever
trnscndr, 12/18/2010
2002 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have no complaints, used to be Toyota man, but my maintenance costs have been nearly nothing in the first 100K miles
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.
Great car for the price
sj, 10/16/2007
2002 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought it used (5 speed, wagon) and never had any issues whatsover. With the rear seats folded down, it had very good usable cargo space. You can fit stuff in there you can never imagine in a sedan. Wonder why people still prefer to buy sedans over wagons.
Super Reliable
towncourier, 09/18/2007
2002 Suzuki Esteem GLX 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I just traded in my Esteem. Broken-hearted. A fantastic vehicle. I used it for courier deliveries. Back seats fold flat and the cargo space held everything! Handled very heavy (500 lbs) loads without too much complaining. Lots of jackrabbit starts (deadlines you know) and sudden stops. But the reliability was great. Never even changed a headlight until 260,000 km. Several things (rad, control arm, CV boots etc) went this week. But now that its got 365,000 km (228 k miles) I can't really complain.
Bulletproof Engines
aaronwolfe, 03/12/2004
2001 Suzuki Esteem GLX Plus 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
What is it about motorcycle companies that move on to building cars, they make the best engines. This is the second suzuki I've owned (the first was a sidekick 4 dr), I'm pretty abusive to engines in general, high RPMs & irregular oil changes, and I can't ask for a more dependable powerplant. The rest of the car is only so-so, but I know that the car will still be tooling down the road at well over 200,000 miles.
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.
I miss it already
L.E.C., 03/19/2004
2002 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Until 3/18/04 I really loved my little Suzuki. I did have to replace the tires and a bumper, which were a little pricey (but this not a ford Focus, so don't expect to be readily able to get parts for cheap). But I love it more now because that car saved my life. I took my eyes off the road for 1 second and ended up rolling the car over four times. Where I was in the driver's seat held up wonderfully. The passenger side, not so hot, but for the impact it took (hitting a culvert in a driveway at 45 mph) it did well. I was able to walk out of the car. The car is totalled, but I owe that I am writing this today to that car.
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
Outrageous parts and repair
ron, 12/07/2008
2002 Suzuki Esteem GL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great gas mileage. Bought car new, but then the interior lights start burning out at 1 year. Interior starts fading, poor material. Air flow modulator went out costing 1000 dollars for just the part. Has 2 catalytic converters, but don't know which one to replace. Can't get it inspected because computer can't tell what is wrong with it. Will not buy another Suzuki after this disaster.
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