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| 2012 GV Grand Vitara diesel any good? http://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31948 |
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| Author: | Heggs [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | 2012 GV Grand Vitara diesel any good? |
Hey guys I am possibly going to be a new Suzuki driver soon, but before I take the leap into the unknown I am just wanting some feedback as to what people thought of the current 2012 Grand Vitara diesel. I have never driven the smaller 4wd’s previously had a lancruiser then a patrol now currently a defender, all have been great cars but unfortunately don’t get much serious off road use these days. My main driving will be metro and towing a 16ft pop-top caravan onroad or camper trailer for offroad, beach, bush tracks etc depending on where I am heading. Any feedback mods to make them better if needed etc would be appreciated Heggs |
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| Author: | Gwagensteve [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New owner Maybe |
The biggest problem I can see with the diesel GV is that it doesn't come with an auto. Apparently the gearbox/clutch isn't the nicest thing to use and small diesels don't really like manuals anyway. That's my 2C. I don't own or have driven one, but we do have one in our club, and it's owner is considering swapping to a V6/auto because he's getting a bit over the gearbox/clutch. Steve. |
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| Author: | Heggs [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: New owner Maybe |
Thanks Steve, I have test driven the manual and I found on the road it was fine, but then I am coming from a Defender. My main issues was if it had the power/ ability to tow a camp trailer, on paper it does but just don't want to be driving on the highway at 80 - 90 ks over heating. Has anybody had any experience? |
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| Author: | steve125 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 2012 GV Grand Vitara diesel any good? |
the gearbox in my diesel is really bad, even after 3 years and 50,000 km it is still notchy and difficult to shift. Not all the time, but often enough to give you the shits. You also lose low range gearing when you put bigger tyres on for offroading, something an auto compensates more for. As Gwagen said, I'm looking to change over to a petrol auto, but probably the 4 cylinder, more power, almost as much torque and doesn't use that much more fuel. Haven't towed anything with my GV, try contacting 'shep' here, he's got a petrol and tows a pretty big boat with it. And one final reason not to by a diesel GV: my cars just over three years old (and thus out of warranty), hasn't done that many Ks and needs a new sensor in the engine, a $1,000+ sensor. Not happy. (although they may have fixed this problem on the current models) |
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| Author: | Heggs [ Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 2012 GV Grand Vitara diesel any good? |
new sensors at 50,000km is a bit rough I would have thought.... I guess the motors and gear box combinations will be the same in the 2012 models as compared to yours too Steve? |
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| Author: | Smarti [ Thu May 10, 2012 9:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 2012 GV Grand Vitara diesel any good? |
This may be to late but I have an 09 diesel and I reckon it's tops!! My opinion on it is you kind of need to drive it like a petrol to get it going the best. It is only a 1.9lt after all. I find it doesn't mind being revved out a little. If you short shift and try and use the low down grunt like older diesels the clutch and gearbox can be a little clunky. I regularly tow a 4.2m tinny with it usually loaded with camping gear and it tows fine as long as you keep the revs up. Apparently the engine reaches peak torque at 2000 revs. I find with my boat on the back this to be about right. It can dip below this rev range and pull back strong enough, depending on the size of the hill!! It just had its 60 000km service and no problems yet. It was popping up with a message on the dash when started after being left parked overnight or long periods of time. It would display "ESP system service" however it only popped up every now and then. I got the mechanic to run the diagnostic tool over it and he said it came back with a error code, but it's details were unknown. He wiped the code and when i checked it this morning the message did not show up. Plus the 4wd system was checked over and no issues were found. Mine is big standard in the offroad department.... Not even bigger tyres!! My family farm on the far north coast is very steep and rock and I can drive over most of it no worries. But, as I have found ground clearance is a bit of an issue and my rear springs/shocks have sagged from towing my boat around all the time. My warranty runs out at the end of this year so after then I will be fitting a lift kit, proably from dobinsons.. Or maybe a custom job from EFS. Not sure yet. Might do it sooner. Ow that I think about it. I will also add a bullbar and a winch plus bigger tyres. Overall I'm happy with it.. Sure a bigger 4wd like in a new Nissan/toyota would be good for power and towing capabilities but the suzi suited me fine, being more like a sedan on the inside etc. Anymore questions don't hesitate to ask!! Sam. |
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