To GV or not to GV, thats what I wanna know...

[phat-customs]

Guys, looking at a Grand Vitara as a replacement for our old SWB paj. Been without a second car for a while now and its getting painful, but I havnt realy found anything that grabs me by the "short and curlies" and says buy me.

Anyway, digging around on carsales netted a 1999 Grand Vitara down the road from me with 218K, its only the 4 banger, but that probly suits me better anyway, I figure its easier to repair/replace in the event of catastropic engina failure
So yeah, its white, has some sort of ally Bull Bar on it, and from the photos, generally presents pretty well (will inspect over the weekend), however, its had the clutch and CV's replaced (recently I assume) and Im wondering, is this going to be due to off road/on road abuse, or is 200K about time to replace them??? It doesnt look like its done much hard stuff, but im only going off photos atm. Aside from that its pretty stockers, and the guy is asking $6200, Does this sound about right???

Any hints/tips/tricks greatly appreciated,

Robert.

[Green as Grass]

Take a good look underneath it. If it's done any serious off road work you will see evidence underneath (bent stuff). Also pull up the carpet as carefully as you can to look for sand and rust. Of course you can get sand in a normal 2wd car just from holidays. The CV replacement is probably normal.
Here is a guide from Red Book.
http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/det ... 10BCD1F33E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think their (Red Book) price is a bit low IMO. It will be a little under powered but economical. It can probably only tow average weight.
Do these have a proper low range box and manual hubs ? You may struggle to get serious 4x4 accessories like Diff locks, winch bar etc.
If you want a serious off roader to seat 4 for the same money maybe look at a dual cab Hilux ? Keep in mind that a Hilux might have had a harder life too.
Parts from wreckers are common for these. I think the motor is alloy block, the same as my '94 Vitara. Check the engine out carefully. If it has problems it might be expensive to rebuild/replace. Have a mechanic check compression, fluids etc.
Does it have a full service history ? Check the cooling system, hoses, heater, radiator.
Is the interior trim all there ? Do the seat belts recoil fully ?
Otherwise the Suzukis are reliable and cheap to keep. Probably cheaper than the Paj.

[guppy]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

[built4thrashing]

Iv'e just bought a 1999 Manual V6 GV and i have found there are alot of parts out there for them if you know where to look. Air lockers and lockrights can be made to fit by swapping the diff hemisphere out for an earlier Vitara one. Early Non airbag GV can be body lifted and have winch bars fitted but later airbag and ABS one's cannot. Airbag sensor is in the front bumber..ithink...Ive been told there is now reduction gearing available from the states and even replacement front control arms for bigger lift.

Good luck and hope ya find a good one.


Oh and anything under $7k is a good price if it's reg and RWC.


B4T

[Turbo Tonka]

i dont know what your plans are with this one rob or if youll try take it where the paj went but just remember how crazily low and long it is compared to what you had.

the j20 is a pretty cool motor from what the few that have them say.WE have been looking at a few lately also but think we will head down the v6 path in the end.h25 isnt using much more FUEL but a bit more power up your sleeve anyway and torque for any towing.And from what i understand when jase was chasing a motor they arent that easy to get a hold of or get bits for.i may be wrong and not saying the v6 are any easier either.

To me from the few we have seen,thats not really that cheap considering the extra K's and the area you live in,near beaches etc.
also i think you will be chasing a steel front diff from the v6 ones,as ive been told the earlier ones in j20 still had alloy front....bang

will give ya a ring anyway

[phat-customs]

just remember how crazily low and long it is compared to what you had.

that can be fixed easilly enough.

there not that long, there a 97" wheelbase, but anyhting with the doors we need it going to have a longer wheelbase than the paj...

[Turbo Tonka]

get a xl7

[Green as Grass]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

[joeblow]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

luxes are a work site vehicle.....nothing else.

[Turbo Tonka]

funnay

[guppy]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

luxes are a work site vehicle.....nothing else.

Its not allways the size of the 4WD but how you drive it....

[shakes]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

luxes are a work site vehicle.....nothing else.

[thehanko]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

The comment suprised me too, but then again a stock hilux is bloody average offroad - few mods makes them 5 times better offroad but stockers are crap - also if they meant an ifs hilux then... wouldnt suprise me at all.

[guppy]

I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...

No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

The comment suprised me too, but then again a stock hilux is bloody average offroad - few mods makes them 5 times better offroad but stockers are crap - also if they meant an ifs hilux then... wouldnt suprise me at all.

They are IFS Hilux's, dont forget that GV's are IFS too....

[tezza88]

Green as Grass wrote:
guppy wrote:
I got my GV for the same reasons... it was a one owner that had never been offroad, i have since done a few mods like lift and bigger tyres.

I have found it hard to find a winch bar but you can get most other bits. You might need to import them from the usa but that can be cheaper then buy similar parts in oz.

I go out with a couple of moded hi luxs and go further then them most of the time and a GV doesnt ride like a truck.

I think that a GV would be a good option for you...
No offence, but they must be pretty average luxes with pretty average drivers. I'm not trying to be clever but a lux should be able to out drive a Vit. After all that's what luxes are built for.

The comment suprised me too, but then again a stock hilux is bloody average offroad - few mods makes them 5 times better offroad but stockers are crap - also if they meant an ifs hilux then... wouldnt suprise me at all.



They are IFS Hilux's, dont forget that GV's are IFS too....


For starters IFS hilux's are crap! i used to own one and all it did was give me the shits and break, the only way to make them any good is to spend a shit load of cash on them and then they are still quite average. Not every 1 has the dough to build a comp truck and may still need their 4wd to have sum road manners and be some wot practicle. if you are goin to buy a hilux for offroading, buy a solid axle front end one. but I have to agree with guppy on this one, i've been out 4WDing with him and we had locked and lifted patrols and locked and lifted hilux's ( bothe IFS and solid front axle ones) and an insane 4 runner (all road legal and registered) and where ever we all wentthe zook went to. It surprised us all where this thing went, specialy as it was not far at all from standard.
Over sized wheel ruts were a bit of a problem for it but a bit of good driving skill and good planning of attack lines and angles and away it went, they are a very capable little unit.