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SUVs Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Grand Vitara vs Legacy wagon 2.5i Touring
12 messages, Last post on Apr 06, 2007 at 7:39 AM
You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: raaudi (Apr 04, 2007 9:35 am)
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Replying to: bhawk1 (Apr 04, 2007 9:48 am) I don't have a supportable opinion about CR's lack of confidence in the GV's reliability. CR and Suzuki have had epic legal fights, of course. This GV is being sold in substantial numbers all over the world, and although its record isn't flawless, there have been relatively few problems. Various records of prior years' Grand Vitaras, and NHTSA safety complaints seemed ok to me, or I wouldn't have bought the brand, let alone an all-new version. It was based on the Saturn Vue, which Suzuki designed and had been around for a few years. My experience has been that the modern gizmos are generally very reliable. And if something like the keyless entry/start quits, you can still use the key. Same for the doorlocks. Same with the sunroof as long as it quits when shut. Compared to pre-computerized cars, I'd say the new ones are far more reliable. Every try to start a big old V-8 at minus 35? Another angle on this is that I doubt Suzuki makes many of these systems. The 5-speed electronc automatic transmission is made by a supplier who also makes transmissions for Toyota and others. The ESP stability control system is licensed from Daimler Chrysler. Subaru has good ratings, but if you do some careful research, about 10% of people with them find they are nightmares. The other 90% are extremely happy. Friends of ours had a new Outback and a new Forester, and hated them. So I'm biased. The Subaru must get better mileage than the GV and the liftgate at the back is nicer. I also don't know if the Subaru wagon you're considering has the GV's stability control and curtain airbags. That would make a difference to me for carrying young'uns. Also note that seatback pockets can be ruined by the youngsters using them as footrests, since their feet don't reach the floor and are uncomfortable unless you put something on the floor their feet can reach. Something of interest: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/11/02/027471.html If you have "off-road" needs, or expect to tow a trailer, definitely get the GV. If not, it's a tougher choice. A toss-up means you'll be happy with either. Here's an interesting tidbit for you: the Subaru Justy was actually made by Suzuki. I don't think Suzuki has sold anything made by Subaru.
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Replying to: xostnot (Apr 04, 2007 8:04 pm) I'm use to keep my cars 7 to 10 years and I expect to keep this one as long. I'm in Canada (we have the 3 years 60,000km warranty), so when I got it I dealed a 7 years 160,000 km warranty bumper to bumper for 1000 $, since I plan to keep it for a long time. I need occasionally do some light off roading and pull with it, carry my family and have enough space in the trunk to put our stuff and the dog, it was almost the only choice for me, unless going for a bigger one, which I didn't want. As Xostnot mentioned, if you don't expect to pull and no needs for off-road, I would look for something else. Not that it's not a good vehicle, I mostly like everything about it, but not having these needs I would have look for something consuming less gas.
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Replying to: bm000092 (Apr 05, 2007 3:49 am) I know in the states the Suzuki warrenty is for 7 years which is not offered here in canada, which kinda sucks. But give our weather is harsher and in quebec our roads just plain suck so I can understand why. If you where able to get the bumper to bumper for just an extra 1000 bucks which is much better then Subaru's 2600$. As for the GV MPG vs Subaru LGW the "real world" rating is almost identical. I like the subaru but I can't bring myself to pay the 13% to 20% mark up the stealers and Subaru Canada make off the Legacy over the US for a car that falls under NFTA. The GV has all the features I want for much less cash and your advice might just steer me even closer to the GV. Thank.
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Replying to: bhawk1 (Apr 05, 2007 7:09 am)  Coming back to the GV, the good thing for us, is that there is a lot of Suzuki dealers around here, so you can shop around to get the good price. Talk to people, some have really good reputation for service, and some others are bad. I don't want to give names, but let say that there is some good ones in the following towns: St-Hubert, Terrebonne, Ste-Rose/Laval, St-Eustache, one that is really not good (not mentionned here) and the others I don't know. I like the JX (the one I got), it has the right options, choice of manual or automatic, and 16 inch tires (the models with the 17 inch wheels dont come with a real spare), it is just a temporary tire. Also there is more and more rumours about Suzuki starting to sell the TDI model (diesel) this summer 2007 here in Canada, it has really good mpg figures and a lot of torque. Too bad I already bought mine if it's true, I would have like the TDI. 
