Suzuki Grand Vitara: 2,32,000 kms & 7 years ownership

chaudhrysan · 21st April 2010, 15:18

@ sudev (and others also)
I am planning to purchase a 2nd hand Vitara. There are three 2007 models listed on Carwale @ 8.25 t 9.0 lacs (dealer listing). Are these OK prices. What obvious pitfalls should one check for?

If you, or anyone else, has any heads up on these, please let me know. Any help is much appreciated an thanks in advance.

sudev · 21st April 2010, 20:13

Check up the service history through a MASS as they are all hooked up with Maruti servers and even if service/insurance claim was done at any MASS it would show up.
While driving the vehicle try to pull it up from low revs in second gear. The amount of judder will tell you how the owner kept his car in power band. Some judder is expected. Alternatively in second gear accelerate/de-accelerate and see if the drive train rattles. Body lines and paint discolorations.
How much on ODO?

sudev · 15th June 2010, 07:14

At this juncture I have decided to use my GV and participate in Rally of the Mughal Road (see my participation and preparation thread at http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ighlight=sudev)

By this time the clutch pedal was being pressed almost to the floor and engaging first gear at standstill was becoming a problem sometimes. It would become hard to engage only when standstill. Opened the clutch and found that the pressure plate and disc had worn off though not fully.

Have replaced the clutch and pressure plate (cost Rs4600)

The second item of replacement was the front suspension arms as the rubber bush (this is moulded in) had torn from one side (top) in both the arms. This was replaced earlier also at ~70k

A new set of tires were put in in view of the rally and major amount of hill driving this will involve. Yokohama Geolander A/TS 235/75 R16 will now see the duty. I am told that the side wall of this is softer compared to Michellin's that I was running for last 55k. The last set still had about 10~15k life before TWI showed up.

The F.E. figures have dropped a bit and now generally I end up in range of 8.59kmpl on city driving. May be I am less judicious in pressing the accelerator. I find that by keeping the vehicle in 2200~3000rmp range - even if mean going on and on in second gear in the city - I get better FE.

Other than this the GV is a winner and still handles and feels tight and noise free.

akshay4587 · 15th June 2010, 08:56

Nice Nice,keep adding more kms to the Odo,sudev sir,and may force be with you for the Mughal Road rally.

Clutch and Pressure plates for just 4600,now this is a really good price for a 15L+ vehicle.
My Accent's Clutch is expensive than this

sudev · 15th June 2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay4587

Nice Nice,keep adding more kms to the Odo,sudev sir,and may force be with you for the Mughal Road rally.

Thanks for the force! Will surely need it.

Quote:

Clutch and Pressure plates for just 4600,now this is a really good price for a 15L+ vehicle.
My Accent's Clutch is expensive than this

LOL

One of the reasons that I chose Suzuki GV when looking at long term perspective and maint. costs and service network. By and large parts costs have been very reasonable.

benbsb29 · 15th June 2010, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

One of the reasons that I chose Suzuki GV when looking at long term perspective and maint. costs and service network. By and large parts costs have been very reasonable.

For a CBU, the parts are very much reasonably priced! I read through the cost for the clutch and pressure plates once again, just to make sure my eyes werent playing tricks on me!

Samurai · 15th June 2010, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

@Mods: Can you please update title to "Suzuki Grand Vitara: 1,25,000kms in three years"

Done, and I am glad you decided to drop the Short term report from the title.

You had done 50K in one year, 100K in 2 years, but only 25K in the third year, you are slipping.

Rahulkool · 15th June 2010, 11:01

1.25L Kms in 3 years :o , i really really envy you

I have been following this thread since beginning, i cannot think for any other vehicle better for the job, in this price range.
Wish you more happy kms with your GV.

sudev · 15th June 2010, 11:07

@Samurai: Yeah but then 20k odd were added on to friends Fortuner past year doing recce and stuff for desert Storm

Or perhaps old age catching up??

HappyWheels · 15th June 2010, 12:02

ROFL!

Sudev, I was going to make the comment about old age and you beat me to it!

The price of the clutch plates is indeed a shocker! Good for you.

