Vitara Auto - Known Weak Points?

[ShaunTheSheep]

We're looking for a small (or easy to park) 4x4 with an automatic gearbox for SWMBO. I'd like a fast warming, easy to DIY service, petrol engine for the winter months and for all the miles it'll do it makes no real difference to cost considerations and may help us get more metal for the budget.

It's to be a stop-gap car of about a 18 months and i don't want to loose any money on it so thinking around the £2k mark, on the logic that's above the sheds that need money spending now, but below the depreciation curve. Hopefully!

The 3 door Grand Vitara keeps cropping up, they seem nice. Where can i get more information on them? Does anyone here know of weak points with the auto Vitaras? What about parts costs and names of good parts suppliers?

Found 4 suzuki forums, 1 was dedicated to vitaras but that one wont let me register (any @gmail.com address is banned!) and none of the others have anything recently posted in their "For Sale" sections. Struggling to find a buyers guide. Honest John site has a small one but it's not as complete as for other models.

Any hints, tips or suggestions gratefully received!

[JVaughan]

get over to www.difflock.com ... plenty of Vitara Nuts in the Suzuki section

[ShaunTheSheep]

Thanks, looks a good community, spent a couple of hours last night reading howto articles over there.

I'm definitely going to have to learn how to weld.

[JVaughan]

There is quite a suzuki community out there .. not as big as landy's, but SJ, Vit and Jimny's are all being modded.
Bits 4 vits do plenty of bolton bits for the vitara's as so Offroad Armoury

[ChiChoAndy]

Bits4vits is expensive, If you can get cheap shipping, you can get stuff in the US much cheaper.

[JVaughan]

Dave3 at Bits 4 Vits may be expensive, as are ORA, but their stuff is engineered to last .. plus you dont have to worry about international shipping fees ... and the delays associated.