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Replying to: bhawk1 (Apr 05, 2007 7:09 am) I'm surprised the Legacy has the same mileage rating. I've been convinced the GV's mileage is underrated. The Legacy is probably about the same weight, and has the same penalty of being in 4wd all the time, but has less frontal area. So it should do better. If you liked the Trooper and CRV, the GV would be more to your liking than the Legacy. |
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Replying to: bm000092 (Apr 05, 2007 11:17 am) If I see a deal sometime on a 17" rim, I think I'll get one to use for the spare, ditch the plastic cover, and next time I buy tires, get a set of 5. Replacing the ugly yellow steel spare rim with an alloy rim would also save weight hanging on the back end.
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Replying to: xostnot (Apr 05, 2007 2:18 pm) Good point about changing the spare rim to a lighter one. I was thinking of getting the 16" rims that come with JA for winter, cause 16" winter tires are cheaper and more variety . They are listed on the suzuki.ca page at 250$ I find it hard to believe that is for all four. I am gona have to double check that at the dealer. Ya the microwave road was pretty trashed when I took it in 95. The only really sketchy part was that one really steep and narrow switch back.  The difference in liters per 100k is like 2 between the legacy and the GV. That not enough for me to loose sleep over. I think the subaru AWD system is more active then the GV. Anyway the way my CR-V sucks down gas it couldn't be any worse I am lucky to get over 450k on a tank on a 50l tank. That would be awesome if they realesed the TDI here in Canada. I would have to consider it. But I have never been crazy about turbos. Test drove a XC70 and a Jetta TDI wagon and the lag annoyed me. It was much worse on the the Jetta it was raining and the tires were not the greatest I would step on the gas nothing would happen for a second. Then the wheels would spin out and I'd be thrown back in the seat once they caught the pavement. Also the noise of the Jetta between 1 and 3 was unbearable. Felt like I was in new car with an engine from early 80's rabbit TDI. So I hope the GV diesel will not suffer the same fate. But I am sure if they offered the JLX in man with diesel. It would do really well for them. It would make the real back country people happy. I know there is one dealer I'll never go back to. They tried to sell me a demo with 6000k for 1000 over MSRP. I laughed in their face and walked out. Then they called me to offer me a 2006 JLX no leather at 27000 with 26000k on it at 8.9% for 60 months. I hung up on him. The dealer here near me in Pointe Claire seem to be good guys. The thing I like about the Suzuki dealers is that I don't feel I am walking into a Starbucks to by a car. But I heard they have a plan to renovate all the dealership across canada.
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Replying to: bhawk1 (Apr 05, 2007 5:56 pm) However, you can get four of them off eBay for that much. A set comes up for sale every month or so, but usually the 17" ones. It's not uncommon for some to buy a new GV, and have aftermarket rims installed prior to delivery. So there is some availability of practially new rims for a quarter of the price of brand new oem rims. Unfortunately all the rim sellers so far have been in the US. You could get aftermarket 16's much cheaper than oem's, but of course they won't look stock. I've never owned a turbo, so can't advise on that. If you do a search, you can find another Suzuki forum where there are European owners who have the diesel. You could ask them about it. As you say, Richmond Suzuki where we bought our GV has opened a new location, but I haven't been to it yet. I bought our GV using carcostcanada, and I'd never buy a new car again without using a service like that. No haggling, no mysteries or surprises, and a far lower price than I ever imagined I'd have to pay. One last thing about the Subaru is that there's just no having a low range on it, whereas if you want it, the GV can have it.
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Replying to: xostnot (Apr 05, 2007 6:36 pm) I knew it was to good to be true about the cost of the oem rims I had a feeling it was just for one. It's just they don't let you select four on the website. So I was not sure. I checked on a UK review site about the GV TDI it get like 36mpg! That crazy but it 13+ seconds to get from 0-60. I don't know what the spec is for the normal GV. But I did some digging on the web and couldn't come up with anything about it release in Canada. If any one has a link that be cool. I will ask the dealer on Monday when I go. But they are pretty tight lipped about that kinda stuff they want move the stuff on their lots first. |
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