2007 grand vitara
Discussion
Hi guys
I’m going to see this car with the wife
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
She’s just looking at a cheap 4x4 as we live on the side of a mountain, she does hardly any miles back and forth to work.
Anything to look out for when having a look at this?
I’m going to see this car with the wife
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
She’s just looking at a cheap 4x4 as we live on the side of a mountain, she does hardly any miles back and forth to work.
Anything to look out for when having a look at this?
I don't know much about Suzukis, but I know a fair bit about off-road vehicles.
With that in mind, my bit of advice would be to check if the tyres are M+S (Mud and Snow) rated. If they are not (i.e. it's fitted with summer tyres), budget for either a fresh set of boots, or a second set of wheels with M+S tyres fitted.
There is nothing on earth more embarrassing than being in a 4x4 that couldn't pull itself across a wet field.
With that in mind, my bit of advice would be to check if the tyres are M+S (Mud and Snow) rated. If they are not (i.e. it's fitted with summer tyres), budget for either a fresh set of boots, or a second set of wheels with M+S tyres fitted.
There is nothing on earth more embarrassing than being in a 4x4 that couldn't pull itself across a wet field.
My wife had the exact same car / year / colour...
She had it to get to work in, 100% reliable
I drove it to Switzerland in 2010 on winters, not a single issue and was unstoppable even at -15!
Only issue I had was oil filters - the listing for the filter was totally wrong from Suzuki and motorfactors.
I changed the battery before leaving for holiday when it was simply that they sound like the battery is weak - just spins slowly.
A bit juicy to be fair, it wont get anywhere near the figures quoted, winter tyres take away from the slightly porpoising feel and you sit quite flat IIRC.
Was 3 yrs old when we bought it, already had a wing panted and a rust scab on the other!
She had it to get to work in, 100% reliable
I drove it to Switzerland in 2010 on winters, not a single issue and was unstoppable even at -15!
Only issue I had was oil filters - the listing for the filter was totally wrong from Suzuki and motorfactors.
I changed the battery before leaving for holiday when it was simply that they sound like the battery is weak - just spins slowly.
A bit juicy to be fair, it wont get anywhere near the figures quoted, winter tyres take away from the slightly porpoising feel and you sit quite flat IIRC.
Was 3 yrs old when we bought it, already had a wing panted and a rust scab on the other!
ExVantagemech.. said:
My wife had the exact same car / year / colour...
She had it to get to work in, 100% reliable
I drove it to Switzerland in 2010 on winters, not a single issue and was unstoppable even at -15!
Only issue I had was oil filters - the listing for the filter was totally wrong from Suzuki and motorfactors.
I changed the battery before leaving for holiday when it was simply that they sound like the battery is weak - just spins slowly.
A bit juicy to be fair, it wont get anywhere near the figures quoted, winter tyres take away from the slightly porpoising feel and you sit quite flat IIRC.
Was 3 yrs old when we bought it, already had a wing panted and a rust scab on the other!
Good inside knowledge! Cheers!She had it to get to work in, 100% reliable
I drove it to Switzerland in 2010 on winters, not a single issue and was unstoppable even at -15!
Only issue I had was oil filters - the listing for the filter was totally wrong from Suzuki and motorfactors.
I changed the battery before leaving for holiday when it was simply that they sound like the battery is weak - just spins slowly.
A bit juicy to be fair, it wont get anywhere near the figures quoted, winter tyres take away from the slightly porpoising feel and you sit quite flat IIRC.
Was 3 yrs old when we bought it, already had a wing panted and a rust scab on the other!
Sounds like rust is main issue. Not too fussed of the mpg, the other half’s work is two minutes drive, and about 1 half hour drive a week, I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
Gooose said:
Good inside knowledge! Cheers!
Sounds like rust is main issue. Not too fussed of the mpg, the other half’s work is two minutes drive, and about 1 half hour drive a week, I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
Have you got the reg number? wifes was ??57YPY Sounds like rust is main issue. Not too fussed of the mpg, the other half’s work is two minutes drive, and about 1 half hour drive a week, I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
ExVantagemech.. said:
Gooose said:
Good inside knowledge! Cheers!
