Suzuki Vitara - Opinions Please
Suzuki Vitara - Opinions Please
Author
Discussion

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
No this is not a "I need a 4x4 because of a bit of snow" thread hehe

Looking to get a cheap used 4x4 large vehicle probably around May for an expansion of my business.

The interior will be damaged most likely, so looking to aim for sub £2k / 60,000 miles / 1996-2002 reg ones.

I don't know these engines at all, can anyone comment on the general mechanical reliability of these cars please?



binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
st!



next...........

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
binlicker said:
st!



next...........
Thats fine - but reasons please?

binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
My mate had one, it fell apart around his ears, a mates girlfriend had one, it fell apart around her ears.

A girl who works for me was thinking about buying one, with the above in mind I attempted to talk her out of it. She bought it anyway.

Any guesses what happened to it?

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
So they suffer from rust problems generally? I have heard the engines are very good generally.

anonymous-user

70 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
binlicker said:
st!



next...........
Or.... not.

Vitara's are actually very good 4x4's. They do suffer from rust (though not excessive, and certainly no worse than similar LR's etc).
Take a look on Difflock, or ask in the pistonheads offroad section for a more helpful and constructive reply than the one from windowlicker.

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
binlicker said:
st!



next...........
Or.... not.

Vitara's are actually very good 4x4's. They do suffer from rust (though not excessive, and certainly no worse than similar LR's etc).
Take a look on Difflock, or ask in the pistonheads offroad section for a more helpful and constructive reply than the one from windowlicker.
Will do!

Mods, could you move this if you see it please?

uuf361

3,158 posts

238 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Friends wife had one and only got rid of it last weekend, I nicknamed it wcensoredy it was so bad - probably good if you need to go off road and get the right tyres etc but for daily driving it was not a particularly comfortable vehicle...

wolfy1988

1,426 posts

179 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
I had a 1991, 1.6 petrol SWB when I lived in Spain.

Its definitely better off road then on.

Woefully underpowered but I liked it, I did not look after it one bit but it kept going.

Didn't fall apart. even with about 15000 miles off road!

binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
The third one, the girl who works for me, hers was actually a mechanical nightmare. Was about to say it was an old one so you pay your money and take your chances, however, they are all old now, you'd be buying from the same gene pool unfortunately.

I can't remember specifics but I know she only had it three months and it cost her £600+ in repairs to the cooling system, the transmission AND the brakes in that short time.

I even wrote a couple of letters to the finance company on her behalf as she had gone ahead and paid to have it repaired without speaking to the dealer/ warranty company first so nobady wanted to play ball.

She ended up taking out a loan to pay off the outstanding finance so she could get rid, it was bought by a Polish guy who claimed he was going to break it and export the parts.

There MUST be better things to spend your money on, even if you need an off roader.

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
To clarifyI don't need it for going off road, I need one with the decent rear space for equipment that would be mounted in the back of it - Vitara is cheap enough and good on insurance to fit the bill. Was going to get a van, but want the availability of 4 seats should I require them.

Unless there are any other reasonable suggestions, I don't really want to pay over £1.5 - 2k absolute max if possible.

I do obviously understand that, I won't be getting something mega reliable for that price...

binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
Vitara Fanboi stuff........and a bit of name calling
Not here to be controversial carrot, three people I know have had one, three people I know have had negative experiences. Simple.

Edited by binlicker on Sunday 19th December 19:24

anonymous-user

70 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
binlicker said:
Was about to say it was an old one so you pay your money and take your chances, however, they are all old now, you'd be buying from the same gene pool unfortunately.
They were still making the GV last year, might even still be for all I know...

So all you have is second hand evidence from people who have apparently bought st heaps?

If you buy a stter, expect to have problems and pay for repairs - if you purchase sensibly, then you won't have problems.

Yes there are probably better 4x4s out there - but you are unfairly painting the Vitara in a bad light, especialy having never owned one yourself.

anonymous-user

70 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Carrot said:
To clarifyI don't need it for going off road, I need one with the decent rear space for equipment that would be mounted in the back of it
Then there are probably better options for the money.

binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
binlicker said:
Was about to say it was an old one so you pay your money and take your chances, however, they are all old now, you'd be buying from the same gene pool unfortunately.
They were still making the GV last year, might even still be for all I know...

So all you have is second hand evidence from people who have apparently bought st heaps?

If you buy a stter, expect to have problems and pay for repairs - if you purchase sensibly, then you won't have problems.

Yes there are probably better 4x4s out there - but you are unfairly painting the Vitara in a bad light, especialy having never owned one yourself.
And where do you propose Carrot picks up a one year old Grand Vitara within his budget? rolleyes

anonymous-user

70 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
binlicker said:
Nyphur said:
binlicker said:
Was about to say it was an old one so you pay your money and take your chances, however, they are all old now, you'd be buying from the same gene pool unfortunately.
They were still making the GV last year, might even still be for all I know...

So all you have is second hand evidence from people who have apparently bought st heaps?

If you buy a stter, expect to have problems and pay for repairs - if you purchase sensibly, then you won't have problems.

Yes there are probably better 4x4s out there - but you are unfairly painting the Vitara in a bad light, especialy having never owned one yourself.
And where do you propose Carrot picks up a one year old Grand Vitara within his budget? rolleyes
You can get 2001 GVs for under 2k, hardly an "old" car.

We obviously disagree on how good the Vitara is, and you're now twisting my words. We've both made our points/opinions clear, so why not leave it at that?

binlicker

377 posts

178 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
binlicker said:
Nyphur said:
binlicker said:
Was about to say it was an old one so you pay your money and take your chances, however, they are all old now, you'd be buying from the same gene pool unfortunately.
They were still making the GV last year, might even still be for all I know...

So all you have is second hand evidence from people who have apparently bought st heaps?

If you buy a stter, expect to have problems and pay for repairs - if you purchase sensibly, then you won't have problems.

Yes there are probably better 4x4s out there - but you are unfairly painting the Vitara in a bad light, especialy having never owned one yourself.
And where do you propose Carrot picks up a one year old Grand Vitara within his budget? rolleyes
You can get 2001 GVs for under 2k, hardly an "old" car.

We obviously disagree on how good the Vitara is, and you're now twisting my words. We've both made our points/opinions clear, so why not leave it at that?
beer

Carrot

Original Poster:

7,294 posts

218 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
Carrot said:
To clarifyI don't need it for going off road, I need one with the decent rear space for equipment that would be mounted in the back of it
Then there are probably better options for the money.
Suggestions?

monman321

220 posts

187 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
How about a Nissan Terrano/Ford Maverick. I used to own a 2.7 3 door both well within budget, reasonable boot space and fairly economical and reliable, also easy to fix.

nsmith1180

3,941 posts

194 months

Sunday 19th December 2010
quotequote all
Carrot said:
Nyphur said:
Carrot said:
To clarifyI don't need it for going off road, I need one with the decent rear space for equipment that would be mounted in the back of it
Then there are probably better options for the money.
Suggestions?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2297317.htm

This looks good, apart from the lack of tax.