the ones built between 1990 and 1996. if l get one l plan to get a lift kit, snorkel etc

They are okay, l have a friend who use to wheel with one. If l had a choice l would go with a jeep wrangler instead of that. My friends jeep wrangler was twice as good off road as his vitara was.

l got a 2000 vitara 2.0l 5 speed and had it off road and l loved it but its all stock id imagine if a mild lift some more horse power and some real good tires it would do great l got mine with brand new street type tires and they do loose traction off roading but if you get any ideas on tricking yours out let me know what you decide to do with it

YES! They are more than capable offroad, with a proper set up, calmini lift kit, bigger tires and rims, snorkle, headers and mufflers, you should be able to go where landcruisers, wrAnglers ect could go.

P.s.
Do not go rock crawling with them.