My grandmother had the first model year of this car growing up (it was still called the Grand Vitara XL-7) it was the top trim and it had ugly brown leather seats and an emerald green exterior. Whenever I see these on the road, the smell of dog and the sound of classic music from blown out speakers comes to mind! But it definitely gives me good memories of going to my grandmother’s house as a kid! She now drives a Chevy Traverse. To give everyone an idea of how slow the XL-7 is, my grandmother was scared of the power of her chevy when she test drove it.
Must be nice having your own place again! Nice wheels you got, it'll be good for winter too. We're still packing but should hit the road within the next few days 😀
Owned a 2001 XL-7 fresh off the dealer lot in 2000. Loved it, had to give it up 2017 when the rust eventually ate through the entire exhaust from engine to the tip... The local garage quoted $3000 to put back the exhaust from manifold to the tip and I ended up selling it $500. Strong engine and ran 215,000 miles. The timing chain and tranny had some life left on it but to bring it back would have put in additional $4000 for engine/tranny rebuild and replace the rear door due to rust. Eventually I decided to sell it because on top of $7000 to get it road worthy, the rack and pinion was starting to leak and the whole potential repair bill would have been better off buying a used low mileage XL-7. On average I only used the 4x4 mode 1% of the time that I owned it but I do believe that 1% would have made a life or death difference. The 2001 to 2006 model generation 1 of the XL-7 has an actual truck frame and not a unibody and does full 4x4 with a decent power to pull a small boat or a medium trailer. The frame has a liquid filled to reduce vibration and the cross bar on the engine helps with body flex. I'd say it Suzuki know how to build a good 4x4. It was better than Jeep dealership that was next to the Suzuki. Did the oil change myself on the lift of the vehicle and just about all the maintenance/repair except for 4 wheel alignment. Replaced, outer tie rod, shocks, radiator fan, egr valve cleaned. The only wish that I could ask for is that there is no diesel version of this vehicle in US market, you'd have to get it imported from either Europe or South America. Now I drive an RV and planning to get it 4x4 converted.
Holy cow .... quite the story ... I wasnt a fan of this one .... I had a samurai and sidekick back in the day and I loved those ones .... i put a 12.5" lift and 36s on the samurai and a 3" lift with 30s on the sidekick .... great vehicles for sure .
@@rex4x4 Never owned samurai or sidekick but considering this was one of two only 7 seating vehicle SUV in year 2000. The other being Mercury Mountaineer that only came in V8. Oddly enough, a coworker bought the Mountaineer and I bought the XL-7 about week apart. The coworker swear it is the best SUV he ever bought but I'm not sure it lasted 17 years like mine did.
Is the Samurai any good? Im looking for a SUV for my dad who lives in a country farm. I dont want anything with loads of gadgets and stuff, Samurai seems basic in that sense. But is it reliable enough? What about the XL7 or as we call it the Grand Vitara here in euroland. Has it been reliable, are you happy? It seems to have smaller wheels/tires than equivalent Land Cruiser/Patrol/Pajero/Shogun. Or are my eyes playing tricks? Im talking in general, not just your vehicle. The LC and Patrol wheels seem much bigger/fatter if i google in comparison pictures.
MS I would have gotten a samurai if they weren't so expensive or beat to shit .... the xl7 is longer than an grand vitara .... we have those here too . The suzukis have always been the smaller suv's ..... that's why I love them .
I have a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 pearl white bought new and still looks new. Still have right under 80K! :) People are so impressed.. haha. Did a suspension lift, then a body lift. (Paid to have done) But would never do that again... had to get a lot of the squeaks and other little noises rid of(can't stand it noises) after that modification. don't know if I would do it again. But my mechanics worked with me. I do have over size tires which look much much better especially after the body lift.I guess total, truck is 6" lifted.
