1999 Suzuki Carry reviews

Suzuki Carry 1999

I’ve only just found this site. I have had my Carry 1300cc i 1999 model since 2001, so for ten years. In many makes, , especially smaller engines, the heads can be problematic if not properly serviced early in their lives, retensioning of the head bolts due to early expansion and contraction. I got my van, formerly owned by an electrician, with 60,000 kms on the clock. Since then I have driven it from Sunshine Coast above Brisbane to Melbourne, in your figures 1,100 miles, laden with a flat pack kitchen. Only complaint was the wind hitting me. I have done this trip several times and once in one day during 105 degree heat. I have done 260,000 kms probably 160,000 miles and had to drive slowly as I blew one of the coils, but still got home. It did let me down with a flat battery after six years. Recently I spent $1000 on a full service, replacing anything that was worn, but inbetween only replaced oil - not even the air filter. I have thrashed this van, sometimes driving through the middle of nowhere at 140 km/hr about 85 mph and cannot kill it so I am not parting with it. Just two bags of cement in rear mean improved braking and not falling off the road as described by others. I don’t understand about the fuel consumption listed by one owner. It has been difficult for me to acheive less than 40mpg and on one trip where I took a wrong turn and there wasn’t a petrol station for 150 miles I managed 65mpg all though I drove for a long way at 35 mph in fifth on a very flat road. If you make intelligent use of fifth even on city roads it is very frugal, especially for a vehicle of its type. It even handles taking my friend’s quad bike. We cover large distances in OZ and with petrol around four pounds a gallon this is not a vehicle I am parting with especially because of its unrelenting reliability and with its practicality in taking loads. PS. A hint when getting your car serviced: Put a mark on your oil filter and check after the service whether it has been replaced and even sit near the dealership to observe if you can what they actually do with the car, as many these days drive them through the garage put a lovely paper wrap over your seat and charge a fortune for doing nothing. Quite a few Ford dealerships seem to be guilty of this over here.