What are peoples views on Diesel Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door?

Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki Grand
Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle? It will be
used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general use. I appreciate
that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to use a trailer for when
we go camping.

Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.

Cheers

Neil

Neil tried to scribble ...

> Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki
> Grand Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle?
> It will be used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general
> use. I appreciate that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to
> use a trailer for when we go camping.
>
> Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil

A friend of ours has one, modified to cope with his disabilities, and he
reckons it's great, comfy, roomy, quick enough and cheap enough. His only
negative is that for instances as you describe, when he's camping and using
a trailer, or with a full complement of adult passengers, it's gutless and
drinks diesel like a petrol engine.

When he's alone or with a couple of mates it's great, when fully loaded it's
crap. He only uses it fully loaded very rarely.


--
Digweed
....

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 12:07:49 -0000, "Neil" <[email protected]> wrote:

->Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
->

Either your family are all very small or you must travel light when camping ;-)


--
Geoff
www.anoraks.uk.net

"Neil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki Grand
> Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle? It will be
> used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general use. I appreciate
> that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to use a trailer for when
> we go camping.
>
> Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil
>
>
>

We have had the 2002 Peugeot 2.0 Turbo 8 valve engine Grand Vitara for a
year now and after 4 other Vitaras (1.6 and the 2.0 V6) this is the best
yet.

The latest model since March 2003 has a 16 valve engine and according to my
dealership is a little sluggish compared to the 8 valve.

I have no experience of 5 up though but certainly for normal 1/2/3 persons
it's great. Very quick on pick up and not to slow top speed.

You might like to hang about though......and dont tell a sole, there's a
completely new model 2nd or 3rd 1/4 2004. Apparently still termed Grand
Vitara but 100% different make up.

clanger

"Neil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki Grand
> Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle? It will be
> used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general use. I appreciate
> that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to use a trailer for when
> we go camping.
>
> Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil
>
>
I'd reccomend a LWB Isuzu Bighorn. more room, far better towing ability to
take a boat or caravan as well as whats packed in the back, and far better
preformance in the fuel economy stakes loaded.
Brand new 3.0 LWB Citations are 21,000 pounds in Britain. but only get one
if you're going to hang onto it, as resale will be pretty poor since the
Bighorns are no longer being made.

rhys

"Geoff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 12:07:49 -0000, "Neil" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ->Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
> ->
>
> Either your family are all very small or you must travel light when
camping ;-)
>

Unfortunately I am not very small ;-). Seriously we have managed to go
camping with a '95 escort on it's last legs ... just .... so I am hoping
that the suzuki would manage with a trailer to take the bulky stuff!

Cheers

Neil

"Paul - xxx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> > Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> A friend of ours has one, modified to cope with his disabilities, and he
> reckons it's great, comfy, roomy, quick enough and cheap enough. His only
> negative is that for instances as you describe, when he's camping and
using
> a trailer, or with a full complement of adult passengers, it's gutless and
> drinks diesel like a petrol engine.
>
> When he's alone or with a couple of mates it's great, when fully loaded
it's
> crap. He only uses it fully loaded very rarely.
>
>
> --
> Digweed
> ....

Many thanks for your comments. I will bear this in mind when/if I go for a
road test.

Cheers

Neil

"Clanger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
>
> We have had the 2002 Peugeot 2.0 Turbo 8 valve engine Grand Vitara for a
> year now and after 4 other Vitaras (1.6 and the 2.0 V6) this is the best
> yet.
>
> The latest model since March 2003 has a 16 valve engine and according to
my
> dealership is a little sluggish compared to the 8 valve.
>
> I have no experience of 5 up though but certainly for normal 1/2/3 persons
> it's great. Very quick on pick up and not to slow top speed.
>
> You might like to hang about though......and dont tell a sole, there's a
> completely new model 2nd or 3rd 1/4 2004. Apparently still termed Grand
> Vitara but 100% different make up.
>
> clanger
>

Oh God, just as I think I have found the solution to my problem, another
spanner in the system ;-) Seriously is this going to make a big price
increase do you think or a big difference in size as I really need to keep
the car garaged at night and so far this is the only 4x4 I have found that I
can get in the garage easily! As it is I wouldn't be buying the car till mid
year next year anyway.

