2004 Suzuki Forenza Oregon

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Introduction

Suzuki Forenza -- 2004 First Drive: With the introduction of the Forenza, Suzuki goes head to head with the big boys in the hotly contested compact class. Segment leaders Civic and Corolla have long had a comfortable chunk of this sector, and the field is further populated by quality entries from Nissan (Sentra), Mazda (3) and Korean offerings by Kia (Spectra) and Hyundai (Elantra). Into the mix comes Forenza, a four door, front drive sedan offered in three trim levels. The base, Forenza S stickers for $12,499, and is well contented at that price. Standard are air conditioning, AM/FM/Cassette/ CD sound system with eight speakers and redundant controls on the steering wheel, tilt wheel, floor mats, heated mirrors and power windows and door locks. Next up is the mid-level LX, with a starting sticker of $14,399. LX adds the following to the list of standards: leather-wrapped wheel, remote keyless entry, aluminum alloy wheels, fog lamps, cruise control and a power moon roof. Topping off the line is the EX. At $15,999, it has all of the foregoing equipment plus leather seating surfaces.

Forenza's design was penned by Pinanfarina. The Italian studio has styled many exotic cars over the years, and this, of course, is not one of them. With the subject economy and not exotic, the charge and the challenge are obviously different, and the designers have responded well.

Modern Look

The Forenza's lines fit well with the modern, long hood/short deck standard for the small sedan class. The profile shows a sloping front end, rising gradually to a taller, squared off tail. Bridging the gap - a rounded greenhouse arching sharply over the top. In all, it's a pleasant, contemporary shape.

Forenza offers adult size seating for four inside (five, if you include young'uns). Silver metallic trim bisects the dashboard north/south, and rings the four gauge instrument cluster. The front seats adapt well to various size drivers. Switchgear is mostly found on steering wheel column stanchions: stalk left for lights, stalk right for wipers. HVAC controls are dialed in with a trio of rheostats placed low on the center dash array, with sound system above. Nothing is out of reach or hard to engage. The trunk measures 12.4 cubic feet. It's usably shaped, has a low lift over height for easy access and the rear seat backs fold forward if you want to carry any long gear.

One engine is offered with a choice of two transmissions. The 2.0 liter four cylinder develops 199 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm and 126 lb. ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. A five speed standard is standard, with a four speed automatic available.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.