Advice needed on Suzuki Vitaras

hypnochick_2

Hi I need to sell my Terrano 11 as i have to cut costs [single Mum since May.] I love the look of Suzuki Jeeps especially soft tops and also feel safer being higher up. Can anyone give me their opinion on the jeeps including dependability;running costs;if parts are expensive, at the moment i pay £80 a tyre! Also what it's like to drive and if it's comfortable for the Kids in the back
Thanks

jjames_3

They're very good mechanically, but the parts can be expensive because there aren't that many of them around. In all fairness though all 4x4s are expensive to run next to an ordinary hatchback. I seem to recall that the small, soft-top Suzukis aren't that great for safety, being of rather lightweight build, certainly so against the Terrano which is built like a tank.

attritioner

Vitaras like most suzukis have unreliable petrol engines, prone to becoming oil burners! The interiors also have questionable build quality. Also the design of the chassis means that even a moderate shunt from behind will result in the jeep being written off. In the garage I used to work I saw maybe 10 written off in two years, and we where not even a suzuki dealership.

Most people who buy vitaras do so on the look, and I have to admit they do look rather nice, but my best advice would be to STAY AWAY from the Vitara. As jjames says 4x4 are more expensive to run when compared to hatchbacks, so I would either stick with the terrano (that happen to be a great light-weight 4x4) or go to a hatchback.

vansboy

Depending on the age of your car & the one you fancy, plus of course, budget in mind - you'll need to do some more detailed calculations, to save £$£$£.

if you're just looking at, say fuel bills, it'd only be one part of the budget. You might find you'd loose a big chunk of value, just to change.

Give us a bit more of what you've in mind & you'll get more ideas!

& to REALLY save, the smaller car, would be more practical - just as, if not MORE safe, too!!

VB

jjames_3

I must say I'm surprised by the comment that Suzuki's petrol engines are unreliable. A bit unsophisticated yes, not particularly capable of mega-miles maybe, but unreliable?

The 1.0 and 1.2 engines in the Vauxhall Corsa are Suzuki units, and they're widely regarded as the most dependable petrol engines in the range (far better than the frankly weak 1.4 GM unit).