No Budget Reviews: 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 Sport 3 Door - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

-One 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 Sport 3 Door
-One Mobile Phone
-No Fancy Outfits
-No Obscure In-Jokes
-No DSLRs
-No Shotgun Microphones
-No Fluid Head Tripods
-No Idea about Exposure
-No Budget Whatsoever
It is time for the newest instalment in that beloved cinematic automotive KZbin experience where we film practical cars that can be bought for less than £1,000 in a manner befitting of their inexpensive value! This may go horribly wrong...
This time, the lighting is a lot better than the last episode as we examine a 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara, dealing with some rather sloppy steering, a proper separate low range gearbox, surprisingly comfortable rear seats, a rather nice set of instruments, a very reliable engine (despite cam cover gasket leaks) and generally little of any consequence at all! Nothing untoward, then...
As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
Facebook: / lloydvehicleconsulting

[@stefanchapman7229]

Thanks for the review, just picked one of these out for my mum, drive an 08 plate myself, the simplicity and usability of them is unparalleled in my eyes, love them

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They aren't the most common cars, as I have found over the last almost eighteen months since I drove this one, but they do seem to have quite a following! Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@hugheslivesonforever5045]

Love the honesty and authenticity of your reviews!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed! This is a really old video, it was all done in a bit of rush... I do have a playlist of well over 100 No Budget Reviews if you fancy seeing some more!

[@PlanetautoUK]

One of those is a fab purchase for a bit of adventuring.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Absolutely, this one seems in particularly good condition, once that mirror was fixed!

[@shauncarter628]

Great honest and informative review as always.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, it was all done in around 40 minutes with virtually no prior knowledge at all!

[@AndrewKNI]

What a brilliant run around, and easy to get in and out of!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, quite rare now, and this one is in rather nice condition. I quite enjoyed it...

[@GameCastCubed]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I'd love to get a 2.0 hdi in a 3 door very hard to come by in Ireland

[@GameCastCubed]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting all 1.6 usually in Ireland

[@dragossabin8265]

Thank you very much for the videos!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it! Got about 20 No Budget Reviews in a playlist on the channel now and more to come later this week.

[@isotrop5699]

Thank you for your review. First of all I have the same car (built 2004) and would never trade it for another 4x4 in the near future. Why? It has never let me down and I am probably a person who enjoys the simple way it was built. By that I mean, that I can do repairs or maintenance stuff by myself. At this point I have to say I bought it as a daily driver for muddy roads / bad roads and snowy trails. If I have to do a trip from A to B (ca. 200km) and back I would, of course, take another car. My Vitara takes around 9L/100km in the city and 6.4L/100km if I do a longer trip (90km/h and RPMs @ 2800). At the beginning I was thinking of buying an older model of RAV4 but Im glad I didnt do so. So to everyone reading this: Grand Vitara is a great little budget 4x4 that can take you on good adventures.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks ever so much indeed for watching! I was offered the Grand Vitara by a channel viewer, which was very kind of him, as I had never driven one before. I have owned a 1996 Vitara before, though. Both models are really simple, and I can see why you would want to tackle a lot of the maintenance yourself. Apart from the cam cover gasket, rust and drivetrain wear, these cars do seem to be pretty reliable. Whereabouts are you based?

[@isotrop5699]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting You are correct. Rust will be almost everywhere where metal and humid air are in contact over a good time span. The best one can do is - clean the frame after winter and if needed use some sprays to halt the rust for some period of time. The car is serving in Latvia, we dont have so good roads here. So.. Keep going and good luck!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@isotrop5699 , I have been to Latvia, but it was 13 years ago! I imagine things are a bit different now. Yes, I went to Riga and although some of the roads seemed quite good, we went out to the seaside and the roads were a lot worse out there. I live quite near the sea myself, and cars definitely rust quicker where there is a lot of salt in the air!

[@tisbutascratch7168]

I'm currently a 15 year old girl, saved a bunch of money for my 16th, and I reckon I'm either gonna get a grand vitara or RAV4

[@magnumllama400]

​@@tisbutascratch7168 pajero 2.5

[@David_H-73]

Thanks Joseph, that facelift dash was a big improvement over the old. I remember having to move a friends new 2004 vitara, I found to gears really difficult to select. I never liked the front of the xl7 compared to the standard model, also never new that it was available as a 5 seater.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No problem at all, David! Yes, it's quite a nice dashboard for a sixteen year old car. The gearbox is a bit stiff, but it feels like the one on my old 1996 Vitara, so I knew there was nothing wrong. I had to get some of my information from contemporary online reviews of the time, hence the mistake about the XL7, as it can be hard to find enough accurate information about cars of this era. Thank you for your input!

