Suzuki super carry ownership review

[Ahmedy]

Hi all. I'd like to start up a friendly discussion to owners or drivers using Suzuki super carry. I'm going to point out the good the bad and the ugly, on my little pony 😂 .

Having done 18 000km over the course of 1 year I should say , it was tiring. Especially sitting up right with no space to recline the seat. The ride though ain't to bad. It boats around when empty. Kind of like a rocking chair . The overall handling can be fun at times in town. On the open road it can be light at speed of 120 kmh . Heavy winds push it around like a toy . Even oncoming trucks can give you a fright if you not paying attention. The heaviest I loaded this toy bakkie was by fitting a 500 liter water tank underneath the already fitted canopy. It's as if it steam rolls most bumps on the road and the ride softens. No boating around. At higher speeds of around 100kmh it sways a bit with that type of load . The brakes however feels like it could be better. So brake earlier.

As for fuel economy, I wish I still had the Nissan hardbody 3 liter turbo diesel. I managed to get over 11km per liter on that bakkie doing 110kmh gps on the open road combined with jhb traffic per tank fuel. With the super carry its the same figures, except I now have to travel at 100kmh. The best fuel economy I got with this little 1.2i was 14km per liter doing speeds of 80-90 kmh . It's really sad though and I wish there was a way to better aerodynamics. The engine could perhaps do with a better breathing exhaust (has catalytic convertor) and some fine tuning but I'll have to wait for the warranty to expire.

Speaking of . I'm grateful having decided to pay for services at the agency. The 1st gear on the gearbox failed and had to be replaced due to the mechanics fiddling with it at the first service at 10 000km. I reported a noisy sound coming from one of the tensioner pullys. They had to remove the gear lever and didn't adjust it properly when reinstalling. During the 3 month wait due to the gearbox issue, I had to make other means of transport to do business. Suzuki sa don't respond to emails and the agency I bought this bakkie from couldn't loan me a vehicle nor reimburse me for my losses during that time . So I used my '98 2.5 liter 3 series bmw with a trailer. Unloaded, without the trailer at the same speeds of 100-110kmh it also returned up to 12.5 km per liter.

Apart from having no air-conditioning/ heater, no air bags or rev counter , this bakkie comes equipped with an automated headlight adjuster. I found that to be humorous. At least that component worked well and night driving is safe and clearly visible. What I would like is to have had some form to clear misting windows . I feel that it can be very unsafe during winters and rainy days. I bought a 12v heated fan and another two 12 desk fans to help clear mist along side a cloth I use.

Other mods I've made was fitting a rear view camera and some led lights in the canopy along with anti hijack.
I'd be more happier for 3 things , demister, more legroom and better fuel economy.

This thread is open for comments and feedback as well as other owners and drivers of these little bakkies
Kind Regards

[WillieJimny]

Your 325i BMW is very light on fuel

[Ahmedy]

Your 325i BMW is very light on fuel

My dad says the same . It's actually a 323i . Same motor as the 325i but has a more restricted intake . I've tweaked it though. Has a full viper exhaust system with manifolds . AEM wideband sensor. Self tuned the dme/ecu for better performance and fuel economy . Running on 205x55x16 tyres.

[DustGypsy]

They always surprise me in town, quite fast robot to robot......till the aerodynamics kick in I guess

[Ahmedy]

They always surprise me in town, quite fast robot to robot......till the aerodynamics kick in I guess

Indeed it can be nippy once the revs pick up , or until you feel a heavy buzz under you're gut and need to shift gears ... that too

[Johan Engelbrecht]

Thank you for the informative report.
Am I correct that the Carry's are 4x4? Or am I thinking of related product from Suzuki? Have you used the 4x4 capability?

[DustGypsy]

Thank you for the informative report.
Am I correct that the Carry's are 4x4? Or am I thinking of related product from Suzuki? Have you used the 4x4 capability?

You get them in 4x4 overseas, local ones are RWD.......unfortunately

[Ahmedy]

Thank you for the informative report.
Am I correct that the Carry's are 4x4? Or am I thinking of related product from Suzuki? Have you used the 4x4 capability?

