The First Grand Vitara on Team-BHP

Jaggu · 27th November 2007, 12:32

Samu the FE you are getting are pretty decent. With good highway stretches you should stretch it by another 2 kmpl which is fine for a big car.

Elito11 · 21st December 2007, 22:40

I was looking for this particular thread!

The GV's looks grow on me everyday! There are one or two of them near my office and i see them every now them. Very muscular yet smooth looks. Not butch at all!

BTW i keep spotting a XL7 V6 at Nizamuddin bridge in Delhi! Good looking it too!

Elito

avmaxfan · 27th December 2007, 13:27

It is this thread that made me look at the grand vitara when i was deciding to buy a new car.Samurai, your pics are awesome and make the GV look really good.

I was about to go for the GV but I have gone in for the CR-V manual.I hope to start a thread like this soon on my premium white pearl honda CR-V.

cooldude1988765 · 18th February 2008, 00:18

What an amazing review samurai ... i never noticed the review before, i was actually going to pm you reminding you to post a review and then i used one of team bhp's least used function (the search function

) and ended up with this.

Of late my mom has developed a fancy for the gv. Had a couple of question about the suv.
How does it feel on road ? (the suspension)
Does it feel like a really big car to drive (The innova though humongous doesnt feel like a big car)
Can u please post an update on your review especially the FE ??
How expensive are the spare parts ???

Amazing pictures and yea the suv looks really handsome in white ...

Samurai · 18th February 2008, 07:43

Thanks cooldude1988765,

Look at the Team-BHP official review to get average user review:

http://www.team-bhp.com/web/index.ph...displaylisting

I am in the 4th month of ownership, never needed any spare parts until now. The consumables like oil, etc., it uses the same ones as SX4.

I get city FE between 8.2-8.5 and highway FE between 10.5-11.2 on different runs. But I live in a place with very bad roads and 2-lane highways. I have never driven it on 4-lane highways, which could improve the FE. It is a sedate SUV, any attempt to gun it for more torque can affect FE.

The suspension is superb at higher speeds, you won't notice any bumps. At lower speeds you can feel them, but it takes the edge off all the bumps, keeps it smoother. It is very easy to drive in the cities, doesn't feel big at all.

Check the following thread to see the off-road activities I do with my GV.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-of...nd-vitara.html

cooldude1988765 · 18th February 2008, 08:05

Surprising that the gv gives u such amazing FE. My mom drives a wagonR and gets only about 9kmpl. (she guns the engine in every gear pedal to metal driving) so the gv would probably be around 6 and since its going to be my moms car i doubt if it will ever go off road...

Torqy · 18th February 2008, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooldude1988765

Surprising that the gv gives u such amazing FE. My mom drives a wagonR and gets only about 9kmpl. (she guns the engine in every gear pedal to metal driving) so the gv would probably be around 6 and since its going to be my moms car i doubt if it will ever go off road...

Does she drive here in Bangalore?
Which area?

-- Torqy

cooldude1988765 · 19th February 2008, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torqy

Does she drive here in Bangalore?
Which area?

-- Torqy

In hyderabad ...
And suprisingly nothing has happened so far in the last 20 years of her driving. So cant really complain also ....

Samurai · 30th April 2008, 00:51

Today, just 4 days shy of six months ownership, GV clocked 5000Kms. That happened while driving to the service center for second service.

My wish list for the service:
1) Second service (free)
2) Wheel rotation (part of free service)

Additional stuff:
3) Wheel alignment, wheel balancing. (wanted to do it after all the off-roading)
4) Fixing the bent rear license plate (thanks to birthday offroading)
5) Check all tyres for punctures, I was sure Fr-Left tyre had a nail.
6) Fix loose mudflaps (thanks to offroading)
7) Custom skid plate service (check all plates for broken/loose nuts or other damage)
8) Fix stains on the body panel thanks to limey water dripping from the office roof.

Also, kick started the design change of the custom skid plates, that will take some time.

