Outer Limits 4x4 Board

GOONA wrote: 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.

A1MAV wrote: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