SECOND-HAND SENSEAn elderly reader, who is parting with her small Suzuki, has written to ask for advice about replacing it with something a little bigger, but not much more expensive, that will accommodate herself, her dog and a set of golf clubs.
It was a bit of a tall order when one looked at what is available out there in terms of price, size and space.
"I don't want anything that won't fit easily into a small parking space," she forewarns us.
Given the fact that she was more than happy with her current Suzuki it occurred to us that her best option might be to stick with the brand and opt for a Suzuki Liana, which has a hatchback version that should cater for herself, Rex and the bag of Big Berthas. The Liana (it stands for life in a new age) replaced the Baleno, which was an unlovely but capable car that never really caught on. The saloon version of the Liana has a good big boot but for more practical purposes the hatchback version has the edge.
The Liana is not really a very attractive car but the hatchback is a pragmatically designed one.
The rear looks a little odd but there is easy access to the rear storage area and the same is true of the front and rear seats.
There is also good head and legroom, even in the rear. In fact the Liana is far better in this respect than several of its competitors and particularly those whose roofs slope sharply backwards.The rear seats can be split 55/45, and this provides a very good load area.
The car has a digital speedometer, which does not really suit everyone, and the dashboard is neat and practical. Switchgear and instrumentation are fine and functional.
Most of the Lianas sold in this country have a 1.3 petrol engine, which pretty much reduces the car's ability to city conditions and limited driving outside the city. It is not an engine that will over-excite, but it is fine for the job at hand. This really is a small city car with that extra edge when it comes to accommodation but that is about it.
The ride is soft and harsh road conditions can see the Liana struggling, but then, it is not a car designed to be pushed all that far.
The Liana has no recall record for major problems and neither does it have a classification for the EuroNCAP crash tests. However, the car does have twin airbags, if not an anti-lock braking system. Standard equipment on the Liana also includes electric front windows, remote locking, an alarm and immobiliser and a CD player.
A two-year-old saloon version with the 1.3 engine and 19,000 miles on the clock is on offer at one garage for €12,500, while a hatchback of the same year with 32,000 on the clock is on offer at €12,250.
A 2002 hatchback version is for sale at €8,995 with 42,000 miles on the clock. A bit of keen bargaining should see that reduced to a good price indeed.
FOR: Small car with that extra edge when it comes to interior space. Cheap to run.
AGAINST: Lacks style and the saloon version is drab indeed.