JLX Vitara

[GOONA]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at buying my first 4wd. ATM i seem to be heading towrds the Vitaras. I found a 1989 JLX spec'd Vit with 240,000km with a few probs for about $5000. Does this sound ok?

Also, some of the probs with it are:
- Drivers side window doesn't go up. You need to kinda push the window back for it to go all the way up.
- Passenger door, the handle on the inside has a dodge spring in it. The seller has a new/spare spring to replace it.
- Some cosmetic probs (not serious) stickers peeling off, and there is a plastic cover which i think covers the roof drain channels seems to be coming off an maybe rust, i couldn't really tell altho i doubt there would be any.
- Oh an the backseat (SWB) has trouble becoming unlocked due to some metal doozy being bent.
- Oh an its also due for a service where the front brakes need attention.

This doesn't make a difference, but the seller is female and she doesn't seem to know a lot about the vehicle.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix/whther its a good price please let me know.

Thanks,
Shaun

[nicbeer]

Hardtop or softtop?

auto / man.

Hda any engine work that you can see or been told of?

i would offer 3500 and go from there.

[Beastmavster]

Ok in Orange prices would be higher but if it's got some problems and that mileage it sounds a little high.

I bought one with less problems with that and 200,000kms about 3 years ago for $3k without RWC.

Sounds like the window winder regulator in the drivers side is stuffed, so probably looking at about $200 to fix that (maybe $100 if you can do it yourself).

The clip for the passenger side handle is a 5 minute job for anyone who has experience doing it - if that's the only problem and it's not like the driver side.

The back seat issue is not really a suprise, but will be a pain for loading and unloading. It'll probably just be bent (but possibly snapped off). Replacing these seats is quite expensive though if required. Would you use the seats folded up for any reason?

Front brakes at 240,000km the discs are likely to be under size which will cost at least another $400 more if it's not sold with a safety certificate/roadworthy.

As such the price needs to be lower - probably a grand lower, unless it's an EFI Auto.

How about Power steering or A/c? If it's got neither of them then it's cheaper again.

Hows the softtop? Why doesnt it have power windows if it's a JLX?

[GOONA]

Prob should of mentioned that before, but it is a manual hardtop with all the electrical bits an pieces. It also has power windows. She said the clutch and front wheel bearings have all been done too. Yeah i thought it was a bit much but wasn't really sure. How long are these engines good for? I'm guessing with it's age (noting mechanical seems to have been done to it other than regular maintenance) it would be a 1.6 carby.

[SiKiD_01]

I'm looking at buying my first 4wd.

Have you looked at buying a Sierra instead of a Vitara? there are pro's and con's for both, but a sierra may be a better choice depending if you are going to off road it or not? this is another topic in itself

ATM i seem to be heading towrds the Vitaras. I found a 1989 JLX spec'd Vit with 240,000km with a few probs for about $5000. Does this sound ok?

NO. the price is way too high. I have a '89 model vit too, but only a JX spec. it had about 240,000 on the clock, and by this time, the motor is close to the end, or due for a rebuild. my vit was advertised for $4950, but i bought it for $2000.

Also, some of the probs with it are:
- Drivers side window doesn't go up. You need to kinda push the window back for it to go all the way up.

this was the same with mine. you'll have to take the door trim off and re-tighten the glass retaining screws. thats what i did, but it could be something else too.

- Passenger door, the handle on the inside has a dodge spring in it. The seller has a new/spare spring to replace it.

If there is a spare to replace it with, then its ok. its not hard to do.

- Some cosmetic probs (not serious) stickers peeling off, and there is a plastic cover which i think covers the roof drain channels seems to be coming off an maybe rust, i couldn't really tell altho i doubt there would be any.

stickers coming off is nothing, but RUST? you probably better think twice about it. any rust is bad, as it will only get worse if you leave it.

- Oh an the backseat (SWB) has trouble becoming unlocked due to some metal doozy being bent.

i take its the one piece bench seat, and not the 50/50 split seats? if its only the metal latch, you can get to it with a hammer, and bend it back to normal. make sure its not the release mechanism thats not working good.

if there are seat covers, have a look underneath to see what condition the seats are in.

- Oh an its also due for a service where the front brakes need attention.

Front barakes? calipers or just brake pads? brake pads are easy, and fairly cheap, where as rotors, and calipers may cost a fair bit more.

also when i got mine, the front wheel bearing were absolutely buggered! so check the wheel bearings too, even if you dont buy this vit, check all the other cars you look at.

it might pay to check the oils as well, motor, gearbox, transfer, front and rear diffs.

This doesn't make a difference, but the seller is female and she doesn't seem to know a lot about the vehicle.


thats probably one reason why the vit is so neglected, but it could have been the owner before her. always find out as much as you can about the cars history.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix/whther its a good price please let me know.

like i said, $5000 is a bit much, and for that amount, you may be able to find a later model vit with power windows, power steer, AIR-CON, and probably in better condition.

also, check all door hinges. the front doors on my vit were almost falling off when i got it, and took a bit of work to fix. the hinges were actually ripping out of the body. you can easily tell if the door doesn't shut properly or easily.

