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Suzuki XL-7
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Comments
Note: It seems to run much better with more mileage. I'm using 87 octane (Exxon),filled up today here in Woodbridge Va $1.22 gal. Any comments on which octane is better for this vehicle? The dealer says use 87 and on every 4th fill up,use a higher grade. Well, what more can I say. I'm still in the monitoring stage, but happy with its overall performance. Also, still looking for aftermarket brush guards,grille guards,etc. I also agree that the front and rear bumpers must be protected. They are just not what the doctor ordered for this vehicle.
XL7, a couple of questions about your post. First, what gas mileage are you getting in city and on the highway? Second, can you go into more detail about the bumpers not being "what the doctor ordered" for the vehicle??
Also, can you give some feedback on ride quality, engine power and room?
Anyone else please feel free to comment.
Thanks. We can get a Limited for around $400 under invoice and need to make a decision soon.
1. Is the noise level acceptable during highway speed (around 70mph) in long trips?
2. Is the A/C cold enough on 100 degree days? And is there a way to control the rear fan speed from the front seats?
3. Is there a concern about noise with the sunroof and not enough window tinting in the front side glass and sunroof?
Thanks in advance!
Engine Power: great power for the size,consistent pick-up,with overdrive engaged it feels like a V8.
Ride Quality..the ride is smooth, not a lot of road,engine& wind noise.It cruises very well at 65 to 70. You get wind noise with the windows cracked about 2".Maybe vent shades can correct that. I haven't experienced much wind noise with the sunroof open traveling at 60mph. It handles very well,tracks well,the seats are somewhat comfortable however could just use a tad bit more padding. My wife finds the 2nd row of seats comfortable. She enjoys this area with the arm rest down,the visibility,and rear ac controls.She finds it cramped when the kids are in the 3rd row,also she finds it extremely annoying letting them get in and out of the third seat. One feature I like: 2nd row of seats can be split and if one section is slide forward it gives the kids better access to the 3r row.
Room: Plenty of room, depending on preference,not a lot of storage space,unless 3rd row of seats are used.
Bumpers: See the safety crash report on this vehicle. Examine the bumpers for yourself,it appears that a slight mishap in the parking,could cause annoying scratches,and surface marks.
My Dislikes: Front license plate holder.Front and rear bumpers,rear gas tank,spare tire on door (see Safety crash test).3rd row of seats down doesn't provide a level storage area. Radio,to low,must take eyes off road to change cd's etc.Front cup holders,also requiring you to look down. Clock...on radio on right hand side.
Overall: I find it appealing,roomy,and great for 4 to 5 hr interstate trips. Its extremely great for city driving,the size, the power,the room,the handling,the parking,local fishing,golfing,church,etc.
On the rear tire carrier. I like it myself. We have greyhound dogs and have several custom covers that we use on it so that is one of the reasons I bought it.
I like the ride but you should remember it is a truck on a true truck chassis, not on a car chassis.
I posted a few of the design flaws last week so I will not go into them but for the value it is great. I especially like the fact it has a timing chain, not a belt. Those get expensive to replace every 60K.
I looked at a touring but decided for an extra 1K I would go with the leather and running board. Love it.
The only problem with the window tinting, the installer scratched my door. They said they will have it fixed, but XL-7 is grey. It's a small area at the top of the door, hope it looks OK
About the storage draw under the passenger's front seat. Even Edmunds didn't know it was there.
-mike
As to the no place for the CD's. I found a great place! If you remove the cup holder divider in the cup holders for the 2nd row seats in the back of the console, the CD cases fit perfectly.
The air was fine. I was driving it on a 95 degree day with Humidity making it feel like 102. I did not have any problems with it.
I don't know what it is like where you live, but there are few of these on the road here, so I have found a lot of stares from other drivers. Did not get that in my Altima. And frankly I laugh at the 4 Runner owners, because I liked this better and save $$$$$.
We took this thing out in the pouring rain and decided it was time to check for a roll over. A friend of mine is a race car driver so I felt that we should give it a try. The XL7 out manovered and out handled every SUV that we drove that day. I am thrilled with the XL7 and thanks to all of you for posting. Will keep on the boards, and post again soon!
I also like the idea of having something that is well built, costs less and you do not see on every corner. Keep us posted.
Found the darnest thing the other day. Did you know that under the 2nd row of seats there is cargo nets for the headrests??
