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2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

68 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2009 at 12:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Vitara, SUV

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#48 of 68 Re: Comments on Suzuki Sales etc. [budman3] by bm000092 May 01, 2009 (3:46 am)
Replying to: budman3 (Apr 30, 2009 1:17 pm) I must say that out here in the Laurentians, you see more GVs than Rav4, but must admit that there is a lot of Suk dealers around.   Now mine is about 3 1/2 years old with near 50K Km behind it, running smoother than ever and not burning oil, never had to add a single drop in between the changes. Replies to this message: norwoodsmn (May 02, 2009 11:51 pm)
#50 of 68 Re: Comments on Suzuki Sales etc. [bm000092] by norwoodsmn May 02, 2009 (11:51 pm)
Replying to: bm000092 (May 01, 2009 3:46 am) Good stuff. Now if they nail the [overall] reliability on these '09's, (and manage to weather this recession), they will have achieved a great success. But obviously it's tough times for all auto makers, and so for a relatively minor player here, as xostnot reminds us, we shall see.   What a CR-V won't do: is provide adequate braking in 1st with the slush box on steep grades. Went in search of the season's first Mountain Bluebird(s) early this am, (successfully), and confirmed [that] on the descent, though this was no surprise. For an interesting counterpoint here?, I'll be beginning to wring out "the rig" a bit as trout season approaches, and will report on how she traverses that mud bog en route to my fave norwoods lake. BTW, just took delivery of Thule's trailer hitch mount "Goalpost", item 997, though it's still in the box. Will report on it [as well] once it's set up to carry the freighter canoe, and I've used it.   Zero maintenance again on the CR-V in the first 5,000kms. Supreme comfort in everyday driving. A real delight. To xostnot, my yard stick re: rec. use sufficiency will include, (here in BC), the Idaho Peak lookout road above Slocan Lake, the Gibson Lake road into Kokanee Provincial Park, the one into Murtle Lake in Wells Gray Prov. Park, and the Trophy Mountain Meadows one north of the town of Clearwater. Might make it up to the fire lookout above Kaslo Kootenay Lake, but would be a real brake test on the way down. If she does all those, and makes it to my fishin' hole here in the backyard, well I'll remain a very happy owner. Will I miss having an '09 GV instead?, time will tell, and I'll let you know....   Of course it's no small irony I could probably sell the Honda today for the same I paid for it, and turn around and buy a "steadily incrementally cheaper" new GV as the product cycle for them runs its course. Looking at the other side of the coin, the reverse certainly would NOT be true if one wanted to sell a GV to move on to something else. There are reasons why that is so.
#51 of 68 The price for GV 2008 by leo34 May 09, 2009 (6:24 pm)
I planed to look at Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Dealer recommended me a Suzuki GV 2008 (4WD/V6). He said it is a great deal because that one is the stock of 2008. The price he asked is $18,995 (original ~$23,000)+Tax,Title...=Final $20,137   I did not have any experience for purchasing a new car. 2008 Model is fine with me. I only care the price. I want leather seats too. Is that possible i get the car with leather seats in OTD price: ~$20,000. My Calculation: TMV in Edmunds is $18388+$1200 (Leather seat) =$19588 (OTD).   Thanks. Replies to this message: tidester (May 09, 2009 9:11 pm)
#52 of 68 Re: The price for GV 2008 [leo34] by tidester HOST May 09, 2009 (9:11 pm)
Replying to: leo34 (May 09, 2009 6:24 pm) While you're waiting for a reply here you may want to have a look at Suzuki Vitara Prices Paid and Buying Experience.   tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper
#53 of 68 Greetings by budman3 May 23, 2009 (3:25 pm)
Sort of bored here so I thought I would post. I just have alot more time on my hands since I'm not visiting the Zuke dealer. All kidding aside, I'm surprised there aren't more comments on the newer models. Back in 06/07, there was alot more talk. Does this mean everyone is happy or they haven't had a chance to experience any problems yet? Maybe they aren't selling? Anyone planning on upgrading their older models? xostnot? Would you be a loyal customer? Just flappin my jaws. Thanks to those that have served/serve our country. Everyone have a happy and safe Memorial weekend. Budman Replies to this message: norwoodsmn (May 26, 2009 9:37 am) bm000092 (May 27, 2009 3:59 am) norwoodsmn (May 28, 2009 9:22 am)
#54 of 68 Re: Greetings [budman3] by norwoodsmn May 26, 2009 (9:37 am)