Sounds like rust is main issue. Not too fussed of the mpg, the other half’s work is two minutes drive, and about 1 half hour drive a week, I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
Have you got the reg number? wifes was ??57YPY Sounds like rust is main issue. Not too fussed of the mpg, the other half’s work is two minutes drive, and about 1 half hour drive a week, I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
Gooose said:
I’ve check the mot history and it had exhaust and tyre issue which the bloke said has been changed, I’ll check all the service history to see how much has been done but I thought it looks tidy for the price and and he would probably take £3,500
I'd say £3,500 is a fair price for that car.Let us know how you get on.
driverrob said:
I had a 2007 model a year or so back, partly because it would fit in my smaller than average garage.
Pleasant to drive, practical loadspace for its size and great traction options.
But ... you won't get a thrill from its performance and you won't like the 25 mpg fuel consumption.
I wouldn’t be buying a 11 year old vitara for the thrill! Lol but people are saying it’s a decent car, I think the petrol will be better for us due to the short journeys. So fingers crossed there ain’t no rust or dodgy surprises! Pleasant to drive, practical loadspace for its size and great traction options.
But ... you won't get a thrill from its performance and you won't like the 25 mpg fuel consumption.
driverrob said:
I had a 2007 model a year or so back, partly because it would fit in my smaller than average garage.
Pleasant to drive, practical loadspace for its size and great traction options.
But ... you won't get a thrill from its performance and you won't like the 25 mpg fuel consumption.
Pleasant to drive, practical loadspace for its size and great traction options.
But ... you won't get a thrill from its performance and you won't like the 25 mpg fuel consumption.
Good review of it! Cheers fingers crossed it’s not a rust bucket
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
this one's been for sale for a while, looks quite smart and a trip to the Lakes too.
You will get far more buying privately at this price level.
RAV4 well worth a look too.
this one's been for sale for a while, looks quite smart and a trip to the Lakes too.
You will get far more buying privately at this price level.
RAV4 well worth a look too.
Edited by loskie on Monday 1st January 09:24
loskie said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
this one's been for sale for a while, looks quite smart and a trip to the Lakes too.
You will get far more buying privately at this price level.
RAV4 well worth a look too.
Good find, I’ve only had a quick look around so I can’t say I know much about different 4x4’s tbh, a selling point for the car I’m off to see is that it is local. The Mrs isn’t keen on big journeys, where I’m happy to drive all day to find a decent one!this one's been for sale for a while, looks quite smart and a trip to the Lakes too.
You will get far more buying privately at this price level.
RAV4 well worth a look too.
Edited by loskie on Monday 1st January 09:24
Looks like privately I could get the same car for around £500 less so no point in being desperate for us, I’m sure good ones come up often
I bought one as a stop gap car several years ago. I ended up falling in love with it and kept it for 3 years and 60k miles before I eventually bought something nicer again for the daily commute.
I classed it as a modern day landrover with one exception...it was SUPER reliable!
Performance wise the engine is actually ok in my opinion. The problem lies with the gear ratios and I found it would drop out of the power band between changes. With limited power at hand, that was noticeable!
In the 60k miles I did it was used and abused and it only cost me 2 front calipers as they got sticky and a seal on the gearbox that cost about a tenner. Oh, and the head shields on the exhaust had a habit of rattling lose so were either pulled off or jubilee clipped back on.
The diesel version 'felt' faster but I didn't actually think it was. Servicing on the petrol version was far better to.
I'd have another in a heartbeat and nearly did this year instead of buying winter wheels/tyres but decided that wheels and tyres was the more sensible option!
Dave
I classed it as a modern day landrover with one exception...it was SUPER reliable!
Performance wise the engine is actually ok in my opinion. The problem lies with the gear ratios and I found it would drop out of the power band between changes. With limited power at hand, that was noticeable!
In the 60k miles I did it was used and abused and it only cost me 2 front calipers as they got sticky and a seal on the gearbox that cost about a tenner. Oh, and the head shields on the exhaust had a habit of rattling lose so were either pulled off or jubilee clipped back on.
The diesel version 'felt' faster but I didn't actually think it was. Servicing on the petrol version was far better to.
I'd have another in a heartbeat and nearly did this year instead of buying winter wheels/tyres but decided that wheels and tyres was the more sensible option!
Dave
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