You're welcome.
I'm not to certain which markets abroad received the 4x4 versions. I came across it once before. I dug into the international forums and found some interesting stuff. The more popular 4x4 versions are of the previous shape. India runs the same 1.2i as we do , they have a cng option too. Certain area's have a 800cc diesel claiming 30 kilometers per liter. Apparently chana bakkies where using Suzukis platforms and then cloned it from there.

I think the Jimny is the one you're thinking of that has 4x4 . I quite like the look of them. They really popular too .

[Fearl3SS]

You're welcome.
I'm not to certain which markets abroad received the 4x4 versions. I came across it once before. I dug into the international forums and found some interesting stuff. The more popular 4x4 versions are of the previous shape. India runs the same 1.2i as we do , they have a cng option too. Certain area's have a 800cc diesel claiming 30 kilometers per liter. Apparently chana bakkies where using Suzukis platforms and then cloned it from there.

I think the Jimny is the one you're thinking of that has 4x4 . I quite like the look of them. They really popular too .

I can confirm the Chana / Suzuki Relationship, the Chana star and Suzuki Super carry = Same. (Chana used Suzuki Motors and other bits and pieces from suzuki in their cars).
The Super carry has the F10a and G13bb in them. I have noted that there is a diffrence between the gear ratios between the super carry and Chana Gearboxes.
I would love to get a Super carry / Chana Star and turn it into a 4x4 version, just because..

Japan and China have the 4x4 versions from the show room floor of these little bakkies..

[DustGypsy]

I can confirm the Chana / Suzuki Relationship, the Chana star and Suzuki Super carry = Same. (Chana used Suzuki Motors and other bits and pieces from suzuki in their cars).
The Super carry has the F10a and G13bb in them. I have noted that there is a diffrence between the gear ratios between the super carry and Chana Gearboxes.
I would love to get a Super carry / Chana Star and turn it into a 4x4 version, just because..

Japan and China have the 4x4 versions from the show room floor of these little bakkies..

Same here.......especially after watching Kei to the Mountain (MCM on YT)

[Ahmedy]

I can confirm the Chana / Suzuki Relationship, the Chana star and Suzuki Super carry = Same. (Chana used Suzuki Motors and other bits and pieces from suzuki in their cars).
The Super carry has the F10a and G13bb in them. I have noted that there is a diffrence between the gear ratios between the super carry and Chana Gearboxes.
I would love to get a Super carry / Chana Star and turn it into a 4x4 version, just because..

Japan and China have the 4x4 versions from the show room floor of these little bakkies..

Yes the gearboxes are different, under correction chana blocks too. India and South African markets have the G12B (based of the G13BB). I think the previous shape had the F10a and G13BB motors . Came across a Jimny with a G13BB turbo motor making crazy power. Did some digging on Indian websites. The suzuki eeco had the option of having air-conditioning. As for the 4x4 drivetrain, I've only seen the previous shape having it abroad. Seems the local version carry isn't so popular abroad. It's already been replaced in some countries with a rather good looking more spacious version, engine sizes up to 1.6 .
Would be nice to know if the previous shape drivetrain would work on our current shape .

[Fearl3SS]

Yes the gearboxes are different, under correction chana blocks too. India and South African markets have the G12B (based of the G13BB). I think the previous shape had the F10a and G13BB motors . Came across a Jimny with a G13BB turbo motor making crazy power. Did some digging on Indian websites. The suzuki eeco had the option of having air-conditioning. As for the 4x4 drivetrain, I've only seen the previous shape having it abroad. Seems the local version carry isn't so popular abroad. It's already been replaced in some countries with a rather good looking more spacious version, engine sizes up to 1.6 .
Would be nice to know if the previous shape drivetrain would work on our current shape .

You can allways up your Carry /chana to a 1.6.

all you need is a g16b motor(this is if you can find one) . the rest of the required bits you already have.. as the g16b and g13bb / g12b air intakes, oil pickups , exaust manifods and sumps are all interchangeable, and is straight bolt on.

I think I might still have the Chana star 1300 (g13bb) motor parte that I took off and turned the motor up from the 45deg angle in my sj. and then used all the G16b parts.

hence I can 100% confirm it is doable.

