Beat the fuel price — swap guzzlers for pocket rockets
Devastated. I think an exaggeration is excusable in this instance. Devastated was how we felt upon hearing about the whopping fuel price increase taking effect this week. Aside from the final bill at the local pump, the inevitable ramifications on the general cost of everything else is going to leave a person wincing.
Colleague Bruce Fraser and I have cut costs in our corner of the Tiso Blackstar building. We use our shared bottle of spicy sauce very sparingly between us. And I have disabused myself of the notion that imbibing costly nicotine calms me.
Indeed, the time has come to scale down and tighten belts. Like another gentleman in the building who recently got rid of his Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) in favour of a new Suzuki Baleno. A model which we have taken delivery of this week for a long-term test, until March 2019.
As a regular reader, you may recall previous six-month stints. For me, this prompted a stroll down memory lane. Since I joined the publication in July 2014, I recall every model that came through our basement for an extended period. The good, the bad, the downright ugly.
There was the Peugeot 508, Peugeot 308 GT-Line, Datsun Go (we fought over those keys!); Toyota Corolla Quest, Jaguar XE, Subaru WRX, Opel Adam, Honda Civic Type R, Volvo V90 Cross Country, Toyota Fortuner, Audi RS3 Sportback, Mazda CX-3, Volkswagen Cross Up, Volkswagen Polo R-Line, Mazda MX-5 and Mazda CX-5. A varied spread.
The current climate of things seems quite conducive to the Baleno, with Suzuki being a brand that prides itself in simple, wholesome, quality products with keen pricing. Their well-documented plaudits in surveys among owners is rather telling. I have not heard a sour word from a Suzuki driver about their experience — from vehicle to dealership interaction.
Back to our Baleno. Truth be told, this test period is not going to be as Spartan and puritanical as we hinted.
Because our tester is the range-topping GLX, replete with attractive 16-inch alloys, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with satellite audio controls, cruise control, a nifty information display in the instrument cluster, keyless-start and a rather comprehensive touchscreen infotainment system. Which is a lot of stuff, considering the relatively modest asking price of R237,900.
Wait. I forgot to mention rear park-distance control. We also have dual front, side and curtain airbags.
So far, I have managed to put about 20km on the odometer — adding to the 39km already on there when we received it. Leaving the office in Braamfontein last night, I nosed the Baleno out of the city and onto the freeway gingerly, judicious with throttle and inputs. Sound practice, of course, until the running-in process is complete.
In time we will be able to report accurately on the performance and more crucially, the economy of its normally aspirated, 1,373cc, four-cylinder.
Lastly, Suzuki obliged our request for the fitment of a bicycle rack.
You will be able to read more about the misadventure involving this accessory in sister publication Sunday Times Lifestyle Motoring, on October 28.
We have plenty in store for our new companion. Stay tuned.