[87suz]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice on purchasing a Vitara. Trying to keep the cost as low as possible for a vit with a RWC in Qld. Found an 88 model on the Goldie for a reasonable price and wondering if anyone had advice on what I should be looking out for?

I can't view the car as I'm a 16hr drive away...

Just looking for a runabout, that's cheap and could be used to go camping with kids on hols... Ideas please...

Also, do vits have anchor points for childrens seats?

Thanks fellas

[Jester]

Bit more info is needed really is it lwb or swb if swb hard or soft top? my soft top had some child restraint points added to it, dunno about hard tops, but if you got kids, a swb will really lack space for camping, when I go camping the rears get folded up. But they are a top lil bus

Lwbs may have started later so my asking that may be moot.

[87suz]

Thanks Jester, your right should've given you some more info to start with...

- 1988
- SWB
- Hardtop
- roof racks
- Mags and At's
- manual
- a/c
- ? p/s ?
- 240 000kms

Not sure on much else, the add didn't have much information to start with?

thanks for your reply by the way, good service!

[87suz]

To mix things up a little more, there is a 1992 model that also looks appealing. Not to mention it's 4 years 'younger'.

- 1992
- SWB
- Hard Top
- 231 000kms
- Manual
- a/c
- p/s
- similar price range

Not sure if either of these cars are the jl or jlx? Not really sure what the difference between each model is come to think of it, Power options: windows, mirros etc?

[atari4x4]

Got any links or pics of them?

JLX is top of the line, trim levels & power options differ between model, for a SWB I'd be after one with a/c & p/s & EFI if the budget goes that far, If you do plan to hold on to for a while & have a young family.... go the LWB for sure.

If your 16hr's away, maybe a local AZ'er could duck past & have a quick look?

[RIKSTR]

I went camping with my LWB with my wife, brother in law and 2yr old, needed another car (swb with 2 people in it) to help carry the gear.

You can fit an anchor point for a kid seat to the rear of the cargo area so that uses a bit of your space.

My opinion is get a LWB and a roof box.

[87suz]

Gumtree...Ahhh
gumtree vit 92

and

Gumtree vit 88

really trying to keep the price as low as possible, otherwise I'd prolly aim for one of the 2.0 litre later models. Cheap and roadworthy don't always go hand in hand though...

Trying to be realistic, I don't have alot of time to spend getting a car roadworthy. I need something I can drive now, or at least not have to worry about getting it roadworthy.

[87suz]

cheers guys, I was thinking I'd prolly get a small trailer as well, that's why I wasn't too concerned about the swb vs lwb re: space argument.

But you could be right? Maybe i should consider that a little more first before diving in...?

Oh and a roof box of some sort was definately on the cards. Cheers guys

[Jester]

Yeah, both those will still be carby, though I have no issues with mine being a carby, engine-wise any car that age is a bit of russian roulette, but a well serviced one could be good for many years to come. Mine has 360k on it but that had a full rebuild 10k ago now with second hand block, but if its a carby I wouldnt bother with the auto (some may disagree with me there).
But the big issue I reckon would be that youd never have the space even with roof racks for camping with 2kids. But hopefully you find something they are a top beast!

[87suz]

thanx for all the advice guys. Really appreciate it. I'm trying to remain open to options here as I don't have the experience that many of you guys have got.

I think I'll consider the lwb's a little more seriously, I was mostly concerned with keeping the costs down as it will be daily for the most part. Camping with the kids and mrs will only be a once every now and again adventure... At least until I can convince the Mrs how much fun it is!

thanks again. i'll have a think about your points and keep looking around.

[87suz]

how bout this one?

Spotted it earlier, the no rwc put me off. Worried about how much time I'd have to put into getting a RWC. With young kids and one income it can be hard to find the time to scratch yourself let alone fix my car!?

>pardon the whinging<

[Fatzook]

You won't get a RWC for that. Tyres to big, and it has a body lift which I assume is not mod plated.

[87suz]

that's what I kind of figured. I have spoken with the DOT in the last couple of months re: body lifts and they've mentioned filling out the form and making sure to note the strength of the bolts and material used or something to that effect.

The guy I spoke to made it sound easier than I'm sure it would be if I bought a car and then had to have it RW'd...? Especially as this one has had the springs, body and bumper (?) changed/modded in some way. makes me wonder what other surprises I'd find if I had to RW it...?

cheers for reading my thread...By the way I love the rollcage you did for the blue coily...can't remember who owns it, looks very sweet thought. If I could afford it I'd definately get something like that. Brillant idea having it support the softop too. Nice work!

[Fatzook]

87suz wrote:

cheers for reading my thread...By the way I love the rollcage you did for the blue coily...can't remember who owns it, looks very sweet thought. If I could afford it I'd definately get something like that. Brillant idea having it support the softop too. Nice work!

Rusho's coily It was time consuming but worth it in the end.

As for the Vit, might I suggest buying the cleanest, NEAR STOCK example that you can find. Hopefully this will cut down on any mechanical dramas, and provide a safer vehicle for the familiy to travel in. You can also do the mods that YOU want in a way that YOU are happy with.

[87suz]

True, True, you're right. I had thought that. $'s at the end of the day is the problem. but I suppose next to family safety $'s don't matter...

thanks fatzook.

Yeah, love that rollbar. Looks money for sure. I originally was hoping to get another sierra (had one in the past) and would have loved a rollbar like that one, but my car is supposed to be the cheap runaround. The Mrs is due for the car upgrade. So I have to remain a little more realistic with the budget...unfortunately.

thanks again guys!

[87suz]

Hey fellas, got another I'd like opinions on please...

- 1997 model (96 build)
- lwb 5 door vitara
- 261 000kms (or was it 231 000?)
- $3500 as is
- body in good condition
- undercarriage looked fairly clean (for an untrained, inexperienced eye)
- bullbar
- 2.0ltr model
- hayman reece towball
- a/c though it doesn't work (unsure why?)
- log book for first 120 000 odd kms

This one's jus made it to the car yard after being traded in. can't give you any pics or a site sorry.
Could you recommend what I shld be looking for in terms of faults for this model. Up til jus recently I had been reading almost solely about sierra's so am unsure where common problem spots might be on a vit...
Thanks in advance

[swifty_ano]

87suz wrote:

Hey fellas, got another I'd like opinions on please...

- 1997 model (96 build)
- lwb 5 door vitara
- 261 000kms (or was it 231 000?)
- $3500 as is
- body in good condition
- undercarriage looked fairly clean (for an untrained, inexperienced eye)
- bullbar
- 2.0ltr model
- hayman reece towball
- a/c though it doesn't work (unsure why?)
- log book for first 120 000 odd kms

This one's jus made it to the car yard after being traded in. can't give you any pics or a site sorry.
Could you recommend what I shld be looking for in terms of faults for this model. Up til jus recently I had been reading almost solely about sierra's so am unsure where common problem spots might be on a vit...
Thanks in advance

so no rwc?
thhats not a bad price....is it a V6 estate?
Whats your budget mate??? if you could come up with $4000 I know the perrfect car!

[87suz]

Hey swifty, yeah that's right. No rwc, as is sale.

So you have the perrfect car eh, I'm all ears...?

Oh n yeah, it was the v6 model.