Replying to: budman3 (May 23, 2009 3:25 pm) Good questions.   Re: upgrading, as you/we know all too well, what you get on a trade for one means the answer is NO, (in most cases), until the one you've got "drops". Really, how could anyone afford, cash wise, "psyche wounding wise", or hey, just plain "WISE WISE"?, to justify absorbing that BIG a loss to depreciation, say if you had an '06 or '07 that had finally transitioned out of it's "teething period"? Of course like you I'd like to see xostnot's, or our Quebec bud's perhaps definitive answer(s) to your upgrade question. All I can offer here is, sure, I lusted after the latest models as upgrades were made to the Sidekick(s), BUT. But ultimately instead of "upgrading" I just "scrapped" Russ for cash from our Province's eco recycling fund. "He" was 18 years OLD, and my upgrade was to: ykw....   Back to '06, there was that very effective NGV marketing job which so successfully attracted folks who pre purchase, had little or no idea what might be involved in living with one of 'em, (a Suzuki), longer term. Especially! what it meant to get into an ALL NEW to the marketplace Zuke model. Fast forward here, and [you] maybe best represent those who have now since voted with their feet. All the above is very much more than very too bad though, I think, for those posters out there who currently drive one of these unique O/R capable vehicles, or who may aspire to do so again at some time in the future, (perhaps myself included there). What would my next 4wd Zuke look like?.......   Dear Suzuki:   Go retro. Scrap the too small Jimny, and replace it with a world wide upgrade based upon evolutionary changes to a four door Sidekick/Vitara, (pre '99 Vitara), SIZED chassis. Sure, give it the unibody/frame construction, the latest version of the "new" four cylinder engine, (or maybe even better, a smaller displacement VW like turbo diesel), BUT with a simpler part time 4wd system, (with a low range too of course), to help further conserve fuel. And why not?, maybe give us a pick up and or "crew cab" versions too?   Suzuki-san: further look to the used vehicle marketplace over here. The fact prime examples of Zukes of pre '99 vintage are still sought after today, is further testament to the wisdom of this [downsizing] "new model" idea. Further with pending CAFE mileage figures on the horizon, (good work Obama!), EVERY mfgr's future SUV will need to loose both size and weight to conform. It's either that or let's hope the "SUV" doesn't simply die out, rather that "it" successfully "evolves" (in Suzuki's case), by their rediscovering the wisdom personified so well by their own smaller lighter and SIMPLER O/R capable market offerings here in North America. Can they build a modern one?, well, who better to do so? Again, think China if Suzuki doesn't wake up to meet this challenge in time....   Suzuki: Take a bottle of Sake, and please call us in the morning......   Nwdsmn. Replies to this message: bm000092 (May 27, 2009 3:59 am) norwoodsmn (May 28, 2009 9:22 am)
#55 of 68 Re: Greetings [norwoodsmn] by bm000092 May 27, 2009 (3:59 am)
Replying to: norwoodsmn (May 26, 2009 9:37 am) Upgrade ? NO ! For three main reasons, I'm still happy with it, not enough good reason for an upgrade, and when I got it, if my plan would have been to upgrade it, let say after 3 years, I would have gone with a long term lease instead of buying it. Right at my purchase time I was considering to keep it for about 8 to 10 years.   I'm on my 4th summer with the EOM tires (their last season), I'll be doing a 5th winter with my winter tires (it will be their last season as well), so next year I'll need to buy 2 two sets of new tires. When you think about it, this is a big expense, but with that I should be fine for another 5 years. The GV would be around 10 years old after that second set, I'll see then if it still worth going with another expense of around 2000.00 $ of rubbers. Most probably not, it will be time for me to go on the market again, buying new or used ? I don't know yet neither, I had good experiences with both (one bad in each case).   Kids will be gone from home, I'll still be going fishing, camping and skiing, I'd like to be able to find on the market a small economical and simple to maintain SUV. Replies to this message: norwoodsmn (May 28, 2009 9:22 am)
#56 of 68 wouldn't be overjoyed about it, but would buy GV again by xostnot May 27, 2009 (9:48 pm)