[Fearl3SS]

Same here.......especially after watching Kei to the Mountain (MCM on YT)

haha, I have had that crazy idea before that, YouTube has lot of videos of really nicely kitted out ones.. MCM kept theirs stock unfortunately..

[Ahmedy]

You can allways up your Carry /chana to a 1.6.

all you need is a g16b motor(this is if you can find one) . the rest of the required bits you already have.. as the g16b and g13bb / g12b air intakes, oil pickups , exaust manifods and sumps are all interchangeable, and is straight bolt on.

I think I might still have the Chana star 1300 (g13bb) motor parte that I took off and turned the motor up from the 45deg angle in my sj. and then used all the G16b parts.

hence I can 100% confirm it is doable.

Sounds good. Would of been nice if they had offered a bigger engine straight up. I'm guessing the 1.6 isn't higher than these 1.2's and 1.3's the carry and Chana use . Why I'm wondering is that I'm already seeing some light chaffing on the air filter housing. I'm a bit heavy and the seat pushes right onto it . From what I could dig up the Malaysian market received the g16b . Their version of the Carry is much nicer, bigger as well.

I appreciate you're input

[Swerkater]

Hi all. I'd like to start up a friendly discussion to owners or drivers using Suzuki super carry. I'm going to point out the good the bad and the ugly, on my little pony 😂 .

Having done 18 000km over the course of 1 year I should say , it was tiring. Especially sitting up right with no space to recline the seat. The ride though ain't to bad. It boats around when empty. Kind of like a rocking chair . The overall handling can be fun at times in town. On the open road it can be light at speed of 120 kmh . Heavy winds push it around like a toy . Even oncoming trucks can give you a fright if you not paying attention. The heaviest I loaded this toy bakkie was by fitting a 500 liter water tank underneath the already fitted canopy. It's as if it steam rolls most bumps on the road and the ride softens. No boating around. At higher speeds of around 100kmh it sways a bit with that type of load . The brakes however feels like it could be better. So brake earlier.

As for fuel economy, I wish I still had the Nissan hardbody 3 liter turbo diesel. I managed to get over 11km per liter on that bakkie doing 110kmh gps on the open road combined with jhb traffic per tank fuel. With the super carry its the same figures, except I now have to travel at 100kmh. The best fuel economy I got with this little 1.2i was 14km per liter doing speeds of 80-90 kmh . It's really sad though and I wish there was a way to better aerodynamics. The engine could perhaps do with a better breathing exhaust (has catalytic convertor) and some fine tuning but I'll have to wait for the warranty to expire.

Speaking of . I'm grateful having decided to pay for services at the agency. The 1st gear on the gearbox failed and had to be replaced due to the mechanics fiddling with it at the first service at 10 000km. I reported a noisy sound coming from one of the tensioner pullys. They had to remove the gear lever and didn't adjust it properly when reinstalling. During the 3 month wait due to the gearbox issue, I had to make other means of transport to do business. Suzuki sa don't respond to emails and the agency I bought this bakkie from couldn't loan me a vehicle nor reimburse me for my losses during that time . So I used my '98 2.5 liter 3 series bmw with a trailer. Unloaded, without the trailer at the same speeds of 100-110kmh it also returned up to 12.5 km per liter.

Apart from having no air-conditioning/ heater, no air bags or rev counter , this bakkie comes equipped with an automated headlight adjuster. I found that to be humorous. At least that component worked well and night driving is safe and clearly visible. What I would like is to have had some form to clear misting windows . I feel that it can be very unsafe during winters and rainy days. I bought a 12v heated fan and another two 12 desk fans to help clear mist along side a cloth I use.

Other mods I've made was fitting a rear view camera and some led lights in the canopy along with anti hijack.
I'd be more happier for 3 things , demister, more legroom and better fuel economy.

This thread is open for comments and feedback as well as other owners and drivers of these little bakkies
Kind Regards

Dankie vir die review. Baie goeie inligting.
Dis nogal swak van Suzuki en die handelaar.

[Ahmedy]

Dankie vir die review. Baie goeie inligting.
Dis nogal swak van Suzuki en die handelaar.

Dis ñ plesier .

