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SUVs Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006 through 2008
1006 messages, Last post on Oct 11, 2009 at 9:29 PM
You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: xostnot (Oct 11, 2008 9:35 am) The new product coming into Suzuki dealerships now and over the next couple of years, should come with concurrent major steps forward in what happens in the dealership's service bays. ONLY then can one be reasonably assured to find one of those "proactive mechanics" all ready in place, who is able to discern and rectify problems EARLY within the warranty period. I've usually always insist the top Suzuki wrench at my dealership, works on one of mine. On problems, of course you've got to have an excellent relationship with a first rate dealership so they can effectively help out to go to bat for you too. My apologies for perhaps stating the obvious here. Prob is for too many Zuke owners, those factors may not be in place. THAT HAS TO CHANGE, and I'm positive Suzuki knows this! On the rotors, had an excellent heart to heart with a Suzuki service guy some time back who indicated MOST mfgrs use lesser quality metal to make them today. For instance we live at the top of a long hill, and it's not un common for Sube owners (who ride their brakes) to have warped rotor problems, [he said]. As "compensation?" Suzuki has offered two for one rotor deals for the last few years now it seems, with their bi annual service coupon special(s). So it's almost more like they are now considered consumables, (throw away items), vs. paying to have them turned? Note I did have my rotors on the little Zuke wagon replaced under warranty here, just before it expired. Torquing the wheels. Seems you can't fully depend on everyone, (your tire shop, or..) to get 'em done right. I always check post any service involving removal and replacement of the tires, with my own torque wrench once back home. Over tightening them can lead to warped rotors too. We've all been justifiably putting some pressure on Suzuki here for some time. This service/warranty service matter is another one deserving more of the same. How prevalent are these misses with other mfgrs today?, I don't know... Nwdsmn.
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In the drive for lighter weight, rotors (and probably drums) are now so thin that they can only be turned once. In the "old days", the parts could be machined several times. This also means the parts are thinner now, and so would overheat and warp more easily. I'm wondering if Suzuki tracks whether buyers paid full MSRP, and/or whether they do all their servicing at the dealership. This could pop up when the service manager enters our VIN in their computer system, and could translate into how responsive they are to warranty requests. It's easier to understand that, than assume either they randomly treat some customers with indifferenece, or frustrate all their customers. Unless all brands do this, it will cost them eventually. Like the not-so-Big 3.
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Replying to: xostnot (Oct 11, 2008 7:01 pm) One thing they do track [of course] is if all service intervals have been faithfully performed. No surprise there during the warranty period, but even post, that data can help one appeal for assistance if there is some sort of extraordinary part failure outside the warranty period. Much to Suzuki's credit, got them to step up to help in such a situation re: one of our Zukes. However, as a freshman to the process during my early years of Sidekick ownership, they stuck me for a BIG one near warranty expiration time, which in hindsight I should have taken to arbitration, (and likely would have WON). But I was so disgusted at the time, that... Tongue in cheek I've sometimes proposed a Halloween horror story feature here, and I've got a few that would drain the blood from Count Dracula.... But no doubt you could dredge up some fright night specials even for Honda's, depending upon dealership deficiencies. The J.D. Power, Consumer Reports data, etc. should be taken into consideration by all of us before we buy new NOW, as with escalating costs of vehicle ownership, we MUST demand increasing reliability as part of "the deal". That's why in our week to week "what are we going to do here, and when?", back and forth about our next SUV, we have yet to rule out the base '09 Forester vs. the new base 4cyl GV, since neither offers a low range, (if we figure we can make that sacrifice). What Suzuki needs to do asap, is, (when they feel they are ABLE TO that is), is to come forward to proclaim any advances which they have actually made or are now making in GV reliability. Even for the '08's. Any such "hard data" based facts would help [you/me/all of us] to be better able to decide what to do next. If they've "got it" and if it's favorable, that could further help to move more of those '08's off the lots? Reliability is really quite good for the two old(er) Zukes we have here now, post their initial "teething" periods. |
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Replying to: xostnot (Oct 11, 2008 9:35 am) I highly doubt any warped rotor or drum would cause the squeal. A squeal or squeak is actually a high pitched vibration. It is cured by chamfering the edges of front pads or rear shoes. The problem you are having, as I was told, was the rear shoes being too large for the drum. It is very annoying to have manufacturers fight you when you have a legitimate complaint. Isn't that why they call it a bumper to bumper warranty? |
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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Oct 11, 2008 10:24 am) You are a smart man, nrwdsmn! 3 Hondas in our family and I now have much more leisure time on my hands.  "Seems you can't fully depend on everyone, (your tire shop, or..) to get 'em done right" So true! And yet so sad. I check everything. Amazing how many loose lugs I've found. I had tires replaced on the RV and you would think you could just drive it home and not worry especially when you're paying over $2,200. Found the tire pressure to be 20psi off between the 6 tires. Doesn't anyone care anymore? OK, so I went off topic again. Just agreeing with you. AND we love the new Acura!  First couple tanks of gas and 19.8mpg city and 20.1 hwy. Not bad for 300hp. Of course, I haven't driven it much so those numbers will drastically change soon.
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Replying to: budman3 (Oct 14, 2008 10:17 am) 
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Replying to: bm000092 (Oct 31, 2008 4:24 am) Recently tested the base '09 Forester. EXCELLENT car like cornering feel thanks to that low center of mass. However: 5 speed manual too "rubbery" lacking the much tough(er) feel of a Suzuki '08 manual. Unfortunate dash treatment, and the grey interior is very dull, but the black is nice. NOTE: the engine is noise(ier) than the new '09 four cylinder GV, but it's know for that, for whatever that's worth? Not broken in, it ran out of breath on a freeway hill in 5th, but the auto four cylinder GV did not on the same hill! Clearly the auto box would be the trannie to go with in this much more car like Sube. Tough(er) though it is for '09, you can feel it wouldn't stand up as well to the same sort of demanding recreational usage which Suzuki's can. The "expedition class" winner?, no surprise, it's advantage Suzuki. Still need to find a base '09 JA GV [somewhere] to test. Yes, even drove a used auto '02 XL-7. That 2.7 engine does wear well, which also is no surprise to me as all Suzuki engines seem to. Haven't ruled it out as a stop gap move. But may default to the old principal that 4:30pm on the last business day in December, is THE best time/day of the year to buy a car.... Still no new '09 owners out there?
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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Nov 01, 2008 10:30 pm) www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/trucks-suvs/2009-suzuki-grand-vitara.htm
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Replying to: bm000092 (Nov 03, 2008 4:59 am) I was browsing cars over the weekend and went to the web page of the local Suzuki dealer to check out the SX4 Sport. There was a drop down menu for the Grvtr. It took me a minute to figure out what the heck that was. 
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 03, 2008 6:38 am) I'd like to see a test that explored the extent of what the base GV, (the Forester fighter), JA AWD version could do in [reasonably] demanding conditions. That info is out there now on the base '09 5speed Forester, as it was "pressed" in California on Catalina Island where it did well on rough goat tracks. But again my Forester TD recently suggested "you wouldn't want to go there" in the Sube on a regular basis, with, (on the other hand), it likely being OK(er) in a much tougher base '09 Grand Vitara. Would like to see a head to head between these two base models. A potentially valuable marketing ploy [Suzuki?] Especially since the Forester can now almost be considered mainstream with it's up market redesign for '09? Go for it.
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