Suzuki Repair: history of car repairs, honda crv, suzuki vitara

Question
Hello.  I'm planning on buying a small suv.  I like the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, and the Subaru Forester.  My brother-in-law sells Suzuki's and can get me a good deal on a new 2003 Suzuki vitara (sp?) or Grand Vitara.  I don't know anything about Suzuki's.  Do they have a good reputation?  What about repairs to the car in 5 years?  I'm disillusioned with my American made Taurus that needs a new transmission (1997 and 75,000 miles).  The three cars I'm looking at have a good reputation.  Any information on Suzuki's or your thoughts on its car repair history would be appreciated.  Thanks so much.
Anne

Answer
They are fine.  I think the Honda and Toyota both have the best reputation, and the highest price.  The Subaru is unquestionably the best all wheel drive for the money.(I worked in dealerships, and have a lot of respect for the subaru.  However, the Suzuki is the only one of those vehicles with REAL off road capacity(low range).  It's a for real four wheel drive, the rest are urban all wheel drives.  I highly recommend the suzuki.  Probably the most car for the money.  If it's meticulously maintained, it should be just as reliable as the others.  
An interesting point to consider .....  Frequently the econo cars are great well built cars, but their owners are some of the worst idiots ever to wear a belly button, and are their car's worst enemy.  Consumer guide, and all the rest are close, but you should keep in mind that roughly 50% of the complaints regarding the cars are from people who didn't maintain their car properly, and proceeded to whine about the car.  You ought to hear what the mechanics have to say when they're trying to repair the difficulties those fatuous arrogant idiots caused for themselves.  
Keep in mind that the maintenance recommendations in the owner's manual come from the people who will cheerfully sell you a new engine, transmission, or a whole new car, and that their idea of good maintenance is just enough to stave off disaster, but is not what a knowlegable technician would do to make it last 20 years with minimum problems.
I usually get 2-3 hundred thousand miles from an engine in a sidekick, and 150k from a samurai motor.  You should be able to egual that easily with a car that's 10-15 years newer technology.
The ultimate test is still which vehicle come closest to making you grin madly when you drive it.  If you love it, repairing something is easy, if you hate it, nothing's good enough.