The kids love my "TRRRRUCKKKK" (the two year old) All I need to do now is to put in a video system!! (hahahahaha)
After several months MANIK has released brush guards & tail light covers for the XL-7 model. Visit the site www.autostyles.com and select the Suv section for accessories.
Grille Guards for Suzuki99-01 Grand Vitara Grille Guard Black 2/4 F1 MNK.919050 $385.00
2001 Grand Vitara XL-7 Grille Guard Black 2/4 F1 MNK.919051 $385.00
99-01 Grand Vitara Taillight Guards Black 2/4 RT2
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MNK.919059 $137.00
2001 Grand Vitara XL-7 Taillight Guards Black 2/4 RT2 MNK.919059 $137.00
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Manik Accessories for Suzuki
1999-2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara Accessories
Grille Guards for Suzuki / Step Bars for Suzuki / Taillight Protectors for Suzuki
Grille Guards for Suzuki
To Order Call 1-888-407-9456 Toll Free If you prefer to fax or mail your order, Click Here
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Also a wide range of tire covers can be found at
www.tire covers.com (create our own design).
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Reguarding the brush guards, I haven't checked yet,however they should bolt on without any drilling,etc. I met an XL-7 owner that had one and there were brackets that fit on the frame,without any drilling required.
these guys make real off-road equipment, instead of the cosmetic stuff that most of the US manufacturers make. For ordering you can order through a US importer http://isuzu-suvs.com
-mike
Also a slight bump up in HP and tourqe along with heated mirrors. That seems to be the major upgrades.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in SUVs.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Observations: The only way this vehicle's could be called underpowered is if the people saying this are used to driving NHRA dragsters or muscle cars. This thing has tons of umph and it sounds "nasty" too. You hear (with no radio) just enough motor to make it fun. Motor is nice piece of machinery. Five-speed tranny is very truck-like, but heavy duty. You can tell right off this is not a weakly built drivetrain. There were a few nitpiks with this car like a cheapo plastic cover over a metal seat flipper (don't know the term) came off in my hand, hate the middle armrest - they're for stick people, and cruise control is odd but once you get used to it-fine. Otherwise, would say this is one solid vehicle and a great deal for the money. Will hold 6 easily, give very acceptable mileage, and hold up until you absolutely have to buy another vehicle 5 or 6 years down the road. Hint: Unless you like driving trucks, get the automatic. Two thumbs up for this vehicle.
Truck impressions; real nice level of standard equipment. The total package of peppy V6, real 4WD, actual towing capacity (3,000lbs)makes this a much better vehicle compared to the RAV4 and CRV for the money. Even the Escape and Tribute don't have 4lo and are unibody construction. The Jeep Liberty and Nissan Xterra are the only other mini suv that have the same specs (roughly), but they don't have the third seat and seem a bit smaller inside.
Interior was roomier than I thought it would be. I'm 6'1 and had plenty of leg room in the passenger seat, almost felt too far back with the seat slid all the way back. Rear seats were pretty darn comfy and the reclining feature made them even better. I was even able to get to the rearmost seats with out too much stooping. I could actually sit back there, my knees touched the middle seat but, but weren't jammed up against them. Things are a bit cheap on the plastic stuff, but not horrible. To get all the mechanical niceties, they had go cheaper somewhere else.
It drove very nice, firm but not harsh and the engine was very quiet until you stomped on it. It really reminded me of a scaled down Trooper, the only thing it doesn't have that an S Trooper does is the 4 wheel ABS (on the Plus we are looking at), heated mirrors and obviously it's smaller. But it gets quite better gas mileage, which was the only real negative about the Trooper.
I used to have Suzuki Samarai after high school. I beat the tar of of that truck and although I had some big repairs, they were all self inflicted by an inexperienced off-roader. The engine ran great to 120K and then I sold it to a Nephew who I'm sure added some more abuse. It was a tough little truck. I have no concerns about Suzuki reliability.
Has anyone bought the cross bars for the roof rack? How much were they? (with no components, just the bars)
We'll let you know if we buy (lease) it, we're taking it home tonight for an overnight test drive.
You might try a different dealer for the Trooper, I've heard prices on the S for around $22-$23K after rebate.
-mike
I got prices on the S down to right at 20K for a Trooper S 4x4 Auto, but they don't even offer a lease, so the payments would be in the $400 range with minimal downpayment. This lease at $250 a month is just too low to pass up. The only other options at this monthly payment are leasing a Civic or base Accord (Oh boy!)
