This car is very fun and stands out when cleaned up it is cheap to repair and east to work on, with a easy to reach reliable engine, I picked mine up for £650 with 10 months mot, yeah it's not the fastest but it's can get you anywhere, not to bad on fule for a 4x4. There are many different models to choose from I have thee vitara jx 4u. I have use parts off many models including he grand vitara giving my self extra cup holders nicer gators around the gear selector and even 1.5" lift using GV springs a comfortable ride but can be abit bouncy over speed bumps, very fun on and off the road, The transfer box allows to to have rear wheel drive, 4wd and 4L so allows you to drift or grip on any surface. Not to bad to insure either. Over all it is a very practical car I have the 3d swb and can still fit long lenghts in it, it's even easy to climb in the back !!!

I've had two of these cars. My first was the soft top, two-tone type which I quickly swapped after only 3 weeks because it wouldn't start, the plastic hat flapped badly and made a right racket when driving down the motorway. The suspension was bouncy and the feedback was scarily poor.

However - I changed it for a hard top version which was 6 months younger and it was a completely different story. Never had a problem with the car in two years apart from a growing rust problem either side of the car in the same place where the bumper met the body on the wheel arch. Advice from the garage was to let it grow some more and then replace both wings as it would reoccur.

I felt as though the car knew me previously and matched itself with my temperament rather than the other way around. It was hugely responsive, easy to maneouvre despite it's bulky appearance and I just kept wanting to take it out.

The interior is very basic but it gives you a sense that you're driving a real car rather than feeling as though you've been cheated.

Tested the 4WD twice. Once in ice, where all was dandy until I hit black ice, then I may as well have been in any other car - one without ABS of course, as these cars have no mod cons. Other time was reversing on a pebble drive which was very satisfying after having previously dug in whilst in 2WD mode. Slipped out with ease. Haven't tested on the Lickey Hills, but from what I've seen on TV, the Vitara is the sprightly jockey of off-roading.

To sum up, this car is perfect for those who form bonds with their cars. The car I had after this was a Mini One, which I still own, and I've never felt anything for it the way I did with the Vitara, despite the Mini being a far, far better car in all ways.