Suzuki Carry road tests and consumer car 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.

Suzuki Carry 2003

Drove my van for two weeks, thought I’d take it to Wales. This is when me and my van parted from the bridge, don’t know how I’m alive today but the police say it was down to the strong construction of this vehicle. If you have this vehicle please make sure you have some weight in the middle floor area.

Responses to this review

Re dawns review. I totally agree with you and also stated in a review on this very site that these vans are dangerous and should not be taken out in any winds, they are just kites. I am only glad you survived as you know these vans are no longer in production and their replacement, the Extol van is ten times worse as it is higher and very narrow. Please be careful out there - best regards, Jon Corletto from East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)

Suzuki Carry 2001

Had my Carry for 10 years; 4 new tyres and new battery this year, what a buy! Shame they stopped making them, I would buy another tomorrow.

Suzuki Carry 2000

Bought this 2nd hand at 30k miles, now after 6 or 7 years have done 80k. I never even look at oil & water between services, it just doesn’t use any. Never had any problem at all apart from tyres & battery, not even exhaust. It does get blown about when doing 80 in a cross wind, but OK at 60. Now need a bigger van and hope I find something as good as these. Thirsty for a small van - 30 mpg if you take it easy. Great door lay-out, including rain shelter under rear door! Low floor behind seats. Wouldn’t want to hit anything; biscuit tin between your knees and the outside.

Suzuki Carry 2000

I bought one of these vans new, it was a nightmare, constantly in the garage due to overheating cylinder head gasket which went twice. I could not take it out in the slightest wind, the headlights were absolute rubbish. Where is it now? In the scrapyard.

Suzuki Carry 1999

After reading the above reviews I think I may just be unlucky but here is my experience with this little van. Since buying it I have had no end of overheating problems. On it’s first trip to the garage the radiator cap was diagnosed as faulty, oh good, not too bad I thought, should be fairly cheap to fix but unfortunately it didn’t cure the problem. Next item replaced was the thermostat £45.00 but 5 miles down the road and the van overheated again! Next the garage replaced the radiator at a cost of £368.00. This I was assured was the cause of the fault and I would have no further problems. However about 5 miles down the road and you’ve guessed it, it overheated again. I lost faith in the garage and took it somewhere else, they diagnosed the head gasket. Another large sum of money was needed to replace this and about 5 more miles travelled before yep that’s right it overheated again!! Back to the garage and this time the cylinder head was diagnosed as faulty, i felt like throwing in the towel at this point but gave the go ahead (This is an engine out job by the way) but guess what 5 miles travelled and again it overheated!!! What do you do next? Well against my better judgement and in an effort to try and recoup some of the money spent so far Sourced a replacement engine from a scrap yard £385.00) the donor engine has just 24,000 miles on the clock so we live in hope. It goes in the van tomorrow (10-03-10) Here’s hoping.

Suzuki Carry 2001

This van cost me £7250 on the road new and I used it for light and heavy loads and covered 42,000 miles before I sold it in 2006. I did many trips of 600 miles from London to Scotland and after needing a new cylinder head after 9,000 miles which was under warranty the van served me very well. It can feel strange driving this small van at first but once used to it it is very normal. The engine if revved could really make the van perform and the gearbox was great. I had always had Ford Escort vans before but this Suzuki with its side loading doors and rear door make loading heavy loads into the van easy. The downsides are that it can blown by strong winds so I used to keep some weight in the rear to aid stability and for safety I would advise a cage to keep the load from the cabin. This van is excellent for city use and so cheap to run and can park in tiny spaces.

Suzuki Carry 2005

I run a carpet cleaning biz and need a reliable van. I have had my van for 3 years and it has been the best van I have had. Don’t waste money on anything else, get one now.

Suzuki Carry 2002

I have started a business in Bradford, England. The van is superb, outstanding on fuel and very reliable. I recommend it to friends - they also love it and have got one for they local business as they never have to leave town it’s not a problem for the van. The Suzuki Carry 1.3 goes on and on...

Suzuki Carry 2003

First class van no problems what so ever. Only ever had to change 2 front tyres. Only vehicle that I have not even had to fill with water or oil. Runs like a dream. Only fluid required for the bottle window washer.

Suzuki Carry 1.3i 2005

I chose this van for my sandwich delivery business as it’s very nippy around town and small enough to park in akward places, whilst giving me ample loading space. Access is good too with side sliding doors in addition to the tailgate. Very cost effective to run too for a small business and so far it has been extremely reliable. Nice to drive with good visibility. I would highly recommend this van.

Responses to this review

Do you think one of these will be good to hold a strimmer, lawn mower and all different garden machinery inside it? I am only 16 but when I’m 17 I’m going to take my driving test then buy a Suzuki Carry 1.3 - Sam McIntosh from England