Many thanks for your comments.

Neil

"rnf2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> I'd reccomend a LWB Isuzu Bighorn. more room, far better towing ability to
> take a boat or caravan as well as whats packed in the back, and far better
> preformance in the fuel economy stakes loaded.
> Brand new 3.0 LWB Citations are 21,000 pounds in Britain. but only get one
> if you're going to hang onto it, as resale will be pretty poor since the
> Bighorns are no longer being made.
>
> rhys
>

Hi, thanks for your comments. Just had a look at the Citation, a bit too big
for me to garage it and a bit too rich for me! I really could do with a 4x4
that will fit in my garage over night and capable of taking the camping
stuff. But must also be suitable for general day to day use about town.

Any ideas ???

Cheers

Neil

"Neil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki Grand
> Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle? It will be
> used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general use. I appreciate
> that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to use a trailer for when
> we go camping.
>
> Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil
>
>
Could you stretch to an XL-7 - same as standard GV in most respects but
longer and loads more space. May still fit in garage (width the same) but
length may give you a problem.

Now available in diesel, not just the 2.7v6 which till recently was the onlt
engine available.

"PR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> >
> Could you stretch to an XL-7 - same as standard GV in most respects but
> longer and loads more space. May still fit in garage (width the same)
but
> length may give you a problem.
>
> Now available in diesel, not just the 2.7v6 which till recently was the
onlt
> engine available.
>

Hi, I could stretch to an XL-7 - that was the first GV I saw. But it won't
fit in the garage :-( I must admit to being impressed by the XL-7 which
would have met our requirements. But the garage is 4600 long and then you
have the problem with the door rolling up. Also the wife thought that it
might be a bit overkill for general use which is why we thought about the GV
5 door pulling a trailer when camping.

Thanks

Neil

Neil ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying :

> Hi, thanks for your comments. Just had a look at the Citation, a bit
> too big for me to garage it and a bit too rich for me! I really could
> do with a 4x4 that will fit in my garage over night and capable of
> taking the camping stuff. But must also be suitable for general day to
> day use about town.

You've not mentioned actually *needing* 4wd at all.

Why not just buy a people carrier or big estate instead? Far less of a
compromise all round, and will be a far better vehicle in town.

"Adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Neil ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
> saying :
>
> > Hi, thanks for your comments. Just had a look at the Citation, a bit
> > too big for me to garage it and a bit too rich for me! I really could
> > do with a 4x4 that will fit in my garage over night and capable of
> > taking the camping stuff. But must also be suitable for general day to
> > day use about town.
>
> You've not mentioned actually *needing* 4wd at all.
>
> Why not just buy a people carrier or big estate instead? Far less of a
> compromise all round, and will be a far better vehicle in town.

Well how many people can actually say the *need* a 4x4 ;-)

But I appreciate your comment. I want the added safety and security of a 4x4
over an estate, ie better visibility, better control in crappy weather, more
secure feeling when driving. I agree I am not a hardcore 4x4 person and that
is why I don't particularly want a huge 4x4, just a safe, secure, strong and
reliable vehicle to take me and my family wherever we wish to go, and some
of the places we go camping you need better clearance from our vehicle.

So yes I don't *need* a 4x4 but it would make my driving life more
pleasurable and safer.

Cheers

Neil

In article <[email protected]>, Neil wrote:
>
> Well how many people can actually say the *need* a 4x4 ;-)
>
> But I appreciate your comment. I want the added safety and security of a 4x4
> over an estate, ie better visibility, better control in crappy weather, more
> secure feeling when driving. I agree I am not a hardcore 4x4 person and that

Have you looked at Subaru estates? They are also permanent 4x4 which I
think Suzi's are not.

You'll get lot's of reliability and they hold their value too. I test drove
a Forester Turbo S a couple of years ago and it was fantastic.

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
1.7i Lada Niva Cossack going soon.
110 300Tdi coming soon.

