USED Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 (98 - 05)

My car

I have owned a number of 4X4 cars. The Suzuki GV is the most reliable one I have driven and has the best build quality.

Internal plastics look cheap but have I have now done 80K miles on original exhaust and have only had to replace tyres and cam belt!.

Running costs are very low for a 4x4. It can be serviced by most independent dealers (cheaper than franchised ones). Performance is good from the 2.0-litre engine considering the vehicle weighs about 2000kg.

The ladder frame chasis is very strong and the deisel engine is virtually indestructable providing it's properly serviced.

I think the best tyres are Michelin Synchrone. Don't put cheap tyres on a 4x4, they wear badly.

It's much more reliable than a Freelander and just as good off road (I have owned one) but has limited spce in the rear.

I would consider XL7 as replacement.

My car

I have only owned this car for a short time but I don't think you should expect the same level of toys as the expensive 4X4.

There are no high running costs. I found with my first one it went for over 100,000 miles with no major faults and I sold it with no trouble. It worked out to be very good buy.