ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: keith on May 08, 2004, 01:16:14 PM
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As a mainly daily driver family hauler how good is the XL-7? For me the sidekick is a bit harsh riding to be a daily driver, plus a little on the small side for a family. How is the rear seat room in an XL-7? Can a baby seat fit in it and still give the driver enough leg room? Also how is the ride? Thanks.
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Car & Driver TV said that it was a very well built vehicle and capable of handling anything they were dishing out to it. (On and off road.)
You can easily fit a child seat in the second row seats and have plenty of leg room. The third row is very tight... Strictly children back there.
I can't speak for what the ride is like since I have not driven one as of yet.
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I would say price wise compared to others in it's class its a good deal. But like most other Suzuki vehicles (except motorcycles) it's underpowered compared to other full size SUV's. The motor moves my little 2 door ok,but i can't imagine it in a full size 4 door. Even Kia and Hyundai smaller Suv's have more HP(SantaFe and Sorento).
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I would say price wise compared to others in it's class its a good deal. But like most other Suzuki vehicles (except motorcycles) it's underpowered compared to other full size SUV's. The motor moves my little 2 door ok,but i can't imagine it in a full size 4 door. Even Kia and Hyundai smaller Suv's have more HP(SantaFe and Sorento).
I agree, 200 ponies would be great under that hood. That's what mods are for. ;D
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I agree, 200 ponies would be great under that hood.  That's what mods are for.  ;D
Yeah, mods are great if you don't like your factory warranty. :P
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I have an 02 XL7 with 3rd row. Had it since Oct.
What I like: 3rd row, separate rear ac, it's small length and width, comfortable seats, easy in/out through rear doors, sliding mid rear seats, completely roll down rear door windows, heated review mirrors, folding review mirrors, door pockets on all doors, both rear seats split capability,
What I dislike: power-to-weight ratio, early shift points (unless floored), stereo speaker locations, sluggish feeling/no pickup (unless floored), door locking switch (hit twice to unlock all doors), door locking switch only on driver's side, how to fold mid rear seats, fold down height of 3rd row seats, cruise switch goes off (switch is on, turn off car, turn on car, switch stays off), heated mirrors and defrost switch stay on (switch is on, turn off car, turn on car, switch stays on), DRLs, location of mid rear seat middle seat belt, no rear heat control, lack of aftermarket support for trail riding, too low mid rear body mount (see pics), the 18-20 mpg, computer-pulse speedo.
There is probably more, but I'm at work and trained not to think........
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What I dislike: power-to-weight ratio, early shift points (unless floored), stereo speaker locations, sluggish feeling/no pickup (unless floored), .
Boy, I hear ya! The auto tranny is real predictable, worked well off-road, and is SMMOOOOTH. Way too smooth. The thing is in drive by the time I hit 30MPH, unless floored. I'm working ona way to get the tranny reprogrammed to see if I can raise the shift points up. That's the beauty of OBD2... ;) Anyway, will see what happens...
After all is said and done... I Think a 5 speed is in order!
-Eric
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Jugular, you have quite a list of dislikes.  Are they things you REALLY don't like or just annoyances?  Would you buy it again if you had the chance?
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For me the sidekick is a bit harsh riding to be a daily driver, plus a little on the small side for a family.
You're the first person I've heard, that thought the Kick was harsh riding. What tire pressure are you running? It really DOES make a difference to keep them at the factory spec 23 psi all the way around.
Yeah, my wife's GV IS roomier, and softer riding, but I've had NO complaints about any of my Sidekicks.
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Jugular, you have quite a list of dislikes.  Are they things you REALLY don't like or just annoyances?  Would you buy it again if you had the chance?
I bought this as a used car with 29k miles on it. I just passed 36k and now out of warranty. A lot of the dislikes are annoyances and things I'd change on a design/use standpoint.
The power/sluggishness is the PITA. I've found that if I control the auto with manual up shifts, I get the acceleration out of the v6 with good/partial throttle. The v6 provides power just over the 3k rpm mark. The tranny shifts from 1-2 at 2500, 2-3 at 3000, 3-OD at 2500 and this all depends on throttle position and road. I live on a hill and really surprised that the tranny is not in 1 when taking off. Even driving up an incline at 35 mph, the tranny is on OD at 2000. I hit the button to get out of OD and the rpm jumps to 2800 and I can actually get up the hill with a little momentum and partial throttle.
If I was to do it again, I'd think I'd go for a 5-speed for the -7. I really like the full roll down rear door windows, the extra wide rear doors, large back door. This helps get things in/out.
Forgot to mention, another thing which I don't like is the non-movable rear window and rear side windows. I can understand the rear window being solid due to the exhaust, but sliding rear side windows would do a whole lot for pets in the back, rear most passengers, etc. Atleast the windows could have pivoted like my wife's Caravan and be driver/rear seat controlled.
To add, at least Suzuki should have offered rear seat ac for those -7's without 3rd row seating. This would keep pets much cooler.
If I had to get another vehicle, I'd probably look for something else, but what I wanted was a small width and length vehicle, carrying 5 comfortably and not tight shoulder to shoulder, wheelable for trails stock, aftermarket supported for mods, nice enough for everyday use (to/from work), easy of the mpg (turbo/intercooled diesel would be great!!!!), camper pulling (~2500#'s), and price affordable (under $15k).
I got the 02 for $14,200; saved near $2k when purchasing back in Oct. What's it's worth today???? Probably less than what I owe LOL!
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You're the first person I've heard, that thought the Kick was harsh riding.  What tire pressure are you running?  It really DOES make a difference to keep them at the factory spec 23 psi all the way around.
