[BenH]

Hey guys , new here.

I am trying to locate a good quality soft top of the above but not 100% sure what to buy.

I like the look of the Sierra much better but is it too underpowered for regular freeway use especially towing a trailer?

Also for 4x4ing which I quite enjoy which one would go better (owned a few hilux's now I need something cheap to run).

I am leaning towards a efi Vitara (newer, more power) is this the right way to go?

The car would be used as a daily driver and being a uni student the one that is cheaper to run would also be a big swaying point.

Any and all advice appreciated!

Cheers
Ben

[31zook]

I vote buying a tin top vit. lwb or swb.

The newness will mean lots of little time consuming thing won't have to be done immediately, and the 1.6efi will be more then reliable and better for towing a trailer.

a sierra is better offroad but not by allot....

[MacDaddy]

31zook wrote:

I vote buying a tin top vit. lwb or swb.

The newness will mean lots of little time consuming thing won't have to be done immediately, and the 1.6efi will be more then reliable and better for towing a trailer.

a sierra is better offroad but not by allot....

X 2
Hard Top Vit gets my vote !

[tanshi]

buy the wobble!!!

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... &start=120

[MADMANx511]

I have a 1992 Vitara JLX (top of the range model of the time) and I love it.

I think the best thing about my Vitara is that to fill the tank from near-reserve it costs LESS than $40.00 at $1.45/L and the tank usually lasts about 14 days.

So I would recommend getting a beastly Vitara

Also, welcom to AZ!

[joel]

yep hard tops are way better, and if your towing and hiway driving a vit would be your best option, and arent to bad offroad.

[joel]

MADMANx511 wrote:

I have a 1992 Vitara JLX (top of the range model of the time) and I love it.

I think the best thing about my Vitara is that to fill the tank from near-reserve it costs LESS than $40.00 at $1.45/L and the tank usually lasts about 14 days.

So I would recommend getting a beastly Vitara

Also, welcom to AZ!

what does that mean? ive had a tank last 9 months while i was overseas....

[BenH]

Ok.
Looks like I will be going for a vitara. Thanks for the help!

Why the hard tops? Any special reason or just personal preference?

Cheers

[31zook]

does not getting robbed or wet appeal to you?

[steak_knife]

tanshi wrote:

buy the wobble!!!

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... &start=120

[MacDaddy]

31zook wrote:

does not getting robbed or wet appeal to you?

X 2
And being cold, or having to listen to canvas/vinyl/plastic flapping all the time..

[royce]

joel wrote:

MADMANx511 wrote:

I have a 1992 Vitara JLX (top of the range model of the time) and I love it.

I think the best thing about my Vitara is that to fill the tank from near-reserve it costs LESS than $40.00 at $1.45/L and the tank usually lasts about 14 days.

So I would recommend getting a beastly Vitara

Also, welcom to AZ!

what does that mean? ive had a tank last 9 months while i was overseas....

pfft my bike has a 22l tank and its lasted 12 months

[BenH]

It seems personal preference then.

Id be buying a lockable box and bolting it to the floor.

Cheers...

Found 2 that I like hopefully will have one by next week!

[youda]

lol, will no-one stand up for the sierra.

What sort of towing? My sierra tows a small trailer with about 300kg at 100kmper hour with a few minor tweeks to fuel and timing.
I've found most engine parts that may break down are shelf parts at supercheap.
Very simple to work on to save money if repairs are needed.
If you can find one in good nick it may be worth it.
also take into account alot have had the 1.6 engine swap and are plated for it so towing may not be the drama it is with the 1.3.
taking all this into account I would probally get a vitara as well but just giving you a few things to consider.

[tanshi]

We sierra fans all vote for Vitaras these days on threads like this so the sierras live longer and are still around for us in the future.

Everyone buy a vitara.!!!!!

[squibby]

Imagine if Suzuki did a vehicle that was kind of a half vitara and half sierra? like had all the modern comforts, but was still nearly as good as a sierra off-road?...

Hang about, they do, it's called JIMNY!

-and you can still get a soft top if you like being robbed wet and cold and deaf.

[tanshi]

they also did a much better version called a modified sierra.

All the people who say a sierra is uncomfortable on road didnt do the right modds the right way

[Poita]

I have a soft top Vit and have never got wet in it... are you guys driving with the top down or up?

[steak_knife]

tanshi wrote:

We sierra fans all vote for Vitaras these days on threads like this so the sierras live longer and are still around for us in the future.

Everyone buy a vitara.!!!!!

& when you get sic of doing cv's we'll but the eng!!!!!

[sideways]

tanshi wrote:

they also did a much better version called a modified sierra.

All the people who say a sierra is uncomfortable on road didnt do the right modds the right way

x2. I've never been in a Sierra that was uncomfortable, I've also never been in one that was particularly comfortable but you can't compare it to cars with 3x the list price when new.

I was immensely surprised how comfortable my LJ is, I would go as far to say it's the most comfortable utility 4x4 I've ever been in. Although, it does have a re-trimmed drivers seat base which is much more comfortable than a stock seat base.

