Suzuki Grand Vitara anyone?

Anyone got any experience of the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0? I've got dibs on a mint X reg with 74,000 on clock loads extras roof pod and tow bar etc would be great for towing a trailer with a trailie on it.

I'd rather a diesel but I think the suzuki petrol engines are better?

Anyone know of any problems and am I likely to get clobbered with any green related stuff what with it being a 4x4 (albeit no bigger than an estate).

Cheers.

74000miles - mint?

[Biker Biggles]

74000 miles mint? Why not?
My car has over double that on the clock and is still in pretty good nick.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Anyone got any experience of the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0? I've got dibs on a mint X reg with 74,000 on clock loads extras roof pod and tow bar etc would be great for towing a trailer with a trailie on it.

I'd rather a diesel but I think the suzuki petrol engines are better?

Anyone know of any problems and am I likely to get clobbered with any green related stuff what with it being a 4x4 (albeit no bigger than an estate).

Cheers.

My parents had one for about six months, a 2.0TD. The diesel's not bad, it's a PSA 110BHP unit, and definitely worth it over the petrol for the fuel consumption, although even then at only 35mpg the diesel's not great.

I know a lass who had one of the 1.6 petrol 3 doors when they first came out and she complained about the consumption on that all the time, IIRC less than 30mpg routinely.

I thought it was OK to drive, although nothing special. It's not very passenger friendly as the cabin is quite narrow, and there's very little leg room in the back with the seats in a normal driving position. TBH the passenger side in the front isn't brilliant either as the dash hangs quite low so if you're a long legged passenger it's not that comfy - I like to stretch my short legs out and kept catching my feet under the dash.

If you suffer from back problems it might be worth driving it for an extended test - my Dad suffered really badly with his back when he drove it for long periods, that's why they ended up getting rid.

Acceleration on the diesel is glacial, and the petrol's not exactly Ferrari-esque. Brakes are powerful although a bit lacking in feel, the steering's typical 4x4 vague. Ride comfort was pretty good although the car would wander at motorway speeds and rolls a lot in any corner taken vaguely enthusiastically.

Servicing wasn't exactly cheap, although broadly in line with most modern vehicles, and Suzuki main dealer parts are normal Japan-expensive.

Can't comment on the towing, never tried it, but I reckon it would do OK. Insurance isn't expensive as they're not Bentley-desirable, road tax should be around the £180 a year mark IIRC.

Conclusion: If it's cheap, it's a good workhorse if you find it comfy.

All the above comes from a 2003 2.0TD 5 door, personally driven probably about 1,000 miles.

Originally Posted by sv-robo

74000miles - mint?

sv-robo, I had a mint 90,000 SAAB a while back. Mint for the miles then, if we must be picky, it is relative.

Its been looked after.

But I think I need something a bit less juicy for going to work so I'm going to pass. Ta for the info WRC.

[the_lone_wolf]

my only experience is reversing my focus into a dark green one in the dark on a rainy night, £2000 worth of damage between the two, £1600 for the vitara, £400 on the ford - they appear to be made of crepe paper...

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

sv-robo, I had a mint 90,000 SAAB a while back. Mint for the miles then, if we must be picky, it is relative.

Its been looked after.

But I think I need something a bit less juicy for going to work so I'm going to pass. Ta for the info WRC.

Pleasure... although I just re-read that and realise it sounded all very negative! Don't get me wrong, they're not terrible or anything - but there are better 4x4s out there... If you just want to tow a bike trailer with even two or three bikes on, any diesel saloon will do the job. Put it this way, my 1.9D 115bhp Volvo S40 has no worries tugging 1200kgs of caravan at well over the motorway limit (not that I would do that, obviously).

Originally Posted by WRCSixtyThree

tugging 1200kgs of caravan

you let that one slip



No. gone off idea, back to an estate I think. Octavia or Mondeo maybe.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

you let that one slip



No. gone off idea, back to an estate I think. Octavia or Mondeo maybe.

I'm even a member of the Caravan Club. Our members pull over to let you past

Motorcycling and caravanning are not mutually exclusive... When I'm on my bike, I hate caravanners as much as the next biker

Although I don't, as I'm already likely to be breaking the speed limit. Faster tugger in the North East, me

Uncle had the same model he wouldn't recommend it for build quality reasons, trim breaking off, leaks, electrics, etc. The 2.0 petrol is very thirsty but that didn't bother him 'cos he lives in the CI and doesn't pay tax.