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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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Hi, havent posted but need some advice here. Hadnt ever considered a Suzuki or a GV b/4 yesterday. I threw a rod in my 2003 Ford Windstar on Tues. need to get a new vehicle fast. I work for Edmunds and was visiting a dealer about a future product when he said he bought some Suzuki's from a dealer that went our of business 45 days ago. He has a 2007 GV with 57 (yes 57) miles on it, it has manual trans, 2wd., pearlized cranberry exterior. Kinda cute vehicle I hadnt considered, no 3rd seat (I have 3 kids; 7, 9, 12 ( this could work- just cant take alot of extras which isnt always a bad thing.) His final negotiation is $11,400 plus $400 for clear coat to be added on the paint and his cost $940 to add leather seats (I really want leather with 3 kids). So that is $12,7 out the door. I am looking for a fantastic deal. I love Nissan but the price is too much as my husband needs a new vehicle too. I was thinking I can drive this Suzuki for a few years then hand down to my daughter. Is this a steal or should I keep looking?
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Replying to: motormindy (Feb 21, 2009 12:00 pm) My neighbor's brother has a GV and I've quizzed him about it. He's been really happy with his. I'd be a bit concerned that the battery is marginal and that various seals, fluids and bits could be corroded or gummed up just from sitting around so long. And I'd want to know if the full warranty is in effect or not, and how far I'd have to go to get service. Good luck! |
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I agree with everything that Steve the host said. If the dealer went out of business, where is the nearest dealer? Hopefully the tire issue was fixed for 07 or else you may need to replace tires in less than 20k miles. Some vehicles didn't have the problem. My 06 did. Is it being sold as new? It would still be considered a 2 year old vehicle. I did a quick search on Kelley blue book. Retail, 12,590 Private party, 10,490 trade in value, 8800 I think you're getting an OK deal. Definately not fantastic or a steal. My opinion, when I can buy something at trade in value, it's a steal. That's how stealerships make their money. |
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I'd determine if the clear coat is an actual coat of paint, or just an expensive wax job. I can't imagine they'd prepare and paint it for $400. On the other hand, the oem paint is delicate (we have the deep red on our '06 Grand Vitara), so any extra layer of paint would be helpful. I think you'd be happy with this, except those three kids are going to be in fairly close quarters in the back seat. On the other hand, I had two siblings and we lived with sharing a back seat. Test drive it carefully to see if it feels unstable, or if there seem to be odd driveline noises. These would be tipoffs to having the rear alignment issue. The alignment issue is usually fixable, but not always, it seems. I think you have to ensure it has a the original warranty coverage, or have the dealer throw in a good aftermarket warranty coverage. It's a little more trucklike than a CRV or a Rav4, but as long as you're ok with that, you should be fine with it, or even delighted. |
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Replying to: motormindy (Feb 21, 2009 12:00 pm) Sorry to be so long-winded, but a proper clear coat job by a body shop would cost well over $400, so my guess is that the dealer is merely quoting some type of paint protection package. This is not worth it, and is particularly a waste of money if the color you are looking at already has clear coat on it. Also, beware of the rear tire issue. My frustration with this seeminly non-correctible issue was one of the main reasons that led me to trade the vehicle in after a little over the year. My neighbor still has his 2006 GV and has been replacing tires ever since it had about 12K on it |
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I know, i know, it's not the GV but the fact that Suzuki topped the 5 worst is worth mentioning. It also states the depreciation is the biggest downfall, exactly what I was irate about with our GV. I think it all boils over to the entire line. And what did motormindy decide on with that used GV? http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/866/the-worst-cars-f- or-the-money/;_ylt=ApJRMuwmgeCPMSO.Jq5QfuwazJV4 |
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Our 2007 cooked the rear tires down to the wear bars on the outside in less than 8000 miles The inside of the tires were still like new. The front tires were also like new. After a couple heated conversations about the tire wear, our local Suzuki dealership called the factory and then realigned it to new "modified" specifications and rotated the tires front to back. Now with over 18,000 miles the rear tires still look like new and the worn rear tires that were moved to the front have not experienced any more noticable wear. They can fix this problem if your dealership would take the time to do some research. I was told that the factory knows about the problem and that they beleive it lies in the way that some of the trucks are being strapped down for shipping. My Dealership is Courtesy Suzuki in North Huntingdon, Pa.
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Replying to: gcram399 (Mar 14, 2009 5:07 am) tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Last march 2008 I took my 2006 GV to dealer to have new tires installed. Had 23000 miles on them. Instead bought a 2008 with locking trans case that 2006 lacked. Now have 12000 miles on 2008. Observations? With the treadwear rating of the geolanders that's about what can be expected of them especially if you do all of your driving on pavement and don't baby it. The tires were probably good for another 3 or 4 thousnd miles pushing them to limit. My 2008 had the "engine knocking at idle when warm" thing going on. Retensioning of the belts cured that. Had a SLIGHT rattle coming through the dashboard when running over bumps that was driving me nuts. After process of elimination I found the noise is coming from the airflow control actuator when it is set to floor when the fan speed is below 3 bars on the display. I did the investigating for the replacement of the actuator when and if I take the Vit back to the dealer, people that ride with me think I'm crazy when I say "hear that"? Not really a big deal at all. I haven't posted in over a year, sorry I'm winded but my point is I guess is that so far knock on my head these two GV's I've had have been the most dependable vehicles outside of my suzuki bikes that I have had the pleasure of owning. By the way, I do all scheduled maintenence myself. Like a fellow said to me once when I worked in a garage when I was younger "treat it like it's yours". Garage monkeys take note.
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Replying to: vitdean (Apr 04, 2009 9:51 am)
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