The Trooper is definitely a first choice, maybe next year when my truck is due to be turned in.
Wow, $160 for just cross bars. My dealer said they thought $90 but seemed like they were guessing.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
-mike
The odo has 951 miles on it, it's surely been around the block a time or two. A few scratches that should be fixed and a minor plastic handle needs to be replaced on a rear seat. The wife said it seemed to have a bit more wind noise than the Touring we test drove. We'll put it through the paces tomorrow and see how we like it.
Any info about the tire experiences on the XL7 would be appreciated, thanks for all the info.
Anyone having any shimmying or vibration problems? That seems to be the other common complaint on the GV.
The one we are probably purchasing drove very nicely. Seemed solidly built and was very comfortable. It is a bit wind sensitive, but any SUV will be somewhat.
Stereo sounds good, better than most. The rear A/C works well and keeps you from having to blast the front to cool the rear. Brakes were quick and responsive without being too touchy. Over all a car that took only minutes to get used to, everything is laid out pretty well. Climate controls would be better as dials and the fresh/recycle lever looked like it works the fan. Seems to be passenger side oriented, perhaps from being a Japanese left side driver originally(?).
We're going to buy if the final figures are actually what we were told they would be.
Any other owner comments about the tires would be appreciated, thanks.
-mike
The biggest compliant seemed to be wearing quickly and close tight treat pattern locking up with packed snow and making the tires essentially "bald", where they then started sliding around a lot. Here in SE VA we don't get a lot of snow, so that's not a big concern
I thought they were pretty cool just looking at them, fairly wide and with the 16" rims, the low aspect ratio makes them look kind of "street rod". But tires can easily be replaced, just hate to not get at least 40k out of the originals.
-mike
Any owner comments?? Sure is quiet on this board.
Paisan, any suspension suggestions for the XL-7 like putting the Rancho 9000's on or stiffer springs?
I noticed the front is MacPherson struts, does that mean you can't change out with Rancho's?
Also this truck could certainly use a front skid plate to protect the front end driveline components.
-mike
PS: More on suspension in a bit.
We're going to pick it up tonight! There was a $295 processing fee put in there that wasn't disclosed before, but that was the only surprise. Got them to throw a hood protector in for free due to the miles. A few scratches were bad enough they might have to paint. I told them if they'd throw in the cross bars for the racks, I'd live with the scratches as is. Well see how it "buffed" out tonight and decide. Sales cost was $20,879 for a 4x4 auto Plus
The misses is excited to have her own 4x4 so I'm not the only one with a truck. I think it will fit our life style well and be somewhat practical also. I'll try to report back on it and see how well it holds up.
Took mine on the first road trip, about 1000 miles this weekend, wish the gas mileage was better, but no complaints. I expected the gas mileage to stink considering traffic was running at 75+.
I currently have an option deal on a Honda CR-V. The option is up in early 2002. I have been planning to just buy it out as I have been generally pleased with it. And then I came across the XL-7. Two things have piqued my interest in the XL-7: 1)an attractive option deal and 2) the third row of seats. The good financing runs out this weekend and I am questioning whether I should make the plunge.
My three main criteria: are a decent finance deal (the Suzuki seems like a good one); durability (I want to keep it for 6-7 years and would probably put 12-15K miles on it a year; and size (I am married with three kids so the third row is attractive)
I would appreciate advice from those familiar with both the XL-7 and the CR-V as to their impressions. I hate the process of buying a new car and am leaning towards just keeping the CR-V at this point but I would appreciate inputs that might sway me.
Many thanks
Dave M
Dave
-mike
Put the cross bars on the roof rack on this weekend, but they make some noticeable wind noise, so I took them back off. They are very easy to attach and remove, so I'll just put them on when I'm actually going to use them.
Got her all cleaned up and waxed this weekend, so far everything is tight and functioning properly!
From reading I understand they have come up with a flat floor for the 2002s. I am waiting for them to come in so I can see how they solved the gap between the 2nd and third row and determine if I can do a retro fit. Right now I have a large piece of plywood on the floor so the dogs do not fall into it but that is only temporary till I come up with a better solution. I am thinking about a piece of plexiglass (sp) with a small hinged piece to cove the hole.
-Anne
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards