[madmanscam]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

I think you are talking about the Black Vitara with KA19 registration.
....

Oh yeah ! I got the two confused. The black is the KA19 and some 696* number which has clocked more than 1.5 lakhs and the silver one is the one with the TBHP stickers on it and is also available at citizen cars and is an accident repaired vehicle and as good as a lemon.

[Samurai]

Last month I got the 90000Kms service done. Not a single problem to fix.



They also reported disc brake pads were close to giving up. A new set was ordered, I got it replaced it today.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Now Udupi has another Grand Vitara. After watching my Vitara over the last few years, BHPian Sashas (Sachin) decided to buy a pre-owned GV himself. After 3 months of hunt in Mumbai, he finally found a very good 2008 MT model.

Attachment 1226749

I am hunting around for a 2L AT model. There are quite a few available in Mumbai, but I am hesitating as I fear for internal cavities rust.

Could you check up with Sashas whether his vehicle showed any such issues & if so how he has dealt with it?

regards
Sridhar

[Samurai]

Internal cavities rust? Why do you suspect that in Sachin's vehicle and not mine?

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Last month I got the 90000Kms service done. Not a single problem to fix.

They also reported disc brake pads were close to giving up. A new set was ordered, I got it replaced it today.

I am amazed by the low cost of servicing for your Vitara. I just got the 90K service done on my Swift and it costed me 4120/-. This did not include wheel alignment, Balancing or Synthetic oil.

The high running cost of Petrol is negated by the peace of mind your Vitara provides for Routine Maintenance and Reliability.

[Samurai]

I wonder what would happen if I service my Vitara in Bangalore?

The current petrol (Rs.61.x) while it lasts makes me feel really good even with 11kmpl highway FE of the Vitara.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Internal cavities rust? Why do you suspect that in Sachin's vehicle and not mine?

Mumbai, particularly some of the suburbs, is a toxic mix of salt air environement and methane and other gases from the creeks. So vehicles are more likely to catch rust, particularly if the drain outlets in the doors and other areas get clogged.

In 1988 my Maruti 800 started showing rust after only 5 months of use in Oshiwara & Vokhroli areas of Mumbai.!!

Your Manipal location is reasonably inland and boy is the air there fresh. (been thru in 2008 on the way from Karwar to Sringeri).

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

Mumbai, particularly some of the suburbs, is a toxic mix of salt air environement and methane and other gases from the creeks. So vehicles are more likely to catch rust, particularly if the drain outlets in the doors and other areas get clogged.

I checked with Sachin, he was surprised to hear of such a condition. He had his Vitara thoroughly examined down to every bolt after his purchase. He can't think of a single instance of rust. He is unable to reply himself since his PC has gone kaput since some time.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

a toxic mix of salt air environement .vehicles are more likely to catch rust, particularly if the drain outlets in the doors and other areas get clogged.

Based on my observations , the possible rust prone areas are the areas on the top of the door adjoining the rubber beading and the bottom of the door near the drains.

Also body parts that have seen the oxy acetylene torch(during denting) can also corrode.

Other than that the GV has no "rust risk" areas.

I changed the battery on my GV 3 days back as the old one showed signs of low cranking power:

Old battery: SF Sonic JMB700L (built 06/2011)

New battery: Amaron 95D26L (built 03/2015)

This is not the OE spec for GV but better on Ah.

[sridhar-v]

Thanks to GTO for implanting,with his article, the idea of "Lateral Updates" in my mind .

Thanks to Sudev and Samurai for their detailed ownership reports. The feedback of all forum members was instrumental in my decision to go in for a Grand Vitara.

And thanks to Suzuki for making such a wonderful car.

Finally took delivery of a 2007 Grand Vitara AT with 71500 kms on the odometer. Lovingly maintained by the previous owners, particularly the person from whom I bought it.

Had it thoroughly checked. Some bumper dents and minor scratches need to be touched up. No rusting anywhere, which is amazing considering it was in Versova-Mumbai for over 4 years.
May need to change 1 tyre. Will check condition of suspension & battery by promptly going on a long trip.

[Samurai]

Congrats! Welcome to the club. What is the going rate for a 2007 AT model?

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Congrats! Welcome to the club. What is the going rate for a 2007 AT model?

It is a very fluid market.
For manual vehicles of similar vintage I was getting quotes between 4.1 to 8 Lakhs in Pune. One AT was picked up for 5.6 Lakhs a day before I could visit to see it.
This particular vehicle was with a third owner. Price paid by us (bought in my mother's name) was 4.75 Lakhs, with the understanding that I will need to spend around 25,000 to bring it up to shape. Currently it looks like I may need to spend slightly more. Nothing serious.
I liked the owner's approach during our phone talk. Went to Mumbai the very next day and we became very comfortable with each other. I found his offer fair and bargained only to the extent of mutually agreed figure for repairs.
The seller was selling the car only because recently he was forced to park it on the road. His wife had bought an Audi, which necessarily had to occupy their covered parking. He was quite emotional while handing over the keys. I can understand & empathise. It really is a wonderful vehicle.

[vigsom]

Welcome Sridhar.

You will find the build quality , especially interiors, top notch.

The number of owners is insignificant as long as the vehicle is good.

You will tend to feel a slight loss of power while climbing an incline ; just shift the lever to 3 and see the surge in power.

I will also recommend a K&N filter.

Enjoy the drive .

[oxymoron]

Hi, I am also in the market to acquire a pre-owned Vitara 2.4L . which one is better, manual transmission or Auto transmission? how is the clutch movement?

[sridhar-v]

It is too early for me give firm data. But here are my observations:-

I have 2007 2L AT. The AT box is more than adequate if your driving style is sedate to mildly aggressive. It does not give good figures in stop and go traffic. With the limited driving I have done over the past few days, I am getting 6-8 kmpl in the city. On the drive down from Mumbai I would have averaged around 12kmpl, including around 30 kms of evening traffic. It is approximate as it is not on full tank to full tank basis.

One friend of mine, who bought a 2L Manual, reported 15kmpl on a long distance drive (full tank basis).
I am going on a longish drive and will report the figures next week.

I guess the 2.4L will also give similar results as it is a better engine.