06/07 Grand Vitara 16v Estate
Discussion
Hello all, i'm on the look out for a family car, so far hit the usual suspects- Passat, SAAB, Volvo estates.
All very good, but really quite boring & I'm desperately trying to hold back buying an MPV/Estate car untill I get over 30!
So, I was looking at midsized 4x4s.
Namely the GV 2.0 16v over anything else.
These look to be excellent value for money, with no real mechanical issues to worry about.
My wife is a District Nurse around Brixham & the rural areas of Devon, so the benefit & peace of mind a vehicle of this nature would bring during inclement weather, would be pleasant!
The only down side I can see is limited boot space, but nothing I feel a roof box & dog guard couldn't cure.
Now the bits for me, what, if any, does the GV have in the way of LSDs on the axles?
(I believe the central diff has a lock out function & High & Low ranges)
What are they like off road.
I understand the independant suspension will be biggest limiting factor, so no real rough stuff, but do they respond well to a lift kit & running a more aggresive tyre?
Thanks in advance.
All very good, but really quite boring & I'm desperately trying to hold back buying an MPV/Estate car untill I get over 30!
So, I was looking at midsized 4x4s.
Namely the GV 2.0 16v over anything else.
These look to be excellent value for money, with no real mechanical issues to worry about.
My wife is a District Nurse around Brixham & the rural areas of Devon, so the benefit & peace of mind a vehicle of this nature would bring during inclement weather, would be pleasant!
The only down side I can see is limited boot space, but nothing I feel a roof box & dog guard couldn't cure.
Now the bits for me, what, if any, does the GV have in the way of LSDs on the axles?
(I believe the central diff has a lock out function & High & Low ranges)
What are they like off road.
I understand the independant suspension will be biggest limiting factor, so no real rough stuff, but do they respond well to a lift kit & running a more aggresive tyre?
Thanks in advance.
Vidal Baboon
I have Used and owned quite the range of Vitara's and they are a car that does what it say on the Tin. Good value as you said.
The 05- on models do not have LSD (not sure if US 2.7 V6 does). The old shape does on the V6 98-05.
The new car is not as tough as the 98-05 GV with solid axle etc and the ground clearance is also higher on the old car. There is no diff lock as there is no centre diff, but the system is locked anyway when you put it in 4. The new one rides better and has a lot more space (not including old XL7).
If you go for one, go for a 5 door much more room / ride better and easier to sell on.
The 2.0 is o.k with Autobox is slow ( not driven 2.4 but told is better or the latest diesel).
I did notice quite a lot of scrub on N/S/F tyres on the 05-on cars due to permanent 4 wheel drive (Jap spec is 2 or 4 wheel.)
The car though is very capable off road and I have had them in some interesting places especially when I am in on business in the Caribbean.
If you want a really tough vehicle and really cheap go for a last 5 door of the old shape 98-05 2.0 petrol ( not that bad on fuel and sprightly performance). The servicing cost are minimal given timing chain,60,000 plugs etc . Basically oil and filter change. The 05-on should be the same in terms of servicing.
Or more comfort and space then 05-on Petrol's are a lot cheaper to by secondhand than the oil burner and offer good value.
The old model can only run 4 wheel drive on loose surface the 05-on is permanent, so you do loose on steering feel and levels out the fuel economy between the new and old model even though is a more efficient engine in the new car.But the flip side is you are always in 4 wheel drive in a emergency.
Yes they do have low box, which is a big bonus.
The 05-on 2.0 petrol 5 door is a ideal choice for what you have in mind. Also check for limited edition models with extras like E-XC.
Note:-If you do however see a low mileage old shape 98-05 but late 2.5 V6 E-XC have a go they drive like a old 6 cyl sports car being quite small + RWD + All alloy V6 155hp + LSD + All-round disc brakes, handle surprisingly well and not that slow either.
I have Used and owned quite the range of Vitara's and they are a car that does what it say on the Tin. Good value as you said.
The 05- on models do not have LSD (not sure if US 2.7 V6 does). The old shape does on the V6 98-05.
