[oohsam]

Hi guys
Just been doing lots of reading. Im abou to pickup a 92 JLX vitara 1.6 Carbie in auto for off roading.
I've read that some people say they are too under powered, better to get a fuel injection, better to get a manual. Its put alot of confusion in my head as to the vehicle I'm buying.
Overall the car is in great condition, been really well looked after. I would have liked a manual but I am getting this for a great price and comes with a few extas.
Its being used for hunting and some 4 wheel driving. Am I buying something that is lacking in ability, should I be buying something else, or will this do fine.

Keen for some advice. and to clear up some misconceptions I may have read.
I was goign to get a sierra but opted for a vitara due to the 1.6 L engine over the 1.3. Cheers

[want33s]

1.6 EFI is recommended over 1.6 carby not because of the power difference but because EFI doesn't stall or splutter on angles like a carby will.
Auto shouldn't be a disadvantage at all.

Personally I would keep looking and get EFI.
The other upside is if you buy an auto EFI car you get a 4 speed with overdrive instead of just a 3 speed.

[oohsam]

Ah crap....I thought as much
When was the EFI introduced, and how do I tell the difference by model numbers.

[want33s]

Any Vit 5 door wagon will be EFI.
Any SWB made in 94 or newer will be EFI.

[oohsam]

Thanks.
It is really that big of a disadvantage having a carbie?

[Poita]

Unless you are doing something extreme, no.

I have a carby setup and never had it stall or splutter yet. If you are using it for hunting/general 4wding requiring no more than a 2" lift then it will be fine.
It will be a problem if you start doing some extreme rock slopes etc which you have to crawl up at crazy angles.

[oohsam]

Thanks Poita.
I know alot of guys here do extreme driving. If I do decide to get into extreme 4wdriving later down the track I'll probably upgrade to something more capable.
I'd have to spend a little bit more money also, which Id rather spend on mods I can remove and re apply on another vehicle if need be later down the track.

[2stroker]

Think of it like this, the most popular vehicle on here for offroading is a sierra, they are carbie. Yes efi is nice but it is not going to get a mildly modified vitara any further in the bush than a carbie. You will run out of traction before angles affect a vitara carbie. Auto is awesome, 4 speed is best but again it won't get you any further offroad,

[oohsam]

Ur not wrong. I was heavily considering a Sierra for a while, but settled on a vitara due to a little more power and a little more comfort. I still think the sierras are better looking but all good.
Thanks 2Stroker.

So the 92 vit has a 3 speed or a 4 speed. Redbook.com.au says 4 speed but I think its wrong.

[want33s]

Carby Vit = 3 speed auto.

[oohsam]

Thank you sire!

[9eorg]

Gday peeps just new to the forum as it was suggested to me. So far looking good so thanks for having me

Thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread. Im in the market to buy my first 4x4 beast myself. Just looking for some input to one im looking at getting. Any suggestions / info or input would be appreciated.

I'm looking at;

Suzuki Vitara SE416v '89 Type 1 JLX 1.6ltr 5sp manual Carbie 30"muddies got 240k on tacky

so wondering if this is an okay buy for a beginners 4x4 and how the engine compares to some mid 90's vitaras? Not looking to do extreme 4b'in but rather something to learn in and like the idea of a short wheel base.

So in short .. Okay to buy or look for something else ? And also what should I look out for as not to buy a dud?
Thanks heaps for any help and info peeps

ps im located in Brissy and keen to get into some suzi 4b'in

[oohsam]

Is the one ur looking at in victoria?

[9eorg]

nope based in QLD

[oohsam]

cool. THought it was the same one I almost bought.

I ended up buying a fuel injected 96 model. 180 thousand k's. 240 thou is a bit high,, but not high k's for the age...
How much r u wanting to spend. I spent 3k on mine and its in decent condition.

[9eorg]

He's asking 2.5 k for it ... but will offer 1800 to 2k as it has got afair bit of body dents. As long as mechanicly she is okay that is. Will have a look at her 2morrow so fingers crossed

[9eorg]

oohsam wrote:

cool. THought it was the same one I almost bought.

I ended up buying a fuel injected 96 model. 180 thousand k's. 240 thou is a bit high,, but not high k's for the age...
How much r u wanting to spend. I spent 3k on mine and its in decent condition.

man thats cheap very nice score there oohsam. What was her condition like ?

[oohsam]

1800 is a decent price man. I got a hard top because I always have a firearm in the car so I needed something that I could lock legally away if Im camping or between hunts etc.
Am very glad I got the hardtop over the soft top actually.
te
The condition is good, body has a few scratches, didnt need anything for the roadworthy, had no stereo and the steering wheel looked like it was used as dinner one night! I replaced the stereo and wheel though, and am going to replace the front seats, cause they kill my ass after 1 hour of driving, and most of my driving is 1.5hours + in it.
Mechanically, its good, very happy with it.

If I were to give you any advice, try and steer clear of buying something that you suspect has been off road. I know its tempting to buy one with tyres on it, and a lift kit but alot of things could be on their way out. The original I was going ot buy had a 2 inch lift and 30 inch muddies on it, but it had been well abused when I took a closer look.
The one I bought, had probably never been off road, let alone, in 4wd mode.
Sure, I have to spend a bit more on it, but int he scheme of things, I have a reliable car, which is paramount for the type of driving I'll be doing (I'm on my own alot, need to make sure I can get home..)

Here's my thread.

http://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32358

[oohsam]

PS. I've been watching ebay, and there are some top deals on vitaras going, no one bids for anything more than 2k on most of em, and you can really snap urself up a bargain.
I was watching for a few weeks just to get the feel of the sales.

Cheers

[9eorg]

You know your probably right there ... and the one im suppose to be looking at 2morrow is well used =\ .. well I might just have to have a looksee at something alil more X'y and at least I'll have piece of mind its gonna stand firm and not fall to bits. Good advice matey

[oohsam]

anytime man.
I was pumped and excited to buy the car, and almost just bought it cause I wanted it, but common sense kicked in....

Let me know if you need any advice or any help.

[9eorg]

Cheers man will do !

[9eorg]

Hey peeps ... General comments on this lil beast ? ... price wise think its okay ?

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... ock&eapi=2

thanks,

9eorg

[Millsy]

9eorg wrote:

Hey peeps ... General comments on this lil beast ? ... price wise think its okay ?

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... ock&eapi=2

thanks,

9eorg

Wow they want top dollar.
I just picked up this Vitara for $4000, '97 model, t/bar, bull bar, central locking, immobiliser, CD player and only 118,000 klms

[oohsam]

Yeah 7k.is tooooooo expensive

[9eorg]

Damn thats nice Milsy ... hmmm so what ya's reckon 5 - 6 K or still to pricey ??
I need more mechanical skills & know how so I got more bargaining power