e) Heater seems to like to blow cold air once cabin is up to temperature in the winter

I noticed this too, cold air comes out from the upper vents. There seems to be no way to keep air from coming out of those upper vents, as no matter what source you pick on the climate controls some air still comes out of the upper vents.
The automatic climate controls for heat only use defrost, defrost+feet, and feet only, so I closed the upper vents completely to keep the cold air out.

 

/ washer level warning not working

There's one on the GV?

if so, mine's never worked...

 

There's one on the GV?

if so, mine's never worked...

This might explain part of the problem . I'll double check. I could have sworn I saw a warning once or twice.

 

If there is one, mine doesn't work either. Mine was bone dry when I got it and no lights were lit.

Jim

 

Peeves (things I really don't like):
a) Functioning of the cruise control
b) Functioning of the seat heater
c) Functioning of the gas consumption meter (turned mine off on the first day)

Can you give me some specifics? What is it that you don't like?

 

Federico,

With respect to the cruise, the general complaint is that the resume function in the 2006 GV does not work. If you push it once, it has the same effect as the other button, it sets the cruise at whatever speed you are going at the moment. If you push it again, it will bump up the speed. Resume in my other vehicles will restore a previously established cruise control set speed, the 2006 GV will not do this. Reportedly this has been fixed in the 2007.

I do not have a seat heater (don't need one) and my instantaneous gas gauge works so not sure what those are about.

Jim

 

Right on. Thanks Jim.

 

After 14 months, but only 15,000km:

- my lock on lockless spare tire cover filled and destroyed by crud
- yellow spare tire rim
- spare is not full-size
- Suzuki mudflaps and fender flares won't coexist
- Suzuki rear mudflaps don't mount properly
- no skid plates available
- runoff from windshield ends up on side windows
- distorted outside rear view mirror glass
- condensation in fog lights and tail lights
- engine compartment left in orange primer
- engine compartment not protected against road spray
- no shade band in windshield
- rear window tint is too dark
- crude functioning of seat heater
- easily stained beige carpets and mats
- stupid mileage readout
- warning lights scattered over instruments
- no aux-in jack on radio
- steering wheel too far forward
- shifter bezel is loose
- automatic hvac causes problems in many situations
- a few very minor rattles in interior
- too difficult to load cd's
- no rear center armrest
- rear seats not removable
- side/curtain airbags don't deploy in rollovers, impacts only
- condensation in fog lights and tail lights
- negligent design of roof crossbars
- oil leak from transmission/cooler line
- no remote gas filler release
- in 2006, low range bundled with top model and 17" rims
- traction control too hard to turn off
- traction control is crude
- can't drive it in 2wd
- no manual mode on 5-spd, combined with no 2nd gear position
- paint is easily damaged
- rear licence plate bezel reduces clearance
- rainwater drains off spoiler into cargo area when hatch is open
- plastic threshold panels scuff easily
- doors are very large
- dripping noise inside B pillar in rain
- crud sprays up inside lower door opening
- too little sound insulation
- no 4-cyl or diesel available in NA
- not enough interval variety in pause wipers
- headlight cutlines annoy other drivers
- horn evokes derision

There, have I found fault with everything? The list of things I like about it would be much longer. (I'll run for cover now.)

 

Dang geevee,
I was reading this list and thinking a couple of things to my self when I got to the last line....

But I think I would still duck and cover

 

geevee, I agree with most of the things on your list, but was surprised by your comment about the engine compartment being left in "orange primer". Mine is completely painted with exactly the same paint as the exterior.

You also missed the flakey cruise control.

 

mine is orange primer too.... I think it's cheap...

 

Mine is fully painted. i wonder why yours are like that. Perhaps its based on the model?

 

I'm really not impressed with the:

- distorted outside rear view mirror glass
​

The fishbowl effect actually makes it tough to tell which lane a car is in (behind me) when taking a quick glance. It reminds me of those really cheap mirrors they put in sunglass-displays at the drugstore.

 

geevee, I agree with most of the things on your list, but was surprised by your comment about the engine compartment being left in "orange primer". Mine is completely painted with exactly the same paint as the exterior.

You also missed the flakey cruise control.

I didn't think anything of the primed engine bay until our mechanic mentioned it. He said that seemed pretty cheap for a $30,000 car.

In these pictures of a damaged grey/blue GV, it doesn't look like the strut towers are the body color.
eBay Motors: Suzuki : Grand Vitara (item 220084614694 end time Feb-25-07 18:00:00 PST)

I don't use cruise control enough to run into the problem with resume. Any highways flat enough in BC to use cruise, are so crowded it's just a hassle using it anyway. And although it's pretty accurate as those systems go, I can do a better job myself.