How about a comparison photos taken during its <5000 kms and now after >1,25,000 kms?

sudev · 15th June 2010, 13:41

You judge which is which one is December 2007 and the other January 2010

First

Suzuki Grand Vitara: 2,32,000 kms & 7 years ownership-100_3333.jpg

Second

Suzuki Grand Vitara: 2,32,000 kms & 7 years ownership-100_1429.jpg

HappyWheels · 15th June 2010, 13:50

McLaren Rulez · 15th June 2010, 15:24

Brilliant stuff sir! Your car is quite a star. How're the interiors holding up after so much use? Do throw in some pics if you have the time.

sudev · 15th June 2010, 15:40

The first is from earlier this year. But the over all looks and feel are still quite nice and feel clean.

Interiors pictures - will try and comply.

Samurai · 15th June 2010, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

The first is from earlier this year. But the over all looks and feel are still quite nice and feel clean.

Actually I could make out, the first photo doesn't have OE tyres.

21st April 2010, 15:18	#211
chaudhrysan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NO ID(e)A Posts: 60 Thanked: 7 Times	@ sudev (and others also) I am planning to purchase a 2nd hand Vitara. There are three 2007 models listed on Carwale @ 8.25 t 9.0 lacs (dealer listing). Are these OK prices. What obvious pitfalls should one check for? If you, or anyone else, has any heads up on these, please let me know. Any help is much appreciated an thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

21st April 2010, 20:13	#212
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Check up the service history through a MASS as they are all hooked up with Maruti servers and even if service/insurance claim was done at any MASS it would show up. While driving the vehicle try to pull it up from low revs in second gear. The amount of judder will tell you how the owner kept his car in power band. Some judder is expected. Alternatively in second gear accelerate/de-accelerate and see if the drive train rattles. Body lines and paint discolorations. How much on ODO?
	(1) Thanks

15th June 2010, 07:14	#213
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	125000kms and still going strong! At this juncture I have decided to use my GV and participate in Rally of the Mughal Road (see my participation and preparation thread at http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ighlight=sudev) By this time the clutch pedal was being pressed almost to the floor and engaging first gear at standstill was becoming a problem sometimes. It would become hard to engage only when standstill. Opened the clutch and found that the pressure plate and disc had worn off though not fully. Have replaced the clutch and pressure plate (cost Rs4600) The second item of replacement was the front suspension arms as the rubber bush (this is moulded in) had torn from one side (top) in both the arms. This was replaced earlier also at ~70k A new set of tires were put in in view of the rally and major amount of hill driving this will involve. Yokohama Geolander A/TS 235/75 R16 will now see the duty. I am told that the side wall of this is softer compared to Michellin's that I was running for last 55k. The last set still had about 10~15k life before TWI showed up. The F.E. figures have dropped a bit and now generally I end up in range of 8.59kmpl on city driving. May be I am less judicious in pressing the accelerator. I find that by keeping the vehicle in 2200~3000rmp range - even if mean going on and on in second gear in the city - I get better FE. Other than this the GV is a winner and still handles and feels tight and noise free.
	(2) Thanks

15th June 2010, 08:56	#214
akshay4587 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chandigarh/Mohali/Ambala Cantt Posts: 4,151 Thanked: 4,525 Times View My Garage	Nice Nice,keep adding more kms to the Odo,sudev sir,and may force be with you for the Mughal Road rally. Clutch and Pressure plates for just 4600,now this is a really good price for a 15L+ vehicle. My Accent's Clutch is expensive than this
	(1) Thanks

15th June 2010, 11:01	#218
Rahulkool Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,386 Thanked: 1,416 Times View My Garage	1.25L Kms in 3 years :o , i really really envy you I have been following this thread since beginning, i cannot think for any other vehicle better for the job, in this price range. Wish you more happy kms with your GV.
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 11:07	#219
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	@Samurai: Yeah but then 20k odd were added on to friends Fortuner past year doing recce and stuff for desert Storm Or perhaps old age catching up??
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 12:02	#220
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	ROFL! Sudev, I was going to make the comment about old age and you beat me to it! The price of the clutch plates is indeed a shocker! Good for you. How about a comparison photos taken during its <5000 kms and now after >1,25,000 kms?
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 13:41	#221
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	You judge which is which one is December 2007 and the other January 2010 First Second
	(1) Thanks

15th June 2010, 13:50	#222
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	<insert "I give up" smiley!!!>
	(1) Thanks

15th June 2010, 15:24	#223
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Brilliant stuff sir! Your car is quite a star. How're the interiors holding up after so much use? Do throw in some pics if you have the time.
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 15:40	#224
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	The first is from earlier this year. But the over all looks and feel are still quite nice and feel clean. Interiors pictures - will try and comply.
	() Thanks