advice please

[pigeonbasher1]

always fancied a suzuki vitara diesel, just got the chance of a 2000 x reg one 97k on clock, any views welcome good or bad please, thanks in advance

[adzyvilla]

I like them, providing it has some history and looks okay (no visible leaks in engine, panels all okay, interior as it should be), then go for it. Its not the swiftest motor in the world and at the more 'oil burner' end of the diesel spectrum, but shouldn't give you any problems, and if you do want to go off road, is very capable in the rough stuff (switchable 4wd, high/low range). Wouldn't pay much more than £1000, maybe a little more with a years MOT.

 

Good luck

[four-wheel-drive]

I would recommend that you get underneath it and check for rust also inside rust by seat belt fixings I had one but it only had the petrol I forget if it was 1400 or 1600cc but it just did not have enough power for my liking the Diesel will be much better as long as the chases if free of rust I would have it they are very good off road and you can get lots of parts to upgrade them I wish that I had kept the one that I had and had a bigger engine put in it.

[Davyo]

I has a 02 1.6 (petrol), brill off road with mud tyre's, not fast but comfy on road, pay close attention to fuel lines for corrosion and as prev said the sills are the rust area.I didn't prod mine enough (was bodged with filla and underseal painted over), if its been painted over the sills and there is no bill for new sills, walk away,same if its been patched.The only fix is to cut the sills out altogether not bodge with plate here and there. I had mine cut out and rebuild (expensive as they have to be made as you cant buy the sills) £300 minimum is for the job done properly.Other than that they are bullet proof.If your after diesel make sure the water pump has been changed with the cam belt (ask for receipt) if not walk away.

Edited August 15, 2016 by Davyo

[martyn2233]

The cambelt should have been done at 90.000 miles check its been done if not it's a big bill coming

[pigeonbasher1]

been to view the vit this morning, total rot box, inner sills, back end of chassis, interior like a tip, very dissapointed as was told by seller that it was very tidy, also did a check with dvla and discovered its been of road since sep 15, never mind there will be another one come along, thanks for all the comments, cheers ray

[McSpredder]

I had an 04 reg Vitara diesel for three years, bought it with 27k on the clock, and at 55k it suddenly started to make a loud humming noise (somewhat like a wheel bearing, but different). The dealer immediately identified it as the front diff, so it is presumably a well-known weakness. After the event, I read somewhere that the front diff oil should have been changed at quite a low mileage, but some dealers did not bother.

Not enough space in my garage to work on a Vitara, and I couldn’t find a Suzuki independent specialist nearby, so it cost me the best part of £1000 to have a new diff fitted at the main dealer.

Averaged about 37mpg, tax and insurance were on the high side, but I found it a very nice car to drive both on- and-off road. Just listen carefully for any humming noises.