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Hi all...looking to buy 90's model Vitara...basic questions!
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Author:  phynna [ Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Hi all...looking to buy 90's model Vitara...basic questions!
Don't hate me completely! I might not own a zook CAR yet...but I do have a suzuki RGV250 (though she's long retired and resting in my shed now)

Anyhoo... I am absolutely desperate to replace my very worn and tired VS wagon with a 4wd. Must be a 4 door with kids, must be a wagon/suv style with dogs, camping, pram, etc. Can't afford a big 4wd like a pajero or cruiser or disco unless it's on gas. Either way I prob couldn't afford it anyways because my budget is a very measly $2k and I need something affordable to run each week, and something with RWC, or at least that will pass a pre-purchase inspect because I can't afford to put my entire $2k into something then have to buy another engine or gearbox, or find a chassis crack or whatever.

Is there any parts interchangeability between the Vit SV620 and the grand vitara? The bodies look very similar and over time I'd like to be putting a roof rack, bigger wheels/lift kit, awning/tent, leather seats, bullbar, etc.

Engines and gearboxes...what are replacements worth and what are the biggest most common faults? What km/s do they usually meet their maker? Commodores can be about 300thou, but I've heard a lot of smaller engines only make it to about 200thou.

Lastly and it's a long stretch...... anyone have an SV620 or a grand vit they'd part with for $2k so they can upgrade to a new toy? I know I know...$2k is ridiculous money, but it's all I can get together, unless by some miracle I can sell my horse or plough/harrow/stock crate/diesel tank (and sadly I've been trying for too long to sell em now). I can't keep putting off buying another car, because my stupid VS has water in the oil, and the gas system needs a full rebuild and the gearbox is noisy as all hell in the lower bearings.

Really would prefer a vit over a sportage or a terios or a musso though.

$2k and RWC.... :shocked: yup... I'm insane
Author:  Gwagensteve [ Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hi all...looking to buy 90's model Vitara...basic questi
Hi Phynna,

Firstly, there is some parts interchangeability with a GV, but you can source any of the parts you'd ever need specifically for the SV620 without having to adapt GV parts. As for leather seats specifically - Vitaras have difficult-to-work-with seat mounts so swapping to a different seat is quite difficult. I'd leave that be for now, it's either going to be very expensive or dodgy and possibly unsafe to swap seats.

I'd suggest engine life is around the low 200k mark. There will be some that run high 200's, some that are crook by 180k or so. The big problem is timing chain tensioners. These are renowned for failure in the H20 motor and can be heard as a rattling noise, especially on startup. replacing these is an expensive job, so if it's not already been done you'd need budget something like $1500 to do the repair. If they fail altogether the engine is basically junk as it will require a very expensive top end repair due to bent valves. In general though, no, the engine won't last anywhere near as well as a commodore motor.

Lastly though, I don't think there is any way you have enough budget. SV620's seem to sit around $5K as a minimum. You can buy a LWB vitara for $2K, but it's likely to be a pretty rough 1.6 car. A 2.0 you could depend on just isn't going to be anywhere near $2K.

In all honesty, a VS commodore is about the cheapest possible car to keep in good running order. A $2K vitara you might find is equally sad and sorry.

Steve.
Author:  Reubs [ Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hi all...looking to buy 90's model Vitara...basic questi
phynna wrote:
Really would prefer a vit over a sportage or a terios or a musso though.
$2k and RWC.... :shocked: yup... I'm insane

I agree with Steve - the only Vit you're going to find for $2K will be a 1.6 with 300,000 +km on the clock and needing some attention to be reliable. Mine has nearly 350,000km on the clock and has been relaible enough to drive Brisbane-Perth and back but has had a couple of '000 spent on it to keep it reliable.

I don't mean to sound like a prick but if your budget is that tight then you can't afford to run any '90s medium size 4x4 wagon.
Author:  phynna [ Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hi all...looking to buy 90's model Vitara...basic questi
Thanks guys, just trying to make the best from a tough situation! Poured so much money into this stupid VS I really don't want to spend one more cent on it. Wish I never got rid of my VT. Or my WB. Do want a 4x4 though, so I might have to spend another grand on this VS to get it running economically again until I can save more dollars up.

Reubs, you don't sound like a prick at all! I can only live in hope I'll strike it lucky and find a good bargain ;-) Running costs seem to be the same as my VT was on gas so that wouldn't be the problem. Just making sure I don't buy another lemon, that's my problem
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