Used 2005 Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
Used Forenza for sale
I Love My Suzuki
gigindaut, 05/22/2006
Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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The Forenza has plenty of power, awesome stopping ability, and a great suspension.
Decent....
MIke, 05/04/2006
Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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This car is very fuel efficient. I can usually get almost 400 hundred miles on a full tank of gas. The engine is a little rough, but it's only a 4 cyclinder so that is expected.
Very Satisfied
AlanJ, 01/10/2007
Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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I bought this car almost two years ago and am closing in on the 36,000 mile mark. It had a few minor initial quality problems that the dealer happily fixed in the first month. Since then it's been flawless. It is a great value, and is comfortable for a big tall guy like me. It hauls a big load without complaining and it has a great stereo and nice styling. Its handling, acceleration, and fuel economy are adequate, but not stellar. High speed highway cruising is fine though. The automatic transmission shifted harshly at first, but a simple reprogram has it shifting like butter. Overall this is a nice car, I wish it was more popular.
A Sleeper that's a Flat-out Steal!
SmallWagonDriver, 01/27/2007
updated 12/06/2023
Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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We absolutely love this car! And I hate cars (where's those jet-packs that those futurists said we'd have by now?). Anyway, after extensive internet research, my wife and I decided this was it (first ever new one). It looks great, drives great, feels great, and it didn't break the bank. Though it's only got 30,000 miles on it, it has not let us down once nor has it been in a shop except to get oil and tires changed. It has plenty of room (hauls an upright bass just fine), has great safety features, has a decent stereo., and has plenty of power. It's a superb, solid highway cruiser! Folks, if you want an inexpensive wagon that sure doesn't look and feel like one, the Forenza is it! O.K., here's an update after driving the Forenza wagon for these last 15 years. 207,000 miles and the engine still doesn't use any oil unless it's pushed hard (i.e. 80-85 mph across Montana in mid-summer), but still doesn't use much even then. With regular maintenance, it still feels solid and runs great. No leaks, no noise, everything inside still works...it is impressive. However, and this is a big however....it's a clutch-eater. And I've driven sticks since the 70's so I'm confident to say it's not operator error. It is now on its 4th clutch, which includes the one from the factory. And that only lasted 94,000 miles. The second clutch went quick, and I suspected mechanic incompetence with that one. But other than that, I'm still happy with it. It's just a great, no-frills car that has never left us stranded regarding the engine or the electrical system. Luckily when the clutches went, we weren't out in the middle of nowhere. Other than that, can I still recommend one of these? You bet. Even with a manual transmission as my problems may have been a fluke. I can't vouch for the automatic transmission, though, although I have read some mixed reviews. You can pick these up cheap with reasonable amounts of miles on Craigslist and such. But I'm driving this thing until it totally and finally gives up the ghost. And it looks like that may be a while! Looks like the good folks at Edmunds would like me to update my last update! Well, since Covid hit, the car has only been driven about 5,000 miles more (I get to telework) and it still runs like a champ. So at 212,000 miles, I can still say I'm pretty darned happy with its performance. Simple and reliable (clutch still doing fine), good gas mileage, still doesn't seem to use oil unless I push it hard for a long period of time (as mentioned earlier....80-85 across Montana on a 100 degree day with just a teeny level drop on the dipstick). I'd take this car anywhere without hesitation. I think what's really helped is I just do simple maintenance like checking and topping off fluids, changing the air filter, changing oil (5,000 miles), keeping the battery clean, keeping tires rotated (at the tire shop).....just basic stuff like that that doesn't take a lot of effort. And I can barely use a screwdriver so I don't/won't try to do anything more. Fortunately I have good, honest mechanics for that. I'd still recommend this car for good, simple and cheap transportation. Like I mentioned earlier, you can find these for reasonably low prices on Craigslist. However, for disclosure, we did buy ours new and have kept up with all recommended maintenance from Suzuki (well, pretty much). And I can't vouch for the ones with automatic transmissions. However, if you can find a wagon with a stick for cheap (and preferably with reasonably lower miles), do give it some serious consideration, as I think these cars are vastly undervalued and underrated. And that's a big plus for anyone shopping for a car (especially a wagon) with limited finances. Here's my final review, as we no longer have this car. I misjudged the miles between changing the timing belt, and I paid the price several years ago. In the middle of nowhere eastern Montana at 2:00 am. Interference engines don't fare too well when the timing belt goes, so a junkyard outside of Livingston gave me a few dollars for it. The engine at that time had 228,000 miles and up until that point, still running strong with very little oil used between changes. Everything worked on it and body was solid. So, here's my final pro and con assessment: Pro: solid body, solid trouble-free engine, simple control panel that always worked, decent gas mileage, handled well. Con: Poor and inexcusable clutch design (maybe, or possibly poor replacement installation?), somewhat weak heater and a/c. So would I buy another one? Yes, if mileage was low and in good condition, and cheap enough. The clutch problem on ours may have been an isolated/unlucky situation, I just don't know. These are hard to find these days and will occasionally show up on Craigslist, but usually in poor condition due to neglect.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wonderful Little Wagon
kc5yti, 07/09/2005
Suzuki Forenza S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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Our third Suzuki. I have grown to love them since I bought the 2002 XL-7 that I still have now. Now we have replaced our 2002 Vitara with the Forenza Wagon. My wife drives it most of the time, and loves it. It has been on several long trips and fuel economy averages 26mpg. 22-26 city and 29-34 on the highway. The styling is great. The seats are confortable, and the back seat has plenty of room for our 3 kids. It nearly has the same amount of cargo space as my XL-7, but with better fuel econ. BTW, lookunder the cargo platform in the back, and you will find a spare and more storage space. Amazing. Bravo Suzuki