"I've been lookin for standard, Inhate automatic" Yup! My exact mission as well brother. Got crazy lucky yesterday, and got an XL-7... it's such a nutty story, you probably wouldn't believe it tbh
@@ChromeArty try to replace the oil pan, u have to remove the intake to get at some of the sensors, everything about the build of that engine is an afterthought
@@rex4x4 yikes! I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger in my price range... people love these things. They last forever by most accounts. Sorry to hear you had bad luck with yours!!
my friend built his samuri with fell width cj axles,4.3 vortech engine,and a 700 r4 trans. it was up on 33 inch swampers and would damn near climb straight up
Ryan Winebrenner I wasn't impressed with it .... I love Suzuki's but this one was their bastard vehicle .... if u wanted to work on anything it was a nightmare .... soooo many things had to be removed to gain access to what u wanted to work on .... not as simple as their older vehicles.
True they are a bitch to work on I've had so much luck with them my first was an 01 5 speed paid 300 currently 203000 miles then an 03 for $250 put in motor and transmission at 265000 miles currently 280000 miles
Damn, that was like an old, old, old Top Gear style intro form the 90s... :P At least it's not the hairdresser special, if it was there'd be some suspicion about you, after all, sunflower, small dog, suzuki, next step is hangbag & high heels... :P
I know This video was 3 years ago but I have one it’s an 05 XL-7 been in the family since 06 and it’s been extremely reliable and they have good power and pep for the engine and vehicle that it is good little SUV
Rex4x4 mine only had 26k miles on it when we bought it but even now it only has 143k miles so still low mileage but I keep it up relentlessly maintenance wise
Rex4x4 well it’s a shame that that Suzuki didn’t work out for you man hopefully you can snag another one in better condition in the future they truly are good
@@8.4V10 oh dude .... i had an old sidekick that I lifted and put 30" mud tires on it .... i loved it, I also had an old samurai I put a 12.5" lift and 36s under it..... it was unstoppable .... i loved the older stuff .
I bought a 2001 XL-7 "Limited" a few days ago. 4x4, trashed leather interior. 190,000 miles. Worn out suspension bushings. Needs front c/v boots. I only paid $1,500 for it. Today I bought a 2004 XL-7 with a bad motor. My intention was to buy the 2004 and swap over all the good parts onto the 2001....... ........the 2004 appears to be in absolutely perfect condition. It would look right at home sitting on a used car dealership lot. It's THAT clean. So which is more durable? The 2001 or the 2004? They are mechanically the same, but the electrical stuff is different. Do I break up the excellent condition, XL with the blown motor & swap the good parts? Or do I pull the engine out of the 2001 and drop it into the 2004?
Ohhhh mannnn ... I don't know ... I hated this thing ... nothing was easy to work on . It just diddnt make sense the way it was engineered. I prefer the old sidekicks from the 90s .... simple . Good luck buddy ... hope your build is awesome and trouble free.
Sorry bud I sold it .... its suzuki's bastard 4x4 .... I'll never buy another one again .... I'll stick with their older 4 cyl ones if I buy another one .
Unfortunately in America manuals are basically a theft device. Because so many people can’t drive them these days. So for a lot of modern cars it’s not even an option anymore.
Hi do you still have this xl7? I'm looking at a 2004 model, 280,000km... Being sold as is... I like the instrument cluster and the fact that it's a 2.7 V6 and not a 3.7 like the recent models... suggestions? What should I be aware of? Would be great to hear your experience... Thanks!
Should have went with the all wheel drive Aztek, they have tents that you can pitch out the back. And yes I am, maybe, getting one of those soon™, only thing is that mine will be a FWD not AWD....yet. Looks like a nice old beater though.....however the Nicklecrap should have made the previous owner PAY you to take it, but that is just me LOL.
*what about all your mowers, bikes and shit that you had in the barn? cant fit all of that in that temp garage. think it would have been more interesting to see you do another Jeep Cherokee personally*
Trust me an automatic is better than a "standard" or stick because really stick isn't standard but anyway automatics are better I am 15 and I am learning how to drive do you know how hard stick shifts are to drive???
Lucas Fernandez standards are easy the one area that the automatic has is they have 5.12 final gear in the diffs the standard has 4.30 gears and the automatic has an aluminum front differential housing the standard has cast iron diff housing
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My grandmother had the first model year of this car growing up (it was still called the Grand Vitara XL-7) it was the top trim and it had ugly brown leather seats and an emerald green exterior. Whenever I see these on the road, the smell of dog and the sound of classic music from blown out speakers comes to mind! But it definitely gives me good memories of going to my grandmother’s house as a kid! She now drives a Chevy Traverse. To give everyone an idea of how slow the XL-7 is, my grandmother was scared of the power of her chevy when she test drove it.
