Need Advice Please

[Jellie]

Hi Everyone

Hope this isn't to much of a girly question [smiley=blush.gif], but i'm, looking at buying a 4wd and really love the new Suzuki Vitaras, having never owned a 4x4 before i'm not really sure what I should be looking for. I really want to get into camping amd 4wd'ing, the two door model only comes with 4H but the 5 door model comes with all 4 gears ( high and low range), is this better amd also what is the best for off road, a manual or an automatic?

Does anyone have one of these cars and if so have you had any problem's with it and how do you find it?

Many thanks for your help everyone

Cheers
Janelle

[bootyinblue]

Hi Janelle,

Could help you to some extent with your choice of 4wd, although have a queation for you first. Are you the Janelle that worked as a receptionist in a Hotel at Parramatta in late 90's and had Jellie number plates?

Anyway back to 4wd choices. I have owned and taught 4wdriving for quite a bit of time now so will pass on all the knowledge that can help you.

High or High/low range? Would definately look at high/low range models. Vehicle with high range only are often refered to as soft roaders. Being able to change to low range for a steep climb or decent is a godsend when needed and for even basic 'offroading' you will need it.

Manual or Auto? Well, here is where the camps will differ. Many people prefer manual for an auto as you can select gears a little more easily and jump from 1st to 3rd etc. Just means you have to be active in driving and chage gears at all times. Others prefer autos and have a 'set and forget' reason behind it. An advantage I have found in auto though is rocking a vehicle forward and back to get out of a bog by flicking selector between D and R. Personally, I think they have as many + and - as each other and a personal preference.

I have a friend who has just bought a new Vitara (Grande??) I will ask her about it and report back.

Have you thought about 4wd magazine reviews prior to purchase. I used 4wd Monthly as a base reference prior to purchasing my latest which is a diesel Navara STR. They do reviews where they put a Vitara up against other similar size and price vehicles and compare. Give them a call and they can send you the back issues that contain that info.

Happy researching and get back to me if you have more Questions...

[Poodroo]

All good questions Janelle. It all boils down to personal taste really. I for one prefer the manuals for the offroad. I own two Pajero's and one is a manual 5speed and the other (the wife's car) is a later model with the auto and a more powerful engine. Both are very capable but I find when climbing down steep and tricky gravel goat tracks the manual performs better in low range and will do the descent using the compression of the engine meaning less braking required. The auto has a tendency to want to get away from you so you have to brake more even when locked in 1st. gear. Most driving skills comes with practice. I am in no way what I would class as an expert but I have learned heaps in a small amount of time. Driving a 4wd is much like a car in that it never pays to go past your own instincts or comfort levels. If you don't feel comfortable doing something then don't do it. Suzuki Vitara's are a pretty good little 4x4 and will do most of the things that we do on the M&G's but make sure it has a low range and always make sure you go offroad with a backup vehicle in case you end up bogged or in trouble and need hitching out. Hope this is helpful to you.

Regards,

Poodroo

[Lucky_Phill]

Dual range and auto for sand work is ideal.

SWB Suzi's are unstoppable.

that's all ya need to know.

Cheers Phill

[Derek_Bullock]

Hi Janelle

After a lot of research I have just recently bought a new Suzuki Grand Vitara. Mine is the Prestige model with all the options. I was looking for a smaller 4X4 and wanted one that would also tow a reasonable camper trailer. Being a 2.7l V6 this one has the goods. You can get them in a 4 cylinder motor as well.

Yes its an auto and while it runs in 4 wheel drive all the time it also has high and low range locks. Hoping to pick the camper trailer up in February.

One thing I have found out so far ........ they are pretty well unstoppable. Maybe a little low for clearance on soft sand but time will tell as there isnt much sand around here.

I cant fault it.


Derek

[chisel]

A friend of mine has the previous model, a 2004 5-door manual. He has found clearance to be a bit of an issue (so eventually got a lift) and also they don't have a lot of grunt so he finds he needs to keep the revs up - he often drives in low range around fraser/moreton etc when you really shouldn't need too, just to keep the revs up.

