Just chatting about Suzuki Vitara or similar

 I know I could join another more specific forum, but I just wanted to see if any of the good people on here have anything to say.
Hypothetically speaking
If I was to replace our Jimny I need a car that's just as reliable, preferably a petrol, 4WD (road / field use) with a bit more power for towing. I also need to move away from the Jimny "jiggly" ride, a bit more comfort.

One such vehicle on paper is the MK3 Vitara which had I believe came with1.6 and 2.4 Petrol, and 1.9 diesel. I am picking the MK3 as I like the look of these and the age range is in my spend range. The 1.6 or 1.9 could be contenders, but potential short journey issues (DPF) of the diesel not so keen on. The 1.6 could just be underpowered, giving me a "Jimny" towing experience. The 2.4 high road tax and poor mpg?
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So any present or past Vitara owners in this group that can comment on this vehicle as a contender, its reliability, ride quality and issues?

Just chatting, RAV 4 is also a contender, but values are higher than the Vitara which is overlooked for some reason.
 

We used to have the 2.4 lwb for towing. It was right on the limit for what we were doing with it towing wise. As a general car though it was a lovely competent thing and nice to drive. If you are not wanting to upgrade the van to a big one just to make towing better than the jimny then go for it. We regularly saw 33 to the gallon.

I'm assuming you're referring to the Mk 3 Grand Vitara, as that's the only one that came with a 2.4 engine, depending on where you are the choices were 1.6, 2.0, 2.4 four cylinders or the 2.7 or 3.2 V6 and the 1.9 diesel.

The 2.4 early years have a bad reputation for cracked head/blocks, supposedly resolved in 2010, but I personally would just stay away, the diesels are notoriously problematic. If the 2.0 is available where you are, that's the one I would choose, make sure you get 4 mode 4WD (there's a dash knob to select 4H, 4HLock, 4LLock, Neutral).

I have the 2.0 it's a great all around vehicle, much nicer ride than a Jimny, the one weak spot is the front control arm bushes, but if you don't plan on lifting it, you'll probably be fine.

Don't get me wrong, the Jimny has it's advantages and it's disadvantages, so does the GV, ride quality the GV wins hands down, but in the rough stuff the Jimny will just leave it standing.

Not sure what your budget is or if other vehicles are contenders. Don't have much exposure to the Vitara. Have experience with the Freelander and can say it is a good vehicle. What sort of towing capability do you need? I'm also quite a fan of the Gen 3 or 4 Shoguns.

I was hoping our Jimny would be the last car I purchased, it's just enough for our needs and super reliable, love it to bits. However recent events have highlighted the ride quality, if I am being honest I could do with something better over the council provided road surface.
That is one of the main factors that has got me pondering this topic. 

And whilst I am on this subject the other "would like" is more power for towing. More comfortable cursing at speed, but retaining 4WD and the high seating position. In an ideal world I want my Jimny with a 2CV suspension and 2ltr petrol engine, but that's never going to happen.

Lambert - Assume the LWB is the 5 Door? That's also on the list from the better half as we are on our way to be grand parents and its easier to load the small ones in a 5 door.

Fordem - Yes I think so, the MK3 Grand Vitara. The 2ltr sound about correct, wasn't aware it came with that engine size. Not interested in making it an off road vehicle, it will mostly be on road with the odd muddy field or snow covered lane. Do they have any rot Spots?   I am in the UK, just starting to investigate the Vitara as a possible contender. Also considering RAV 4, but post 2012 they are mostly diesels which is not idea as when we are not towing its mostly short journeys.

300bhp - I don't have a budget limit, what I have is a dislike of spending anymore money on cars of any sort. For the correct vehicle I will pay whatever the going rate is, but for now the cheaper I can do it the better. Also older cars tend to be less Tech filled, less to go wrong. For Towing I can get away with 800kg, I did look at a Freelander in the traffic jam today, but I had always considered anything after Series / 90 / Defender to be a pile of trouble. I can be corrected on this, I own a Series and its never gone wrong, but then it only has two fuses

Will look into any suggestions for alternative vehicles, as I said, just pondering at the moment.... 