Lol that's awesome ..... gotta love old memories .
Hope u never forget
nice. can't wait to see more videos.
thanks simon ... winter is upon us here so progress will be a bit slow but come spring we should be good .
Nice!! I have this 4x4 as well in the same color/interior. It has over 400k and still going!
Is it a v6? I wasnt a fan of the set up ..... I miss my old l4 sidekick and samurai .
Those look super nice and fly under the radar. As cool as a 4runner or a landrover to me
Very nice! I just bought the same thing. Luckily, I found a manual. Love the old rig. Very tough, reliable and basic. Great for mucking about! Cheers!
It was ny least favorite .... currently looking for another samurai
Nice Suzuki there Rex Sweet
Suzuki xl7 4x4 are good little rigs bud
Must be nice having your own place again! Nice wheels you got, it'll be good for winter too. We're still packing but should hit the road within the next few days 😀
looks like she will be lots of fun ..
cant wait man ....
nice wheels man! love that thing
its a decent rig so far .
you're a decent rig so far
Owned a 2001 XL-7 fresh off the dealer lot in 2000. Loved it, had to give it up 2017 when the rust eventually ate through the entire exhaust from engine to the tip... The local garage quoted $3000 to put back the exhaust from manifold to the tip and I ended up selling it $500. Strong engine and ran 215,000 miles. The timing chain and tranny had some life left on it but to bring it back would have put in additional $4000 for engine/tranny rebuild and replace the rear door due to rust. Eventually I decided to sell it because on top of $7000 to get it road worthy, the rack and pinion was starting to leak and the whole potential repair bill would have been better off buying a used low mileage XL-7. On average I only used the 4x4 mode 1% of the time that I owned it but I do believe that 1% would have made a life or death difference.
The 2001 to 2006 model generation 1 of the XL-7 has an actual truck frame and not a unibody and does full 4x4 with a decent power to pull a small boat or a medium trailer. The frame has a liquid filled to reduce vibration and the cross bar on the engine helps with body flex. I'd say it Suzuki know how to build a good 4x4. It was better than Jeep dealership that was next to the Suzuki. Did the oil change myself on the lift of the vehicle and just about all the maintenance/repair except for 4 wheel alignment. Replaced, outer tie rod, shocks, radiator fan, egr valve cleaned. The only wish that I could ask for is that there is no diesel version of this vehicle in US market, you'd have to get it imported from either Europe or South America. Now I drive an RV and planning to get it 4x4 converted.
Holy cow .... quite the story ...
I wasnt a fan of this one .... I had a samurai and sidekick back in the day and I loved those ones .... i put a 12.5" lift and 36s on the samurai and a 3" lift with 30s on the sidekick .... great vehicles for sure .
@@rex4x4 Never owned samurai or sidekick but considering this was one of two only 7 seating vehicle SUV in year 2000. The other being Mercury Mountaineer that only came in V8. Oddly enough, a coworker bought the Mountaineer and I bought the XL-7 about week apart. The coworker swear it is the best SUV he ever bought but I'm not sure it lasted 17 years like mine did.
@@sangkang6294 lol I get bored of my cars usually 1 or 2 years into owning it .....but then again I've never had a new one either .
I miss mine so much
Can't wait for more videos on this, you'll have lots of fun with it
i had an old samurai and a sidekick before .... and i had a blast with those ones
Is the Samurai any good? Im looking for a SUV for my dad who lives in a country farm. I dont want anything with loads of gadgets and stuff, Samurai seems basic in that sense. But is it reliable enough?
What about the XL7 or as we call it the Grand Vitara here in euroland. Has it been reliable, are you happy? It seems to have smaller wheels/tires than equivalent Land Cruiser/Patrol/Pajero/Shogun. Or are my eyes playing tricks? Im talking in general, not just your vehicle. The LC and Patrol wheels seem much bigger/fatter if i google in comparison pictures.