Yeah, my wife's GV IS roomier, and softer riding, but I've had NO complaints about any of my Sidekicks.
I keep my tires around 30 psi. Because of the short wheelbase I feel every bump in the road. Does lowering the tire pressure affect how the tires wear?
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I keep my tires around 30 psi.  Because of the short wheelbase I feel every bump in the road.  Does lowering the tire pressure affect how the tires wear?
You have got to try lowering your pressure to Suzuki's suggestion. It'll ride way better and the tire should wear fine. Let us know how it goes!
-Eric
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Boy, I hear ya! The auto tranny is real predictable, worked well off-road, and is SMMOOOOTH. Way too smooth. The thing is in drive by the time I hit 30MPH, unless floored. I'm working ona way to get the tranny reprogrammed to see if I can raise the shift points up. That's the beauty of OBD2... ;) Anyway, will see what happens...
After all is said and done... I Think a 5 speed is in order!
-Eric
Eric,
let me know if you find a way to reprogram the trans. I wish our ECM's could be reflashed!
Stu.
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Eric,
let me know if you find a way to reprogram the trans. I wish our ECM's could be reflashed!
                                 Stu.
Do you know that they can't? I was under the understanding that all OBD2 style ECM could be 'adjusted'. Is this incorrect?
-Eric
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I don't know for sure,but i had some wise ass on the yahoo XL7 board tell me it wasn't?? But the guy might have been talking out his ass too.
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Jagular7, your experience exactly parallels mine with a Sidekick/Tracker. My parents had a Sidekick they towed with their motorhome. I drove it in Denver and had to keep my foot flat on the floor all the time. I hated it. Then I recently got a Trackerwith 5 spd. Much much better.
A turbodiesel is just what these things need. My VW tdi gets around 50 mpg. Imagine getting mid 40s in a Trackick. Even upper 30s would be nice.
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You have got to try lowering your pressure to Suzuki's suggestion. It'll ride way better and the tire should wear fine. Let us know how it goes!
-Eric
WHAT TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD I BE RUNNING ON MY 95 4 DOOR KICK, WITH 31X10.50'S .......... ??? THANKS MATTTY 8)
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WHAT TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD I BE RUNNING ON MY 95 4 DOOR KICK, WITH 31X10.50'S .......... ??? THANKS  MATTTY  8)
I don't know for sure, there's load rating, how many tire plys, bias vs. radial, blah blah blah... For me, I run my 33x12.5x15 MT/Rs at 22 psi on my 2 door kick. This vehicle weighs 3,550 lbs. Probably more than your 4door.
Tire wear is even and handling good
I'd suggest doing some experimenting until you find a spot that works. I believe the Suzuki recommendation on the door jam is 23 psi...?
Good Luck, Eric
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THANKS........I JUST BOUGHT MYSELF A TIRE GAUGE.......I'LL HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT & SEE HOW IT GOES......ARE THOSE VALVE STEM AUTOMATIC AIR DOWN THINGYS ANY GOOD ??? WHERE DID I SEE THEM HMMMMM....... I CAN'T REMEMBER...ANY ONE KNOW :-/ ......... THANKS MATTY 8)
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THANKS........I JUST BOUGHT MYSELF A TIRE GAUGE.......I'LL HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT & SEE HOW IT GOES......ARE THOSE VALVE STEM AUTOMATIC AIR DOWN THINGYS ANY GOOD  ???  WHERE DID I SEE THEM  HMMMMM....... I CAN'T REMEMBER...ANY ONE KNOW  :-/  .........  THANKS  MATTY   8)
Use the air gage. Some air gages come with a nipple on the head. Or just push the scale back in and use that. You don't want to let out a lot of air at once. You want to gradually go down over a week or more period. Do remember that in hotter ambient temps, the air pressure will rise.
As for those auto air downs, check out Klune V's web site. I wouldn't get those anyways. They regulate the air pressure out only. Never understood why anyone would want those. Airing down as you drive to the trail? Sounds like a recipe of loss of control.....
I have a set of screw on bleeders. Typically same thing in design and application, but just a continous air down. I use these at the trail head to air down if I don't have a valve stem wrench (vsw). You'll be getting out at the trail head anyhow to lock in hubs, check air pressure, maybe adjust shock valving, securing interior items, getting cold water ready, getting something to eat, changing of clothing, taking top down, etc. many reasons, maybe even a driver's meeting if you are with a large group.
The vsw is a cap that has a finger on it. The finger is split to be able to totally remove the valve out of the stem. This is rapid air down at it's best. With a large tire, just pull the valve till you start to hear a whistle. Then measure pressure and it should be near 12 psi. The wrench is readily available at any auto parts section of any store. Usually where you find the plastic stem caps and stems and valves. Usually 4 for under $1.
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THANKS............
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Guys I bought one for my wife (2002) and we love it!! Heck, I use it to flat tow my Sammi and it has plenty of power to handle it. I know that I live on the east coast but I have pulled it to the NC boarder through the mountains with no problems. I am a very happy owner of a very nice XL-7 ;D
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I have a 2001 XL-7 and absolutely love it. I am running a Calmini lift with 30s on and have absolutely no complaints. I run mostly in sand (NC) so HP is at a premium with narrower tires that XL-7 needs but it pulls like a champ every time I go out. Rode real smooth with the stock suspension. With the Calmini it is a little stiffer but still very comfortable for the 2 hour trek to the beach. Just got back from DC with the family (3.5 hours) and no complaints about comfort. I would recommend it . . . .