So a bit of a bump to this thread. The carry is sitting on 40 000km just serviced it's 2nd service at Suzuki Bassonia (Glen) . I've switched over from the dealership in Vereeniging. I've found Bassonia's overall service to be much better (friendliness , workmanship and time factor). This is it's final year of warranty too. I'm sure I will probably squeeze in another service by the end of the year .
So far so good and I've grown accustomed to this dinky toy van. I doubt I'll manage to maneuver through traffic and tight spaces as swiftly as i do now with a normal double cab bakkie.
As for how it's holding up . According to the tests it has more than 80% left on its brakes . The tyres looks like it might give another 10-15000km . The gearbox and clutch is holding up well . Engine is much smoother and is more looser , especially on take off. Fuel effeciency is about the same. I noticed a dip in fuel consumption on 93 octane and have switched over to 95 octane. I noticed more knock occurances on my 323i using 93 octane too . 95 seemed to remedy that issue.
The only other thing of concern is I noticed some surface rust on the load bin around the latches. I was told that Suzuki doesn't cover that under warranty. The last thing I might add is my greed for more space 😂 . This thing loads decent with a canopy. But there's always something bigger someone wants to load when they hear you have a bakkie 😂

[WillieJimny]

Dis ñ plesier .

So a bit of a bump to this thread. The carry is sitting on 40 000km just serviced it's 2nd service at Suzuki Bassonia (Glen) . I've switched over from the dealership in Vereeniging. I've found Bassonia's overall service to be much better (friendliness , workmanship and time factor). This is it's final year of warranty too. I'm sure I will probably squeeze in another service by the end of the year .
So far so good and I've grown accustomed to this dinky toy van. I doubt I'll manage to maneuver through traffic and tight spaces as swiftly as i do now with a normal double cab bakkie.
As for how it's holding up . According to the tests it has more than 80% left on its brakes . The tyres looks like it might give another 10-15000km . The gearbox and clutch is holding up well . Engine is much smoother and is more looser , especially on take off. Fuel effeciency is about the same. I noticed a dip in fuel consumption on 93 octane and have switched over to 95 octane. I noticed more knock occurances on my 323i using 93 octane too . 95 seemed to remedy that issue.
The only other thing of concern is I noticed some surface rust on the load bin around the latches. I was told that Suzuki doesn't cover that under warranty. The last thing I might add is my greed for more space 😂 . This thing loads decent with a canopy. But there's always something bigger someone wants to load when they hear you have a bakkie 😂

Not sure if I am understanding you correctly but the Super Carry needs servicing every 10 000km
If you have only done 2 services in 40 000 you have skipped 2.
Or was this your second service at Bassonia?

[Ahmedy]

My apologies for that. The first two services (10 000km) & (20 000km) where done at the Vereeniging branch. The 30 000km and 40 000km where done at Bassonia .

[Radar]

Hi there
I've done almost 300000km in my carry.
Used for business. I've had zero issues.
Fuel consumption excelant did 14km/l loaded.
I travel between 80 to 100 km / hr. Never pushed it more. That's what it does.
I've been up Mike's pass, been to Zingela about 5 times. Due to this I've had to replace shocks....that was 10k. But was worth it.
For the price of the vehicle, load capacity,reliability, fuel consumption was a good asset for my business.
Was serviced by non agent mechanic.....

[Ahmedy]

Hi there
I've done almost 300000km in my carry.
Used for business. I've had zero issues.
Fuel consumption excelant did 14km/l loaded.
I travel between 80 to 100 km / hr. Never pushed it more. That's what it does.
I've been up Mike's pass, been to Zingela about 5 times. Due to this I've had to replace shocks....that was 10k. But was worth it.
For the price of the vehicle, load capacity,reliability, fuel consumption was a good asset for my business.
Was serviced by non agent mechanic.....

Woah! That is immense. Hope it continues to give you such great service.
Do you have a canopy. What tyres and tyre pressure do you run . If I have the time like today I travel around 80kmh which with the canopy and small rear roof carrier sees me just shy of 15km per liter tank to tank fill-up.
I'm assuming the shocks are agents only ?
Indeed these bakkies do pull their weight.
Must of been epic climbing those hills with this dinky toy. I got sucked into sand on the side of a farmers entrance once. Luckily got out with a push and deflated tyres