On occasion I do ponder what I would buy if we were deprived of our '06 Grand Vitara. That means stolen or wrecked, not just to upgrade.   We still need a smallish suv with a low range, which pretty well limits the choices to the GV or the Patriot. In the Patriot's favour are the skid plates and raised suspension. And cheap! Against it are the fact it has only one low gear, it's made by a bankrupt manufacturer, and I don't like the styling. I could have nightmares caused by buying a car with a cvt and made by Chrysler.   On the balance of the GV's cost, limitations, benefits etc., I'd have to say I'd buy another one. I wouldn't be thrilled about it, but it seems like the best choice. If they ever put out a version with skidplates and 1" more clearance, it would be a very easy choice.   While the current '09 models are more desirable than the '06-'08's, the differences are relatively minor compared to the differences between any '06-'09 GV and even similar cuv's. I've achieved one of the advantages of the '09, by installing additional sound control measures in our '06. Which leaves just the rear suspension, engine upgrades, rollover sensors and the much missed remote gas cap opener. Those improvements are trivial compared to the fact ours is worth only half what a new one would cost. Plus the taxes on top of that.   I have been preparing to keep the GV for a long time. That's why I went to the trouble to get a second set of (used) oem 17" alloys for my fancy new awesome winter tires. (The oem tires have 32,000km on them, and have 6-7/32's tread left.) Recently I got the front bumper refinished (thanks to an encounter with a frozen snow bank) and also redid a lower door cladding panel that had gotten damaged. I've got a set of clear plastic custom cut film that will be installed on the front end as soon as I get around to it.   But there are still a few issues. One is that I get a very sore ass from the leather seats on long drives, and it bugs me that it lacks a shade band along the top of the windshield. And the hysterical transmission. Then there's the valve clearance inspection (next month).
#57 of 68 Re: Greetings [bm000092] by norwoodsmn May 28, 2009 (9:22 am)
Replying to: bm000092 (May 27, 2009 3:59 am) And greetings and thanks to you'se guys too. Long (and often?), have said a fairly detailed "equation" has to be "solved" before one antes up to own one. If you're out there "givin' 'er", she's still the best deal out there, as we agree. Again, I probably would have gone for an '09 had the deals been sweeter at the time when "Russ" was essentially reduced to "a pile of oxidization". But then I figured I owed one to the wife too, (no small consideration there), as we'd had and loved three new Hondas in past years, and yes, while owning Suzukis, how we got to know the dealership(s) service manager(s), district service rep(s), and on a few occasions, those national customer service types, much better than we would have wished, given free choice in the matter(s). Yet again, sure hope that changes with the '09's.   Re: tires. Time to re-tire [summers] on the CR-V too. Even though our '05 has one "brand new", (a never rotated Bridgestone Dueler H/T mounted on the ALLOY SPARE RIM), both the ride and outside tread wear on the other four is such that I wouldn't consider getting by with three more new ones.... Again on the blogs most CR-V owners strongly dislike these oem's too. So according to my latest research online, the Tire Rack's: General Tire "Grabber AT 2'" might just be the best deal out there for we woodsy types. Pretty outrageous [looking] tread to mount on a part time "city slicker", but read the reviews including one by a CR-V owner actually.... Seems they ride well on the highway, and are very well priced at only $96.00 US plus shipping for those of us who can arrange a pick up south of the line. Pretty sure General Tire's "rubber" is widely available in the Great White North too. Didn't check to see if there is a GV sized one.   Back to the future [of the SUV]. Sure will be interesting to see what the next generation of EITHER the GV, (or it's replacement model, whatever it might be called), OR the replacement? for the unfortunately styled current gen Honda CR-V will look like... Should be coming up on a four year product cycle upgrade for the CR-V next year. For Suzuki, I hope that mid sized car is off the table [here] long term, in favor [instead] of their concentrating on providing us with a bit smaller, lighter weight all new dual purpose city slicker/true bush beater SUV model. Ya, seems PAST TIME also to finally bury that tired old "Vitara" moniker, (to say nothing of that [gag me] pretentious "Grand" prefix), and start out with a completely fresh sheet of "marketing savvy paper". Common sense there I think?, during this nothing less than revolutionary period of upheaval in the the auto industry. Also in the interim now, maybe do a "Mini Clubman like" stretch version of the very attractive little SX-4, and may you be amongst the first mfgr's to bring us one with an eco friendly diesel engine for 2010 as well.. Continued good luck over here Suzuki-san.   Nwdsmn.

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