MS I would have gotten a samurai if they weren't so expensive or beat to shit .... the xl7 is longer than an grand vitara .... we have those here too .
The suzukis have always been the smaller suv's ..... that's why I love them .
I know its longer. In europe they simply call them like this:
Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki Grand Vitara (thats the xl7)
MS huh ... we have all 3 here .
Life was so much more simple when there was just a 2 or 4 door sidekick lol
I have a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 pearl white bought new and still looks new. Still have right under 80K! :) People are so impressed.. haha. Did a suspension lift, then a body lift. (Paid to have done) But would never do that again... had to get a lot of the squeaks and other little noises rid of(can't stand it noises) after that modification. don't know if I would do it again. But my mechanics worked with me. I do have over size tires which look much much better especially after the body lift.I guess total, truck is 6" lifted.
Eckingtonwashdc Washington DC I'm jealous ..... got rid of this thing before I could do that .... way more on fuel than I thought it was gonna be
Ah Ok. yup, not exactly a hybrid. :)
It's been cold here too... like 12 degrees
sweet
"I've been lookin for standard, Inhate automatic"
Yup! My exact mission as well brother. Got crazy lucky yesterday, and got an XL-7... it's such a nutty story, you probably wouldn't believe it tbh
I'll never buy one with a v6 again
@@rex4x4 why's that man?
@@ChromeArty try to replace the oil pan, u have to remove the intake to get at some of the sensors, everything about the build of that engine is an afterthought
@@rex4x4 yikes!
I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger in my price range... people love these things. They last forever by most accounts.
Sorry to hear you had bad luck with yours!!
@@ChromeArty I've had samurais and sidekicks and I loved those 4 cyl beasts .... this one..... not so much .
my friend built his samuri with fell width cj axles,4.3 vortech engine,and a 700 r4 trans. it was up on 33 inch swampers and would damn near climb straight up
niiiiiiiiiice mannnn ..... i put a 12.5" lift and 36s on my old samurai .... this one will only have 31s when im done .
Nice economical SUV Rex! When's the house tour??
Congrats on that too !!!!
man I love the Suzuki xl7 I have 3 of them hard to find a lift kit but great vehicles
Ryan Winebrenner I wasn't impressed with it .... I love Suzuki's but this one was their bastard vehicle .... if u wanted to work on anything it was a nightmare .... soooo many things had to be removed to gain access to what u wanted to work on .... not as simple as their older vehicles.
True they are a bitch to work on I've had so much luck with them my first was an 01 5 speed paid 300 currently 203000 miles then an 03 for $250 put in motor and transmission at 265000 miles currently 280000 miles
Ryan Winebrenner i got an 03 for $100 and it has 264k miles right now still runs good has a valve cover leak too though plan on fixing soon
Damn, that was like an old, old, old Top Gear style intro form the 90s... :P
At least it's not the hairdresser special, if it was there'd be some suspicion about you, after all, sunflower, small dog, suzuki, next step is hangbag & high heels... :P
when you pulled in the park I thought the first place was yours LOL
lol that was the intention lol
loads of those here in ireland with manual, rare to find auto in one ha
not a fan of the auto but itll do .
I miss mine, 2003 XL7... This would never get stuck. Ran great but was afraid of parts and repairs
Parts and repairs ..... thats why I got rid of her .... the v6 is a nightmare .
Give me an older 4cyl sidekick any day
@@rex4x4 impossible to pull the engine
@@chrispellicci6587 haha yeah .... 4wd actuator in the bumper and if u need to change the oil pan u need to lift the engine..... ughhhh lol
@@rex4x4 there was a guy on RUclips trying to pull the engine out of one. It was the never ending story.
So tight and needed specially tools
@@chrispellicci6587 poor bugger
I know This video was 3 years ago but I have one it’s an 05 XL-7 been in the family since 06 and it’s been extremely reliable and they have good power and pep for the engine and vehicle that it is good little SUV
Yes it was good .... till I had to work on it
Rex4x4 mine only had 26k miles on it when we bought it but even now it only has 143k miles so still low mileage but I keep it up relentlessly maintenance wise
@@8.4V10 i think that one had around what yours has now ... it was under hood stuff that sucked ... oil pan was the least favorite.
