Opinions on this Suzuki Wagon R
- Thread starter Tosno
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Sound investment 
Soldato
- Joined
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Because if there's anything wrong with it, I would imagine it would cost more than than the whole car is worth to fix.
The car would be a write off even with a manual gearbox replacement, you can't crunch gers in an auto.
I think this may be the slowest vehicle I've ever seen on AT.
That being said it will probably be reliable and it has an MOT so it should make a passable first car.
The Yaris posted would be a much better option though, they are basically indestructible (Seen several Yaris' with over 200K miles on the clock and still going strong!).
The Yaris also has a cool wing and can crack 100mph so there's also that (priorities).
Little bit concerned about how connected the front bumper is on that first picture of the Yaris though, looks like someone might have had a little knock!
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This is hardly relevant though as the chance of requiring a new manual box is far lower.
Ah right. I forgot that the only alternative to a box on wheels is a supercharged quad-exhaust Celica with an aero wing.
I've told her we are not getting an auto, an hour of complaining later she agreed maybe it is right. Regarding the Yaris is it a good car to learn in and forgiving with stalling? She tried my fathers focus sport and it was stalling often with her, it knocked her confidence a bit, whereas in the new diesel Nissan Micra she is having lessons in had no such problem. I really don't want to go down the diesel route.
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Good stuff. I'd say best to pass your test in a manual, and if you prefer an auto then by all means own one. But you'll be stuck if you ever need to drive a manual in an emergency, but you're not licenced to!
It's hard to say, when you're looking at 100K+ mile cars. Each individual one will probably be a bit different, depending on the power the engine is making, what state the clutch is in etc.
You may want to look for how often people replace clutches on the Yaris, but even if you get one with a clutch that has done less than 10k miles, that could make it easier to stall than an original clutch, as the plates will be in good condition.
Basically, she's learning to bring the clutch up any old fashion in the diesel, and letting the engine torque get the car rolling. Most petrols will require a bit more 'finesse' in timing a bit of increase in revs and slower clutch pedal raising, to avoid stalling. She'll get the knack with practice
This, it's hilarious watching the kids try to pull away in their cambered manual civics, kangaroo'ing down the road
It could still break though, its old, cheap car with 104k miles on it, Japanese or not, there is always the risk of it breaking or not functioning properly.
I do like the 1st gen Wagon R, they were an extremely clever packaged car, look tiny from the outside, but the inside is huge, its like walking into Mary Poppinses bag.
Nothing lasts for ever and automatic gearboxes are inherently more complex and more prone to failure than manual gearboxes. It's common sense really.
Though actually it does seem that the Wagon R's autobox can be particularly problematic:
My disabled son has had his Wagon R auto with hand controls for 12 years now and apart from brake pads/oil filters/belts it's never needed anything doing to it. Sails through the MOT every year, seems utterly reliable as it needs to be for him.
Lol, a clutch replacement doesn't cost the same as an automatic box refurbishment!