The new car is not as tough as the 98-05 GV with solid axle etc and the ground clearance is also higher on the old car. There is no diff lock as there is no centre diff, but the system is locked anyway when you put it in 4. The new one rides better and has a lot more space (not including old XL7).
If you go for one, go for a 5 door much more room / ride better and easier to sell on.
The 2.0 is o.k with Autobox is slow ( not driven 2.4 but told is better or the latest diesel).
I did notice quite a lot of scrub on N/S/F tyres on the 05-on cars due to permanent 4 wheel drive (Jap spec is 2 or 4 wheel.)
The car though is very capable off road and I have had them in some interesting places especially when I am in on business in the Caribbean.
If you want a really tough vehicle and really cheap go for a last 5 door of the old shape 98-05 2.0 petrol ( not that bad on fuel and sprightly performance). The servicing cost are minimal given timing chain,60,000 plugs etc . Basically oil and filter change. The 05-on should be the same in terms of servicing.
Or more comfort and space then 05-on Petrol's are a lot cheaper to by secondhand than the oil burner and offer good value.
The old model can only run 4 wheel drive on loose surface the 05-on is permanent, so you do loose on steering feel and levels out the fuel economy between the new and old model even though is a more efficient engine in the new car.But the flip side is you are always in 4 wheel drive in a emergency.
Yes they do have low box, which is a big bonus.
The 05-on 2.0 petrol 5 door is a ideal choice for what you have in mind. Also check for limited edition models with extras like E-XC.
Note:-If you do however see a low mileage old shape 98-05 but late 2.5 V6 E-XC have a go they drive like a old 6 cyl sports car being quite small + RWD + All alloy V6 155hp + LSD + All-round disc brakes, handle surprisingly well and not that slow either.
Edited by Rum Runner on Friday 15th January 14:50
Not much to add to that other than these will be worth a read:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
Check out Dave's Vitara's .. the every day drive.
He has lefted it slightly to give it better looks and ability but its his every day car too
http://www.k9rdj.co.uk/dailydriver.html
His other projects
http://www.k9rdj.co.uk/
His online buisness
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/index.php
He has lefted it slightly to give it better looks and ability but its his every day car too
http://www.k9rdj.co.uk/dailydriver.html
His other projects
http://www.k9rdj.co.uk/
His online buisness
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/index.php
I was just looking for something else and stumbled across this post, and have to say the first poster has it absolutely spot on. I'm currently living in the Caribbean as well, and have a new found respect for these cars, which I formerly though of as "hairdresser" cars.
The old estate 16v or V6 would be my choice (I'm currently hooning around in a battered 16v estate, having bought and sold 3 of the old shape models this last year:
2 door 1.6 16v convertible
2 door 1.6 8v tintop
4 door 2.0 16v estate
They really are a baby 4x4 with genuine off road ability due to the ladder chassis, low range and solid rear axle. They handle really well, and with a set of wider wheels will out corner most cars (and I have a semi-circuit prepped integra back home).
Simple mechanics, tough, basic, roomy, nippy, and not too bad on fuel, but basic. Watch out for leccy window problems though, and overheating on abused examples. Ensure there's auto hubs too. Nothing like having to get out in a total downpour to lock hubs cos you can't climb a hill...
The old estate 16v or V6 would be my choice (I'm currently hooning around in a battered 16v estate, having bought and sold 3 of the old shape models this last year:
2 door 1.6 16v convertible
2 door 1.6 8v tintop
4 door 2.0 16v estate
They really are a baby 4x4 with genuine off road ability due to the ladder chassis, low range and solid rear axle. They handle really well, and with a set of wider wheels will out corner most cars (and I have a semi-circuit prepped integra back home).
Simple mechanics, tough, basic, roomy, nippy, and not too bad on fuel, but basic. Watch out for leccy window problems though, and overheating on abused examples. Ensure there's auto hubs too. Nothing like having to get out in a total downpour to lock hubs cos you can't climb a hill...
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