New GV Owner

DC-IT · 05-14-2008, 10:35 PM

Hi everyone, I am a new member to this forum.

After this past severe winter in Toronto, Canada I decided to trade in my Dodge Caliber for a AWD vehicle.

I test drove the new '09 Subaru Forester & Legacy Wagon, Honda '08 CR-V & '08 Pilot and the Suzuki GV.

I was able to locate a new '07 GV JX (Granite Gray) at the dealership near my house and got it for a good price.

I must say the GV is an attractive vehicle with a pleasant and modern interior.
I loved the SmartPass keyless entry and start system.

I would have preferred the new Forester but being just launched there are no deals or incentives.

After driving my new GV for almost three weeks I am very happy with it.
I have fitted it with the Garmin Nuvi 760 GPS and a Parrot CK3100-LCD Hands Free Bluetooth unit and am thoroughly enjoying driving the GV.

I have just bought 2 sets of Sony 6.5" 4-way speakers (@$49.99 each) to replace the stock speakers which I found to be lacking in performance.

I have a few questions for the veteran owners of the GV in this forum:

1. Is it necessary to change to Winter tires or will the stock Yokos be able to cope with heavy snow & freezing rain?

2. If Winter tires are needed any suggestions on what make & model to get?

3. Should I get the Suzuki steel rims for the Winter tires?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

PowMacP · 05-15-2008, 10:14 AM

Hi DC-IT,

I am new to the GV also although all I can say is winter tires makes a big difference. The rubber is softer giving you more tractions. Especialy on a two wheel drive. I always put on winter tire on my former Grand Prix. Well worth the cost of the tires.

Please keep in mind that AWD give you more on take off on slippery roads although harder to stop as it is a heavier vehicule. To many people thinks that owning a 4 X 4 give you the ultimate in road handling although you can see a whole lot of them in the ditch as well because of that ultimate feeling. At least it is the case here in Ottawa.

I am an owner of two 4 X 4 GMC pick up dulley & beleive me they don't stop on a dime in winter time.

Hope this help.

Cheers,

Marc

annfan · 05-15-2008, 11:12 AM

Welcome to the forum, DC-IT, and welcome to Suzuki ownership.

To answer your questions:

1. YES, most definitely fit proper winter tires! I used the OEM Yokohamas my first winter and was disappointed in their performance. They are an All-Season tire that doesn't do very well in the snow or ice. Proper winter tires are definitely worth the expense and should be considered as cheap insurance. Even a minor accident will cost you much more than a set of wheels and tires.

2. I use Michelin Ice-X Latitude tires in the original size (225/70-R16, 102Q). This tire has been discussed at length in this forum and is used by several members in Eastern Canada with good reports. I'm also very happy with their performance.

3. I purchased the Suzuki steel wheels for my winter tires and they work very well. Some members have tried generic steel wheels from Canadian Tire and Costco with varying degrees of success. Some fit, some don't. This has also been discussed in the forum. Suzuki usually has a promotion in the fall where you can buy 4 wheels for the price of three.

I hope this helps.

Ironrat · 05-15-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC-IT

I have just bought 2 sets of Sony 6.5" 4-way speakers (@$49.99 each) to replace the stock speakers which I found to be lacking in performance.

Install tweeters!!!

Install an amp!!!

You will thank me

DC-IT · 05-15-2008, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the response everyone.

I most certainly will look into Winter tires come this Fall and will get the GV's steel rims so they'll fit.

The Michelin Ice-X sounds like the right choice.

I also note that Yokohama hsa the Geolandar I/T for Winter use.
Yokohama

Has anyone tried them and are they any good compared to the Michelins?

Regards

semco · 05-15-2008, 07:12 PM

welcome to the forum DC-IT. You can find tons of great info about your GV.

Definitely I would suggest you to get new winter tires, because Yoka`s are sucks during the winter. Last January I drove my GV from MA to AB with stock tires and many times I highly regret that I was stingy and didnt get proper winter tires.

I prefer Nokian SUV winter tires, there are nothing better than these tires. You can get them aprox $235 in the states or $375 in kaltire.

I would install next winter Nokian on my stock 17` rims and next summer will get nice chrome 20` summer wheels with Pirelli tires.

Enjoy your GV.

Taras · 05-15-2008, 08:15 PM

Ok, I'm gonna get lots of critique on this post, but anyway.

Winter tires suck!!!

I'm all-season kinda guy! Although, stock Yokohamas are worst all-seasons I had, I managed to survive 2 winters on them. I used to have BFGoodrich I liked those, and now I have Nokian Vatiivas - love them!

DC-IT, you know that we had 4 or 5 good winter storms this year. I was on the road during all of them, and let me tell ya, my Suzuki kicked ass!!! I haven't got stuck once, and ABS almost never kicked in!

When I drove to the cottage on Muskoka though, the roads were covered with ice and fresh snow, that was the time for ESP to work! When I was climbing hills my dashboard was blinking and differential lock was clicking, all computers had to work. See the picture of the roads up there!

GV Real SUV · 05-15-2008, 08:40 PM

Hi Taras,

Good to know your GV was able to tackle the winters in Canada

Does your GV have front fog lamps? How good is it when driving through the fog?

Also, how do you prevent your wipers from freezing?

Cheers,

GV real SUV

Taras · 05-15-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GV Real SUV

Hi Taras,

Good to know your GV was able to tackle the winters in Canada

Does your GV have front fog lamps? How good is it when driving through the fog?

Also, how do you prevent your wipers from freezing?

Cheers,

GV real SUV

Didn't buy the fog lamps yet, we don't get much fog in Toronto, and most of the roads are lit up.

Wipers - I don't do anything special, just scrape the ice off the windshild before using wipers. Stock wipers lasted me for 2 winters and I bought aftermarket ones this winter. I guess I will have to replace them before winter.

GV Real SUV · 05-15-2008, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the info, good to know your roads are well-lit. I am sure that having fog lights will help your visibility at night.

My wipers have to be replaced soon (lasted only a year), due to the many storms that hit our country yearly.

Will buy OEM NWB/Denso wipers, as well as add Rain X on the glass.

Cheers,

GV real SUV