Hi New member intro - looking for vehicle

[eddypeck]

Hi Guys,

Quick intro:
I'm an everyday all weather motorcyclist. Last winter there was a handful of days when I had to grab a lift due to snow, apart from that anything goes - so it got me thinking maybe this winter I'll buy a suzuki sj, vitara or similar. It was nothing more than a vague idea until recent developments.

What's changed now is we might be moving house soon, and in doing so it means I'll need a car of sorts cuz (at least until we get new schools sorted out) I'll need to drop off the kids on my way to work.

So the idea is back to the front of my mind - I could go down the sensible option of a small hatchback but I fancy getting a bit more fun out of a vehicle.

I'll be doing around 200 miles a week in a mix of rural lanes and main roads - my main question is what should I be expecting in terms of reliability, economy, and other running costs such as insurance group, etc.? no plans for off roading but once I've got the capabilities I more than likley going to fancy a go.

Thanks in advance!

[4eye]

First off......welcome to the forum!

I'm also a all weather biker...well that was until i purchased my little 410q santana...i dont drive my sj very far so cant really help ya in that respect plus my fuel gauge dont work so i'm unsure bout mileage. But the guys here have much more expirience than me so all your questions should be answered very soon!

As for last year's snow...i was very happy to be in my sj......,dont think i would've stayed on my bike for very long on some days

[carnut]

hello fellow,,,

i think if i were in your position i would possably go for a vitara, reason being there not so agricultaral. sj"s are great but for just road use they can be stiff, bumpey.
the vitara has indepentant front suspension and is more road friendly. fuel econemy is good but if you go down the sj route, the 1.3 single point injection is really impressive. insurance is a case of ringing round. the main thing to watch for is RUST.
andy

[Tramp]

hello,
I was an all weather biker before I took my car test. I wouldn't be looking for an SJ unless you don't mind
-a harsh ride
-high petrol consumption
-occasional breakdown's
I used my SJ as road car when I lived 2miles or so from work, so the mid 20's mpg wasn't a problem, but now I work 25miles away Ive bought a Sensible car,

Like said before you may be better with a vitara, more comfortable, better fuel consumption, more power and if you get a lwb vit you get 5 doors which is alwys a bonus when you are ferrying kids around, Although the vitara is generally the better option the SJ is stronger off road, but of course to you that won't matter, a vitara would be great for the occassional 'bad' days,
I don't know how much you know about the SJ and the Vitara, but they are both 2wd normally on the road, providing power to the rear wheels, when the conditions are poor you switch to 4wd which puts power to all the wheels, when in 4wdyou have the choice of Hi ratio or Lo Ratio, the hi is the same gearign as 2wd, and Lo is significantly lower, allowing more torque to the wheels, as the engine turns more for less wheel revolutions, If your Using it for bad roads you should be alright with 4wd Hi

there are several options of engines and 'body's'
Sj413 SWB/LWB 1.3litre 8v 3door
SJ410 1litre 8v 3door
SJ Samaurai 1.3litre 8v 3door
SJ Samaurai 1.3litre 8v injection 3door
VItara SWB 1.6litre 8v 3door
Vitara SWB 1.6litre 8v Injection 3door
Vitara SWB/LWB 1.6litre 16v Injection 3/5 door

That Isn't a complete guide but covers your basic models (ive missed out things like pickup truck option and the difference between japanese and spanish), The SJ Engines (1litre & 1.3) are slightly asthmatic when it comes to motorway speeds, wheras the vitara engine is abit more capable also Injection Engines are generally more reliable (as the carbouretta on the 1.3 8v and the 1.6 8v is produced by asin and can cause grief with the automatic choke) finally If you have an SJ you would be surprised to find they are quite a popular target for thiefs, generally kids, they have very little security and the soft top ones are easy pickings,

I hope I have given some food for thought,
Luke

[eddypeck]

thanks guys, I don't know anything about them yet so this is all helpful. I was thinking the smaller engine of the SJ would provide better fuel economy, than the large Vitara but it seems that might not be the case. I'm not expecting much refinment and I prefer hard tops to soft tops anyway so hopefully that helps the security - I presume an imobliser would be a worth while addition and a basic stereo - that way if they get in there's nothing for them and hopefully they can't take it.

I'm beginning to think the vitara may be the way I go anyway, there seems to be more of them available also, I presume because they were produced for longer.

[Henry]

A vit hard top is easy to come by, an sj hard top... aint

In my sj i have a Vit engine, some say it provides better fuel economy when fitted with an su? Who know

If you wanted a SWB vit hardtop the idealy you would want the EFI version.

However if you wanted the LWB, they only come in 16V EFI.



Vits do need more work to lift for offroad, but they do have comfort over the sjs.

One question... Why a Suzuki? Surely there are better small, light weight 4x4s out there that will suit your needs better?


Henry

[ScottieJ]

I tell you what though in the 6 months i had my vit on the road i was amazed at what it would do whilst out greenlaning on what i could barely call all terains tyres. i used to average around 28mpg i would say when driven sensibly too; it was the 8v carb model too. used as a daily for 6 months it was a lot nicer to drive than the sj on road, just not quite as fun

I used to drive my sj 13 miles to work everyday and they are really good around country lanes and in town. its just motorways but and you can get up to speed a lot quicker with the vit with the extra power and better road handling.

I would say for you a vit is perfect! they are awesome in the snow as well, just stick them in 4wd and go drifting

the vit when i first got it.