Just chatting about Suzuki Vitara or similar

No one has mentioned the BMW X series. I had a X1 (2010) then a X3 (2013) a few years ago, you need to put a decent set of tyres on them but they are OK. Massive towing capacity and 45+ MPG, plus packed with electronics and reliable.

I should imagine there are plenty available second hand now.

The Xs I had were both manual, I did have an auto X3 on loan for a while. I then had a 320 which was an auto. The 320 auto was amazing, it had flappy paddles for when you wanted to override what it was doing and accelerated like a Tesla in full auto.

They are a different beast to a Jimny and other cars mentioned, not sure they really fit, they are almost in the 'Chelsea Tractor' category, but just saying they are out there.

Robin

Viv and I had a SWB Shogun bought new in 2001. We sold it after 110,000 miles when we bought the Q3 in 2014.The Shogun was flawless. Yes we changed the tyres and a set of pads but that was about it. From memory it would tow 2.8 tonnes and could be set to run in permanent 4 wheel drive. The ride quality was similar to a large car. Best car we ever had.

Roger

For towing I would say forget the SX4, I could be wrong but for the UK market I believe the SX4 will be the 1.6 M16a engine, one of my colleagues had one and I was not particularly impressed, it was OK as a town runabout, but not what I would want on the open road.

I took a quick look at AutoTrader and it seems the GV was available there with the 2.0 engine.

Regarding rot spots, I have a 2005, which in 2023 has NO rot anywhere, and I think I can safely describe it as phenomenally reliable, apart from routine maintenance, the only repairs have been the front control arms, a couple of battery replacements, and we had to drop the fuel tank to repair rodent damaged wiring.

Interesting suggestions and I need to do a little more homework on the various suggestions.

300BHP - All valid points on the Freelander and diesel engines, but I know our personal driving style doesn't suit a vehicle with a DPF. Prior to the Jimny we had 2012 Polo TDI, it was a constant battle to keep the DPF happy. But I take on board what you are saying and appreciate that some DPF systems work better than others. That VW really was a pile of @#£_....

Lambert - This goes beyond a spring change in my humble opinion. I agree with 300BHP that it's the short wheel base and narrow track, coupled with the Jimny light weight. It's the same to some extent with my SWB Landover, the LWB version was always considered the better ride even though they had the same suspension design. Now the dampers are that the softest setting it's slightly better, but it would still take a few concrete slabs in the back to smooth it out further.
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Dr Robin / Roger - Both the BMW and Shogun aren't manufacturers I would normally go for. But as I am just investigating at the moment I'll take a look at some.

Fordem - I had assumed it would be the standard Suzuki M16a engine in the SX, I guess that's also true for the 1.6GV? It may be enough for me, I no longer want fast, but a few more BHP with the caravan on the back hopefully will see less visits to second gear with maximum revs on slight motorway inclines. Did Suzuki ever fit a turbo to the SX or GV 1 or are they all NA engines ? I need to Google this 

I keep being drawn to the early generations of Grand Vitara, plenty about with 1.6 / 2.0 and 2.4 petrol engines. I need to track one down and get a test drive. Same is true for G1 to G3 RAV 4's, again with the 2ltr engine.  The SX4 I need to Google a bit more (and the others) to try and understand what year had what engines / drive train etc.  

It' feels like quite a task I have given myself, so may just concentrate on the above 3 and see what ticks the most boxes. It's not a done deal that the Jimny days are numbered, it's going to have to be something special to get me to part with it. Hopefully the issue that's caused this discussion (vertigo affecting better half) will also resolve itself. 

Thanks for all suggestions and comments.

Mike

Funnily enough the SX4 came to my attention specifically for its towing abilities. It has a good towing capacity for its size. I usually tow around 1,200kg daily behind my M16a engined Jimny, which it copes with admirably. With a full load it will hold 60mph along any road in my area. At present I'm using a 1.3 auto Jimny (my 1.6 is having some welding work done) and it does the job but lacks performance compared to the 1.6 manual. I can't see how the physically larger and heavier SX4 with full time 4wd, a more powerful version of the 1.6 engine or a 1.9 diesel and much better performance would be any less suitable.

I should probably have asked what you're planning on towing. I recall you having a small, lightweight caravan?

wrote:

I keep being drawn to the early generations of Grand Vitara 

I think this says it all really. Car buying is hardly a rational experience. And certainly not for those with an interest in vehicles. If the Grand Vitara is what is pickering your interest, anything else will be 2nd place.

300BHP.- I simply like the look of the Mk2 GV more than its a better vehicle, so yes others are equal second place at the moment . But I have also never seen any of these in the flesh, it's easy to fall in love with a picture, but I may not in real life.  ​​​​​​

Busta - It's a caravan with a maximum plated weight of 750kg. It's likely to be close to that with all the stuff we have loaded in it. The Jimny can cope but the 1.3 engine needs to be pushed hard to maintain any speed. Long inclines on motorways are always a worry as speed can drop down to 30mph, scary stuff. So if a 1.6 can offer a little more speed in these instances I would be happy enough. I don't drive fast anymore, so blistering acceleration is not a factor. Better mpg and low road tax factor higher these days. 

I will over the next few months try and get a drive in the above vehicles, see how they ride 

First - towing is not (or should not be) just about the power, the ability to brake & control the towed load) should be given some consideration, trying to control a heavy trailer with a light tow vehicle is a nightmare, and that is my primary concern when considering towing with an SX4.

Moving on - second generation GVs (98~05) are my absolute favorite Suzuki, with the third gens (05~ coming in second), the third is a more comfortable road vehicle with it's all independent suspension, the second is a more accomplished off roader - I'd have no hesitation towing with either one, especially the 2.0 powered models - I have second, third & fourth generations, I would hesitate to tow with the fourth (mine is a 1.6).

This choice by the way is subject to revision, I'm considering a five door Jimny as a replacement for my 2.0 1998 second gen. I'll make a decision next year when the five doors get here.

We're not talking heavy trailers, but a small caravan than is well within the towing ability of a Jimny let alone a bigger, heavier car. The factors you mention are taken into account when a manufacturer chooses the vehicle's towing capacity. The issue here is the inability to maintain speed with the Jimny, so power is significant.

I'm not sure how much of this is in my head but I went round the North with my all terrain tyres on and while they are significantly newer 21 vs 17 they are also a 100 load index instead of a 96 and yet the same nominal size and pressure resulted in a nicer ride. Bit more noise but somehow better. Its entirely possible that I want to think this because I don't like the Bridgestone and their Teflon road manners hence not mentioning it earlier.

I don't believe it's in your head. I tend to pick up on the slightest change as I drive the vehicle daily, could even tell I had a puncture on the motorway once way before the tyre deflated, who needs TPMS 
The Jimny in my opinion is also sensitive to changes, they seem to get amplified in some way.

I've backed my adjustable dampers all the way off  and set my tyre pressure to Suzuki's recommended (usually run slightly higher) pressure to try and improve the ride over bumps. Yes I can confirm it's less severe, a bit more "float" as we hit the pot holes, but in some ways it's made it worse. The handling is definitely less precise and at higher speeds I no longer feel happy. It's also introduced a slight steering "wobble" at the famous 48mph, something it didn't have before. So I definitely need to increase the dampers, I'll take it in stages until I hit the previous settings. I may even try the over way, increasing beyond this setting to see if that helps.

Someone asked if adjustable dampers are worth it? Yes in my case, without this feature I would have no hope of trying to improve the ride quality. Not saying I'll actually achieve what I want, but at least I can have a go.  Back under the car I go