[weelz]

Hi, folks,
Has anyone on here had experience with th 3.2L Grand Vitara from around 2008-2010? I'm thinking it might make a 2 up good tourer with the camper trailer behind, but I'd welcome the voice of experience before I part with my cash.
Regards,
Weelz.

[jono165]

Off the top of my head the motors in them are a GM motor. And fits between the 3.0l petrol that Holden put in the captive and the 3.6l commodore motor. I assume they'd be similar in reliability to either of those.

[Marck]

3.2 is the pick of the bunch more power better fuel economy I wish I had of spent the extra few dollars.

[steve125]

The 3.2 would be my pick. Had a diesel which was OK but not great. Avoid the 2.4.

Had one in the Vic Zook Club and it went well on a couple of high country trips.

Stuff like this viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32209

And check out zooks4lifes build
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33254

[murcod]

I was looking for a Prestige 3.2l V6 for a while- good ones don't seem to appear that often. You also get a 5 speed auto vs 4 speed for the J24B.

Your other option is the earlier versions had the 2.7l V6.

[murcod]

PS: Feel like a trip to Victoria? http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/detai ... 8339/?Cr=0

[Marck]

The 2.7 is quite unfriendly on fuel worse towing a trailer. 3.2 do it

[murcod]

Marck wrote:

The 2.7 is quite unfriendly on fuel worse towing a trailer. 3.2 do it

Yes, but surely better to own than a J24B with a four speed auto?

[jchomley]

I haul our camper with our SQ625 2.5 V6

[Marck]

My 2.7 with 40 mm lift and stock 17,s with HT rubber was about 15ish per 100 and on its own about 13ish . With the trailer it always wanted to be down 1 gear. At 100 you are up around 4K if you faced any incline. Don't get me wrong I love my GV but I do think spending a few more bucks and getting the 3.2 it would have been a better vehicle for towing the camper. If you go bigger rubber lift and all that stuff you will appreciate a few more HP at highway speeds.

The only reason I didn't go the 2.4 was the stories of cracked blocks in the earlier year models made me a little nervous. Can anyone with the 2.4 throw up some fuel burn numbers ?

[murcod]

I used to get just below 14l /100km in the suburbs with my XL-7 (H27A with 5 speed auto.) It had plenty of pick up with the stock sized tyres.

My J24B 6 speed manual trans Kizashi does around 9.5l /100km driven moderately in the suburbs. I'd be thinking the same engine in a heavier/ less aerodynamic GV would add at least a couple onto to that- especially with a 4 speed auto?

[Built4thrashing]

murcod wrote:

Marck wrote:

The 2.7 is quite unfriendly on fuel worse towing a trailer. 3.2 do it

Yes, but surely better to own than a J24B with a four speed auto?

only marginally.

J24B. 122kw 225Nm

H27A. 135kw 250Nm


Our old J24B used to tow our old camper like it wasnt there.

[Bobsan]

Marck wrote:

My 2.7 with 40 mm lift and stock 17,s with HT rubber was about 15ish per 100 and on its own about 13ish . With the trailer it always wanted to be down 1 gear. At 100 you are up around 4K if you faced any incline. Don't get me wrong I love my GV but I do think spending a few more bucks and getting the 3.2 it would have been a better vehicle for towing the camper. If you go bigger rubber lift and all that stuff you will appreciate a few more HP at highway speeds.

The only reason I didn't go the 2.4 was the stories of cracked blocks in the earlier year models made me a little nervous. Can anyone with the 2.4 throw up some fuel burn numbers ?

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32068&p=590779&hilit=bobsan#p590779 Some fuel figures from our 2011 NGV 2.4 Bobsan

[murcod]

Built4thrashing wrote:

murcod wrote:

Marck wrote:

The 2.7 is quite unfriendly on fuel worse towing a trailer. 3.2 do it

Yes, but surely better to own than a J24B with a four speed auto?

only marginally.

J24B. 122kw 225Nm

H27A. 135kw 250Nm


Our old J24B used to tow our old camper like it wasnt there.

Torque and power curves matter, it's also 4spd auto vs 5 spd auto.

[henno]

And 10% extra in both is definitely 'seat-of-your-pants' measurable.

[weelz]

Thanks for the replies, folks, pretty much backs up my thinking. I'll start looking. Hopefully find one in S.A.

[chimpboy]

I am looking for one of these too. It's been a few years since I had a 4WD - previously I have had Isuzu, Nissan, and Range Rover, but I have always wanted a zuk. I can't quite find anything else that ticks the boxes as far as price, having low range 4WD, speed, and reasonable economy. I actually test drove one of these in 2009 but we ended up buying a Honda CR-V (my wife's choice; she drives it). I always did kinda wish we'd bought the GV though.

Anyway.

Are there any particular bugs these are known to be prone to?

[weelz]

OK. Finally bit the bullet and flew to Sydney to pick up an '09 Grand Vitara Prestige 3.2L. What a great vehicle! So far we've put about 3000k's on it, bringing it home and running around. About to order a ECB bull bar and upgrade the tires, with a Dobinsons lift kit to follow, although I'm pretty impressed with the cruisy stock suspension....nice to have a bit of luxury, and the lack of road noise is also a good thing. Loving the 5 speed auto as well. Best of all, the missus loves the new bus too! Pity she doesn't drive.......wait, no, no it's not! The only downside is it came with only 1 key and keyless entry fob. Big dollars from Suzuki for a transponder key,cut & coded, and a new keyless entry fob, better than $400, apparently. More research required!
Based on what we've experienced so far, I'd recommend one of these to anyone.

[Marko_SJ]

3.2 guys what's your fuel consumption like?

[weelz]

Sorry for the late reply, Marko. Early days yet, best I've seen was 8.9 l/100 on a road trip, worst 11.6 in town. I'm happy with that considering it's all wheel drive. She's a little rough at idle, so I'll change out the plugs in the next week or so, and see if it improves.

[chimpboy]

I'd call that good fuel economy.

Good to hear you are liking it. I'll be interested to hear how you go with suspension and tyres.