So! Thanx to a workmate, today I drove THIS (look right please):
Took it out for a spin on my personal testing track i.e. the public roads in the immediate surroundings of my workplace. So, here's what I managed to find out:
1. This car is a permanent 4x4 which means you'll need to save up or get a better job in order to actually take it out of the city...say perhaps on vacation.
2. It does not have a "low" setting on the 4x4, i.e. if you go on slippery surfaces such as sand or deep snow, you're partially screwed. Why partially? Cause you still have some gas to keep warm, but not for long.
3. It's the base engine, i.e. Grand Vitara 1.6 JX-A 3D, 1586 cc, 106 HP@ 5900 rpm), 14.4 s (0-100 km/h), manual 5 speed gearbox. In plain terms, I dealt with a permanent 4x4, 1.6 liter engine with about 106 HP at a weight of about 1400 kg. In other words, if I were to take this car to a drag race with an old lady with Alzheimer’s, she would beat me flat...
0-100 km/h in 14.4 seconds? More like 30 seconds...at least that's how I felt with my internal dyno.
4. However, since I am in possession of a race car driver's license (my mother's), which should implicitly tell you that I am above the law, I've taken a couple of rally fashion turns on public roads, and that's when I went : WOOW! Mind you, this time it was a good WOW, since the car sticks to the ground like glue, and feels EXTREMELY compact, for a mini SUV with the trunk space of a small bicycle.
In conclusion, I would like to grade this car on a personal scale of 1 to Subaru (10). In its present state, i.e. 1.6 liter permanent 4x4, but very very compact and pleasant in turns, this car earns a 3.
Don't be fooled though, this actually means it has potential. With a better, stronger engine, say perhaps the 3.2 liter, this car is actually buyable. Best for small adventurous families that like to drive their car all the way THROUGH the beach right next to the sea, or play Destruction Derby.
Suzuki Grand Vitara earns a : 3 - it's ok but DON'T get the 1.6 if you really plan on buying this car
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