5
I
t's true--everyone is a critic, especially when it
comes to buying a new vehicle. From your
coworkers to your friends to your family,
everyone has their own opinion about what car
brand and model they think is right for you. But
the truth is, when it comes to choosing a new
vehicle, nobody knows better what's best for you
than you. And for most shoppers, the best way to
discover that is by taking test drives.
A test drive allows you to discover key
features about a vehicle that you're considering.
After all, web surfers and brochure browsers
can't feel the responsive steering of a vehicle as it
takes a corner or the way it powers down a
highway onramp. That was recently the case for
Alvin and Ynette Perkins of Kansas City, Missouri,
who were in the market for a new set of wheels
and carrying with them the opinions of some family
members. Their story starts with a test drive. "There are a
couple of Chryslers in our family so we went to that
dealership first," Ynette recalls. "But a friend recommended
Suzuki too, so we drove to Franklin's National Suzuki to
see what they had to offer. We were curious because we
didn't know much about Suzuki."
The Perkins family had a price range in mind and
several options. They first considered buying two used cars
at Franklin's and then were invited to take a Suzuki Forenza
premium compact for an overnight test drive. But the next
day they were still torn over which option to choose. "While
we were at the Suzuki dealership, we got a call from the
Chrysler dealership that our application had been
approved," says Ynette. Since the used vehicles this couple
was shown didn't meet their needs and they wanted
something a little larger than the Suzuki Forenza, they
started to drive off the Suzuki lot when something in their
rearview mirror caught their attention. It was a 2004 Verona
S in Tuxedo Black Pearl.
The couple took the Verona for a test drive and quickly
agreed to purchase it for many reasons, among them--its
style. "We basically fell in love with it during the test
drive," the couple agrees. "The Verona is just beautiful on
the inside and the front end is different from other cars,"
says Ynette. But while the Italian-designed exterior of the
Verona was what first caught their eye, numerous other
features helped seal the deal. "Everything from the wood
grain trim on the inside to the payment caught my
attention," says Alvin. "In fact, everything on the Verona
seemed a bit flashier and the interior headroom was
important for me because I'm six-foot-five. We basically
wanted something reliable that drives smoothly. The
Verona's engine power is so smooth that you barely have
to touch the gas pedal. And the coverage provided by the
warranty was another thing. We knew that if anything ever
happens, we'll be taken care of."
The couple's previous vehicle was an SUV and they
weren't interested in replacing it with another large vehicle.
"We didn't necessarily need to have another SUV, as long
as we could find a car that wasn't compact on the inside.
The Verona's interior is very roomy and comfortable for
both of us," Ynette says. "Even the design of the step-gate
shifter is different from other cars. We also like the steering-
wheel-mounted controls and the standard CD and cassette
player. It's usually either/or--and now we've got both."
"This is my first new car and I didn't want just
anything," adds Ynette. "I wanted something that not only
looks good, but runs good, and having the warranty on
top of that--you know it's a great deal!"
THE VERONA
RISES ABOVE THE REST
A Kansas City Couple Discovers Suzuki for the First Time
and Finds Their Own Way to Stand Out from the Crowd
O W N E R P O W E R
