suzuki vitara

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 16:50
ThreadID: 80188 Views:3653 Replies:5 FollowUps:1
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G'day All,
Some knowledge required please. I'm thinking of buying a Suzuki Vitara soft top,now I know that small 4x4s aren't everybody's cup of tea so only the fair dinkum reply please. I need to know, reliability, fuel economy, life expectancy, faults to look out for, parts prices and towing ability as I have a small tent trailer.
Now I won't be taking it to the South pole or climbing 45 degree slopes with it, but I do a lot of outback road driving, ie. S.W. Qld. far west N.S.W. and I hope to do Cape York next year, I was going this year but as they say " bleep happens" so probably long distance comfort should come into the equation as well.
Any advice except Bull bleep would be appreciated.
Thanx All,
terryc
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Reply By: Member - Wayne B (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 19:08

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 19:08
The V6 can have timing chain problems around the 100,000km mark
Tow Ball loading is very low 65kg of memory.

Cheers
Wayne B
AnswerID: 424637

Reply By: The roadrunner - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 19:55

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 19:55
Gday i have a 93 Vitara lwb 5 speed and i love it it costs me around 45-50 to fill and get around 400 klms out of the tank its done 410000 klms and needs a new thrust bearing will sit on around 110 - 120 not a problem, parts are fairly easy to get, i have had the back loaded and towed a 6x4 filled with camping gear and quite comfortbly sat on on 100 clicks, for reliabilty my mechanic reckons there great and he works on alot of cars and fourbys, if you want to now more go to auszookers.com
AnswerID: 424651

Follow Up By: Witi Repartee - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 20:18

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 20:18
I worked in a Multi Franchise vehicle dealership four years ago in NZ. The warranty claims per franchise always made interesting reading.
From best to worst they were.
Best Suzuki, followed in order by Mazda, Nissan, Holden.....
In NZ the large 4wd's are not as dominant as in Aussie, maybe because many of our vans are smaller and the distances are far less. The Suzuki Vitara seemed to hold its own and was regarded as a competent vehicle.
0
FollowupID: 695127

Reply By: mikehzz - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 20:42

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 20:42
I had one and the only problem was the fuel pump packed it in down at the snow. Very expensive in tank electric submersible. Otherwise no dramas except not the most comfortable ride. Mike
AnswerID: 424659

Reply By: Rangiephil - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 21:35

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 21:35
I had an 88 soft top and my daughter a 97? soft top.

The 88 had a carby and was not good on very steep hills as it flooded, but otherwise excellent. I had one problem I could not identify for a long time and sold it before fixing , but think it was a seized EGR valve which caused a flat spot. I bought it with 165KK on and took it to 180 AFAIK with few problems so they seem to have good longevity.
My daughter's was excellent and never had a problem.

I would recommend the later injected ones even though they are known to have coils fail, which is a minor problem if you have a spare. They run better and a fine on steep hills.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID: 424667

Reply By: dazren - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 22:44

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 22:44
Gidday Terryc, 2 years ago we met a couple that had been travelling aust for two years, in a converted bus and they towed a suzuki vitara behind it, we spent 2 weeks in a caravan park in mildura with them, many many, happy hours, and good conversations, in fact we came up with all the answers, and solved all the worlds problems, [ but the world did not listen !!! ] however he was absolutely rapped in the vitara, and decided to see what its limitations were, when he was right up the top end, with fellow travellers, one in cruiser, and one in a patrol, all fitted out with winches and recovery gear. so off he went, up hill, down dale, cross rivers, crawled
thru swamps, he could not bog it !!! he was impressed, mr toyota and mr nissan were bl--dy amazed,
also know 2 other people in geelong who use vitaras for general commuting, they also swear by them. So i say go for it as they are a true [ low range ] 4wd and very reliable,[ shame about the towing limits. Regards Daryl
AnswerID: 424681

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