Suzuki Grand Vitara - Offroad!

[GV88]

Kerway,

The ideal option is to keep it and just buy a nice non-4wd for the longer road trips.
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[kerway]

Yeah Kelvin, it seems to be adding up that way. Theres nothing out there that currently stands out and that I'm desperate to buy and it's not a money issue. If it was an expensive 4wd, I'd probably just lease it.
But it never hurts to look
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'04 GV 5 Door 2.5ltr V6 OME Suspension and a wishlist this long.......................................

[Nat]

Hi Kerway,
I know you just said its not a money issue.... but you get fair bit for your $$ with the pajeros (compared to some of the other large vehicles) - a mate bought a 5yr old petrol one recently and it performed very well in the victorian high country over christmas. My dad likes to treck all over the outback each winter (simpson desert, kimberly, cape york etc etc) and one of his mates regularly joins him in his diesel pajero and loves it.... goes everywhere, reliable etc. I'm not sure that his fuel consumption would be much different to my 2.7l GV either.

[kerway]

Hi Nat,
Welcome to the " discussion ". I actually do have a soft spot for Pajero's.
My parents had one from '93 to '03 and it went everywhere. It'd been through the Simpson desert, birdsville track, strzlecki track and had been right around Australia several times towing a caravan. My parents had itchy feet and were constantly planning their trips away. Dad readily admits he only sold it and bought a Subaru because Mum got sick and it wasn't the most comfortable daily driver. Admittedly, the new Paj's are a lot different to what it was.

Thanks for the input guys. keep the ideas coming.

kerway
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'04 GV 5 Door 2.5ltr V6 OME Suspension and a wishlist this long.......................................

[Darren]

Then again those new GV's look pretty good. Especially with a lift, tires, and skid plates. They are the only smallish SUV in Canada to have a low range option (maybe there is a kia too, dont know much about those). and they work pretty well with the traction control - thanks for the vids GV88!
My main worry would be durability. I wonder how the unibody would hold up to years of offroading as often as I do... not sure how my 03 GV will hold up for that matter, (so far good) but it cost a little less than half the price of the new ones so it doesn't owe me that many years anyways

[GV real SUV]

Hi all,

Just to add my .02 cents worth.......

If it is for a 5 seat compact SUV with awd and auto tranny, I would test drive the Subaru Forester, and probably the Nissan X-trail.

Cheers,

GV real SUV
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2007 Grand Vitara 2.0L 16V A/T
Left Hand Drive 4 mode 4x4

www.suzuki-forums.com
www.newgrandvitara.net

[kerway]

Well I've been away for 4-5 days in the zook. After driving it on the beach and about a 1000km on the roads, mostly freeways, I've come to the conclusion that I LOVE DRIVING MY ZOOK.
It was loaded to the hilt with clothes and recovery gear and went like a little ripper. It sat quite easily on 110-120kmh on the freeway up and down hills and just didn't hesitate. It ate the sandhills ( see the blog in "Events" )
I let the tyres down to 18psi on the beach and it never looked like getting stuck.
After all that discussion, I think the zook will be around for a while longer.

kerway
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'04 GV 5 Door 2.5ltr V6 OME Suspension and a wishlist this long.......................................

[GV real SUV]

Well, final choice in deciding a vehicle is one that you are happy to live with and use.

Without being biased - Suzuki 4x4 rocks!!

Cheers,

GV real SUV
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2007 Grand Vitara 2.0L 16V A/T
Left Hand Drive 4 mode 4x4

www.suzuki-forums.com
www.newgrandvitara.net

[Darren]

Great choice!

Now I think you need to treat the old girl to some spring spacers for a bit more lift and some of those 245/70 tires like Greg runs. 29.5" tall but also fairly wide so they'll be great on the beach... or something along those lines.