 

From the safety of cyberspace, here's some more things I don't like about the GV:

- hard seats
- front passenger seat won't fold flat
- tailgate glass doesn't open
- baggy leather on front seats
- no std. crossbars on roof rack
- hood requires strut to hold open
- no underhood light
- can't turn off ABS
- uncommon tire size
- gated shifter
- cheesy carpet
- Homelink
- under deck storage bin in cargo area has space to be much larger

And just to show I'm not a total nut case, my likes:

- I like the spare on the tailgate
- bag hooks in cargo area
- keyless entry/start system
- pretty dash lights
- steering wheel radio and cruise controls
- tilt wheel
- well-fitted interior
- lots of space under dash
- storage space under front seats
- seatback pockets
- versatile sunroof
- large mirrors
- mirrors fold
- bright headlights
- quality build
- people like the styling
- lots of airbags
- seatbelt pretensioners
- doesn't bottom out
- tight turning radius
- peppy enough
- tight handling
- stability control
- great traction
- even weight distribution
- radio antenna is out of the way
- ABS brakes
- panic brake assist
- drum rear brakes
- lots of rear seat legroom
- split 60/40 folding back seat
- reclining rear seatback
- door pockets with bottle holders
- easy to avoid overfilling windshield washer reservoir
- alloy wheels
- hvac controls
- 5-spd automatic
- temperature readout
- excellent primer and rust protection
- visibility
- heated seats
- map lights
- interior volume
- power outlets
- headrest and shoulder belt for rear center seat
- low cargo area floor
- uses regular grade gas
- has timing chain, not belt
- padded front door and center armrests
- headrests positioned to minimize whiplash
- good crash survivability
- price!
- warranty
- good resale value in my market

 

Can I have your stuff?!

 

Hey, I've been to Houston. Pretty hot place! It's odd to see a pedestrian.

 

Fun, but getting a little off topic I think

When I started this thread I was hoping to find others with higher mileage GV's and compare notes about problems. I guess I opened a can of worms with the peeves section. Anyway, are there others with higher mileage on their GV's? Please share your list of what I will call atypical problems - not peeves (I'm sorry I suggested it). For the sake of a number, let's say 25K kms or 15K miles or greater.

 

When I started this thread I was hoping to find others with higher mileage GV's and compare notes about problems. I guess I opened a can of worms with the peeves section. Anyway, are there others with higher mileage on their GV's? Please share your list of what I will call atypical problems - not peeves (I'm sorry I suggested it). For the sake of a number, let's say 25K kms or 15K miles or greater.

You're right, and I apologize for contributing to taking the topic so far outside what you intended.

 

That's the fun thing about cyberspace - no real control.

In that spirit, I can't resist, I will add the noisy flaps in the HVAC control and the lack of positions to put jacks and stands under the GV due to the unique supports for the end of the transmission and something else I haven't looked closely at enough to see what its for in the back.

I still think it's a great vehicle especially considering the price. Seems like it's very similar in size to the Lexus and Porsche SUVs and you could have two GVs for about what they cost (luxury versions if you look at the Porsche).

Jim

 

lack of positions to put jacks and stands under the GV

staying off topic the FSM shows putting your jackstands on the "frame rails". I use the jack points with my floor jacks. see attached.

back to the topic: I'm at 20K Km, only one repair: a dead side mirror (wouldn't heat up properly). No excessive rattles. no problems of note.

 

Thanks for the diagrams. I was using a floor jack strong enough to pick up the GV plus some. I put my stands where the second diagram shows. To jack in back, after struggling with the stock scissors jack (how could they make that thing slower?), I finally just picked it up by the rear end with the floor jack. I did not see a safe point to do this in front but I will have to look again - there apparently is one. I put the floor jack where the left arrow is on the upper left box illustrating the front and then put the stand where the diagram suggests. The problem with this arrangement is that the area where the left arrow is is not flat - it is slightly curved. My floor jack head pivots a bit but it still didn't seem great - need to look for the spot in the middle, probably both safer and quicker.

Maybe if you know what you are doing.....

Jim

 

Getting back on topic, we have just crested 15,000 miles and discovered that our right rear tire is almost bald. Called the service department and he said that it is common and would re-align it for cost (49 bucks). Meanwhile, I have a couple of new tires to buy. I have a stain from unknown origin on the leather of the rear seat. Haven't found a way to remove it. The plastic wheel wells in the back have some dark spots from Halloween makeup the girls got on there. Haven't been able to get all of that off either. Other than that, no issues. Gas mileage has steadily increased. On long trips we average just over 20 per gallon.

 

Folks,

Mine has 32,000 km (1 year and 2 months). So far, the problems found:

- Rattling driver seat (fixed by myself... dealer just ignored my request)
- Excessive and uneven drivers side tire wear. I had to go to alignment and balancing. Back tires were way-out of alignment. I'm still using the uneven worn tire but is losing air pressure... I think I have to replace it.
- From time to time, interior sounds from the dash, passenger seat and tail back cover
- When using 4WD Lock and steering the wheels to either side, I can hear a noise coming from the rear differential

The pros:
- Looks impressive in the highway
- Well design interior
- Very capable in rocky and dust conditions. A very good 4WD car.
- Lots more than you already mentioned

About the MPG, I bought the K&N Air filter for the GV06 and now I'm getting 44-47 Km x gallon, driving at 90-100 Km/h on highway 40%/ City 60%. That's the best air filter I ever bought ^_^ . Really.

 

I'm almost at 15K so I chime in. I had no breakdowns or any other mechanical problems with the car so far. I too agree with many of the items mentioned. Sadly the gas mileage has not improved from the 15 city/ 18 hwy avarage. I hope the software upgrade mentioned in another thread will fix this. I'll be moving to Europe and have the option to ship a car but with this kind of mileage, no way!