Thread: Mid-Late 1990's Suzuki Vitara

I'm on the market for a long wheel base Vitara/Escudo. Just wondering if anybody who has owned one has any advise i.e. pros and cons of either 1600 or 2L, any issues? reliability? economy?

Cheers

Mate had a 2L V6 one for a while, was pretty thirsty. Mind you he did thrash the nuts off it most of the time. Another friend has a 2.0 (4-cyl) Grand Vitara which isn't bad as long as you don't expect too much grunt or sportscar handling.

I haven't tried the 1.6 but I suspect it would be painfully slow once loaded up, and probably no better on fuel because you would have to work it so hard to actually get anywhere.

Yea should have added it will mostly be a run around town wagon to work and back with the odd load of firewood and hunting mish on the odd weekend so its mostly guna be little trips and not often loaded up

1.6 are a good little wagon
The 2l ones have had head issues but i dont actually know anyone that has had one crap out. Iv had the earlier carb model with not 1 issue at all
Was a sweet little runaround

If you can find a 2L 4cyl Escudo/Vitara buy it! They are a blimmin goody! Few and far between though. Those that have them, keep them forever.
The 2L V6 is a pile of crap to be honest.
The 2.5 or the 2.7 V6 is OK but are still make very low torque. They do like to rev though
The 1600 is good. Does suffer from a cracked manifold due to the front pipe collapsing internally and strangles the engine. Excessive pressure cracks the manifold and overheats the engine cracking the head. Look for extractors already fitted.
Had a few zooks before

If I was to buy a 1600 without extractors would you recomend installing? I cant see it being a tough job I put some in a cortina once

yeah, I had the 1600, I was told its the better one. most of these will have extractors now, otherwise they will be dead.
mine was a bit rusty in the battery tray area. but all in all a good round town thing, you can fit fallow deer in the back no worries (4 door). sold mine not long ago for $2300.
other than that no problems

Yeah definately put extractors on it if not done already.
The Vitara's do lack the offroad skills of the Sammys, but there are plenty of parts available to help rectify that.
Bits4vits is good

We had a short wheelbase one for a couple of years.
Was a good little waggon, the 1600 did need a few revs on to do anything but even if you were rapeing it was still pretty economic.