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Suzuki XL-7
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Comments
My list is pretty short.
Pros:
- 3 rows
- inexpensive (compare to Pilot at over $10k more)
- 4x4
- should be reliable
- well equipped for the money
- good crash test ratings
cons:
- AWD is only part time (though this improves mpg)
- can't access 3rd row if you have 2 car seats in the middle row
- build quality is not up to Audi/VW/Volvo (compare size of door hinges)
- brand image/lack of reputation
My hope is that Zuki will continue to import vitara from japan, frame and all!
Again, no word on the XL 7.
Cami is a 50-50 joint venture 'tween Gm and Suzuki
Who does what I am not too sure. I would guess that GM provides the $$$ and Zuki provides the technical know-how on building the vehicles. Plus the parts are mostly imported from Japan, including the entire drive train. Minor trim and bits and pieces come from canadian suppliers
Current production from CAMI includes the Vitara 2 and 4 door and the Tracker 2 and 4 door.
The Grand Vitara comes to us courtesy the Iwata assembly plant (not far from Hammamatsu, Zuki WHQ)
as does the XL7.
I have not been able to discover what if any plans exist for those two vehicles since they are sourced from Japan proper and not part of any joint venture. I am keenly interested in this since I purchased my Vitara due to body-on-frame construction. Matter of fact, I wrote to American Suzuki on this issue, asking them to continue to provide us with a frame based SUV as well as manual shift 4WD (NOT an electronic doo dad like most other trucks and suvs)
Your XL7 is in essence, my Vitara with a longer frame, lots more room, bigger second doors, and a nice running v-6 engine. I could have pulled in an XL7 but was not able to find one with a five speed. All they had were autos on the lot on the XL7.
Given that, I would be very interested in trading the Vitara for an XL7 in a couple of years of course assuming body-on-frame, real 4WD, and sturdy construction are still hallmarks of this SUV.
Pros-
*not too big to maneouver
*not too small to carry people/stuff
*sweet 2.7 4 cam engine with timing chain NOT belt.
* engine is DEAD quiet.
* trans's shifts are almost inperceivable
* built quality is up to normal Japanese standards (high)
* 3rd seat
* looks beautiful
* great standard warranty
* GREAT value for the $$
Cons-
* the truck is too narrow. Could be a little wider
* gas mileage is only okay. (what do I expect from a 4000 lb 4 wd vehicle?)
drivers seat needs 8 way power option
* seats need to fold flatter
* seats need an easier way to fold flat
Frank
- ride is way too cushy/bouncy for my taste. A set of Bilsteins might help.
- lack of steering feel. Better tires might help?
- Drivers seat is extremely narrow. This is not a vehicle for large people. Overall vehicle width is also narrow.
- You cannot access the rear row with 2 child seats in the middle row. This is a drawback shared by the Pilot which costs 10k more however.
- Engine seems to lack low end power. It has only 7000 miles so perhaps it's breaking in, but a supercharger would be a nice add on.
Bottom line - if you want a 3 row SUV for around 20k, there is no better choice. As a driving enthusiast, I would need to make a lot of changes to enjoy driving this as much as my 12 year old Audi.
Frank
My brother in law and I agreed that with a stiffer suspension and a supercharger, this would be a killer vehicle - for us. Stock, it's fine for the wives
All kidding aside, I'm still considering one.
Go get one.
Frank
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5322
XL-7
Suzuki's largest sport-ute carries as many as seven passengers on
three rows of seats in a cabin that stretches about a foot longer
than the Grand Vitara. Trim designations for 2003 include the base XL-
7, a well-equipped version for five riders and available in 2WD and
4WD formats. A second XL-7 model, dubbed "3rd Row Option", increases
cabin capacity to seven with the third bench installed. A Limited
model comes with either two or three rows, while an ultimate Limited
model marked "Loaded" adds rear air conditioning and running boards.
Power for all models comes from a 2.7-liter V-6 that generates 183
hp. Inside, there's a new dashboard faced with wood-grain finish and
chrome accents. Air conditioning and a keyless remote entry system
are standard items, along with a new seven-speaker sound package and
in-dash CD player.
Thanks
marchlou@netheaven.com
Frank
patkool
Frank
The Kia is nice, no doubt. But the XL7 is nicer:) Espicially the 2003's. redesign of the dash and it looks really nice.
Drive both and you will see..
Frank
-mike
Can anyone tell me if this is a valid concern?
I have confirmed the gas tank location from Suzuki website, but have not heard any complaint on this. I'm looking forward to seeing the 2003 XL-7 with redesigned interior next month but the gas tank issue has been putting me off.
Thanks for sharing any info.
Like the chevy pickups from 1973-87 that dateline expose' but no one mentioned how chevy built millions of these trucks and didn't seem to have much of an issue until Dateline popped up.
I'd rest easy if I were you....no vehicle company is going to risk millions on lawsuits and PR damage by building an unsafe vehicle.
I agree that Suzuki makes good and safe vehicles.