Simon Barr ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying :

> Have you looked at Subaru estates? They are also permanent 4x4 which I
> think Suzi's are not.

They're not.

""Drive select" 4x4 system for 2wd-4wd switching on the move", according to
the Suzi web****e.

So - in "crappy weather" you get the combined disadvantages of excess lard
up high, compromise suspension and compromise tyres, without even the
negligible benefit of 4wd traction. Mmm. Safer by far.

Neil/OP - you are aware that 4wd makes no difference at all to emergency
braking, aren't you? Which - unless you're driving like a complete muppet -
is the only time you are likely to get near losing grip. Please - don't ever
believe marketing people. They lie. You know this.

Neil tried to scribble ...

> "Adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Neil ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
>> saying :
>>
>>> Hi, thanks for your comments. Just had a look at the Citation, a bit
>>> too big for me to garage it and a bit too rich for me! I really
>>> could do with a 4x4 that will fit in my garage over night and
>>> capable of taking the camping stuff. But must also be suitable for
>>> general day to day use about town.
>>
>> You've not mentioned actually *needing* 4wd at all.
>>
>> Why not just buy a people carrier or big estate instead? Far less of
>> a compromise all round, and will be a far better vehicle in town.
>
> Well how many people can actually say the *need* a 4x4 ;-)

Heheheh, we do, but have a Landrover Discovery, a 'proper', slightly
modified to suit off-road RTV trials, 4x4 ..

> But I appreciate your comment. I want the added safety and security
> of a 4x4 over an estate,

Fair comment IMHO, though I qualify this ...

> ie better visibility,

Agreed ..

> better control in crappy weather

That would be dependant upon how crappy. Most 4x4 tyres are crap on wet
tarmac and actually can have much less control than a 'normal' car in
generally wet and dreary weather. The type of tyre also will make snow use
(for example) better or worse than a n other car ..

> more secure feeling when driving

Don't get an 'off-roading' style 4x4 with bigger tyres than standard then ..
they feel way less secure and can bounce along with the suspension,
especially if you set the suspension harder for road or softer for off-road.
Compromises abound with 4x4's on the road and are really _not_ a good idea
for timid drivers and mainly road use, IMHO.

> I agree I am not a hardcore 4x4 person and that is why I don't
> particularly want a huge 4x4, just a safe, secure, strong and
> reliable vehicle to take me and
> my family wherever we wish to go, and some of the places we go
> camping you need better clearance from our vehicle.

I _am_ what many people would class as hard-core .. indeed we were stuck for
three hours on Sunday with the chassis grounded and wheels hanging in 18" of
water .. It took another Discovery and a Defender a hard slog, and a
shed-load of luck, to pull us out ..

I'd suggest a Subaru Forester or Outback for you, definitely not a Suzuki,
or other 'off-roading' style 4x4, of whatever model .. In fact almost any
normal estate car, but with 4x4 transmission, such as the Audi or Volvo car
type 4x4's, would be far better vehicles for your stated uses and
requirements.

--
Digweed
....

"Adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
| ""Drive select" 4x4 system for 2wd-4wd switching on the move", according
to
| the Suzi web****e.
|
| So - in "crappy weather" you get the combined disadvantages of excess lard
| up high, compromise suspension and compromise tyres, without even the
| negligible benefit of 4wd traction. Mmm. Safer by far.
|

Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin 5-door should fit in garage and has "super select"
gears so you can have 2WD (normal), road 4WD (front drives if rear slips),
off-road 4WD (locked diff) and low-transfer 4WD (locked diff).