I'd check out the reviews of the new model - apparently the engine is even more "peaky" and requires hard driving with lots of revs to keep it on the boil.
Probably not a big deal depending on the type of use it will get.
If you're after a smaller vehicle that has a low-range there's not much other choice though. The Jeep Cherokee perhaps, but that's much more expensive. Going smaller you could look at a Jimny but they are tiny.

[Derek_Bullock]

A friend of mine has the previous model, a 2004 5-door manual. He has found clearance to be a bit of an issue (so eventually got a lift) and also they don't have a lot of grunt so he finds he needs to keep the revs up - he often drives in low range around fraser/moreton etc when you really shouldn't need too, just to keep the revs up.

I'd check out the reviews of the new model - apparently the engine is even more "peaky" and requires hard driving with lots of revs to keep it on the boil.
Probably not a big deal depending on the type of use it will get.
If you're after a smaller vehicle that has a low-range there's not much other choice though. The Jeep Cherokee perhaps, but that's much more expensive. Going smaller you could look at a Jimny but they are tiny.


Is it a V6 or 4 cylinder model. My V6 has heaps of grunt in high range.


Derek

[Big_Kev]

We had a new Vitara in 97 and it was a great car. It was unstoppable on the sand and pretty good offroad.
The new model does not have good ground clearance to provide good approach depatrure and cross over angles and will not be suited to very rugged tracks. I am not sure of any lift kits being available for the IFS.
Other then that I think they are a very nice and extremely well built car.

[DHM77]

Janelle,
I owned a 2.5V6 MY 2000 Auto 5 door for six years from new, traded it against a diesel $wd ute tyhis year for tax reasons. Never had even the slightest problem with it. Good on fuel, good around town, reasonable space inside and very comfortable. I bought the one with the alloys on, and with hindsight it was a mistake. It looked good but had limited ground clearance, okay in everything apart from soft sand. It really needed a lift kit fitted for any serious off road work to increase the ground clearance. Pulled a fibreglass runabout around no problem that weighed 950 kg's. Max towing weight from memory was 1800Kg's. All in all a very good little 4WD and good value for money.
Good luck with your choice.
Regards,
Dave

[Jellie]

Hi Guys

Thank you all so much for replying

Bootyinblue: No i'm a different Janelle though I sure wish I DID have those plates :D. Thanks for all your info and the things you suggested, that's a good idea about the 4x4 mags i'll be sure to check some out and hopefully find a review of some sort. Think i have pretty much decided to go with the 5 door it's abit more pricey but you get the high and low range gears, as for manual or auto well the jury is still out on that one i'm afraid ;D but i'll definately be sure to pick your brains some more as the time gets closer to buying one, thanks for the offer ;)

Poodroo: Can't wait to go out with you guys, sound's like heaps of fun, where are some places that you go?

Derek : WOW that is a great looking car, looks good with all the extras, glad you havne't any trouble with it, though i am a little worried about the clearance unfortunately the v6 is a tiny bit out of my price range but hey i can still dream :P. What kind of camper trailer did you have in mind? a friend of mine had one and hasn't stopped raving about it, think i may have to stick to a tent for now as i'm just starting out lol


To all the other guys thanks agian for all your replies, advice and suggestions, has given me alot to thinks about

Happy 4wd'ing

Janelle

[Poodroo]

Janelle if you want to have a read of the posts in this section that will give you a good idea of where we all go. The last trip was to the Border Ranges and that could have been done in a normal 2wd car so anyone could have come along to that one. Previously to that we went to Mt.Mee which had some challenges. If you don't have a 4wd you can always jump in with one of us I am sure. More than welcome. How is the Vitara hunt going? Found one yet? I actually saw a Grand Vitara next to me at Southport this afternoon and they are a nice looking car. Also spotted at Southport just ahead of me was a grey coloured Landcruiser with an Ausfish sticker on the back window. Think it may have been Webby. :D Good luck with your purchase.

Regards,

Poodroo