 

How about an SX4? More car like, better ride than a Jimny or Vitara, 4x4, 1200kg towing capacity. Engine choices are 1.5 and 1.6 petrol or 1.6 and 1.9 diesel. Whilst it lacks any bigger engine options, it does make much better use of the power than a Vitara and would make a great small tow car.

The SX4 is an interesting suggestion. I know nothing about them but will try and see one in real life. 

Hi Scimike.

I note that you have Koni heavy track dampers. How do you rate them in comparison to standard and do you think a change to an adjustable shock like AVO would solve the "Jittery" ride?

Cheers

Roger

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300bhp - I don't have a budget limit, what I have is a dislike of spending anymore money on cars of any sort. For the correct vehicle I will pay whatever the going rate is, but for now the cheaper I can do it the better. Also older cars tend to be less Tech filled, less to go wrong. For Towing I can get away with 800kg, I did look at a Freelander in the traffic jam today, but I had always considered anything after Series / 90 / Defender to be a pile of trouble. I can be corrected on this, I own a Series and its never gone wrong, but then it only has two fuses

Will look into any suggestions for alternative vehicles, as I said, just pondering at the moment.... 


 

In my experience, pretty much any make or model has potential to go wrong. Older cars might have less tech, but are, well, older. And likely in need of more age related maintenance. Also "technology" in terms of sensors and the like have been in cars for best part of 30 years or more. So unless you are looking at a classic or something very specific, avoiding tech of any kind is likely a challenge.

With regards to a Freelander. I'd never want to say you could own one trouble free and there are certain things that can cause an issue. However as a family we've had quite a few and by and large they have been pretty good. I replaced the VCU (viscous coupling unit) the other year, which can be a fail point and a reason some are converted to 2wd. But a well maintained one should be good. One of the family Freelanders has 200,000 miles on the clock and has had a hard life. Mechanically it is still fine bar a brake line leak, which is more age related than anything.

We also have 2 x Freelander 2's in the family as well.

If you are considering older vehicles the Gen 1 or 2 Honda CR-V's look pretty good IMO. And as said, I like the Shoguns, as you can get a short wheel base (swb) 3 door. Fully independent suspension, but should still feel more 4x4 than car like to drive.

As for fuel type. Diesels should be fine for the most part. It is only DPF's on some vehicles that don't like short distances, diesel engines themselves don't actually care.

Hi Roger, 
The Koni's have performed well, I fitted them primarily to control the caravan better, they certainly did that. About 0 to 40% setting is usable for a std Jimny, 50% on gives a firmer ride. I have now put them at the softest setting and have a softer ride, albeit with more body roll.

This may be enough time alleviate the ride issues, only time will tell, but it doesn't compensate fully for its jiggling nature.

So I rate the dampers, the only negative is you need to turn the body to adjust rather than a side mounted adjuster. So you can't adjust them easily. This could be considered a positive as the side adjuster can be susceptible to damage / corrosion. 

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but it doesn't compensate fully for its jiggling nature.

If this is the main aspect of the ride you don't like. It is probably more due to the short wheelbase and narrow track. Short wheel bases tend to pitch more and a narrow track has the same effect side to side. When you combine this with the higher ride height, a small movement down load, translates to a comparatively larger one higher up.

Having had a few Ignis curtesy cars in recent years. I feel the JB74 rides better on most roads than the little hartchback. I think the higher profile tyres also help. The suspension is also notably more quiet on the Jimny. Where the Ignis was better was road humps where both front wheels need to suddenly move up together and on more extreme pot holed surfaces. I suspect the Jimny's live axle runs out of up travel in such situations.

Have you thought about a spring refresh, suspension is a system after all and the springs will get tired. Not suggesting a lift as I think that is unnecessary but when I had my last jimny I did the dampers first and that helped the ride but not as noticeably as the new springs did.