[sikzuk12]

Hi guys,
I've owned a number of sierras now (very fun car and Good to work with). However, I am now interested in buying a vitara for a number of reasons. And I am just looking for advice regarding the best year/model. Ideally I would like it to be;
-able to do 110km/h comfortably(often)
-relatively fuel effieint
-reliable, smooth running and something that will last
-able to go through a puddle without having to worry about it not turning back on again(eg. creek crossing)
-plenty of room to put camping gear (lwb)
-able to travel comfortably on the beach
-relatively capable on bush/mud trails
I am planning on doing a bit of work on it;
-suspension lift and potentially a body lift? (If a body lift is a good idea)
- I would like to rebuild the engine at some point potentially to increase the power but more so to give it a new feel, run smoother and to make it last longer.
- anything else that will help it to run problem free

I have heard that the vitaras have issues with clearance(will I need to do a diff/guard chop) and,some engines are better then others(A/B etc, 2.5L)(less code issues) (parts available for engine rebuild/upgrade). I have been looking at the 1996 (five door) 1.6 L (looks cool and more capable) but I have no idea whether it is the best for what I want and whether it will do 110 comfortably(also heard good things about the 2.5L but less parts are available by the looks of it).I am also a student and therefore I am running on a budget (2-4 grand for the purchase of just the car). Any advice or recommendations on which year/model to go for would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[MrRocky]

Sounds like you want a patrol not a vitara

[sikzuk12]

Already have a patrol as a drive around(girl friends car), but it's too expensive to run back and forth between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, and too expensive to fix if I break it off-road. Is there an older model vitara that is going to do 110Km/h comfortably or should I just be happy at 100km/h?

[Eddy]

Have a '94 Vit 5door. 1.6 auto.
It is ...
-able to do 110km/h comfortably (which it does most of the time .. maybe 90%?)
-relatively fuel efficient
-reliable, smooth running and something that will last (between us and TYB had it for 14 years)
-able to go through a puddle without having to worry about it not turning back on again(eg. creek crossing) done a few
-plenty of room to put camping gear (lwb) surprising amount of room for the size. Me and the missus took it on a 2 week trip a while back.
-able to travel comfortably on the beach ... yup
-relatively capable on bush/mud trails ... yup
I am planning on doing a bit of work on it;
-suspension lift and potentially a body lift? (If a body lift is a good idea) 2" body lift about 9-10 years ago. Gives room for taller rubber, (235/75 easy fit ... 31" would probably fit ... never tried) but doesn't increase centre of gravity by as much as 2 inch susp lift would. have often been tempted to do the suspension as well, but have been happy the way it is.
Now has 307k on the clock.

I fitted a cargo barrier, and set it up for 3 positions.
1) back seat in
2) back seat removed and enough room to recline front seats
3) space for front seats in normal driving position only, with extended floor platform.

[Gwagensteve]

MrRocky wrote:

Sounds like you want a patrol not a vitara

This.

Buy the right car for the job.