The puncture turned out to be on the sidewall, so that is not good, the seal may not hold that well. They actually called in the tyre dealer to come and fix it to be sure.

At the end of the day, the bill came to Rs.636 total. Not bad.

I have been continously updating my GV driving experience in other threads, therefore there is no point in repeating it. So far it has been a great experience. Not a single niggle or issue faced so far in 6 months of ownership and rough use.

Now that's a SUV.

iraghava · 30th April 2008, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

The puncture turned out to be on the sidewall, so that is not good, the seal may not hold that well. They actually called in the tyre dealer to come and fix it to be sure.

Can you post some pictures? If it is indeed on the sidewall then it is time to either get that tyre repaired & shifted on to the spare or time for a new tyre.

Sidewall punctures are highly dangerous, do not take them lightly.

Samurai · 30th April 2008, 07:22

It was night when I picked the vehicle. Besides, they have rotated the wheels, so I am not sure which one it is now. I'll try seeing, tough if it is on the inner side.

smsrini · 30th April 2008, 08:55

Samurai,

I was told by a tyre dealer that sidewall punctures in a tubeless tyre cant be repaired.... and I need to fix a tube in the tyre..

Curious to know how the puncture was repaired in your case..

Jaggu · 30th April 2008, 09:21

Samu: Sidewall puncture aint good for highway drives, ensure your find the tyre and mark it, so that you can keep it as spair on highway hauls.

Samurai · 30th April 2008, 12:15

I casually went aorund to check it out, I couldn't make out which tyre anymore. Anyway, if it is still leaking, I'll know pretty soon. Then I will move it to spare.

The big problem is I can't replace one tyre since this size (225/70R16) is not available in India. If I upgrade to a popular size (say 235/70R16) then I have to replace all 5 tyres, can't even have a wrong size spare since it is an all-time 4x4. If I replace, there is no taker for my old tyres since nobody wants that size.

iraghava · 30th April 2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by smsrini

Samurai,

I was told by a tyre dealer that sidewall punctures in a tubeless tyre cant be repaired.... and I need to fix a tube in the tyre..

Curious to know how the puncture was repaired in your case..

It can be repaired by applying a rubber patch but by doing that the tyre becomes permanently deformed & not fit for use for long durations. Also, the deformation means that the tyre has a permanent imbalance which leads to constant steering shake at speeds above 60-80 kmph.

27th November 2007, 12:32	#166
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,409 Thanked: 16,980 Times	Samu the FE you are getting are pretty decent. With good highway stretches you should stretch it by another 2 kmpl which is fine for a big car.
	() Thanks

21st December 2007, 22:40	#167
Elito11 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 509 Thanked: 108 Times	I was looking for this particular thread! The GV's looks grow on me everyday! There are one or two of them near my office and i see them every now them. Very muscular yet smooth looks. Not butch at all! BTW i keep spotting a XL7 V6 at Nizamuddin bridge in Delhi! Good looking it too! Elito
	() Thanks

27th December 2007, 13:27	#168
avmaxfan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Guwahati Posts: 77 Thanked: 4 Times	It is this thread that made me look at the grand vitara when i was deciding to buy a new car.Samurai, your pics are awesome and make the GV look really good. I was about to go for the GV but I have gone in for the CR-V manual.I hope to start a thread like this soon on my premium white pearl honda CR-V.
	() Thanks

18th February 2008, 00:18	#169
cooldude1988765 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,055 Thanked: 222 Times	What an amazing review samurai ... i never noticed the review before, i was actually going to pm you reminding you to post a review and then i used one of team bhp's least used function (the search function ) and ended up with this. Of late my mom has developed a fancy for the gv. Had a couple of question about the suv. How does it feel on road ? (the suspension) Does it feel like a really big car to drive (The innova though humongous doesnt feel like a big car) Can u please post an update on your review especially the FE ?? How expensive are the spare parts ??? Amazing pictures and yea the suv looks really handsome in white ...
	() Thanks