Sierras (and LJs) do handle quite scarily though, they all seem to have 1/3rd of a turn of steering play and lean like a 2CV around corners.

Thinking zooks are economical because they have a small engine is a bit false. A Sierra will get around 12 litres per 100kms, a Vit will be a bit better. Even something like my LJ81 with its 0.8l engine gets worse fuel economy than a family friends 3.9l diesel Land Rover. Servicing, modifying, parts and initial purchase price is where you save the money on a Suzuki.

For what you want, a Vit is better.

[steak_knife]

sideways wrote:

tanshi wrote:

they also did a much better version called a modified sierra.

All the people who say a sierra is uncomfortable on road didnt do the right modds the right way

x2. I've never been in a Sierra that was uncomfortable, I've also never been in one that was particularly comfortable but you can't compare it to cars with 3x the list price when new.

I was immensely surprised how comfortable my LJ is, I would go as far to say it's the most comfortable utility 4x4 I've ever been in. Although, it does have a re-trimmed drivers seat base which is much more comfortable than a stock seat base.

Sierras (and LJs) do handle quite scarily though, they all seem to have 1/3rd of a turn of steering play and lean like a 2CV around corners.

Thinking zooks are economical because they have a small engine is a bit false. A Sierra will get around 12 litres per 100kms, a Vit will be a bit better. Even something like my LJ81 with its 0.8l engine gets worse fuel economy than a family friends 3.9l diesel Land Rover. Servicing, modifying, parts and initial purchase price is where you save the money on a Suzuki.

For what you want, a Vit is better.

Agreed.......

[christover1]

When You have a Sierra, you make them better adding Vitara bits.

Now I have a Vitara,
and have added a few Sierra bits to make it better.

[BenH]

The trailer that I am towing is 200kg with a rigid inflatable boat and 25hp merc. Probably less than 400kg total weight.

I couldn't care too much about comfort as it is not high on my list at all of important things.

Yeah the CV issue was something that I considered that is why I liked sierra's (besides the looks) as they had a live front end.

Trying to find a quality sierra at a decent price is the problem, vitara's are a lot more accessible.

If I could do 100-110 towing with a sierra without too much struggle on it then I would be more inclined to purchase one.

I wouldn't mind buying this
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Suzuki-Sierr ... 27c192f18d as it has the mods that I would like on my car (well close)

Or for a vitara (already viewed this car and looks in top condition)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1995-SUZUKI- ... 41606901ef

I am leaning towards a vit but only for mechanics reasons I do still like a sierra better though but not sure if it will suit my needs.

(Uni travel would be 3 days a week return trip 1.5 hrs about an hour on the freeway each way).

Cheers

[steak_knife]

Fitted with the sought after G16B 1.6 litre 16 VALVE FUEL INJECTED MOTOR

( zippy little motor ,no comparison to the painfully slow 12 valve carby version )

From your 2nd link...

Mate, what do YOU want..... you have mentioned look's, pick one...

Cause a 1.6 powered sierra goes stupidly well, but the legal towing rate is alot lower than a Vit...

Oh... sierra's rock..... & or roll....

[tobeszook]

I vote coily tin top with a g16b i love mine.
will sit on 100/110 all day and the coils make it a bit nicer ride.

[neofitou]

I love a rag top, both my sierras were soft tops, My 1st Sierra only had soft top half doors.

The key is to just get a new good quality soft top, you don't get wet and they don't flop around. I only got wet before I fixed the first one, my hard top landy leaked more. Also, I used to leave them parked with the roof off, and get wet sometimes as a result, putting it on in the rain.

Go for a swb efi soft top. It's sounds like what you want.
Get a new soft top, Take out the back seats and bolt in a toolbox.
Take some time driving the terrain you normally drive and figure out what mods you want..

Funsville.

[MADMANx511]

Poita wrote:

I have a soft top Vit and have never got wet in it... are you guys driving with the top down or up?

X2. My soft top is at least a year old and it's water tight like a bawss... That said, I am looking for a Hard top replacement, found a goodun on Low Range but it's way outta my price range (pun intended ) at the moment 'cause of the security benefits.

[MADMANx511]

christover1 wrote:

When You have a Sierra, you make them better adding Vitara bits.

Now I have a Vitara,
and have added a few Sierra bits to make it better.

It's a.... Sierratara!

[justin.w]

I have a vit and i must say, im glad do cause i dont think i could handle a sierra as a daily. Vitara's are really decent to drive, and comfy, and the power from the efi is tops, so is the aircon. I love mine and i can sleep in it if i remove the back seats and fold the front ones forward.

Saying that, i want a sierra.

[christover1]

MADMANx511 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

When You have a Sierra, you make them better adding Vitara bits.

Now I have a Vitara,
and have added a few Sierra bits to make it better.

It's a.... Sierratara!

Thats hard to pronounce,
bit easier than Vitarierra tho