Misc Rumors

Grand Vitara problems - mechanical or otherwise.

I've checked out the much rumoured cam chain problem and I have concluded that its just a disgruntled owner and/or probably wasn't the told the truth about what the problem was or simply didn't service the car even what I suspect - entirely fantasy - whatever.  Anyway it appears like a whole lot of crap to me.  The engines in the Grand Vitara has been around for years.  They are used by Chevrolet and Kia GM etc... since none of the other makes have the problem so you work it out.

The latest 2007 Suzuki SX4 believe also uses the J20A engine.  No better recommendation of reliability than that.  Speaking of which the engine is getting old but it is reliable.

Chains are reliable and rarely break - they are made of metal you see. Check out the BMW problems with rubber cam belts.

So yes everyone who lives in the real world you could get a lemon. Even Mercs, BMWs, Rollers make them.

And don't get me started about the roll over thing again.

- Like all Japanese 4WDs body shapes tend to last much longer than their car counterparts. The original Vitara model lasted close to 10 years.
- Suzuki has begun releasing 'special' GV packages eg. Safari, Limited Sports Edition, Freestyle etc...
- This means that sales are probably stalling due to the much increased competition and the perception of an aged model.
- In early 2002 Suzuki in Australian released the Wide Body GV 2 door.

Grand Vitara Fuel Consumption Pre-Oct 2005

Handling Summary Pre-September 2005 Only

As I said numerous its not a sports cars.  Special note that in my case I have a SWB version so these comments do not apply to the longer version.

Dry handling is great around town.
Nice tight turning circle.
It's not a completely smooth ride though due to the SWB and typical 4WD suspension.
In the wet unless you have replaced the original tyres don't expect the rear to stick securely.
Highway handling is fine.
However cross winds do push the car around.

Overall your typical understeer and oversteer transition as with any other 4WD combined with vague feedback.  I call it fun because you actually feel like you're driving the thing.  I actually have a giggle when trying to make it go like a sports car because it is an effort and you can just feel the car telling you 'What you want me to do that eeeeeeeeeeek!'

On dirt and sand I must say that it all comes together.  Great cornering ability and traction.  Even the gear ratios make perfect sense.  The Grand Vitara loves the stuff and bounces along like the bigger trucks, once you learnt the technique.

Towing

Parts

Safety

Airbags are available.
ABS is available.
Brakes consist of front discs and rear drums.
Electronic Brake force distribution is also available.
You'll have to check with the local distributor to see whether they are standard or options.

Numbers

Aftermarket/Original Parts

4WD systems (Opinion)

This section will contain the history of this Grand Vitara, Vitara range through the years and often asked question of this particular car.

Most of the stuff here are in reply to Emails I've received.  I don't answer questions twice.

Tyre/Tire choice

There are numerous sizes for the SGV, the Australian versions currently have the one size : 235/60/16

Why ? I'm usually picky about tyres because I've always chosen performance tyres of my cars or bikes (Obviously).  However I have one requirement that the tyres have to meet, that is they have to be quiet.  I simply cannot stand noisy tyres.

Although I have previously blamed the standard SGV tyres as being fairly ordinary, in hindsight I must revise this assessment.  Bearing in mind it's use they are in all honestly a perfectly acceptable compromise.  Mostly they are pretty quiet tyres.

So the comparison ? Checkout the Updates Page.

When should 4wd be engaged

I have had many messages telling me of problems with the 4wd system.  Since it is clear that in all situations 4wd system has been engaged incorrectly I have decided to write this section.  Some of sounds unbelievable but true.

The PRE-September 2005 Grand Vitara's 4wd system uses the traditional part time arrangement where the driver decides when the 4wd system should be used.  The 4wd system on the Grand Vitara is not complicated and is very reliable when used appropriately.

The SGV's 4wd system should not be used on normal roads.  If you want 4wd on normal roads or more appropriately All Wheel Drive (AWD) you should consider another car.  AWD Subarus and the Toyota RAV4 are good examples.  However they do lack low range gearing.

The difference between the Grand Vitara's system and these other ones is quite simple, they have a computer and a centre differential controlling the power being sent to each wheel the SGV doesn't. Note that in most normal road driving these AWD are using only 2 driving wheels anyway- or more.  Since the SGV does not have a centre diff or computer - power is being sent to all 4 wheels with grip hence causing untold damage to the hardware if 4wd is used on a normal road.

4wd should only be used in situations where there is a loss of traction by the wheels.  Once the roads are back to normal it should be turned off.

The benefit of a manually activated 4wd system esp with the low range gears like the SGV is that you can get to more places off road.  EG. the beach.  If you don't want to learn how to judge the situations that require 4wd then you should consider another car.  Automatically activating 4wd systems are quite good but it may or may not work when you need it.

Now Post September 2005 SGVs have a 'full time' system hence only low high range and diff locks can be selected.  Should solve a lot problems with those who don't know when 4wd should be used.

See Technical page for my opinion on various 4wd systems.

Model history

1988 - Original SWB 3 door released.
1991 - Original LWB 5 door released.
1995 - First major update of original range.
1998 - New shape LWB 5 door released.
1999 - New shape SWB 3 door released.
2001 - First major update of range.
          Front grille change, alloys and equipment.
          More power and torque for engines.
2001 - XL-7 released. (Extra long wheelbase)
2003 - Huge update to interior and equipment.
          Only interior changes. New XL-7 front end followed 
          3 months later.
2005 - September/October all new models 3 and 5 door
          only.XL-7 unchanged.

Model updates

Finally an all new model has been released From October 2005 onwards the new version was released worldwide.  Mind you Sth America already had it months earlier.

For 2003 Suzuki have revamped the entire dashboard/instrument panel on the XL-7 and 4 door Grand Vitara.  It looks fantastic and certainly better than the others in it's class for this year anyway.  It features 'Lexus' like instrumentation centre console, stereo etc...  All my complaints have been answered !

Suzuki really does some odd things.  First they update the 2003 interiors on all the models including the XL-7 and 3 months later release a facelift for the XL-7 so odd.

The 2004 XL-7 now also comes with a 5 speed automatic.
The Aust versions have 2 equipment levels one with everything including leather and sunroof and the standard version.

The most disappointing aspect about the latest update is the omission of lumbar support on all versions !  Also the inclusion of audio controls on the steering wheel - that's right.  Cruise control would have been a MUCH better inclusion.  The stereo doesn't exactly set benchmarks for sound quality or volume in fact integrating the stereo is itself disappointing.

In fact the whole car industry seems to want to limit CHOICE for us consumers by making it as difficult as possible to change stereo's (one example).  Don't they get it - we want to replace them because they give us crap standard ones.  Tell them NO.  Say to the car dealer that it not good enough.

Approximate Top Speed

See Technical Page

Approximate Revs per Speed

See Technical Page

Approximate Pricing

Comparative pricing : Remember that there are a lot of variants of this model so this is only a guide.

Australia

Only one spec and judging from the worldwide options the models here are not mid-range in spec but near the top.  They appear to be missing convenience items eg. electric seats, fold away mirrors, cruise control.   BUT ahead in some areas esp. in the 'limited edition modes' with features like leather and sunroof.

2 dr :
4 dr :
XL7 :

UK

Misc notes

In Australia there are 2 major Suzuki importers.  One for QLD and Nth NSW and the other one for the rest of the country.  Both importers bring in different specs of the same car. 

For example QLD 2 doors do not have side cladding or roof rails.  QLD gets various special editions the rest of the country don't.  So check the specs before you buy it may be better to shop interstate !

What is the 'shift lock' button ?

Well everyone the mystery button is to allow you to move the transmission lever without the key in the ignition and/or foot on the brake pedal.  Note that in some cars you can't remove the key unless the gearbox is in P or Park mode. 

This applies only to automatic transmissions.  Most modern cars have this button.

Why have such a button ?  Probably is case the mechanism break down I suppose ?

Interesting that in new cars such as the Lexus IS250 it has just a start button and no requirement to press the keyfob.  You just need to be in close proximity to the car to be able to open the door 'button'.

In-car Stereos or ICE

If car manufacturers are trying the integration path they have to try much harder.  With traffic congestion increasing it is clear that better sound would save road rage and accidents caused by bored people using mobile phones.

I have had the opportunity to try the McIntosh system in the Subaru, Mark Levinson in the Lexus and the Bose in the Mazda so far and I am still seriously under whelmed. 

All featured muddy bass probably limited at 80 and lack of peaks I'd say they cut out at 18,000 or so.

At least the distortion is reasonably flat....