Grand vitara, any thoughts?

[sawman]

I have been offered a recent suzuki grand vitara automatic, and I am wondering if this could be a replacement for our 2003 jeep cherokee 3.7

looking at the stats, the suzuki should be cheaper to run than the jeep, tax would be about the same.

Are there any know reliability issues with the suzuki, Our jeep has been 100% reliable overt he last 3 years and I love its beefy motor, plus its a comfy place to sit, but I suppose it isn't getting any younger

Any good or bad grand vitara experiences out there?

[akz0rrr]

No personal experience but my old man has had two over the last couple of years. The first, a turbo-diesel was horrific. Went through 2 turbos in a year, along with various other problems. Every month it was back for something. He swapped that for a petrol, which has had no problems thus far in 3 years. Although it does cost quite alot to run. And he's just had 4 new wheels under warranty as they all started corroding badly in the last few months. He also claims the headlights are "st". It's a nice enough motor though. Nothing too flashy, interior is nice and it does its job.

[oj121]

Wife has a 56 plate 1.9 derv. Headlights are fine. Better than your usual hatches etc. Not the best but far from the worst. I dont like that you cant turn up the brightness of the dials when the lights are on. Fine in the dark but nt good when its pissing with rain. Makes the dials hard to see.

It rides fine and does what its meant to. Im not a huge fan of 4x4's per say but my wife LOVES it. She says she would never go back to a normal car its won her over that much. No issues with it at all other the it needs a good run every now and again for the DPF. 33 mpg average and she generally does 10 miles to work and then 10 back so it would get better on a decent run. Parts will be cheaper than ur Jeep too.

[sawman]

Thanks chaps, I have discovered that the car in question is a 2.4 petrol, with auto transmission. So shouldn't be any turbo or dpf issues, looking at the stats the 2.4 is quite thirsty but not as juicy as the jeep

I have never really been upclose and personal with one, so might have a look at a local dealer over the weekend.

[entwisi]

SWMBO had one V6 Petrol, she loved it... nothing broke on it, it was comfy if a little softly sprung, went anywhere you pointed it even in 6" of the white stuff, never once felt she wasn't going to get to work or home again.

It was thirsty though, 25 mpg ish IIRC. build quality was OK but nothing special.

She'd have another tomorrow if it met our requirements but right now it doesn't fit them.