Suzuki Vitara

[lush]

Anyone happen to have one or know anyone that has one?

Thinking of buying a two door soft top version as a run around fun / beach car. Ive googled reviews but I always like to hear from people that have actually owned them for a good few years.

Any reports?

[dillza_69]

Originally Posted by lush

Anyone happen to have one or know anyone that has one?

Thinking of buying a two door soft top version as a run around fun / beach car. Ive googled reviews but I always like to hear from people that have actually owned them for a good few years.

Any reports?

Yep parents have the 4 door had it for 5 years and only a coil pack in all that time, fun on the beach and will take a beating

[Outbackjack]

We bought a 92 two door for my daughter about 12 months ago. It hasn't missed a beat. Is very economical as well.

[King Nothing]

Girlfriends family has a early-mid 90's model. It hasnt been very well looked after, but the only problem its had has been a leak in a power steering line and a flat battery. A bit of a rough ride at times but overall good cars

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Girlfriends family has a early-mid 90's model. It hasnt been very well looked after, but the only problem its had has been a leak in a power steering line and a flat battery. A bit of a rough ride at times but overall good cars

Apparently a leaky power steering box is not un-common. I found that out when I was doing some research before buying my Daughters. We had a flat battery as well!!! Spooky!!

[schmidty]

Yep! Probably get abused a bit more than yours will though! Great fun car, not much goes wrong with them. but when it does, vitara parts are dearer and harder to source than sierra ones from my experience. This one just had a burnt out valve, so we had the valves done, head cleaned up, gearbox bearings done and new rear diff center, cost about 3k. Sierra parts can just about be had for nothing! Just a weekend basher.
Expect it to leak in decent rain, expect it to be noisy on the highway. They arent quite as capable in standard form off road as a sierra, but they'll still take you many places and suprise you how far they'll get compared to a big heavy standard 4wd.
Usually you'll either pick them up for a steal, or pay in gold bars. Ours is a 96 model, and i've still seen 90 models trying to sell for more than we got it for.

[schmidty]

Oh yeah, and if you want a comprehensive what goes wrong, and what to look out for, or want any particular info, get onto Outerlimits 4x4 and look in the Suzuki section. Plenty of die hard owners that'll point you in the right direction for everything from parts, to what exactly to look for when buying 1, price, and even what's around.

[GT]

I'm the Business Manager for Suzuki in Adelaide and this product is pretty hard to kill. We sometimes have waiting lists of customers wanting to buy one and we buy most of the wholesale ones from Victoria and SA and retail them in our used yard. Great product, economical and they just keep on going.

Cheers
GT

[lush]

Guys thanks so much for that, always liek to hear it from 'real' people so to speak.

And Schmidty thanks for the link, off to check it now

Im test driving one tommorow night so will go and get up to date with what to look out for.

[BA_Turbs]

My ex had one. Noisy (road & mechanical), bumpy, uncomfortable & gutless. However, like has been said, nothing ever went wrong with it, ever, and ran on an oily rag. Would probably make a good run-about.

[lush]

Apprently the Vitara are a bit quieter and smoother than the Sierras BA Turbs, glad Im not test driving a sierra then

Although as its only a run about, a lot of what I usually look for wont matter too much.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by BA_Turbs

My ex had one. Noisy (road & mechanical), bumpy, uncomfortable & gutless.

Yeah but what about the Suzuki?

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Yeah but what about the Suzuki?