Vehicle & Technical > Suzuki

Vitara vs SJ

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791979:
Hi,

I am hoping to get a Zuki in the near future.  I have a pretty tight budget for purchase & running costs.

I was originally thinking of getting a SJ (and still am biased towards them), but I wonder if a Vitara would make a better all-round vehicle for me.  Here in Spain SJ's are a little more expensive that back in Blighty, and a Vitara with aircon isn't a whole lot more.

I'm getting the impression that the SJ is the simplest, and I like that.  But I wonder how does a Vitara compare in terms of off-road ability, road use, comfort, ease of maintainence and running costs?

Thanks
Neil

marjan:
Hi Neil,

I"ve had both and whilst the SJ is a little more capable off road it is dam uncomfortable and a bit gutless when it comes to overtaking on the road.

As you can see from my picture I now run a P Reg Vitara which has really suprised me with it's off road ability. I recently smashed a front CV joint whilst playing in a quarry and due to the freewheeling front hubs I tied the drive shaft up and carried on for the rest of the day in 2WD and it coped just fine.

It has loads of power (1600-16V) and is really comfortable due to having coils instead of leaf springs like the SJ. Economy is not any different between the two as the SJ needs a lot of revs to keep it going.

Vitara's are quite a bit more expensive over here so people on a budget tend to stick to the SJ's.

Main reason I changed is that my back could not stand any more punishment from the SJ  :lol:

You will have some great fun no matter which one you choose.

Regards,

Mark.

Evilgoat:
Look in my gallery and see what my vit gets put through. Its a whole lot nicer to drive than an SJ

Hovis:
Two of the best things about the SJ it will always make you grin and if you smash it up you take off the bits you want and buy another one!

It depends what you want. Is it going to be a weekend toy or your daily driver too?

If i was in Spain i don't think i could live without air-con.

Paul.K/LuckyTrucker:
Hi there, yes I have to agree with most that has been said before. The SJ fine car that it is you would not want to be looking at a 100 mile drive too often. They bounce, they are pretty gutless but they are the best for off roading. The Vitara costs about the same on fuel and they are a whole lot more comfortable. I had the misfortune to be towing a SJ based off roader with it at one time on a trailer. It did it ok but it was hard work but then it was towing it's own weight plus a bit more.
Down side of the Vitara is the front diff housing is a aluminium jobby and if you give to much to do off road then it will explode. I didn't manage to hurt mine but I know they can be a bit fragile but this is in extreme cases and normal off roading shouldn't be a problem.

Go for the Vit

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