Any experiences of the Jimny?

[boobles]

Anyone own one or driven one or know anything about them please?
We are looking at buying a 4x4 but has to be cheap to insure for the other half to drive (not yet past her test) & I personally will only be driving it in the winter months when we have the occasional snow etc. It doesn't have to be able to climb everest & I know there are much better 4x4's out there especially growing up with a series 2A Landrover but we just need something cheap to buy/insure & maintain. Any one know if they are worth looking at please?

[boobles]

Many thanks... We will have a maximum of 2k to spend so probably any early is our only option & will inspect it thoroughly. It will only be used for short journeys & probably only used in the winter months as we will keep the car aswel.

[boobles]

Many thanks for everyones opinions. They come across as pretty decent little things.

Spare tyre - Thank you for this kind offer, I am about 45mins away from you & if I am in the area, I will let you know.

[boobles]

drgoatboy said:

I had one for 2.5 years. Amazingly capable off road, you can have tonnes of fun.
£2k should get you something tidy and the softtop may make it a bit more fun for the other half if she likes that sort of thing. Lots of mods available if you do want to make it a bit more offroad orientated...

As others have said not great on long journeys, but a hoot to drive around town.

Worth being aware that insurance may not be as cheap as you think (get a quote), and on the road they are RWD not 4WD.
I never, ever, managed to get the tail to slip in normal conditions but others have reported some lairy moments on wet roundabouts. (Quite what they were doing I don't know)

Edited by drgoatboy on Wednesday 8th January 12:55

Insurance is currently our biggest headache for the GF. Nobody wants to give us a quote.

[boobles]

andyb66 said:

We had one win it's class in our club ( www.scor4x4.co.uk) RTV trial competition last year.

Very capable little things as everyone is suggesting. I might even have a play on Salisbury Plain once I get one.

[boobles]

drgoatboy said:

If you haven't already try Adrian flux. They were cheapest by far for my lightly modded Jim. (rubbish for my other cars mind you...)

Thank you, will do. :Thumbup:

[boobles]

Thank you


Thank you


Thank you..

[boobles]

P I Staker said:

Just for the record with a small lift and some slightly bigger mud tyres these things are fantastic offroad.

Have been watching some youtube clips & they seem more than capable.

[boobles]

Thanks 300 any advice is welcome. Insurance will be the biggest factor when we decide what to buy & it wouldn't be used of road very much at all, just winter months really to cope with the snow & to keep the miles down on my car. 2k is our maximum to buy something.

[boobles]

I really want what I call a proper 4x4 & not a car. The panda etc just wouldn't be my cup of tea at all.

[boobles]

zoom star said:

All my nippers friends are running around in these little mitsibishi pinin's. They get to places I thought my 110 Defender could only get.

We did use to own one & although it never went off road, it felt solid & was a nice car to drive.

[boobles]

Spanna said:

Our family run about is a Jimny. Bought new in 2010, it's now done 19,000 miles without any problems at all. The automatic option was ticked, I was dubious, but it suits the car (and I wasn't buying so I didn't get a say).

I was 19/20 with 0 NCB when I was named on the insurance, the premium was around £600-700.

Here's the beast:

Insurance is the main issue here, not for me because I am an old fart but for the GF who hasn't passed her test yet.

[boobles]

[boobles]

Just a quick update: We are now actually ready to buy a 4x4. Having spent a year thinking about it & saving a little bit of money we are now actively looking. We spotted a Shogun Pinin local to us for sale which was actually owned by my mum about 9 years ago but we missed out on it by 10 mins.

We are not ruling out most 4x4's & these are in the running. We have a maximum of 2k to spend.

Shogun Pinin
Jimny
Freelander
Rav 4
Vitara

Wouldn't rule out others if something came up with in our budget.

[boobles]

pidsy said:

ive been eyeing this up recently OP:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-sale-Suzuki-Samurai-...

ive already got an off roader but mrs P likes the look of this.

Not sure how that would cope with everyday driving on the roads.

Does look bloody awesome though!

[boobles]

Put a deposit down today on a 2001 Grand Vitara GV1600. Not much service history but very clean indeed with new hood & clutch fitted recently & 1 years MOT & they are going to service it for me all included in the price we agreed.

[boobles]

So picked it up from Botley on Saturday morning.
It drives fine & mechanically sound but with a few bumps & sracthes to bodywork (which is expected) Had slight problem with unlocking the door but think I have that sorted now. Garage put new roof on it & clutch was replaced in December. They also put it through the MOT which cost them £200 for the brakes to be sorted.