Rex4x4 well it’s a shame that that Suzuki didn’t work out for you man hopefully you can snag another one in better condition in the future they truly are good
@@8.4V10 oh dude .... i had an old sidekick that I lifted and put 30" mud tires on it .... i loved it, I also had an old samurai I put a 12.5" lift and 36s under it..... it was unstoppable .... i loved the older stuff .
I bought a 2001 XL-7 "Limited" a few days ago. 4x4, trashed leather interior. 190,000 miles. Worn out suspension bushings. Needs front c/v boots. I only paid $1,500 for it.
Today I bought a 2004 XL-7 with a bad motor. My intention was to buy the 2004 and swap over all the good parts onto the 2001.......
........the 2004 appears to be in absolutely perfect condition. It would look right at home sitting on a used car dealership lot. It's THAT clean.
So which is more durable? The 2001 or the 2004?
They are mechanically the same, but the electrical stuff is different.
Do I break up the excellent condition, XL with the blown motor & swap the good parts?
Or do I pull the engine out of the 2001 and drop it into the 2004?
Ohhhh mannnn ... I don't know ... I hated this thing ... nothing was easy to work on .
It just diddnt make sense the way it was engineered.
I prefer the old sidekicks from the 90s .... simple .
Good luck buddy ... hope your build is awesome and trouble free.
Do you have any update videos of this? I couldn't find one
Great video just bought '04 myself how is it on the trails?
Sorry bud I sold it .... its suzuki's bastard 4x4 .... I'll never buy another one again .... I'll stick with their older 4 cyl ones if I buy another one .
@@rex4x4 Lol, figured you would
Can you still pull a trailer
Unfortunately in America manuals are basically a theft device. Because so many people can’t drive them these days. So for a lot of modern cars it’s not even an option anymore.
I'm not a fan of auto-tragic
Hi do you still have this xl7? I'm looking at a 2004 model, 280,000km... Being sold as is... I like the instrument cluster and the fact that it's a 2.7 V6 and not a 3.7 like the recent models... suggestions? What should I be aware of? Would be great to hear your experience... Thanks!
Stay away from this nightmare .... everything is a bitch to work on .... get a 4 cyl sidekick .
@@rex4x4 lol you weren't trying hard enough.
@@tonybruce the older I get the less patients I have.
Should have went with the all wheel drive Aztek, they have tents that you can pitch out the back. And yes I am, maybe, getting one of those soon™, only thing is that mine will be a FWD not AWD....yet. Looks like a nice old beater though.....however the Nicklecrap should have made the previous owner PAY you to take it, but that is just me LOL.
Nice Zuk. It's been almost 2 years. Where's the build videos?
Mitch Mandell lol sold it before I had a chance to do anything .... it was horrible on fuel
Rex4X4 Lol Told you. 4 Runner and Land Cruiser are better anyway, even if they are fuelish as well.
For $500 I can't say no to this XL-7. The deal is too good.
toyoscio my favorite 4x4 is an old land cruiser
Rex4X4 Mine too. They are so rugged and tough.
*what about all your mowers, bikes and shit that you had in the barn? cant fit all of that in that temp garage. think it would have been more interesting to see you do another Jeep Cherokee personally*
Why not first
first enough ??? im confused ?
Trust me an automatic is better than a "standard" or stick because really stick isn't standard but anyway automatics are better I am 15 and I am learning how to drive do you know how hard stick shifts are to drive???
Here in Norway, there are mostly manual cars, so you have to take your licence using one. 2500 dollars for a Norwegian driving licence.
Lucas Fernandez standards are easy the one area that the automatic has is they have 5.12 final gear in the diffs the standard has 4.30 gears and the automatic has an aluminum front differential housing the standard has cast iron diff housing
Just takes rhythm to drive a stick. I use to teach people to drive 10 speed 18 wheelers. Both double clutch and to float
@lucas Fernandez Omg how did I miss this?? I love manuals ..... I only drive manual unless the car is practically free .... did ya finally learn it ?
Its not hard
Uses too much fuel