Suzuki Alto (2009 - 2014) 1.0 Play 5d (2012/12) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I care most about economy.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They find it quirky and cute. They're even more impressed with the price. There's great deals on new Suzukis at the moment which helped keep the price of this one down.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes I would, it has an almost unbeatable combination of low purchase price and low running costs with great fuel efficiency.

What are you likely to buy next?

Will probably run this one for a long time then possibly pass it onto a younger sibling. After that, it all depends but the one thing I would like from my next car is a better safety rating.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,500

When did you buy the car?

July 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

I believe so. The dealer would not budge on the ticket price and went to great lengths to explain how they price to sell. Comparing the price with other available Altos seemed to confirm that the price was already very competitive. The car also has all the features I would want. The price was significantly reduced from new and was the current 12-plate. It had one previous owner who had done about 2,500 miles in it before trading to a larger model.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

What was the dealer like?

Friendly, straightforward, and accommodating. Despite not bargaining on price they offered a free 9,000 mile service and a future valet since they did not have time to fully valet the car (I wanted to drive away the same day). They could probably tell I wasn't going to buy the car without some sort of deal. They also put some nice mats in for me and appear to support their customers well, offering lifetime MOTs etc for used cars and are well-established in the area. Overall, a good impression and seemed to care about satisfying the customer. This dealer is well-established in the area.

What's it like to drive?

I don't have much to compare it to, being quite young, but it is comfortable by my standards even on long motorway trips. I would point towards the transmission as the main criticism, the gear stick isn't as smooth as other cars. The turning circle is brilliant. Passengers often comment on the quick U-turns I'm able to perform!

What's it like to park?

Easy, small car with tight steering, what's not to like? The parking sensor the first owner chose as an option is an added bonus but not a must-have. Inside the car you have a good sense of where the rear is.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Have only driven about 600 miles so far but this has included many types of trips including a 4 hour long-distance trip. The build quality appears robust.

What's most practical about your car?

The small size and tight turning circle make it perfect for manoeuvring around city streets.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The rear parking sensor, not standard on the Play I believe. Not only does it have audible warning beeps but a visual display to gauge the precise distance.