2002 Suzuki Jimny

[HorneyMX5]

Because 3 road cars isn't enough. To add to the Yeti Daily, 1.8 MK1 MX5 sunny day daily and the supercharged 1.6 MX5 road legal sprint/hill/trackday car I decided I totally needed a cheap and fun offroader.

After a bit of research it appeared that a Jimny was the best for my budget to buy and modify. I placed a wanted advert on the BigJimny forum and this one in Oxford came up. A deal was struck at £1100.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Came fitted with the Mud Terrain tyres (and a spare set of wheels with AT tyres) and 32mm spacers. Has MOT till October and very little of the crusty stuff. It's quite scratched but who cares.

One small issue is it seemed very down on power. The previous owner had replaced the lambda and cam sensor but not much improvement. A quick google revealed a common problem was the first cat (in the manifold) collapsing and blocking up the second cat in the exhaust with bits. Out came the angle grinder and sure enough that was the problem.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Cleared out the first cat and made a decat out of some stainless that was kicking about.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Now good as gold and pulls nicely. Took the scenic route to work this morning.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Plans are a 2" lift kit, snorkel and lots of spotlights.

[veccy208]

nice wee machine. I've always wanted one but never been able to get round to it. What's it been like to live with so far?

[HorneyMX5]

I've only had it since sunday evening. ha ha.

[veccy208]

oops probably missed that detail while skimming through! You're still on honeymoon

[davebem]

My wife had one from new a few years ago and Ive hired them abroad and love them, ride is harsh and handles terribly on road but all is forgiven off road where they are very capable. Engine is bulletproof, and 100% reliable, ours didnt even blow a bulb and it had a lot of abuse (ranging from shopping trips, towing felled trees to completing full assault course at devils pit).

[HorneyMX5]

Friday night adventures.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[anonymous-user]

Always liked these since having one as a courtesy car for a few days while my Baleno (yes, I owned a Baleno) was in having its third gearbox fitted.
I'm sort of idly toying with the idea that one of these would be good to have when my kids start driving - cheap to insure and not fast enough for them to kill themselves in.

Keep us updated!

[Dr G]

So much fun; drove one all around Rhodes (most of the time not on roads) and loved it.

At a grand (ish) you'd struggle to have more fun.

[Rickyy]

I really want one and I will once I've got my MX5 sorted. I have a Grand Vitara as our family car and I love it, I'd love a Jimny to compliment it and use properly off road. I can't seem to find anywhere legal to take the GV though, I'm itching to get it dirty.

I'm sure you're aware, but there are a few FB groups for Jimnys etc, with plenty of parts coming up for sale.

[griffin dai]

We had these for work around 10/11 years ago, loadsafun gunning around the countryside up and down dirt tracks

[caelite]

Spumfry said:

Always liked these since having one as a courtesy car for a few days while my Baleno (yes, I owned a Baleno) was in having its third gearbox fitted.
I'm sort of idly toying with the idea that one of these would be good to have when my kids start driving - cheap to insure and not fast enough for them to kill themselves in.

Keep us updated!

Eh, first time a kid trys to chuck it into a corner with the handbrake pulled (so within about 20minutes of passing their test) its going to fall over, Micra/Yaris would be a much better choice .

[5ohmustang]

One of Suzuki America Motor Corp. biggest failure was not bringing the jimny to the US market. They have have sold a ton, being a cheaper alternative to a wrangler.

[HorneyMX5]

Yesterday went to Salisbury plains with some friends including Nick of Skuzzle Motorsport. Fun was had!

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[Ecosseven]

Very nice.

What size are the tyres? They are definitely larger than standard but not sure if they are 195/80/15 or 215/75/15.

Quite fancy a Jimny myself but don't have the space sadly.

[HorneyMX5]

They're 205 70 R15.

[Ecosseven]

Thanks. They look larger than standard - must be the tread pattern.

[HorneyMX5]

Ecosseven said:

Thanks. They look larger than standard - must be the tread pattern.

Is that the standard tyre size then? It came with them fitted and although it came with another set of wheels with road tyres I've not even looked at what's fitted to those.

[Ecosseven]

HorneyMX5 said:

Ecosseven said:

Thanks. They look larger than standard - must be the tread pattern.

Is that the standard tyre size then? It came with them fitted and although it came with another set of wheels with road tyres I've not even looked at what's fitted to those.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that the standard tyre size is 205/70/15. I'm told that 195/80/15 will fit without modification and that 215/75/15 might fit without a lift but it's tight. To be honest If I were you I would just get out there and enjoy the car as it is. Looks great fun and I keep looking at my local classifieds for something similar. Just need to convince my missus that we need another car!

[HorneyMX5]

Ecosseven said:

HorneyMX5 said:

Ecosseven said:

Thanks. They look larger than standard - must be the tread pattern.

Is that the standard tyre size then? It came with them fitted and although it came with another set of wheels with road tyres I've not even looked at what's fitted to those.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that the standard tyre size is 205/70/15. I'm told that 195/80/15 will fit without modification and that 215/75/15 might fit without a lift but it's tight. To be honest If I were you I would just get out there and enjoy the car as it is. Looks great fun and I keep looking at my local classifieds for something similar. Just need to convince my missus that we need another car!

Well these rub very slightly on full lock and occasionally bang the arches on the rear when tackling bumpy stuff. I'm going to source and fit a 2" spring and damper lift at some point.

Anyway, just buy one. You may guess from my username that I love MX5s. These are surely the MX5 of the offroad world? Small, cheap and punch above their weight.

[Mr Peel]

That's great. You can join 4x4 rescue now

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...