Faults:

1) Hand-brake Cables at 54,000

2) New Exhaust System at 52,000

3) Radiater leak at 56,000.

2) Nct/Mot Failure Nov 2006 due to:

Battery Mounting

Worn Clutch/Brake Pedal Rubbers

Anti Roll Bar Buses and Links Worn

Condition of Rear Brake Hoses.

General Comments:

Suzuki Vitara Ax 98- 1.6 Injection (hardtop)

Fitted with:

Chrome Rear wheel Cover

Front Chrome A-Bar and Chrome Spot-lights.

Chrome Side steps.

"Big" Alloy Wheels.

Slightly Tinted Windows.

(All fitted by previous UK owner)

Imported to Ireland from England by myself during the summer of 2006. I am the third owner.

(I bought the car of eBay, believe it or not).

I have always wanted a 4x4, and the vitara was my first. I love this car. Best way to describe it is "Fun and Practical".

Handling is very different from a car and takes a while to get used to. Tends to slip a bit in the wet, but I have always blamed the alloy wheels for this. Have yet to get a chance to try it out in snow.

Have never since I got it used it in 4x4 modes. Never had a need to, as car will go anywhere as it is.

Interior is very simple with no Electric Window or other Gadgets. I like this about it as there is less that can go wrong. Nothing is more annoying than an electric window that won’t go up or down when you want it to.

With the aftermarket parts, it all always gets a second look. No mater what it is parked beside? In Dublin is a slightly unusual car, beside all the Big SUV.

I do a lot of miles every week and the Vitara has no bother at all with anything. Is excellent on bumpy back roads and is able to hold its own on the motorways. Will Cruise at 120 with no bother at all.

Fuel Consumption is good. My average would be 240 to 250 miles from a Full Tank, costing around forty Euros. It really does depend on how you drive it.

I would definitely buy another Vitara.

Faults:

Front end smash (this is because the brakes are really crap in the rain).

Fan Belt went squeaky at 71,000 miles.

Passenger side window came loose at 75,000 miles.

The knobs for the heater and fan speed have fallen off many times.

The plastic around the inner door lock (the thing that pops up) has gone missing.

General Comments:

I am really shocked at the amount of people who say the Suzuki Vitara has an uncomfortable and an unsettled ride.

This is far from the truth. We have had our suzi for about three years now.

We find the car a very comfortable 4x4.

Brilliant for snow too.

Fuel Consumption is brilliant.

My advice, BUY ONE.

This is a lovely 4x4 although it's a bit small.

Faults:

First sunny day and I wound down the window, only to feel the mechanism grating and grinding in my hand as it fell apart inside the door, I understand that this is a common fault.

Replacement manual winding mechanism costs in excess of £80.00, I refused to pay this for A cog and two pieces of wire!. I have wedged the window closed with a piece of wood inside the door.

Engine misfires when cold and sounds like a diesel when warm (I contacted three Suzuki main agents, consulted two different workshop manuals in search of the correct valve gap settings, not one of the points of reference including the main agents were the same!...very disturbing)

Crunches into second gear especially when cold, clutch very heavy, but lightens up as the journey gets underway.

Quite a bit of rust under the vehicle and appearing in various nooks and crannies, very 70's Fiat! Almost every nut and bolt on the car is rusted tight, mechanics must hate them.

Exhaust system is very rusty already, bearing in mind that car is only 3 years and 30000 miles old.

General Comments:

A smart looking and very compact vehicle, affording excellent interior space and great visibility. An ideal town car which can be maneuvered and parked very easily.

Very hard and unsupportive seats do nothing to help the spine jarring ride of this short wheelbase vehicle, however the hard suspension makes the vehicle very nimble and it handles surprisingly well, With more thought put into the seat design this car could be transformed into a much, much better vehicle.

Fuel consumption averages 33 miles per gallon, oil consumption is negligible.

At 30000 miles all four tyres need replacing, the wheels are going rusty, as is the spare wheel holder.

Why do the Japanese still put the indicators on the right hand side?

This is infuriating and can be hazardous.

I don't think this car was built to last.