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SUVs Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005 and earlier)
491 messages, Last post on Aug 10, 2009 at 9:15 AM
You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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but I have some questions. I live near Seattle and it does snow here (not a lot but when it does it's pretty slick). I currently own a 1998 Forester, and even with really high-end all weather tires I put on last year, it didn't do too well in the snow storm we had a few months back. SCARY!! I will be purchasing automatic (I don't do manual). Has Suzuki improved the stock tires they put on or will I need to change them before next winter, and has anyone experience with these newer models? I also have concern about this timing chain vs timing belt thing. I am not a mechanic. I am not a guy. I am a single mom transporting a kid in a wheelchair and tired of driving farty monster "mom-mobiles". The Suzuki GV looks cool and youthful and great for my mid-life crisis <grin>. Other than the enormous turning circle (more than 38 feet) and lousy behaviour in snow, I have had no real problem with the Forester, but I like the look and feel of the Grand Vitara (drove one for the first time today). I like that it's small and compact, moves when I push the accelerator and stops when I touch the brake. The only service I have ever had to give the Forester has been routine oil changes at Jiffy Lube and brakes relined at Midas after like 60K (I have ~80K on it now). What is this "timing chain" thing on the GV that I read has to be periodically replaced, how often does that need done and how expensive it it? Any other routine maintainance that is different from other little trucks? I do not think I have ever had a car or light truck that had such a thing (if it did I was never made aware of it) and I have had Jeeps and little Ford trucks. kj |
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If you plan to plow through the sand at Long Beach or climb the forest trails in the Cascades or Olympics, the GV will be a little better than your Forester. For driving in the RAIN, slush, ice, and wet snow that plague Seattle nine out of twelve months, the GV will be a LOT worse. 4 wheel drive, like the GV has, is designed for off-road. All wheel drive, like your Forester has, is designed for roads, good, bad, and very bad. A vehicle in 4 wheel drive HAS TO spin at least one tire when turning or the system binds up. Do you want at least one tire spinning when you are cornering on ice? If you don't believe me, drive over Snoqualmie Pass during a winter storm and count the 4 wheel drive pickups and SUVs in the snowbanks. Then count the Subarus and Audis in the snowbanks. I suggest you buy a set of four studless winter tires mounted on steel wheels and use them on your Forester from November thru February. I know that suggestion is ludicrous to west-siders, but us east-siders in WA know winter driving. I'd suggest Michelin Alpines for Seattle. I use Bridgestone Blizzaks in Yakima. I won't write what we say over here about Seattle drivers in the winter. Good luck.
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| Good luck on your choice! | |
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Replying to: cosmo (Jul 07, 2004 8:59 pm) You ain't lying! I'd take my '95 Intrepid w/traction control and studless snows over pretty much any bona-fide 4WD in a snow/ice storm. Now, AWD, or as I like to call it, snow-wheel-drive, that's a different story. My wife's RX300 is truly amazing in ice, even on the horrible stock tires...which are, ironically, the same Bridgestone Duelers which are OEM on the GV. My '94 Grand Cherokee was similarly good, but still, I'd always pick the Intrepid if my wife would let me have it that day. Please, if you buy snow tires, do not use studded snows. These carve up the roads something fierce, making for not only horrible road noise, but interesting wet-weather driving. |
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| I own a GV Limited 4x4 with the 2.5ltr DOHC engine. I had no problems out of it until 75000 miles. The rear main seal went out ($500) and now at 78000 the oil pump quit. The dealership to which I had it towed said that this was a common problem. They want $1300 to replace the pump, but I'm sure that the engine sustained damage as there is a lot of metal in the oil pan. I have talked with a local mechanic shop who says that he has seen three like mine in for the same problem in the last six months. Suzuki's corporate office claims no knowledge of any problem with the oil pump. I have records of all oil changes, which were performed every 3-5000 miles. Has anyone else experienced this problem? A used engine is probably my best bet, but will this happen again? | |
I am the original owner of a 2002 Grand Vitara Limited 4x4 automatic. I am nearing 30,500 miles and am getting close to warranty expiration (36,000 mi.). I have never taken her off road and am very good to my car (regular oil changes, etc.). The other day while driving I heard a sound that sounded like popcorn popping in the area near the gear shift (at least that sounded like the area). I was driving on a newer road at the time with no loose gravel, so I am confident that the noise was the car. I pulled over and stopped. The noise went on for about 20 seconds and then stopped and I haven't heard it again. I don't know if it's in my head, but now it seems as though the GV has shifting issues. It seems to take awhile to shift into one of the gears? Has anyone else had experience with this popping sound or shifting issues? Could this be a transmission issue? What could it be? I'd like to be a bit informed before going to the dealer since I've read here that they seem to deny a lot of issues. Any feedback would be appreciated.
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Replying to: whiskers (Oct 21, 2004 6:45 pm) Regards, kc5yti |
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Hi, I have a GV model 2000 full automatic 4 door 6cyl. I am very much happy with this vehicle till now no more major problems by the grace of god. Only problem what i experienced is, Once engine was switch off while warming up in the morning (I was giving little accelerator). It was once only so i didnt report to dealer. Is there anything to check? pls. advise.. There is a small humming sound can hear while AC is on. Is it normal? Cooling capacity is very good. Have a nice day George |
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I am from Kuwait. Mine is Grand Vitara, model 2000, full automatic, V6, 4 door type and with 4WD option, done 90000 Kilo meters already. I would like to know which is the suitable tyre for my GV. i mean which brand and any particular model for good road grip. Please advise..Thank you George |
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