[foofzki]

Hello all,

I have decided to purchase a Suzuki 4WD. While my heart wants a Jimny, my brain tells me that a 3dr Grand Vitara is a more sensible option (Having not seen the Jimny ESC edition yet). My soon-to-be wife is only a Learner and has demanded an automatic which has factored in this decision. Our budget can stretch to the 5dr "Sport" model if needed but we live in Sydney City and parking is an issue. Most of our driving is on the open road though - we walk/train to work.

We love camping and get frustrated re: not being able to get to many campsites in our current machine (a 1992 VW T4 Trakka van). It has a ridiculous 240mm of clearance though! Thus the Suzuki would ideally get us into the National Parks for camping / take us on camping trips around Australia. While I'm not planning on going on any crazy expeditions I would like to leave the option open to be able to in the future. Thus we may need(?) want a Bar, Snorkel, Suspension upgrade etc at some point. We don't have any 4WD experience (yet! ).

Having read through various threads and looking at the big accessory manufacturers (e.g. ARB, TJM) there doesnt seem to be much for GV's (or Jimny's!) after 2011. If I obtain the vehicle via a novated lease, I am limited to ARB accessories only unfortunately. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places.

I'm looking for advice on whether we should:

a) Buy new and not worry about mods now / they will become available some day;
b) Buy an older model that mods are more available for;
c) Something else I haven't considered?

Thanks heaps for your advice!

[GeckoXL7]

If want have a look at the older 06 V6 GV model they have a reliable engine and quite a few options from ARB, Ironman, Dobinson, Brown Davis (underbody protection, ECB for bull bar. etc Fuel economy wont be as good as the 4cyl versions, but great for touring when get around to it. I am not sure if any 06 - 2011 GVs stuff fits models after 2011 but someone here may know. If getting new, suzuki should have options for bull bar, underbody protection. Then ARB, dobinson, ironman, should have suspension. Other than that there is the 03 models then spend the saved cash from a new model and do all the mods to it. They are still a very reliable car. One thing to consider is how much space you think you will need in the rear for the future. Eg Tent, luggage, fridge, KIDS But if going to take it easy for a while and slowly get into 4x4ing the current models ive seen are still quite capable offroad eg parks etc.

Just to help out will list them for you as options. I know Novated leases can be a pain with limiting what options there are available to you. Not sure if it is another option for you as if you actually work out how much extra you pay for the lease, not sure if its the same for you, but when i worked it out its equiv to a 24% interest over 5 years. Suzuki and some loans can have quite low interest rates from around 5% to 10% then after 5 years the car is actually yours instead of having to pay to buy it. and then salary sacrifice the loan Im in SA so it may be different where you live.

Bull bar
http://www.ecb.com.au/vehicle.php?Make= ... CH2=SEARCH

Suspension / Underbody protection
http://www.ironman4x4.com/underbody-protection/

Brown Davis Underguard
http://www.extremelimitsoffroad.com.au/ ... uzuki.html

dobinson Suspension (Great option suspension wise)
http://store.dobinsonsprings.com/vehicl ... r-0805-on/

ARB
http://www.arb.com.au/products/customised/

[foofzki]

Thanks for all your advice! I had not seen those other suppliers.

I test drove a Jimny today - really liked it and would love one as a second car but it wasn't going to meet our current/future needs. I drove a new GV3 (with the fancy Navigation unit) which I think is the one for us. With a Learner / soon to be P-Plater I'd like to have the benefit of the mod cons and safety features in the later models.

I figure once there's more than two of us all camping trips will involve a trailer of some sort!

We wont be doing a big trip for some months yet so plenty of time to get the basics sorted (seems underbody guards are #1 priority!)

[zooks4life]

If you have to go through arb, obviously bullbar, ipf spotties warn winch, old man emu lift 20mm and a good set of tyres will get you home. Unfortunately they dont do a safari snorkal for the 2.4. As for space you could get rhino racks with there pioneer basket would look good. Heres some inspiration, used to be mine. We did do some big touring trips in the old girl



cheers,

[foofzki]

zooks4life wrote:

If you have to go through arb, obviously bullbar, ipf spotties warn winch, old man emu lift 20mm and a good set of tyres will get you home. Unfortunately they dont do a safari snorkal for the 2.4. As for space you could get rhino racks with there pioneer basket would look good. Heres some inspiration, used to be mine. We did do some big touring trips in the old girl

[img]http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac357/zooks4life/uluru/DSCF0788.jpg[img]

cheers,

Love this photo!

That's pretty much the setup I have in mind ...