Budgie


---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 06/11/2003

"Paul - xxx" <[email protected]> wrote
> >>
> >>> Hi, thanks for your comments. Just had a look at the Citation, a bit
> >>> too big for me to garage it and a bit too rich for me! I really
> >>> could do with a 4x4 that will fit in my garage over night and
> >>> capable of taking the camping stuff. But must also be suitable for
> >>> general day to day use about town.
> >>
> >> You've not mentioned actually *needing* 4wd at all.
> >>
> >> Why not just buy a people carrier or big estate instead? Far less of
> >> a compromise all round, and will be a far better vehicle in town.
> >
> > Well how many people can actually say the *need* a 4x4 ;-)
>
> Heheheh, we do, but have a Landrover Discovery, a 'proper', slightly
> modified to suit off-road RTV trials, 4x4 ..
>
> > But I appreciate your comment. I want the added safety and security
> > of a 4x4 over an estate,
>
> Fair comment IMHO, though I qualify this ...
>
> > ie better visibility,
>
> Agreed ..
>
> > better control in crappy weather
>
> That would be dependant upon how crappy. Most 4x4 tyres are crap on wet
> tarmac and actually can have much less control than a 'normal' car in
> generally wet and dreary weather. The type of tyre also will make snow
use
> (for example) better or worse than a n other car ..
>
> > more secure feeling when driving
>
> Don't get an 'off-roading' style 4x4 with bigger tyres than standard then
...
> they feel way less secure and can bounce along with the suspension,
> especially if you set the suspension harder for road or softer for
off-road.
> Compromises abound with 4x4's on the road and are really _not_ a good idea
> for timid drivers and mainly road use, IMHO.
>
> > I agree I am not a hardcore 4x4 person and that is why I don't
> > particularly want a huge 4x4, just a safe, secure, strong and
> > reliable vehicle to take me and
> > my family wherever we wish to go, and some of the places we go
> > camping you need better clearance from our vehicle.
>
> I _am_ what many people would class as hard-core .. indeed we were stuck
for
> three hours on Sunday with the chassis grounded and wheels hanging in 18"
of
> water .. It took another Discovery and a Defender a hard slog, and a
> shed-load of luck, to pull us out ..
>
> I'd suggest a Subaru Forester or Outback for you, definitely not a Suzuki,
> or other 'off-roading' style 4x4, of whatever model .. In fact almost any
> normal estate car, but with 4x4 transmission, such as the Audi or Volvo
car
> type 4x4's, would be far better vehicles for your stated uses and
> requirements.
>
> --
> Digweed
> ....
>
>
Given the length of the forester, I think the Impreza would be the better
fit in the garage, and with no trailer (i.e. commuting) it whips around like
the turbocharged sports car it is. It also tows a hell of a lot too.

rhys

"Adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Simon Barr ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
> saying :
>
> > Have you looked at Subaru estates? They are also permanent 4x4 which I
> > think Suzi's are not.
>
> They're not.
>
> ""Drive select" 4x4 system for 2wd-4wd switching on the move", according
to
> the Suzi web****e.
>
> So - in "crappy weather" you get the combined disadvantages of excess lard
> up high, compromise suspension and compromise tyres, without even the
> negligible benefit of 4wd traction. Mmm. Safer by far.
>
> Neil/OP - you are aware that 4wd makes no difference at all to emergency
> braking, aren't you? Which - unless you're driving like a complete
muppet -
> is the only time you are likely to get near losing grip. Please - don't
ever
> believe marketing people. They lie. You know this.

Adrian, Just out of interest, which or what model Suzuki(s) have you owned

I agree that a subaru would fit the bill better than a vitara. Probably a
bit thirstier but better roadholding and heaps more room than the Suzuki.
Even the oldies are great value. I had an 1800 turbo s/w (pre Legacy) and
apart from the freaky air suspension, I think you'd have to kill it with a
stick, 'cos it showed no sign of dying een with 150000 miles on the clock.

--
Jane Pearson & Bill Wheeler
J T Pearson Outdoor Training
12 Mountfort Street
Outram
New Zealand
Tel. 643 486 1363
[email protected]
"Neil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all, I am in the market for a 4x4 and was looking at the Suzuki Grand
> Vitara 5 door diesel. Has anyone got any views on this vehicle? It will be
> used for taking a family of 5 camping as well as general use. I appreciate
> that the boot space isn't brilliant but I intend to use a trailer for when
> we go camping.
>
> Many thanks for any advice, ideas, comments etc etc etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil
>
>
>