Thanks,
Shaun

no worries mate. if i remember anything else, i'll let you know. but i really dont think the price is worth it.

[GOONA]

Oh i forgot to check whethere it actually had AC, i noticed when i started it up the heater was on but didn't even think of checkin for AC with the weather we got. Would a JLX have AC standard?

[SiKiD_01]

Geeezus! i'm not replying like that again. way too slow, in the time i replied, there were already 3!

also check for oil leaks, or 'wetness' from oil.


maybe have a look around for others if you're not already set on this one.

[GOONA]

Thanks Sikid,

Main reason i want a Vit is because it would be much nicer on road as this is where it'll spend the majority of the time. I would definately take it off-road although it won't be too serious as i'm still relatively new to it all.

With yours did you have any plastic bit on the roof, like in the gutters or anything? I wasn't looking too hard coz it was kind of an initial inspection, mite go have another closer look at it later.

[GOONA]

No signs of oil leaks or any leaks at all

[SiKiD_01]

Goona, my vit was an absolute POS, but i was looking at doing one up at the time, so i didnt mind.

mine is also a soft top, and about the roof plastic thingy, i'm not sure about it.

the last thing you want is to buy a car that can't be driven due to needing RWC, service and or repairs. not to mention all the costs on top of what they ask for the vit.

[kimclive]

Shaun,

I agree with beastmaster. I bought my 4th 4WD last month. Its a 1991 JLX 4dr Vitara with EFI, auto, power steer/windows/mirrors, A/C, central locking, etc, and it cost $3500.

Mine has a few issues as well but is mechanically sound. I am working on tidying it up and they are all minor (but time consuming) things. eg switches.

It is hard to compare one to another especially when one is in the city, but I think $5k is a little too high.

As a first 4WD I guess it depends on your purpose. If you want to use it mainly on roads/tracks and keep it 'fairly' standard, then you will love the Vitara.

Cheers

Clive (another newbie)

[SiKiD_01]

oh yeah, if it doesnt already have an after market exhaust and extractors, check the exhaust manifold for cracks. an new exhaust will be from $250-$500+

[kimclive]

In the time it took me to reply, with interruptions form my wife, there were heaps of messages posted!

[GOONA]

Thanks for all the replies fella's it's greatly appreciated.
Sounds like you got yourself a really good deal there. Makes me think twice about now tho, so maybe if i knock a coupl eof grand off do you guys reckon it would be worth it? Unless ofcourse i find something else wrong with it.

Oh just outta curiosity Clive, how many kays did your vit have?

I plan on getting a better free-flow exhaust with a nicer note anyway

[kimclive]

257500km

Dont let it colour your judgement too much as it is the cheapest I've seen by a long way.

Cheers

Clive

[GOONA]

Thanks Clive.
While i'm at it does anyone have any more hints and tips on buying a Vit, such as things to look out for.

[A1]

FUk hey I feel like ive finally got a decent deal with my LWB vit that i bought a month or so ago

94 mod auto 16v fuel injected ............estate model

ome lift , front n rear air lockers , and rockhopper tranny gears and two sets of tyres ...........

for a wopping $1500 bucks had a months rego of which has just been re-regoed no dramas .......

Body wise it has a few dents and scratches but im plannin on choppin it anyways


Dan

[SiKiD_01]

FUk hey I feel like ive finally got a decent deal with my LWB vit that i bought a month or so ago

94 mod auto 16v fuel injected ............estate model

ome lift , front n rear air lockers , and rockhopper tranny gears and two sets of tyres ...........

for a wopping $1500 bucks had a months rego of which has just been re-regoed no dramas .......

Body wise it has a few dents and scratches but im plannin on choppin it anyways


Dan

1st:

2nd:

give it to me please

[Beastmavster]

1/2: Im before him

[A1]

LOL yep happened to be in the right place at the right time and it also helped with it being a good friend of my future father inlaw


Only bloody thing is the misses has taken the keys and says now that i aint allowed to chop it as its far easier my young bloke to get in and outta then her corolla


But I am sure I will get my way although it may meam buying her another 1 or atleast some other family 4wd



Dan

[offroad_always]

i rekon you dont touch it.
i resently bought my first car a 91 jlx swb soft top with 180,000kms on it for $4800.
i had this syndrom where i wanted to buy every car i looked at but thankfully my dad was holding the money, if you keep looking you will find a good car. i've been so happy with my car. on and off road, just today i came back from landcruiser mountain park and been stock except for some bigger tyres it out perfromed all of my expectaions. the bummer is that one of plastic things on the sill fell of and there is a little bit of rust there but other than that its been a dream.

cheers tim