Suzuki Vitara

[rocknuts]

Does anyone have any experience driving or owning a early to mid 2000 Suzuki Vitara (not Grand)?  I'm presently looking at a 2001 and was wondering if they are nice small SUV for winter and if they have any problem areas.  I've already looked at two and both had the same problem of the gas cap door not closing properly and some rust around it.  I am considering a four door with the 2.0L manual.  Thanks.

[maritime_storm]

Before buying one of these have a trusted technician pick over very closely, these can be very expensive to own.

[pragmatic]

I have 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara with 200k that I've owned since new.

Aside from regular maintenance the only thing I've had to do is get a new clutch.

I also don't see how they would be very expensive to maintain as you can buy most parts from a GM dealership for the GM Tracker.

Bottom line.  Thumbs up.

[Honda Owner]

Suzuki parts, particularly anything electronic like a PCM, are horribly expensive, even at GM stores. I am not sure why, either.

[carjoe]

I have a Chevy Tracker 4 cyl, 4 door. Aside from the brakes, A/C and window regulator, it's been very good.

The only real bad part is that the rust on the rockers is absolutely awful. Large holes. I had an estimate of $2300 to fix it and decided against it. Shame too. The car has 133k.

We've had the car since new too...

[sparky]

Before buying one of these have a trusted technician pick over very closely, these can be very expensive to own.

I've owned three Suzukis -- a Sidekick, a Vitara and an Esteem. Of all the cars I've had, they were the very cheapest to run and maintain. Are parts expensive? Who knows? I never had to replace any.

[PJungnitsch]

The only real bad part is that the rust on the rockers is absolutely awful. Large holes. I had an estimate of $2300 to fix it and decided against it. Shame too. The car has 133k.

You can probably find metal replacements somewhere. I did that on my 510 way back when. Attach with sheet metal screws or pop rivets, then paint with a couple of spray cans or rubberized rocker material. About the easiest bodywork repair possible as it is pretty much out of sight. I tried repairing the holes with fiberglass before that, this was so much easier and better.

edit:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TRACKER-ROCKER-REPAIR-PANEL-1989-1998-ROCKERS_W0QQitemZ380124057339QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item588128cefb

[articsteve]

Does anyone have any experience driving or owning a early to mid 2000 Suzuki Vitara (not Grand)?  I'm presently looking at a 2001 and was wondering if they are nice small SUV for winter and if they have any problem areas.  I've already looked at two and both had the same problem of the gas cap door not closing properly and some rust around it.  I am considering a four door with the 2.0L manual.  Thanks.

How much $$$ and what mileage and when was the timing belt, rollers and water pump changed ?

[JuanoX]

My uncle has a suzuki sidekick (the same vitara) 98 model, these are pretty good cars, but my uncle had problems with the gearbox (manual); he treated that car like if it was a tank, the car still runs in pretty good condition, taking in count that where I come from the landscape is pretty rough and there are a lot of mountains and really bad roads in rural areas (he spend most of the time there).

[sparky]

My uncle has a suzuki sidekick (the same vitara) 98 model, these are pretty good cars, but my uncle had problems with the gearbox (manual); he treated that car like if it was a tank, the car still runs in pretty good condition, taking in count that where I come from the landscape is pretty rough and there are a lot of mountains and really bad roads in rural areas (he spend most of the time there).

This reminds me of a guy I talked to at the general store/gas bar in Hopetown back in Lanark County. He delivered newspapers on the many snowy/dusty/rocky roads in that rugged part of Ontario. He had put a quarter million Ks on a four-door Sidekick doing that hard, heavy duty, and he called it the toughest vehicle he'd ever owned.

[mrthompson]

Some of the local rural postal delivery people have been using Sidekicks and Vitaras.