[@colinhicks4174]

I recognise that key. They were still making it in 2014. And I know what you mean about arm twirling; it must a Suzuki quirk.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Absolutely, I think that the current generation Vitara also used the same key. Strange that they still haven't changed it!

[@garethmills7237]

Just acquired a 2000 2.5 V6 barn find with only 42k on it. Can't wait to have a play.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That sounds interesting! If it is anything like my Rover 45 V6, it should make a nice noise too. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@chrisblivorno]

Thanks!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No problem at all, Chris, hope you enjoyed it!

[@seancooke4127]

My Dad had a 2000 Grand Vitara Diesel. He liked the drive and comfort. He didn't like the PSA diesel which eventually caused him to upgrade to the new model in 2007 which had a much better engine, Renault derived I believe. In his time with the first Vitara he discovered that running in 4Hi he used a bit more fuel but the rear tyres lasted more that twice as long as with 2Hi.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am amazed how well liked this video is. I didn't know much about it before filming, but having done the Jimny a few months before and having owned a first generation model myself, I do very much understand the appeal. The ones powered by the Forbidden Fuel from 2007 onwards are actually the good old 1.9 Fiat/GM JTD engine.

[@seancooke4127]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting seriously! Wow.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seancooke4127 , yes, the current Vitara was powered by a Fiat engine that we can't talk about until a couple of years ago.

[@richroadin]

Nearly had convertible one advert praising it condition every panel was slightly dented underneath also advert photos must have been photo shop enhanced didn't even ask for the keys don't know how some car salesman can live with themselves sometimes some just let them selves down putting it polite as there's some that go that extra mile or 2 that the customer would recommend and go back as and when later few years anyway gone off topic sorry folks just another of those experiences just be vigilant people on any used cars this was 6-7 year's ago but the Suzuki here is mountain better 👍👍👍🙂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh, the oldest car selling tricks ever, that is a shame! I have walked away from a few like that, which were clearly not as described when I arrived. This one is a bit better than most I have seen, it is actually in really, really nice condition, particularly in the interior.

[@BoatsandEngines]

Great budget 4x4, I think I would go for the mk1 rav4 though.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Ah yes, sir! You are something of an off-road expert, aren't you?

[@mariojager43]

Has to be MK2 Rav 4! I have had two Rav 4s MK1's a bit thirsty, also had MK2 2.0 NRG 4x4 and the 1.8 NV the latter was remarkably economical.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@mariojager43, I don't think I have ever tried a RAV4, would only be natural for me to do so now after having done a Jimny and a Grand Vitara!

[@pauldotdll3276]

The RAV4 is not an as capable off roader, as the GV.

[@ZiLoXCY]

Not in same leauge. Rav4 is not an off roader. No low or high gears. Its just for city. GV is actually an off roader

[@trabali5168]

I think suzuki might do what mitsubishi have done as the jimny cant comply with the new omissions rules and is being with drawn from the euro markets, its a shame,,,,,,oh btw love the push and pull steering technik!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh sir, you have been watching this channel long enough to know that push/pull steering is compulsory! Indeed, all future Suzuki models are now hybrids and they are not importing any more Jimnys, due to emissions regulations, which is a massive shame...

[@100363Boil]

I'm looking for some description of how all the taillights should work, parking lights, driving lights, brake, reverse, signal lights. 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh gosh, I wouldn't know, I am afraid. Have you considered joining one of the Owners' Groups?

[@rockyfish3115]

Mine has the locking button on driverside door but no key fob should they have central locking, the inside of my 2003 is very different you will ruin your tyres faster in 4wd as well

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am afraid the good old algorithm has once again buried your comment for over two years...

[@user-xu5uo4cz1x]

this car so rare in indonesia, there are only 4 unit

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@Dookilous]

Hey. I have a 2005 3 door similar to yours on vid. I need to know if the front doors are the same dimensions as the newer year versions in 3door. I know the 4 doors are shorter also the glass in doors. Any help on checking the compatibility of the years and parts dimensions.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am ever so sorry, I never owned the car, I only borrowed it for about 35 minutes for the review. The chap who owned it at the time has long since sold it too, I am afraid!