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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: 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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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Nov 04, 2008 10:56 am) But we digress... 
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 04, 2008 12:08 pm) Maybe I'm off here?, but further I see the two as chief competitors against one another for active recreational users who potentially can make do without the low range gears. Think the 2wd GV model is std. base for '09 in the US, with AWD, (but no low range), optional for their four cylinder? At least AWD is std. eqpt. on our base JA here in The Great White North. Still nothing on the US site, but spending time to get it all working right first, might not be a bad idea.....
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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Nov 04, 2008 1:54 pm) The guy next door has a Grand Vitara (which he likes very much btw), but it looks more like a SUV to me and my wife really doesn't want anything that looks remotely like an SUV. I've had no luck with my Forester hints, much less something more rugged looking, and she flat turned down a test drive after just sitting in a mild CR-V. So far she's liking the Scion xD the best. That's my SX4 digression in here, since it seems more directly comparable to the xD than the GV. But your point is well taken. I'll try to sneak both of them on her list. 
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 04, 2008 1:58 pm) The real Beauty of the Beast is that while it may look like a politically incorrect SUV?, (but it's the same size as a CRV, right?), advise her that the '09 2.4 liter: 1.) Has attended AA meetings with it's 2.7 liter cousin, and thus has not acquired it's drinking problem. 2.) It no longer drives as much "like one" in the handling department, and in fact is a real pleasure to drive. She'd love an auto box one, I'm sure. On station wagons, right, but the additional space in the "a bit bigger" GV would be a real blessing. But that Forester has a mini "cavern" back there too. If it's more car like though, I hear her. The security of AWD is sure a blessing though in either the GV or Forester, as you well know. We encouraged my dad to buy a new Outback a few years ago for safety reasons. Happy shopping. PS: gotcha on our digression. But: my son would love to have the Scion coupe. We finally get Scions here in Canada next year. JUST SAW this Toyota brand is now considered to have the best RELIABILITY in the biz. Impressive. Again, the "R" word would be a factor to have to consider in the purchase of either the mostly all new '09 Forester, or GV. But we shall digress no more, (maybe)...
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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Nov 04, 2008 2:40 pm) It's hard to say what a deal killer would be, but an automatic would be right up there with black paint. We both miss having a stick shift. We will keep either the wagon or minivan, so we'd like this car to be smaller (ergo her immediate nixing of the CR-V). So the Grand Vitara probably won't get far on her list. We owned mostly FWD cars in Anchorage for 20 winters and like them fine, especially since they tend to get better mpg than AWD/4WD flavors. There are times when it's nice though. Reliability is a nice plus, but most all cars are pretty reliable these days. Scions sales were slumping before the recent economic crash and still aren't setting records here in spite of that nice reliability report from Consumer Reports. What I should do is call Parts and find out how much a Grand Vitara or SX4 alternator or starter costs and compare those numbers to the Subarus and Toyotas and Hondas and Pontiacs.
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 04, 2008 3:46 pm) If you are interested in an economical 2wd, you owe it to yourselves to check out the base Mazda 3 sport GX 2 liter Forget whatever you might think about its styling, and just get in and drive it first. The state of the art handling dynamics and it's superb 5 speed manual, add up to make it the best deal in class right now with the new 2010 3's on the way before long. But for steep German parts costs?, the brand new Jetta wagon seems like another good option. What, only a couple grand more for the diesel? Sure would be the green choice, but oh those parts..... I like the looks of the Suzuki SX4 but wish they offered a slightly stretched version which would add a bit more rear cargo room, then jack it up like an Outback?, and.... But it ought to be a fine inexpensive awd choice for your winters up there. We're pretty much in the same boat, but as the Sidekick is quickly oxidizing into a pile of red dust, we'll likely keep our 2wd wagon, and... And the jury remains out.
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Replying to: norwoodsmn (Nov 05, 2008 1:18 am) The Grand Vitara gets 4s and 5s (vs the Mazda3's 4s and 3s), plus it's in a bit bigger and heavier class. The SX4 gets 4s plus one 5 for the front side crash. I really like VW interiors and the ride, but I hate paying a premium price for worse reliability. My generalization that all cars are pretty reliable hits a wall when I think of VW. My sister's '00 New Beetle was awful, but even then, she considered a used Passat wagon before going with a Forester. Diesel fumes bother my wife (allergies) so that's a non-starter. Anyone else in here shopping for a new Grand Vitara? Prices are pretty competitive across the board, so why are you leaning towards a Suzuki?
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 05, 2008 9:13 am) To help kick off yr. suggestion re: the GV, (an apple vs. the "3" orange of course), repeated once more here I've never [before] suggested someone should buy a Suzuki SUV unless you really NEEDED it's capabilities. (The new XL7 is excluded from consideration as it's just a soft roader). If not, (if all that built in go anywhere toughness was not required), in the past there were many better choices. But have to acknowledge I think for '09 with the four cylinder engine, they have now made it a viable, more economical alternative choice worthy of consideration by a potential CRV, RAV4, etc. buyer. For yrs. truly again though, I'm strictly a fan because of those traditional capabilities, (the only reason I'm here a postin'). But still part of that "bargain" is evaluating what sort of reliability you can expect longer term. So how will the '09 GV do..? . But I join you in continuing to be MOST interested to hear what others have to say, especially someone who has also had a chance to take one for a spin, or has one in the garage now. Hello, come on in.... |
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Hello All, I have a 06 Suzuki Grand Vitara and have been having issues with it for a while and the dealership tells me there is nothing wrong with it and was hoping maybe someone could shed some light on the situation. Back in May of 07 I was in an auto accident and substained heavy damage to the rear of the vehicle. They ended up having to repair the frame, new sway bars, shocks, whole 9 yards. To this day ever since the accident, when merging into traffic or going around more then a 20 degree turn, my rear end feels like it almost fishtails. It feels to me, from the cabin, that the rear end just sways from side to side. I did notice that when they were doing the alignment after the accident that they were doing the alignment for a 05 Grand Vitara since mine was built in 05 but is an 06 model, which we know in 06 they completly redesigned everything about the GV. Do you think that maybe this could have been what caused the issue? Also, here lately my ESP light has been coming on and staying on for no reason. In the 2 years I have owned the vehicle, I swear it has never come on before. Another thing I notice, whenever a go over a bump or something in the road, my interior lights come, just for a second, then go off and also says my doors are ajar. Any thoughts? I haven't gotten any where with lawyers or dealerships. Thanks for any input.
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