.... a choice of economical diesel that would get 42mpg or super smooth 2.7 v6.
Wow ! 42mpg. Was it in 4WD all the time ?
That will be "up to"
Suzuki's own figures (which will no doubt be at least slightly optimistic) say an average of 35.3mpg for the diesel. Curiously, they don't say what the average economy of the 2.7 V6 is..............
The 4wd was selectable, 2wd high, 4wd high, and 4wd low.
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It has a typical Japanese set up of that era being a part-time system, 2H for tarmac, then for off road you can switch into either 4H or 4L operated by a separate lever.
I quoted the official figure for extra-urban, but they do achieve it in real life too, knowing someone that ran one for many years. From memory I think it is a Peugeot engine.
The v6 model whilst obviously thirsty is surprisingly refined and came with an Aisin 5 speed torque converter auto. The v6 was a further development of the Mazda/Suzuki 2.5, ironically it was Suzuki that decided to go it alone in increasing displacement, I think I read it was even adopted by light aircraft makers.
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I see Adam may still consider a Vitara in his latest thread re selling to Motorway.
One explanation for the steering issue on his previous Vitara test might be tyre pressures. I was washing ours yesterday (not Allgrip) and noticed that standard pressures on the C pillar are 33psi all round. Which is what we use. The fully laden figures are 35 and 41. However the highest listed pressures are “Eco” and these are a whopping 41 psi front and 38 rear.
I don’t know what the Allgrip pressures are but I wonder lightly loaded car running similar Eco pressures might give odd steering feel?
Edited by catsdad on 15/04/2024 at 12:15
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Keeping these all in one place. Just took a drive in a Mazda CX-3 from my local car supermarket. It obviously had been a nice car once, but was very tatty and the coolant was below the Low level despite it having recently been 'serviced' there. There was a Cinch branded transporter unloading cars whilst I was there, so I guess I found where all the local WBAC cars go.
I spotted a Panda 4x4 for sale.on my way home. It was in mostly good nick, but had a cigarette burn in the driver's seat, aftermarket cupholders screwed on to the dash and sills cakes in mud. It actually drove fine, but the seat was too uncomfortable for me.
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Keeping these all in one place. Just took a drive in a Mazda CX-3 from my local car supermarket. It obviously had been a nice car once, but was very tatty and the coolant was below the Low level despite it having recently been 'serviced' there. There was a Cinch branded transporter unloading cars whilst I was there, so I guess I found where all the local WBAC cars go.
I spotted a Panda 4x4 for sale.on my way home. It was in mostly good nick, but had a cigarette burn in the driver's seat, aftermarket cupholders screwed on to the dash and sills cakes in mud. It actually drove fine, but the seat was too uncomfortable for me.
Where WBAC cars go depends on their condition, as reported by the WBAC assessor - when I sold my Hyundai Santa Fe just before the warranty expired it went straight to a Hyunda dealer and rapidly sold on - it was very definitely in retail condition when I sold it.
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Today's adventure was a Suzuki Ignis (20 plate Allgrip). What a brilliant little car. The interior space is unbelievable, ride very good and handling exceptional.
Sadly, the seats were no good for me. Too squishy and too thin.
I've read a lot of.negative comments on the interior quality. As I'm not a motoring journalist, I don't spend my life squeezing dashboards are scratching at door cards, but the interior seemed fine to me, and a lot better than mid range cars with shingly black plastic and fake metal everywhere.
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I like the Ignis, it’s fun and has character. That it’s reliable and costs buttons to run only sweetens the pot. A great little car.
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I like the Ignis, it’s fun and has character. That it’s reliable and costs buttons to run only sweetens the pot. A great little car.
Agreed, just steer clear of the AGS auto!.
I'd also steer clear of the basic (SZ3) spec. Not that I've anything against low spec cars, but in the Ignis's case, you get a fixed 3 person rear bench seat in the SZ3 rather than the very useful 2 individual sliding rear seats in the other trim levels. And yes, some might need to seat 3 in the back, but for them, the Ignis wouldn't be a great choice as the cabin is so narrow.
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I like the Ignis, it’s fun and has character. That it’s reliable and costs buttons to run only sweetens the pot. A great little car.
Agreed, just steer clear of the AGS auto!.
I'd also steer clear of the basic (SZ3) spec. Not that I've anything against low spec cars, but in the Ignis's case, you get a fixed 3 person rear bench seat in the SZ3 rather than the very useful 2 individual sliding rear seats in the other trim levels. And yes, some might need to seat 3 in the back, but for them, the Ignis wouldn't be a great choice as the cabin is so narrow.