They claimed the gas tank under the rearbumper is protected by metal shield, although the safest place to put the gas tank is in the middle between front and rear axles away from crush zones. Currently gas tank location is not a requirement in the federal safety tests.
On quick research, I'm surprised to find an ongoing lawsuit against Ford's unprotected gas tank safety, have you heard this from
http://www.CrownVictoriaSafetyAlert.com
That's the problem of being a big company where image and lawsuit is costly...
Frank
Federal standards specify different crash scenarios and how much, if any, fuel can leak during a collision.
As before, I cannot imagine Suzuki, who is trying to capture market share, would construct a potentially unsafe vehicle.
More the point, Suzuki, being a Japanese company not dominated by shareholder interests, will more than likely not cave into a beancounter's cost cutting fetish.
Ford, in the 1970's saved approximately $4.00 on the fuel filler neck design for the Pinto. The problem was, in a collison, the fuel filler pipe would be ripped out and the gas would spill out thus making a fire pretty likely. Ford's beancounters weighed the cost of modifying the fuel filler neck to the potential lawsuits from deaths involved in collisions and decided it would be lest costly to fight a lawsuit than to modify the fuel filler tube.
To modify the tube, as I said, would be about $4.00 per vehicle. Multiply that over say 250,000 per year and you get a million dollars. Multiply that over the Pintos 10 year production run, now you are at 10,000,000 dollars!! That is money that Ford would have paid out. Now, take the opposite tack and DON't spend the money. Assume you will face a lawsuit. What would the chances be that Ford would have had to pay out millions in a lawsuit? Well the beancounters gambled......and lost.......Ford ended up paying millions in lawsuits and lost a lot of credibility in the eyes of the consumer.
This is why beancounters should not be involved in product design. They simply look at numbers, no more, no less. End of story. They are not trained to consider the remifications of their decisions and on occassion, the "people" factor is not considered either. That is how Bob Mcnamara tried to fight the Vietnam war; like you would run a company's balance sheet. Throw in micromangement to the highest order and well, you have a mess. But I digress.
Beancounters have a role for sure. Their role is the back room counting the money and presenting the CEO with the P&L sheet each quarter. But to place one of these people in the product planning or development areas of vehicle design is inviting disaster or at the least, a cheap, poorly made vehicle.
-mike
Have been comparing the usual small to mid-size SUVs (Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorrento, Saturn Vue, etc.) then saw the Suzuki X-L and LOVED it's looks and space (as well as that almost usable 3rd row seat option). But, I can't find much safety data, although my research shows the basic model has been out for a couple of years already. Only the one test in which it did well... Are there any roll-over ratings or history that anyone knows of (positive or negative)?
Thank you!
BTW- according to the crash tests the XL7 did EXCELLANT.
Frank
Steve, Host
PS: Was great in snow today. The 4wd works GREAT !! Just worried about not being able to stop:))
You will find that these hamsters are tough, well made, and dependable. I have 8K on my Vitara no problems save for an alternator that went south.
As far as the service interval, check your manual rather then go by the dealer recommendation.
The dealer will recommend stuff that is designed to MAKE money for them not necessarily for you.
Paride..keep us all posted on your mystery brake light. My guess is that a sensor is going whacko on you but prudence dictates you stay on top of this and make every effort to keep the dealership advised.
Just eyeballing it, it looks like there would be enough room, but wondered if somebody had already tried it. Thanks
dave
Steve, Host
Any thoughts? Should we contact the dealer? Thanks for all your good postings, we really love what we've gotten and do feel like it is a really well kept secret.
Kimie and John
PS What is a reverse sensor system???
Specific problem: I just purchased the 2000 GV. There's a squeaky-rattle in the dash area near the driver's side. Does anyone have infomation about this matter, specifically, how to resolve it?
Specific thanks: Before summer arrives I will have the A/C system checked. Thanks for the advance warnings; it's always nice to know about problems in advance.
Useful site: TireRack.com. I'm a very satisfied customer!
e-mail to Fiddler Lady
My husband and I LOVE it, except......for the whistle!!!
I understand that with the right combination of terrain and modulation of speed you can get the whistle to play a reasonable rendition of the 1812 Overture - quite fascinating! If you can get your GV to backfire it's really dramatic! ;-)
tidester, host
Anyway.. is the ac or outside vents and fan on?? I have been in many XL7's and have never heard such a whistle. Id take it back to the dealer and show them. This is a warranty problem.
Let us know what happens?
BTW- where are you from? Where did u get it?
Frank & Terry
No, the AC is not on. The outside vents are open and I think the fan was on the lowest setting. Oh, it is soooo annoying! It has dramatically declined in duration (thank goodness!), but still happens. I guess we'll have to take it in. Dang! We are from Portland, OR and we got in in SE Portland. It is Black (we would have rather gotten the silver or the white--but they were out of those colors). The Burgandy looked too brown for us, the green too light and my husband did not like the dark blue at all. So we got the all purpose black, which is just fine!!!! Would like to know again what the rear sensor system is. We keep reading people say they are going to install one in their vehicles. We'll let you know what happens with the dealer...