Suzuki Vitara

Advantages: Four Wheel Drive
Disadvantages: No visibility through rear window.

...We bought our Vitara from the local Suzuki dealer a few weeks ago.Its now been used on long and short journeys,round town and on the open road. The engine is 1600cc.It has a 5 speed manual gearbox driven through the rear wheels with the option of 4 wheel drive for icy/snowy conditions. Dont be fooled into thinking that this is a car for the serious off roader...its not.But it will get you out of a muddy field or down an icy road. The interior of the car is basic.There is no sunroof,no electric windows,no air con and no c.d player.Though it does have central locking and an immobiliser fitted as standard. Ours is the 3 door "estate" .Its only called an estate for insurance purposes (which is group 9 ),you only have to open the rear door to see that ! With the rear seats in use you would be hard pushed to get more than two...

yessuf 19.02.2004 (22.02.2004) · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki Vitara....A word of warning...

Advantages: Looks good inside and out.
Disadvantages: Light on steering, weak plastic handles, high fuel useage in urban areas

...In 1999, my wife and I gained a Suzuki Vitara on the Motorbility Scheme (my wife is disabled). The vehicle attracted us mainly because of the ease to get into and out of the vehicle, as well as the fact that it is a nice looking car. Within the first year of our three year contract, we could not wait to the day we hand the vehicle back over. In Suzuki`s defence, the vehicle is comfortable inside and all the controls are neatly laid out. The 4x4 has also been useful in winter conditions, especially in the Peak District area where we now live. However, that is all the good points that I have been able to find with this vehicle. The car itself is VERY light on the steering and there have been a number of occasions where a heavy gust of wind has literally taken the vehicle off the road. The rear luggage compartment is...

titch98 01.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki Grand Vitara - Rugged Reliability

Advantages: Reliable, powerfull, easy round town and good on the motorway
Disadvantages: Heavy on fuel (V6) and choppy ride on rough roads

...I bought a Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 for my wife in 2000, and have to say that it has been very good. She enjoys driving it as it's not too big for town, she can see over the bonnets of other cars and it has a powerful engine. It's been reliable with the only real problem the replacement of the radiator at 60,000 miles. The alloy wheels still clean up like new and there is no corrosion on the body. It copes well on the motorway and is quite quiet, however it is very heavy on fuel and I doubt if it does much more than 20 mpg on a run. As she only does 3,000 miles p.a. and around town it really isn't an issue. The suspension is a bit too firm on rough roads and. The interior is cheap and cheerful but has lasted well, all except for the rear load cover where the plastic covering to the stays has broken off. Overall it has been...

CountZobrowski 22.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Vitara hurrah

Advantages: fun to drive, sturdy and reliable
Disadvantages: Parts are expensive, thirsty if thrashed

...I really did not want my wife to pander to middleclass stereotype of the 4X4 mafia, charging the mean urban streets in there pointless gross trucks. Protecting there own family by endangering everybody else with there bulky petrol swilling tanks. But she wanted a "baby vitara" it was Japaneese so would be reliable, and handy for taking to the beach , camping and the like. And sadly she was right, the Vit has now done 102,000 miles and little has ever gone wrong ( clutch at 90,000 and a new exhaust ) . Its fun to drive , but only if your definition of fun is loosing the rear end on wet islands. And its easy to park, beacause even if you miss judge the space the robustness of the bumpers and panel means you can ram your way in to spaces that a smart car would struggle with. The driving positon is excellant, up high, looking own...

invisigothh 07.11.2004 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Vitara JX 1600 (8 valve)

Advantages: Reliability, Driving Position
Disadvantages: Not too good in cross-winds

...I bought the Vitara new in April 2000 at the bargain price of £8000 - to put this in perspective a Mini (original type) was over £1000 more at the time. This is my fourth Suzuki 4x4, previous ones being the SJ410, SJ413 and Samurai Jeeps. Four years and 52,000 miles later the Vitara has proved to be very reliable and fairly economical to run. The fuel consumption hasn't been earth shattering (average 33mpg) but I've not had to replace anything other than standard service parts and one set of front brake pads. The tyres, exhaust etc are all still original. As other reviewers have pointed out, the ride can get a bit tiring on B class roads but it's certainly much better than the SJ series vehicles. I was surprised to find the Vitara was rather susceptible to cross-winds and buffeting from big trucks. Having driven Suzuki Jeeps in...

tony_the_tiger 30.04.2004 (01.05.2004) · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Ours is called Zebedee

Advantages: Very comfy seats. Good for WW2 fantasies
Disadvantages: Bouncy, tinny, basic

...I was horrified to learn that my wife's choice as her next car was to be a Suzuki Jeep. I am no fan of 4WD vehicles having had to manouevre round them in my wife's old Micra as they execute their 17 point turns in the Nursery car park. I am convinced people are playing this oneupmanship thing of "mine is bigger than yours" with their 4x4's. I mean for goodness sake ( I would say something stronger but this is a family site), why do you need a 40 foot long 20 foot high Panzerwagen to take a 4 year old to nursery? Anyway rant over. I tried to persuade my wife of the folly of 4WD vehicles. Like high fuel consumption, tendency to roll over while cornering and cost of parts. She was not to be swayed insisting that it was her turn to be indulged. So the hunt for the jeep was on. The vehicle bought was a 1997 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 JX...

saontd 07.01.2005 (08.01.2005) · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Nice Little soft Top

Advantages: Excellent Fun
Disadvantages: Not comfy on long Journeys

...Im the proud owner of a Black Suzuki Vitara JLX. It is my Second Vitara that I have owned after having a Blue JX before this one. I traded my old one in because it lacked the following features: The REALLY wide Wheel arches The REALLY wide Wheels Power Steering Leather interior. They were both Soft tops though. Now, I feel, I can comment on the cars seen as I have quite a bit of experience with them. Build Quality. They look very nice tidy cars on the outside but dont let that fool you. They are quite rattly inside. Not as bad as the SJ413 though. Every bump and hump causes a rattle somewhere. Ride comfort. The power steering on my new jeep make the ride a lot easier from a driving perspective but dont buy one if you intend on doing lots of miles in it on long journeys. They are not built for it. Body...

buzzplane 13.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

The greatest fun car I have ever owned

Advantages: Good looking, attractive, head turner
Disadvantages: Lack of load space when taking the wife shopping

...with proper respect, throw it into bends and it will object, take it steady and no problem. There does not seem to be a problem with understeer, I have always found the steering to be quite precise. Economy - the law of dimishing returns applies - the faster you go the more you have to watch the fuel gauge. Not a car to run if the budget is tight. Mine averages 28 - 30 on local running but take it on the M'way at 75mph and this average reads 20 - 26 mpg Bodywork - apart from a couple of minor points, I am having the tailgate treated for some bottom edge rust in the next couple of weeks, my Vitara still looks like it came out of the showroom. In fact a 4 x 4 dealer said, and I quote "this is a very pretty little car and is a credit to you and its previous owners" - and all that after it has stood in the open air, by the seaside for the last...

davethemerlin 19.10.2002 (20.10.2002) · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Forget it!

Advantages: Elevated position lets you see cause of traffic jams, sometimes.
Disadvantages: Can't type them all out again.

...I bought a brand new soft-top Vitara 4U in September 1998 having always admired them...a 1.6L engine that, as Keith-the-chief also mentioned, is rubbish. After driving it down the motorway to Brighton and Crawley a couple of times the mere thought of going on a motorway with it almost gave me a heart attack. If you think this is exaggeration ask for a motorway test-drive and see for yourself...it is scary. The crosswinds push the car so hard your hands will be moulded into the steering wheel by the time you reach your destination. It drinks petrol...it's not comfortable at all - look at the door panels and judge for yourself how cheaply made it is, it's far too pricey, and the amount you pay in insurance (Group 8/10)should put you off it totally...you'd be better off investing that money in another car! Oh and there is no boot space...

Deenie 10.11.2000 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara

Broom Broom

Advantages: Looks Great
Disadvantages: Read The Article

...What can I tell you about the Vitara.... Let's begin by saying I own a V Reg JX 1.6................ And what a mistake that was! Don't get me wrong, there a great looking motor that's reasonably good off road but... when it comes to comfort, power, speed, city driving, motor way driving and economy there's nothing worse on the road. This car drinks petrol and I often find that my wallets empty due to this. If your taking this car out on the motorway- HOLD TIGHT, if the wind catches you, you in trouble. There's no power in the tiny 1.6i engine either - If you don't believe me here's a little test for................. Go out on a test drive in one, put your foot down on the excelerator but watch in horror as the little old lady on a pedal bike speeds past you. Seriously though - It's a nice car if your after looks and not all...

KeithTheChief 26.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Vitara