I believe it's a CVT in the newer ones. Incidentally, I sat in another Vitara and the seats still feel narrow. I must have a giant bum.
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I like the Ignis, it’s fun and has character. That it’s reliable and costs buttons to run only sweetens the pot. A great little car.
Agreed, just steer clear of the AGS auto!.
I'd also steer clear of the basic (SZ3) spec. Not that I've anything against low spec cars, but in the Ignis's case, you get a fixed 3 person rear bench seat in the SZ3 rather than the very useful 2 individual sliding rear seats in the other trim levels. And yes, some might need to seat 3 in the back, but for them, the Ignis wouldn't be a great choice as the cabin is so narrow.
I believe it's a CVT in the newer ones. Incidentally, I sat in another Vitara and the seats still feel narrow. I must have a giant bum.
Yes, we missed out on the facelifted version with the CVT by a matter of about a month or two, Grrr!
Not sure what to say about the seats though, it is puzzling.
I really liked the seats in it, as did my Dad, though neither of us are very big in either direction. My wife, who is (ahem) a "bit" heavier than she should be, found them fine. And I even had my cousin's 25 stone daughter in the front passenger seat. She "fitted" a lot better than I feared, and while I didn't actually ask how she found the seat, there were no complaints (or fidgeting) after two 20 mile trips?.
How about a Sandero Stepway?. Figures I have suggest the ground clearance (I believe about an inch more than the Sandero) is only 1cm less than the Ignis. You could get one with the same engine as your Twingo!
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I like the Ignis, it’s fun and has character. That it’s reliable and costs buttons to run only sweetens the pot. A great little car.
Agreed, just steer clear of the AGS auto!.
I'd also steer clear of the basic (SZ3) spec. Not that I've anything against low spec cars, but in the Ignis's case, you get a fixed 3 person rear bench seat in the SZ3 rather than the very useful 2 individual sliding rear seats in the other trim levels. And yes, some might need to seat 3 in the back, but for them, the Ignis wouldn't be a great choice as the cabin is so narrow.
I believe it's a CVT in the newer ones. Incidentally, I sat in another Vitara and the seats still feel narrow. I must have a giant bum.
Yes, we missed out on the facelifted version with the CVT by a matter of about a month or two, Grrr!
Not sure what to say about the seats though, it is puzzling.
I really liked the seats in it, as did my Dad, though neither of us are very big in either direction. My wife, who is (ahem) a "bit" heavier than she should be, found them fine. And I even had my cousin's 25 stone daughter in the front passenger seat. She "fitted" a lot better than I feared, and while I didn't actually ask how she found the seat, there were no complaints (or fidgeting) after two 20 mile trips?.
How about a Sandero Stepway?. Figures I have suggest the ground clearance (I believe about an inch more than the Sandero) is only 1cm less than the Ignis. You could get one with the same engine as your Twingo!
It has crossed my mind, but I have become fixated on having 4wd for the one day I'll need it. I am keeping an eye out for a 4wd Duster to try, but they aren't that common.
Tomorrow I'm heading down to deepest Devon to have a look at various Subarus. I thought the Impreza was great, but too low so have high hopes for an XV. They also have an old Forester that I might look at
My seats issue is different between the Vitara and Ignis. In the Vitara, they felt good apart from the bolsters on the bottom bit (squab?) are too close together, so it feels like I'm perched on them. In the Ignis (and Panda 4x4 as it happens), the issue seems to be that they have no lumber support. I have very poor posture and it seems that I am absurdly sensitive to car seat shape and support. There is little rhyme or reason to it and it's deeply frustrating.
Having lost a fair chunk of money ditching a brand new Golf that I just couldn't get comfortable in, I now just walk away from any car that doesn't feel right immediately.
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Just to wrap this one up, I did try another Vitara in the end, and decided to buy it. I saw it at about 11:30 and, after harassing the poor salesman, it is now sat on my drive. At least he can enjoy a drink with his commission.
The steering problem didn't exist on this one, so the other must have had something worn that was causing it to wander.
I've gone for a 1.6 SZ5 Allgrip Auto meeting all key backroom criteria:
- Suzuki
- Normally aspirated
- Old fashioned auto gearbox with no dual clutch witchcraft
It's still rather noisy after the Karoq and the seat bases are still weird. I'm hoping a little adjusting will solve that, as the backs are fine (which is unusual for me).
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