Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006 - 1.9D - Opinions?

INEEDANID

Im considering getting one of these and am going looking at one Saturday.

It would be the lwb model the 5 door. Either the XL7 or the one thats slightly smaller.

It seems to tick a lot of boxes for me as in:

• plenty of space
• 4x4
• decent mpg
• diesel
• lowish tax
• reliable

Anyone any opinions good or bad?

triskell

INEEDANID wrote: »

Im considering getting one of these and am going looking at one Saturday.

It would be the lwb model the 5 door. Either the XL7 or the one thats slightly smaller.

It seems to tick a lot of boxes for me as in:

• plenty of space
• 4x4
• decent mpg
• diesel
• lowish tax
• reliable

Anyone any opinions good or bad?

which model are you talking about? I have the newer shape/model.
Space .. is ok if you're not too large. seats are ok but not very comfortable on long journey (hour+)
4x4...permanent 4 wheel drive, brilliant in bad road conditions it was excellent in the snow last year. the low box is very handy
MPG.... not great, in low 30s for normal country driving.
Diesel... very sensitive to diesel quality and the type of engine oil used.
if not the right one it can block Diesel particle filter (DPF) this can case majors issues (low power. spluttering and if not sorted can fu*k up EGR valve.
tax is ok for moment:rolleyes:
reliable.. can't fault it i have mine 4.5 years. only issues were DPF filter and EGR valve. since i got them sorted in 2008 no engine issues.
with the perm 4x4 tyre life is slightly less than normal. i got 30000 miles out of last set.
It's very plasticy and low tech inside.
This is just my experience. hope it helps.

INEEDANID

triskell wrote: »

which model are you talking about? I have the newer shape/model.
Space .. is ok if you're not too large. seats are ok but not very comfortable on long journey (hour+)
4x4...permanent 4 wheel drive, brilliant in bad road conditions it was excellent in the snow last year. the low box is very handy
MPG.... not great, in low 30s for normal country driving.
Diesel... very sensitive to diesel quality and the type of engine oil used.
if not the right one it can block Diesel particle filter (DPF) this can case majors issues (low power. spluttering and if not sorted can fu*k up EGR valve.
tax is ok for moment:rolleyes:
reliable.. can't fault it i have mine 4.5 years. only issues were DPF filter and EGR valve. since i got them sorted in 2008 no engine issues.
with the perm 4x4 tyre life is slightly less than normal. i got 30000 miles out of last set.
It's very plasticy and low tech inside.
This is just my experience. hope it helps.

I would be going for the newer shape model. Not the XL the 5 door smaller one.

I'm a bit disappointed with the MPG figures I thought it would be better.

The Vitara would be used for long journeys 2Hr plus maybe twice a week or a bit less so the uncomfortable seats dont please me.

The low tech wouldnt really matter as as long as its reliable i'll be happy.

I sat in one yesterday a 2007 and thought it was quite well built and felt sturdy. No test drive until tomorrow.

Whats it like to drive?

triskell

It's ok to drive, it dose what it says on the tin, just nothing more. the only thing that impressed me was in the bad weather last year, i have had 4x4s for last 15 years, so i'm not just comparing it to a car. I meant to say earlier it really needs a 6th year, 4th and 5th are to close together when you need to cruise at 60+. I had a 04 jeep cherorkee 2.5 engine which had comparable mpg. but maybe its just my vit thats a pig on juice.
my bottom line is. it will do everything you ask within reason but you won't get excited about driving it. hope it helps.

INEEDANID

triskell wrote: »

It's ok to drive, it dose what it says on the tin, just nothing more. the only thing that impressed me was in the bad weather last year, i have had 4x4s for last 15 years, so i'm not just comparing it to a car. I meant to say earlier it really needs a 6th year, 4th and 5th are to close together when you need to cruise at 60+. I had a 04 jeep cherorkee 2.5 engine which had comparable mpg. but maybe its just my vit thats a pig on juice.
my bottom line is. it will do everything you ask within reason but you won't get excited about driving it. hope it helps.

I was thinking it would need a 6th gear since the top speed is quite low. I drive my Girlfriends Micra and i find that the same.

The two 4x4s that I would have been used to driving would be a 1997 LWB 2.8TD passenger Pajero and then a 2007 Pajero 3.0 Sport. So we'll see how the Vitara compared with driving these.

I'm going to drive on tomorrow know anyway so i'll get back to you with how I find it. Wont have a clue what it will be like on juice though. Thanks for the advice:)

triskell

INEEDANID wrote: »

I was thinking it would need a 6th gear since the top speed is quite low. I drive my Girlfriends Micra and i find that the same.

The two 4x4s that I would have been used to driving would be a 1997 LWB 2.8TD passenger Pajero and then a 2007 Pajero 3.0 Sport. So we'll see how the Vitara compared with driving these.

I'm going to drive on tomorrow know anyway so i'll get back to you with how I find it. Wont have a clue what it will be like on juice though. Thanks for the advice:)

:DBud, you're in for a shock so, after driving 2 real 4x4s. good luck anyway

INEEDANID

Disappointed with the Vitara

Needs a bigger engine and different gear ratios.

Not for me.

MidlandsM

don't touch a newer vitara, the renault engine in them are pure crap.

marzic

dont know about to drive, but I saw one had a crash with a car in an industrial estate, low enough speed, and it came off the worst of the two.

thehorse

the new models of the vitara use a fiat engine as far as i know.

if it were me, i'd go for an xtrail/santa fe or something. otherwise, go for landcruiser or a ford ranger.

dont go for a freelander unless you can afford the freelander2 model.

MidlandsM

thehorse wrote: »

the new models of the vitara use a fiat engine as far as i know.

if it were me, i'd go for an xtrail/santa fe or something. otherwise, go for landcruiser or a ford ranger.

dont go for a freelander unless you can afford the freelander2 model.

they use a renault engine.....

haron

06 vitara xl7 seven seats full spec air con al the works. ticks boxes for spaces and that extra seats or comfortable enough but its very bouncy back there. but the whole problem with the model i have is it got a peugeot engine full of trouble. egr valve turbo problems air flow meter problems electric problems i've had them all. and to make it worse the main dealer i use is crap at servicing it