Grand Vitara V6 - ownership experiences?

[V88Dicky]

Howdy folks

Possibly looking at the Grand Vitara V6 as a replacement for my current workhorse, just wondering what they're like to live with for a prolonged period.
With my current job, it needs to get me to work in any weather, be reliable and also have enough space to carry my little 'un and all her 'accessories'.

Looking around W/X/Y reg and £3k ish.

Thanks in advance.

[sparkyhx]

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback?

[V88Dicky]

sparkyhx said:

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

Been quoted £360 fully comp so far, so I'm happy with that. (20 years no claims )

As far as fuel is concerned, the high 20s mpg combined, and mid 30s mpg motorway (for the manual version) sounds fine to me.

I guess as long as they're safe and reliable I'll be happy

[rhinochopig]

V88Dicky said:

sparkyhx said:

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

Been quoted £360 fully comp so far, so I'm happy with that. (20 years no claims )

As far as fuel is concerned, the high 20s mpg combined, and mid 30s mpg motorway (for the manual version) sounds fine to me.

I guess as long as they're safe and reliable I'll be happy

I'd be utterly utterly amazed if they get anywhere near mid 30s on a motorway. I doubt you'll see 30 in a V6 petrol.

[V88Dicky]

rhinochopig said:

V88Dicky said:

sparkyhx said:

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

Been quoted £360 fully comp so far, so I'm happy with that. (20 years no claims )

As far as fuel is concerned, the high 20s mpg combined, and mid 30s mpg motorway (for the manual version) sounds fine to me.

I guess as long as they're safe and reliable I'll be happy

I'd be utterly utterly amazed if they get anywhere near mid 30s on a motorway. I doubt you'll see 30 in a V6 petrol.

That's what I thought, until I read up on them. I've been able to achieve or better the official figures with most cars I've had over the last 20 years or so. Can't see why I couldn't manage it with a Vitara.

Fuel consumption (urban) 20.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 34 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 27.7 mpg
0 - 62 mph 10.9 seconds
Top speed 103 mph
Cylinders 6
Valves 24 v
Engine power 142 bhp
Engine torque 153.4 lbs/ft

[CaptainSlow]

Get a Forester so you'll at least have some fun.

[V88Dicky]

CaptainSlow said:

Get a Forester so you'll at least have some fun.

My Monaro's for fun

I'd be interested in a Forester but the ones in my budget seem decidedly ropey. Owned a Legacy a while back, really liked it.

[CaptainSlow]

this one looks ok

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2388908.htm

[V88Dicky]

Not bad at all, although I'd be happy to go for the non-turbo version. The winter pack equipped ones look very good.

Thanks for giving me more to think about, CS.

[drgoatboy]

I've not got one but the V6 is meant to be a nice engine.
Vitaras are generally pretty well thought of and apparently reasonably capable off road. They seem to not be that admired by the public generally so there are so good deals about.
Not many forums about for vitaras that I found but you could have a look at...

http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/

http://www.suzuki4u.co.uk/forum/

(I was looking at vitaras but ended up buying a jimny...)

[V88Dicky]

drgoatboy said:

I've not got one but the V6 is meant to be a nice engine.
Vitaras are generally pretty well thought of and apparently reasonably capable off road. They seem to not be that admired by the public generally so there are so good deals about.
Not many forums about for vitaras that I found but you could have a look at...

http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/

http://www.suzuki4u.co.uk/forum/

(I was looking at vitaras but ended up buying a jimny...)

Ta very much

[Mastodon2]

V88Dicky said:

sparkyhx said:

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

Been quoted £360 fully comp so far, so I'm happy with that. (20 years no claims )

As far as fuel is concerned, the high 20s mpg combined, and mid 30s mpg motorway (for the manual version) sounds fine to me.

I guess as long as they're safe and reliable I'll be happy

I doubt you'll get high twenties combined, a friend of mine sold hers because her daily commute on a combined route was getting her about 22mpg. It never let her down in heaps of snow and ice, and was reliable too, but used a ton of fuel and insurance was pricey for what you get too.

[V88Dicky]

Mastodon2 said:

V88Dicky said:

sparkyhx said:

very thirsty and high insurance - other than that I haven't heard of any major issues

Been quoted £360 fully comp so far, so I'm happy with that. (20 years no claims )

As far as fuel is concerned, the high 20s mpg combined, and mid 30s mpg motorway (for the manual version) sounds fine to me.

I guess as long as they're safe and reliable I'll be happy

I doubt you'll get high twenties combined, a friend of mine sold hers because her daily commute on a combined route was getting her about 22mpg. It never let her down in heaps of snow and ice, and was reliable too, but used a ton of fuel and insurance was pricey for what you get too.

Forgot to mention, my current commute is 28 miles each way, about 25 miles of which is dual carriageway doing between 60-70mph. Thats probably why I've easily been matching manufacturers mpg figures!

I'm liking the reliability and off road ability comments so far.