18th February 2008, 07:43	#170
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,036 Thanked: 48,961 Times View My Garage	Thanks cooldude1988765, Look at the Team-BHP official review to get average user review: http://www.team-bhp.com/web/index.ph...displaylisting I am in the 4th month of ownership, never needed any spare parts until now. The consumables like oil, etc., it uses the same ones as SX4. I get city FE between 8.2-8.5 and highway FE between 10.5-11.2 on different runs. But I live in a place with very bad roads and 2-lane highways. I have never driven it on 4-lane highways, which could improve the FE. It is a sedate SUV, any attempt to gun it for more torque can affect FE. The suspension is superb at higher speeds, you won't notice any bumps. At lower speeds you can feel them, but it takes the edge off all the bumps, keeps it smoother. It is very easy to drive in the cities, doesn't feel big at all. Check the following thread to see the off-road activities I do with my GV. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-of...nd-vitara.html Last edited by Samurai : 18th February 2008 at 07:52.
	() Thanks

18th February 2008, 08:05	#171
cooldude1988765 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,055 Thanked: 222 Times	Surprising that the gv gives u such amazing FE. My mom drives a wagonR and gets only about 9kmpl. (she guns the engine in every gear pedal to metal driving) so the gv would probably be around 6 and since its going to be my moms car i doubt if it will ever go off road...
	() Thanks

30th April 2008, 00:51	#174
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,036 Thanked: 48,961 Times View My Garage	Today, just 4 days shy of six months ownership, GV clocked 5000Kms. That happened while driving to the service center for second service. My wish list for the service: 1) Second service (free) 2) Wheel rotation (part of free service) Additional stuff: 3) Wheel alignment, wheel balancing. (wanted to do it after all the off-roading) 4) Fixing the bent rear license plate (thanks to birthday offroading) 5) Check all tyres for punctures, I was sure Fr-Left tyre had a nail. 6) Fix loose mudflaps (thanks to offroading) 7) Custom skid plate service (check all plates for broken/loose nuts or other damage) 8) Fix stains on the body panel thanks to limey water dripping from the office roof. Also, kick started the design change of the custom skid plates, that will take some time. The puncture turned out to be on the sidewall, so that is not good, the seal may not hold that well. They actually called in the tyre dealer to come and fix it to be sure. At the end of the day, the bill came to Rs.636 total. Not bad. I have been continously updating my GV driving experience in other threads, therefore there is no point in repeating it. So far it has been a great experience. Not a single niggle or issue faced so far in 6 months of ownership and rough use. Now that's a SUV.
	() Thanks

30th April 2008, 07:22	#176
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,036 Thanked: 48,961 Times View My Garage	It was night when I picked the vehicle. Besides, they have rotated the wheels, so I am not sure which one it is now. I'll try seeing, tough if it is on the inner side.
	() Thanks

30th April 2008, 08:55	#177
smsrini Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 439 Times View My Garage	Samurai, I was told by a tyre dealer that sidewall punctures in a tubeless tyre cant be repaired.... and I need to fix a tube in the tyre.. Curious to know how the puncture was repaired in your case..
	() Thanks

30th April 2008, 09:21	#178
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,409 Thanked: 16,980 Times	Samu: Sidewall puncture aint good for highway drives, ensure your find the tyre and mark it, so that you can keep it as spair on highway hauls.
	() Thanks

30th April 2008, 12:15	#179
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,036 Thanked: 48,961 Times View My Garage	I casually went aorund to check it out, I couldn't make out which tyre anymore. Anyway, if it is still leaking, I'll know pretty soon. Then I will move it to spare. The big problem is I can't replace one tyre since this size (225/70R16) is not available in India. If I upgrade to a popular size (say 235/70R16) then I have to replace all 5 tyres, can't even have a wrong size spare since it is an all-time 4x4. If I replace, there is no taker for my old tyres since nobody wants that size.
	() Thanks