Advice on buying a second hand Vitara

[tiny_tinny]

Hello all,

Sometime later this year I am thinking of replacing my old (and I mean OLD) Tojo Land Cruiser FJ60 with something smaller and less thirsty. Although the old Cruiser has taken us lots of places, to the beaches of Fraser and Moreton, the arid country in SW Queensland and even to a brief play along snow-covered tracks around the back of Mt Koscziesko, it is about time to say goodbye.

Budget constraints mean that its replacement will be second hand. These days, the kids won’t be coming along, so a significant downsizing is possible. Usually there would be only one or two people on board.

I want something that can tow my 12 ft tinny + 20hp outboard, and can go up the beach to Double Island Point on occasion. I am thinking of a SWB (3 door) Suzi Vitara, maybe about 5 – 6 years old.

Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer? Things I would like to find out include:

- Cost?
- Performance off-road/sand tracks/beach? (I have heard that they perform pretty well on sand)
- Fuel economy?
- What engines/other options were available?
- Reliability?
- Things to look out for buying one second hand - common faults, etc.

Thanks in antici……………………………………………………………..pation,

Mike

[TheSaint]

Well I'll start off by saying i love my Suzuki Grand Vitara! best car i have owned..

roughly you will be going for a 00'-01' model Grand Vitara which came out 1.6 & 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder & 2.5L V6 which are only in 5 door models

I own 2.0L 3door SWB Grand Vitara & get 510kms to a tank off Shell Optimax now but i was getting close to 580kms when i didn't have the towbar & roof racks on the car but having the hayman reece towbar on the car helped out with the choppy ride you get from the 3door SWB & it able to tow my jetski without any problems (approx 500kgs)

as with options on the car they all have apart from 1.6L 3door(Which i wouldn't go for) power windows/mirrors/steering, A/C, Cd players...

I've only used my GV on sand which it had no problems & the 'real time' 4wd is just great too

Reliability of mine is great.. only problem i have had will it is the radiator which i got cleaned out cause it was 85% blocked from poor maintence from previous female owner..

Common faults are passenger side window has trouble winding up as the metal runner bends after time tho it is a cheap quick fix & rear handle on the 3rd door are common for breaking..

as for cost i got mine for 11k from melbourne 2 years ago which was bloody good deal..

but to pick up a good one you will have to travel as a lot in queensland are overpriced & are getting up in the kms & years

do your research online at

www.carsales.com.au

www.carpoint.com.au

www.carsguide.com.au

www.drive.com.au

these sites will help you out for Grand Vitara info..

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/

http://www.dixonarchive.com/grandvitara/faq.htm



that's it for now.. but I'm happy to field any other questions..

[tiny_tinny]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I have got a bit of research to do..........

Regards,

Mike

[snasman]

I own a 2000 gv the only prob I had with it was it sat too low as standard and needed a lift kit that was fitted b4 my next beach trip ,it is a great car but I find it does not have enough bottom end power for my liking (im old school, theres no substitute for cubic inches)take your time in finding 1 as they are out there I got mine for 16 grand with 100000 ks on the clock as far as towing goes I cant help as I dont use mine for that purpose but feel if your not in a hurry it would do the job very well.good luck.(I gotmine this year 2006)